bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigation of water bonding status of normal and psoriatic skin in vivo using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy
Authors: Yang Chao-Chun , Yen Yun-Yo , Hsu Chao-Kai , Cheng Nan-Yu , Tzeng Shih-Yu , Chou Shih-Jay , Chang Jun-Ming , Tseng Sheng-Hao 
Published: April 2021

AbstractPsoriasis affects more than 125 million people worldwide, and the diagnosis and treatment efficacy evaluation of the disease mainly rely on clinical assessments that could be subjective. Our previous study showed that the skin erythema level could be quantified using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and the hemoglobin concentration of most psoriatic lesion was higher than that of its adjacent uninvolved skin. While the compromised epidermal barrier function has been taken as the major cause of clinical manifestation of skin dryness and inflammation of psoriasis, very few methods can be used to effectively evaluate this function. In this study, we investigate the near infrared spectroscopic features of psoriatic (n = 21) and normal (n = 21) skin that could link to the epidermal barrier function. From the DRS measurements, it was found that the water bonding status and light scattering properties of psoriasis are significantly different from those of uninvolved or normal skin. The connection between these parameters to the epidermal barrier function and morphology will be discussed. Our results suggest that objective evaluation of epidermal barrier function of psoriasis could be achieved using a simple DRS system.
SARS-CoV-2 does not have a strong effect on the nasopharyngeal microbial composition
Authors: Braun Tzipi , Halevi Shiraz , Hadar Rotem , Efroni Gilate , Glick Saar Efrat , Keller Natahan , Amir Amnon , Amit Sharon , Haberman Yael 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread around the world, impacting the lives of many individuals. Growing evidence suggests that the nasopharyngeal and respiratory tract microbiome are influenced by various health and disease conditions, including the presence and the severity of different viral disease. To evaluate the potential interactions between Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the nasopharyngeal microbiome. Microbial composition of nasopharyngeal swab samples submitted to the clinical microbiology lab for suspected SARS-CoV-2 infections was assessed using 16S amplicon sequencing. The study included a total of 55 nasopharyngeal samples from 33 subjects, with longitudinal sampling available for 12 out of the 33 subjects. 21 of the 33 subjects had at least one positive COVID-19 PCR results as determined by the clinical microbiology lab. Inter-personal variation was the strongest factor explaining > 75% of the microbial variation, irrespective of the SARS-CoV-2 status. No significant effect of SARS-CoV-2 on the nasopharyngeal microbial community was observed using multiple analysis methods. These results indicate that unlike some other viruses, for which an effect on the microbial composition was noted, SARS-CoV-2 does not have a strong effect on the nasopharynx microbial habitants.
Improved parallel magnetic resonance imaging reconstruction with multiple variable density sampling
Authors: Sheng Jinhua , Shi Yuchen , Zhang Qiao 
Published: April 2021

AbstractGeneralized auto-calibrating partially parallel acquisitions (GRAPPA) and other parallel Magnetic Resonance Imaging (pMRI) methods restore the unacquired data in k-space by linearly calculating the undersampled data around the missing points. In order to obtain the weight of the linear calculation, a small number of auto-calibration signal (ACS) lines need to be sampled at the center of the k-space. Therefore, the sampling pattern used in this type of method is to full sample data in the middle area and undersample in the outer k-space with nominal reduction factors. In this paper, we propose a novel reconstruction method with a multiple variable density sampling (MVDS) that is different from traditional sampling patterns. Our method can significantly improve the image quality using multiple reduction factors with fewer ACS lines. Specifically, the traditional sampling pattern only uses a single reduction factor to uniformly undersample data in the region outside the ACS, but we use multiple reduction factors. When sampling the k-space data, we keep the ACS lines unchanged, use a smaller reduction factor for undersampling data near the ACS lines and a larger reduction factor for the outermost part of k-space. The error is lower after reconstruction of this region by undersampled data with a smaller reduction factor. The experimental results show that with the same amount of data sampled, using NL-GRAPPA to reconstruct the k-space data sampled by our method can result in lower noise and fewer artifacts than traditional methods. In particular, our method is extremely effective when the number of ACS lines is small.
Suppression of human T cell activation by derivatives of glycerol monolaurate
Authors: Fosdick Micaela G. , Chheda Pratik Rajesh , Tran Phuong M. , Wolff Alex , Peralta Ronal , Zhang Michael Y. , Kerns Robert , Houtman Jon C. D. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractGlycerol monolaurate (GML), a naturally occurring monoglyceride, is widely used commercially for its antimicrobial properties. Interestingly, several studies have shown that GML not only has antimicrobial properties but is also an anti-inflammatory agent. GML inhibits peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation and inhibits T cell receptor (TCR)-induced signaling events. In this study, we perform an extensive structure activity relationship analysis to investigate the structural components of GML necessary for its suppression of human T cell activation. Human T cells were treated with analogs of GML, differing in acyl chain length, head group, linkage of acyl chain, and number of laurate groups. Treated cells were then tested for changes in membrane dynamics, LAT clustering, calcium signaling, and cytokine production. We found that an acyl chain with 12–14 carbons, a polar head group, an ester linkage, and a single laurate group at any position are all necessary for GML to inhibit protein clustering, calcium signaling, and cytokine production. Removing the glycerol head group or replacing the ester linkage with a nitrogen prevented derivative-mediated inhibition of protein cluster formation and calcium signaling, while still inhibiting TCR-induced cytokine production. These findings expand our current understanding of the mechanisms of action of GML and the of GML needed to function as a novel immunosuppressant.
Non-autoimmune diabetes mellitus and the risk of virus infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies
Authors: Lontchi-Yimagou Eric , Feutseu Charly , Kenmoe Sebastien , Djomkam Zune Alexandra Lindsey , Kinyuy Ekali Solange Fai , Nguewa Jean Louis , Choukem Siméon Pierre , Mbanya Jean Claude , Gautier Jean Francois , Sobngwi Eugene 
Published: April 2021

AbstractA significant number of studies invoked diabetes as a risk factor for virus infections, but the issue remains controversial. We aimed to examine whether non-autoimmune diabetes mellitus enhances the risk of virus infections compared with the risk in healthy individuals without non-autoimmune diabetes mellitus. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we assessed case-control and cohort studies on the association between non-autoimmune diabetes and viruses. We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science with no language restriction, to identify articles published until February 15, 2021. The main outcome assessment was the risk of virus infection in individuals with non-autoimmune diabetes. We used a random-effects model to pool individual studies and assessed heterogeneity (I2) using the χ2 test on Cochrane’s Q statistic. This study is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42019134142. Out of 3136 articles identified, we included 68 articles (90 studies, as the number of virus and or diabetes phenotype varied between included articles). The summary OR between non-autoimmune diabetes and virus infections risk were, 10.8(95% CI: 10.3–11.4; 1-study) for SARS-CoV-2; 3.6(95%CI: 2.7–4.9,I2 = 91.7%; 43-studies) for HCV; 2.7(95% CI: 1.3–5.4,I2 = 89.9%, 8-studies;) for HHV8; 2.1(95% CI: 1.7–2.5; 1-study) for H1N1 virus; 1.6(95% CI: 1.2–2.13,I2 = 98.3%, 27-studies) for HBV; 1.5(95% CI: 1.1–2.0; 1-study) for HSV1; 3.5(95% CI: 0.6–18.3 ,I2 = 83.9%, 5-studies) for CMV; 2.9(95% CI: 1–8.7, 1-study) for TTV; 2.6(95% CI: 0.7–9.1, 1-study) for Parvovirus B19; 0.7(95% CI: 0.3–1.5 , 1-study) for coxsackie B virus; and 0.2(95% CI: 0–6.2; 1-study) for HGV. Our findings suggest that, non-autoimmune diabetes is associated with increased susceptibility to viruses especially SARS-CoV-2, HCV, HHV8, H1N1 virus, HBV and HSV1. Thus, these viruses deserve more attention from diabetes health-care providers, researchers, policy makers, and stakeholders for improved detection, overall proper management, and efficient control of viruses in people with non-autoimmune diabetes.
Serum correlation, demographic differentiation, and seasonality of blubber testosterone in common bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, in Sarasota Bay, FL
Authors: Sherman Kathryn K. , Beaulieu-McCoy Nicole E. , Wurster Elyse L. , Wells Randall S. , Smith Cynthia R. , Barleycorn Aaron A. , Allen Jason B. , Kellar Nicholas M. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBlubber and serum testosterone levels were compared among 55 individual common bottlenose dolphins,Tursiops truncatus, in Sarasota Bay, FL during 2011–2019. A significant positive relationship between the matrices was found in male testosterone concentrations in 29 paired samples (r2 = 0.932). Mature males (n = 17) had 300 times greater mean testosterone concentration in serum than immature males (n = 17). A comparison of blubber samples, including 12 females, 24 immature males, and 19 mature males, revealed significant differences in mean blubber testosterone values among all three demographics. Immature males had greater than 6 times the average blubber testosterone concentration of females and mature males had almost 100 times that of immature males. Estimated testis volume was highly correlated with blubber testosterone concentration and mature males had 60 times greater average testis volume than immature males. We observed seasonal variation in blubber testosterone in mature males, consistent with known reproductive patterns. These data suggest males can be distinguished from females and designated as mature or immature via blubber testosterone concentrations, an observation that validates dart biopsy sampling as a means of obtaining demographic data.
Fine mapping of the major QTLs for biochemical variation of sulforaphane in broccoli florets using a DH population
Authors: Li Zhansheng , Liu Yumei , Yuan Suxia , Han Fengqing , Fang Zhiyuan , Yang Limei , Zhuang Mu , Zhang Yangyong , Lv Honghao , Wang Yong , Ji Jialei 
Published: April 2021

AbstractGlucoraphanin is a major secondary metabolite found in Brassicaceae vegetables, especially broccoli, and its degradation product sulforaphane plays an essential role in anticancer. The fine mapping of sulforaphane metabolism quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in broccoli florets is necessary for future marker-assisted selection strategies. In this study, we utilized a doubled haploid population consisting of 176 lines derived from two inbred lines (86,101 and 90,196) with significant differences in sulforaphane content, coupled with extensive genotypic and phenotypic data from two independent environments. A linkage map consisting of 438 simple sequence repeats markers was constructed, covering a length of 1168.26 cM. A total of 18 QTLs for sulforaphane metabolism in broccoli florets were detected, 10 were detected in 2017, and the other 8 were detected in 2018. The LOD values of all QTLs ranged from 3.06 to 14.47, explaining 1.74–7.03% of the biochemical variation between two years. Finally, 6 QTLs (qSF-C3-1, qSF-C3-2, qSF-C3-3, qSF-C3-5, qSF-C3-6 and qSF-C7) were stably detected in more than one environment, each accounting for 4.54–7.03% of the phenotypic variation explained (PVE) and a total of 30.88–34.86% of PVE. Our study provides new insights into sulforaphane metabolism in broccoli florets and marker-assisted selection breeding in Brassica oleracea crops.
Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-/Hyperaktivitätsstörung bei Kindern und Jugendlichen
Authors: Jans Thomas , Häge Alexander , Hohmann Sarah , Romanos Marcel , Banaschewski Tobias 
Published: April 2021

ZUSAMMENFASSUNGDie Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-/Hyperaktivitätsstörung (ADHS) ist eine der häufigsten psychiatrischen Störungen des Kindes- und Jugendalters und zeichnet sich durch die Symptomtrias Unaufmerksamkeit, Impulsivität und Hyperaktivität aus. Die Störung beginnt in der Kindheit und persistiert oft bis ins Erwachsenenalter. ADHS ist zumeist begleitet von komorbiden Störungen, insbesondere Sozialverhaltensstörungen, affektiven Störungen und Angststörungen. Sie führt zu deutlichen Beeinträchtigungen des Funktionsniveaus und der Lebensqualität der Patienten und ist assoziiert mit einer Vielzahl von Risiken und weiteren Beeinträchtigungen. Die Therapie ist multimodal und richtet sich nach dem Alter der Patienten und dem Schweregrad der Symptomatik.Die Arbeit gibt eine Übersicht über die Symptomatik der ADHS, die Ätiologie, die Diagnostik sowie die leitliniengerechte, evidenzbasierte Therapie. Dabei werden insbesondere psychosoziale und pharmakologische Behandlungsoptionen vorgestellt.
Intrapelvines Leiomyom als Ursache für gleichzeitige Darm- und Harntraktobstruktion bei einem Hund
Authors: Piroth Ana Cristina , Urbanschitz Tobias , Lederer Kristina A. , Lipnik Karoline , Degasperi Brigitte 
Published: April 2021

ZusammenfassungEine 8-jährige, kastrierte Mischlingshündin wurde wegen fehlenden Harn- und Kotabsatzes vorgestellt. Bei der rektalen Untersuchung ließ sich eine glatte, kugelige, derb-elastische Masse palpieren. Die Blutuntersuchung ergab eine 6-fach erhöhte Serumaktivität der Laktatdehydrogenase. Die Befunde von Röntgen, Ultraschall und Computertomografie lieferten den Verdacht eines Leiomyoms. Ein in Sedation unter Ultraschallkontrolle entnommenes Feinnadelaspirat war nicht diagnostisch. Bei der Laparotomie konnte die Masse extraluminal am Übergang vom Colon descendens zum Rektum lokalisiert und unter Schonung des Darms in toto reseziert werden. Die histopathologischen Befunde und immunhistochemischen Färbungen bestätigten die Verdachtsdiagnose eines Leiomyoms. Die Hündin konnte postoperativ Harn und Kot absetzen und präsentierte sich nach 6 Monaten weiterhin unauffällig. Sonografisch ergab sich kein Hinweis auf ein Rezidiv und die Aktivität der Laktatdehydrogenase war nur mehr marginal erhöht.
Arterial Function after a 246 km Ultra-marathon Running Race
Authors: Koutlianos Nikolaos , Sotiriou Panagiota , Christou Georgios , Pagourelias Efstathios , Anifanti Maria , Christou Konstantinos , Tsironi Maria , Andriopoulos Panagiotis , Kouidi Evangelia , Deligiannis Asterios 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThere is little research about the effects of ultra-endurance exercise on arterial morphological and functional properties. The aim was to assess the acute changes of the carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity and carotid doppler-derived parameters following an ultra-marathon race as well as the intima-media thickness of the carotid artery in ultra-marathon runners. Twenty athletes were examined at baseline and within 10 mins after a 246 km running race. Measurements included carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, peak-systolic and end-diastolic velocities of carotid artery blood flow, pulsatility and resistivity indices and blood biochemical parameters. The intima-media thickness of the right and left carotid artery was measured before the race. Arterial stiffness and carotid artery intima media thickness at rest remained within known normal limits. The ultra-marathon race significantly increased carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity by 22.6% and pulsatility index by 10.2%. There was a decrease in body weight by 3.35% and an increase of all biochemical markers of muscle damage after the race. Additionally, C-reactive protein was correlated with both pulsatility and resistivity indices post-race. This study shows that immediately after a 246 km ultra-marathon running race, acute increase of arterial stiffness and vascular resistance were evident. The carotid artery thickness of ultra-marathon runners was within normal range.
Preoperative Chemoradiation in Locally-Advanced Resectable Carcinoma of the Esophagus in a Single Rural Cancer Hospital in Western India
Authors: Anap Yogesh S. , Tanawade Prasad K. , Mathankar Manish J. , Mane-Patil Ashwini D. , Bagul Kiran G. , Pawar Reshma S. , Pawar Suraj B. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background The current standard of care for the treatment of surgically resectable carcinoma of the esophagus is preoperative chemoradiation followed by surgery. There is strong evidence that this trimodality approach improves survival as compared with surgery alone.
Objective The objective of this study is to determine the feasibility of this approach in a rural cancer institute in western India.
Materials and Methods The data of all the 157 consecutively treated patients with locally-advanced carcinoma of the esophagus from March 2013 to March 2017 who were started on preoperative chemoradiation were analyzed retrospectively.
Results Of the 157 patients who were started on preoperative chemoradiation, 68 patients underwent surgery. There are various practical reasons for not undergoing the definitive surgery, with the important being the socioeconomic support to the patients during the course of treatment.
Conclusion This study gave us insight into the strategic selection of patients for the trimodality approach as well as the need for continuous socioeconomic support throughout the treatment course.
Environmental and economic concerns surrounding restrictions on glyphosate use in corn
Authors: Ye Ziwei , Wu Felicia , Hennessy David A. 
Published: April 2021

Significance
Since IARC classified glyphosate as a Group 2A probable human carcinogen in 2015, multiple regulations restricting glyphosate use have emerged worldwide. One question that has been insufficiently addressed is how weed-control alternatives to glyphosate compare in terms of health, environmental, and market effects. Our study analyzes these effects by enacting hypothetical glyphosate taxes at varying levels in US field corn. We find that, despite reducing the net toxicological burden on human health and the environment from herbicide substitution, any level of glyphosate tax would result in a net social welfare loss, mostly driven by the increased cost of corn production. Our results suggest that caution is warranted when regulating glyphosate, if only because replacement herbicides may cause more harm.
Dual nature of human ACE2 glycosylation in binding to SARS-CoV-2 spike
Authors: Mehdipour Ahmad Reza , Hummer Gerhard 
Published: April 2021

Significance
The SARS-CoV-2 virus infects cells by docking the spike protein at its surface to a receptor protein exposed on human cells. Both receptor and spike are covered by sugars. With molecular dynamics simulations, we show that sugars attached to the N90 site of the human receptor interfere with binding to the virus, explaining reports of increased susceptibility to infection if N90 glycosylation is lost. By contrast, sugars at the human receptor N322 site strengthen the binding to spike by latching onto a site on spike that is targeted also by neutralizing antibodies. By characterizing the contrasting roles of sugars in the interaction between virus and host cells, we aid in the targeted development of neutralizing antibodies and SARS-CoV-2 fusion inhibitors.
Warm early Mars surface enabled by high-altitude water ice clouds
Authors: Kite Edwin S. , Steele Liam J. , Mischna Michael A. , Richardson Mark I. 
Published: April 2021

SignificanceMars is cold today but once had lakes. We evaluated the water ice cloud greenhouse hypothesis for warming early Mars. Our results reconcile previous discrepant results by showing that the cloud greenhouse provides strong warming if the surface has patchy surface H2O but not if there is very extensive surface H2O. In our model, arid, warm, stable climates emerge with surface H2O (and low clouds) only at locations much colder than average surface temperature. At locations horizontally distant from the surface cold traps, clouds are found only at high altitudes, which maximizes cloud warming. As this scenario is consistent with geologic data that suggest a warm, arid early Mars climate, our results support the cloud greenhouse hypothesis for warming early Mars.
Autoregulation of insulin receptor signaling through MFGE8 and the αvβ5 integrin
Authors: Datta Ritwik , Lizama Carlos O. , Soltani Amin K. , Mckleroy William , Podolsky Michael J. , Yang Christopher D. , Huynh Tony L. , Cautivo Kelly M. , Wang Biao , Koliwad Suneil K. , Abumrad Nada A. , Atabai Kamran 
Published: April 2021

Significance
The increasing prevalence of insulin resistance in the current obesity epidemic creates a significant need for ongoing investigations into the mechanisms that modulate insulin resistance. Long-term treatment of diabetic patients with high doses of insulin, especially in those that are obese, may cause further weight gain and exacerbate the risk of developing cancers. The work presented here demonstrates a previously unappreciated regulatory pathway by which insulin initiates dampening and/or termination of its own signaling pathway through an integrin-dependent pathway. These data identify a pathway that can potentially be targeted to reduce insulin requirements in patients with diabetes.
Performance evaluation of dynamic pulley damper system for installation angle
Authors: Majima R , Hayashi K , Saito T 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Dynamic pulley damper system (DPDS) as an innovative methodology for a response control system using a block and tackle mechanism to provide enhanced vibration reduction in high-rise buildings, has been proposed. The key aspect of this system is to exponentially increase the damper movement using an amplification mechanism comprising movable pulleys and a wire. This paper presents the relation between the arrangement of the wire’s angles, particularly in the amplification part, and the vibration reduction effect. The DPDS is introduced into a center-core high-rise building. Two small building varieties with different core heights are designed; then, a wire is stretched between the frame and the core structures. The capability of the DPDS to control vibration is confirmed via the shaking table test. Additionally, the accuracy of the simulation models is verified by a comparison with the experimental results. Moreover, this paper includes a parametric analysis test to determine the wire-stretching angle for establishing the most efficient design. The results of the above analysis show that the wire-stretching angle influences the seismic performance of the DPDS.