bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Temperature compensation design and experiment for a giant magnetostrictive actuator
Authors: Zhao Zhangrong , Sui Xiaomei 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBecause the performance of giant magnetostrictive materials (GMMs) can vary at different temperatures, the positioning accuracy of a giant magnetostrictive actuator is affected by heat. In this work, a new simplified control strategy under compulsory water cooling is proposed to maintain a constant GMM temperature. Based on this strategy, a coupled turbulent flow field and temperature field finite element model is created for a GMM smart component. The model is simulated using COMSOL Multiphysics software version 5.3. Through simulations, the temperature field distribution of GMM smart components is analysed under different drive input currents and cooling water flow rates. Based on the obtained simulation results, a GMM intelligent component temperature control device is constructed. The experimental results are in good agreement with the simulation results; a thermostatic control effect is achieved in the thermostat of the giant magnetostrictive rod. Thus, the proposed temperature control strategy is proven effective via simulations and experiments.
Preclinical safety and immunogenicity of Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep A) peptide vaccines
Authors: Reynolds Simone , Pandey Manisha , Dooley Jessica , Calcutt Ainslie , Batzloff Michael , Ozberk Victoria , Mills Jamie-Lee , Good Michael 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWe have developed two candidate vaccines to protect against multiple strains of Strep A infections. The candidates are combinatorial synthetic peptide vaccines composed of a M protein epitope (J8 or p*17) and a non-M protein epitope (K4S2). To enhance immunogenicity, each peptide is conjugated to the carrier protein CRM197 (CRM) and formulated with aluminium hydroxide adjuvant Alhydrogel (Alum) to make the final vaccines, J8-CRM + K4S2-CRM/Alum and p*17-CRM + K4S2-CRM/Alum. The safety and toxicity of each vaccine was assessed. Sprague Dawley rats were administered three intramuscular doses, over a six-week study with a 4-week recovery period. A control group received CRM only formulated with Alum (CRM/Alum). There was no evidence of systemic toxicity in the rats administered either vaccine. There was an associated increase in white blood cell, lymphocyte and monocyte counts, increased adrenal gland weights, adrenocortical hypertrophy, and increased severity of granulomatous inflammation at the sites of injection and the associated inguinal lymph nodes. These changes were considered non-adverse. All rats administered vaccine developed a robust and sustained immunological response. The absence of clinical toxicity and the development of an immunological response in the rats suggests that the vaccines are safe for use in a phase 1 clinical trial in healthy humans.
Seasonal variability of the vitamin D effect on physical fitness in adolescents
Authors: Milani Gregorio P. , Simonetti Giacomo D. , Edefonti Valeria , Lava Sebastiano A. G. , Agostoni Carlo , Curti Maurus , Stettbacher Andreas , Bianchetti Mario G. , Muggli Franco 
Published: January 2021

AbstractStudies investigating the relationship between vitamin D and physical fitness in youth have provided inconsistent findings. Recent evidence indicates that the expression of receptors and vitamin D-modulated genes in young subjects has a seasonal profile. Therefore, we investigated the role of vitamin D on physical fitness across seasons in a total of 977 male adolescents. Anthropometrics, lifestyle, dietary habits, biochemical profiles and physical fitness were studied. Multiple linear regression models, including pairwise interaction terms involving total 25-OH-vitamin D, were fitted. The interacting effect of season and total 25-OH-vitamin D had a significant influence on physical fitness performance (spring and total 25-OH-vitamin D: ß 0.19, SE 0.07, p = 0.007; summer and total 25-OH-vitamin D: ß 0.10, SE 0.06, p = 0.11; autumn and total 25-OH-vitamin D: ß 0.18, SE 0.07, p = 0.01), whereas the main effect of total 25-OH-vitamin D alone was not significant (p = 0.30). Body fat percentage, recreational physical activity level, time spent per day gaming/TV-watching, smoking, and hemoglobin levels were also related to the physical fitness performance score. Future studies should further explore the role of seasonal-dependent effects of vitamin D on health.
Usefulness of selective arterial calcium injection tests for functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors
Authors: Nakano Yutaka , Kitago Minoru , Shinoda Masahiro , Nakatsuka Seishi , Kurihara Isao , Yagi Hiroshi , Abe Yuta , Oshima Go , Hori Shutaro , Yokose Takahiro , Kitagawa Yuko 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe selective arterial calcium injection (SACI) test is useful for patients with functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (F-PNETs). This study evaluated which patients with F-PNETs would benefit from the SACI test. We retrospectively analyzed the preoperative findings of patients on computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), CT angiography (CTA), and the SACI test. Fourteen patients who underwent pancreatectomy between January 1997 and September 2016 for F-PNETs were evaluated. We classified these patients into groups A, B, and C; group A, one tumor detected by either CT or MRI; group B, multiple tumors detected; and group C, the tumor location was accordant on CT, MRI, and CTA, but the SACI test revealed another tumor. In group A, the tumor was also detected by CTA and the SACI test was positive on calcium injection. In group B, the focus tumor among the multiple tumors was detected by the SACI test. In group C, another tumor was identified by the SACI test, whose location was different from that detected using CT and MRI. The SACI test is more useful for multiple F-PNETs on CT or MRI. If CT or MRI detects a single tumor, the SACI test or CTA may be unnecessary.
First reported quantitative microbiota in different livestock manures used as organic fertilizers in the Northeast of Thailand
Authors: Wongsaroj Lampet , Chanabun Ratmanee , Tunsakul Naruemon , Prombutara Pinidphon , Panha Somsak , Somboonna Naraporn 
Published: January 2021

AbstractNortheastern Thailand relies on agriculture as a major economic activity, and has used high levels of agrochemicals due to low facility, and salty sandy soil. To support soil recovery and sustainable agriculture, local farmers have used organic fertilizers from farmed animal feces. However, knowledge about these animal fecal manures remains minimal restricting their optimal use. Specifically, while bacteria are important for soil and plant growth, an abundance and a diversity of bacterial composition in these animal fecal manures have not been reported to allow selection and adjustment for a more effective organic fertilizer. This study thereby utilized metagenomics combined with 16S rRNA gene quantitative PCR (qPCR) and sequencing to analyze quantitative microbiota profiles in association with nutrients (N, P, K), organic matters, and the other physiochemical properties, of the commonly used earthworm manure and other manures from livestock animals (including breed and feeding diet variations) in the region. Unlike the other manures, the earthworm manure demonstrated more favorable nutrient profiles and physiochemical properties for forming fertile soil. Despite low total microbial biomass, the microbiota were enriched with maximal OTUs and Chao richness, and no plant pathogenic bacteria were found based on the VFDB database. The microbial metabolic potentials supported functions to promote crop growth, such as C, N and P cyclings, xenobiotic degradation, and synthesis of bioactive compounds. Pearson’s correlation analyses indicated that the quantitative microbiota of the earthworm manure were clustered in the same direction as N, and conductivity, salinity, and water content were essential to control the microbiota of animal manures.
Breath biopsy of breast cancer using sensor array signals and machine learning analysis
Authors: Yang Hsiao-Yu , Wang Yi-Chia , Peng Hsin-Yi , Huang Chi-Hsiang 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBreast cancer causes metabolic alteration, and volatile metabolites in the breath of patients may be used to diagnose breast cancer. The objective of this study was to develop a new breath test for breast cancer by analyzing volatile metabolites in the exhaled breath. We collected alveolar air from breast cancer patients and non-cancer controls and analyzed the volatile metabolites with an electronic nose composed of 32 carbon nanotubes sensors. We used machine learning techniques to build prediction models for breast cancer and its molecular phenotyping. Between July 2016 and June 2018, we enrolled a total of 899 subjects. Using the random forest model, the prediction accuracy of breast cancer in the test set was 91% (95% CI: 0.85–0.95), sensitivity was 86%, specificity was 97%, positive predictive value was 97%, negative predictive value was 97%, the area under the receiver operating curve was 0.99 (95% CI: 0.99–1.00), and the kappa value was 0.83. The leave-one-out cross-validated discrimination accuracy and reliability of molecular phenotyping of breast cancer were 88.5 ± 12.1% and 0.77 ± 0.23, respectively. Breath tests with electronic noses can be applied intraoperatively to discriminate breast cancer and molecular subtype and support the medical staff to choose the best therapeutic decision.
Convolutional autoencoder based model HistoCAE for segmentation of viable tumor regions in liver whole-slide images
Authors: Roy Mousumi , Kong Jun , Kashyap Satyananda , Pastore Vito Paolo , Wang Fusheng , Wong Ken C. L. , Mukherjee Vandana 
Published: January 2021

AbstractLiver cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in Asia and Africa. It is caused by the Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in almost 90% of all cases. HCC is a malignant tumor and the most common histological type of the primary liver cancers. The detection and evaluation of viable tumor regions in HCC present an important clinical significance since it is a key step to assess response of chemoradiotherapy and tumor cell proportion in genetic tests. Recent advances in computer vision, digital pathology and microscopy imaging enable automatic histopathology image analysis for cancer diagnosis. In this paper, we present a multi-resolution deep learning model HistoCAE for viable tumor segmentation in whole-slide liver histopathology images. We propose convolutional autoencoder (CAE) based framework with a customized reconstruction loss function for image reconstruction, followed by a classification module to classify each image patch as tumor versus non-tumor. The resulting patch-based prediction results are spatially combined to generate the final segmentation result for each WSI. Additionally, the spatially organized encoded feature map derived from small image patches is used to compress the gigapixel whole-slide images. Our proposed model presents superior performance to other benchmark models with extensive experiments, suggesting its efficacy for viable tumor area segmentation with liver whole-slide images.
The causal role of circulating vitamin D concentrations in human complex traits and diseases: a large-scale Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Jiang Xia , Ge Tian , Chen Chia-Yen 
Published: January 2021

AbstractVitamin D has been associated with a variety of human complex traits and diseases in observational studies, but a causal relationship remains unclear. To examine a putative causal effect of vitamin D across phenotypic domains and disease categories, we conducted Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses using genetic instruments associated with circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations. We leveraged genome-wide significant 25(OH)D-associated SNPs (N = 138) from a meta-analysis combining a vitamin D GWAS conducted in 401,460 white British UK Biobank (UKBB) participants and an independent vitamin D GWAS including 42,274 samples of European ancestry, and examined 190 large-scale health-related GWAS spanning a broad spectrum of complex traits, diseases and biomarkers. We applied multiple MR methods to estimate the causal effect of vitamin D while testing and controlling for potential biases from horizontal pleiotropy. Consistent with previous findings, genetically predicted increased 25(OH)D levels significantly decreased the risk of multiple sclerosis (OR = 0.824; 95% CI 0.689–0.986). The protective effect estimate was consistent across different MR methods and four different multiple sclerosis GWAS with varying sample sizes and genotyping platforms. On the contrary, we found limited evidence in support of a causal effect of 25(OH)D on anthropometric traits, obesity, cognitive function, sleep behavior, breast and prostate cancer, and autoimmune, cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological and psychiatric traits and diseases, and blood biomarkers. Our results may inform ongoing and future randomized clinical trials of vitamin D supplementation.
GluN2B and GluN2A-containing NMDAR are differentially involved in extinction memory destabilization and restabilization during reconsolidation
Authors: Radiske Andressa , Gonzalez Maria Carolina , Nôga Diana A. , Rossato Janine I. , Bevilaqua Lia R. M. , Cammarota Martín 
Published: January 2021

AbstractExtinction memory destabilized by recall is restabilized through mTOR-dependent reconsolidation in the hippocampus, but the upstream pathways controlling these processes remain unknown. Hippocampal NMDARs drive local protein synthesis via mTOR signaling and may control active memory maintenance. We found that in adult male Wistar rats, intra dorsal-CA1 administration of the non-subunit selective NMDAR antagonist AP5 or of the GluN2A subunit-containing NMDAR antagonist TCN201 after step down inhibitory avoidance (SDIA) extinction memory recall impaired extinction memory retention and caused SDIA memory recovery. On the contrary, pre-recall administration of AP5 or of the GluN2B subunit-containing NMDAR antagonist RO25-6981 had no effect on extinction memory recall or retention per se but hindered the recovery of the avoidance response induced by post-recall intra-CA1 infusion of the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin. Our results indicate that GluN2B-containing NMDARs are necessary for extinction memory destabilization whereas GluN2A-containing NMDARs are involved in its restabilization, and suggest that pharmacological modulation of the relative activation state of these receptor subtypes around the moment of extinction memory recall may regulate the dominance of extinction memory over the original memory trace.
A capsaicinoid-based soft drug, AG1529, for attenuating TRPV1-mediated histaminergic and inflammatory sensory neuron excitability
Authors: Nikolaeva-Koleva Magdalena , Butron Laura , González-Rodríguez Sara , Devesa Isabel , Valente Pierluigi , Serafini Marta , Genazzani Armando A. , Pirali Tracey , Ballester Gregorio Fernández , Fernández-Carvajal Asia , Ferrer-Montiel Antonio 
Published: January 2021

AbstractTRPV1, a member of the transient receptor potential (TRP) family, is a nonselective calcium permeable ion channel gated by physical and chemical stimuli. In the skin, TRPV1 plays an important role in neurogenic inflammation, pain and pruritus associated to many dermatological diseases. Consequently, TRPV1 modulators could represent pharmacological tools to respond to important patient needs that still represent an unmet medical demand. Previously, we reported the design of capsaicinoid-based molecules that undergo dermal deactivation (soft drugs), thus preventing their long-term dermal accumulation. Here, we investigated the pharmacological properties of the lead antagonist, 2-((4-hydroxy-2-iodo-5-methoxybenzyl) amino)-2-oxoethyl dodecanoate (AG1529), on heterologously expressed human TRPV1 (hTRPV1), on nociceptor excitability and on an in vivo model of acute pruritus. We report that AG1529 competitively blocked capsaicin-evoked activation of hTRPV1 with micromolar potency, moderately affected pH-induced gating, and did not alter voltage- and heat-mediated responses. AG1529 displays modest receptor selectivity as it mildly blocked recombinant hTRPA1 and hTRPM8 channels. In primary cultures of rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, AG1529 potently reduced capsaicin-evoked neuronal firing. AG1529 exhibited lower potency on pH-evoked TRPV1 firing, and TRPA1-elicited nociceptor excitability. Furthermore, AG1529 abolished histaminergic and inflammation mediated TRPV1 sensitization in primary cultures of DRG neurons. Noteworthy, dermal wiping of AG1529, either in an acetone-based formulation or in an anhydrous ointment, dose-dependently attenuated acute histaminergic itch in a rodent model. This cutaneous anti-pruritic effect was devoid of the normal nocifensive action evoked by the burning sensation of capsaicin. Taken together, these preclinical results unveil the mode of action of AG1529 on TRPV1 channels and substantiate the tenet that this capsaicinoid-based soft drug is a promising candidate for drug development as a topical anti-pruritic and anti-inflammatory medication.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: A biomimetic assay platform for the interrogation of antigen-dependent anti-tumor T-cell function
Authors: To Jeremy , Quackenbush Doug , Rowell Emily , Li Lilin , Reed Connor , Lo Frederick , Horman Shane R. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractOvercoming tumor-mediated immunosuppression and enhancing cytotoxic
T-cell activity within the tumor microenvironment are two central goals of
immuno-oncology (IO) drug discovery initiatives. However, exploratory assays
involving immune components are often plagued by low-throughput and poor clinical
relevance. Here we present an innovative ultra-high-content assay platform for
interrogating T-cell-mediated killing of 3D multicellular tumor spheroids. Employing
this assay platform in a chemical genomics screen of 1800 annotated compounds
enabled identification of small molecule perturbagens capable of enhancing cytotoxic
CD8+ T-cell activity in an antigen-dependent manner.
Specifically, cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) and bromodomain (BRD) protein inhibitors
were shown to significantly augment anti-tumor T-cell function by increasing
cytolytic granule and type II interferon secretion in T-cells in addition to
upregulating major histocompatibility complex (MHC) expression and antigen
presentation in tumor cells. The described biotechnology screening platform yields
multi-parametric, clinically-relevant data and can be employed kinetically for the
discovery of first-in-class IO therapeutic agents.
Perceived Voice Disorders in Older Adults and Impact on Social Interactions
Authors: Porcaro Connie K. , Singer Clare , Djokic Boris , Danesh Ali A. , Tappen Ruth , Engstrom Gabriella 
Published: January 2021

PurposeMany aging individuals, even those who are healthy, report voice changes that can impact their ability to communicate as they once did. While this is commonly reported, most do not seek evaluation or management for this issue. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and differences in voice disorders in older adults, along with the effect of fatigue on their social interactions.MethodThis is a cross-sectional investigation of a community-dwelling sample of individuals aged 60 years or older. Participants completed the Questionnaire on Vocal Performance, the Social Engagement Index subset “Engagement in Social or Leisure Activities,” and the Fatigue Severity Scale.ResultsResults indicated 32.5% of the 332 participants reported symptoms of voice problems with no difference found between male and female respondents. A slight increase in report of voice problems was noted with each year of age. Participants who self-reported voice problems indicated less interaction in social activities involving communication than those who did not. Finally, as severity of self-reported voice problems increased, an increase was reported by the same individuals for signs of fatigue.ConclusionsVoice problems and resulting decreased social interaction are commonly experienced by older individuals. Voice symptoms in older adults have been found to benefit from evidence-based treatment strategies. It is critical to provide education to encourage older individuals to seek appropriate evaluation and management for voice issues through a speech-language pathologist or medical professional.
Spectroscopic study of CEMP-(s & r/s) stars
Authors: Goswami Partha Pratim , Rathour Rajeev Singh , Goswami Aruna 
Published: January 2021

Context. The origin of the enhanced abundances of both s- and r-process elements observed in a subclass of carbon-enhanced metal-poor (CEMP) stars, denoted CEMP-r/s stars, still remains poorly understood. The i-process nucleosynthesis has been suggested as one of the most promising mechanisms for the origin of these stars.
Aims. Our aim is to better understand the chemical signatures and formation mechanism(s) of five previously claimed potential CH star candidates HE 0017+0055, HE 2144−1832, HE 2339−0837, HD 145777, and CD−27 14351 through a detailed systematic follow-up spectroscopic study based on high-resolution spectra.
Methods. The stellar atmospheric parameters, the effective temperature Teff, the microturbulent velocity ζ, the surface gravity log g, and the metallicity [Fe/H] are derived from local thermodynamic equilibrium analyses using model atmospheres. Elemental abundances of C, N, α-elements, iron-peak elements, and several neutron-capture elements are estimated using the equivalent width measurement technique as well as spectrum synthesis calculations in some cases. In the context of the double enhancement observed in four of the programme stars, we have critically examined whether the literature i-process model yields ([X/Fe]) of heavy elements can explain the observed abundance distribution.
Results. The estimated metallicity [Fe/H] of the programme stars ranges from −1.63 to −2.74. All five stars show enhanced abundance for Ba, and four of them exhibit enhanced abundance for Eu. Based on our analysis, HE 0017+0055, HE 2144−1832, and HE 2339−0837 are found to be CEMP-r/s stars, whereas HD 145777 and CD−27 14351 show characteristic properties of CEMP-s stars. From a detailed analysis of different classifiers of CEMP stars, we have identified the one which best describes the CEMP-s and CEMP-r/s stars. We found that for both CEMP-s and CEMP-r/s stars, [Ba/Eu] and [La/Eu] exhibit positive values and [Ba/Fe] ≥ 1.0. However, CEMP-r/s stars satisfy [Eu/Fe] ≥ 1.0, 0.0 ≤ [Ba/Eu] ≤ 1.0, and/or 0.0 ≤ [La/Eu] ≤ 0.7. CEMP-s stars normally show [Eu/Fe] < 1.0 with [Ba/Eu] > 0.0 and/or [La/Eu] > 0.5. If [Eu/Fe] ≥ 1.0, then the condition on [Ba/Eu] and/or [La/Eu] for a star to be a CEMP-s star is [Ba/Eu] > 1.0 and/or [La/Eu] > 0.7. Using a large sample of similar stars from the literature we have examined whether the ratio of heavy-s to light-s process elements [hs/ls] alone can be used as a classifier, and if there are any limiting values for [hs/ls] that can be used to distinguish between CEMP-s and CEMP-r/s stars. Even though they peak at different values of [hs/ls], CEMP-s and CEMP-r/s stars show an overlap in the range 0.0 < [hs/ls] < 1.5, and hence this ratio cannot be used to distinguish between CEMP-s and CEMP-r/s stars. We have noticed a similar overlap in the case of [Sr/Ba] as well, in the range −1.6 < [Sr/Ba] < −0.5, and hence this ratio also cannot be used to separate the two subclasses.