bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An exploratory assessment of stretch-induced transmural myocardial fiber kinematics in right ventricular pressure overload
Authors: Sharifi Kia Danial , Fortunato Ronald , Maiti Spandan , Simon Marc A. , Kim Kang 
Published: February 2021

AbstractRight ventricular (RV) remodeling and longitudinal fiber reorientation in the setting of pulmonary hypertension (PH) affects ventricular structure and function, eventually leading to RV failure. Characterizing the kinematics of myocardial fibers helps better understanding the underlying mechanisms of fiber realignment in PH. In the current work, high-frequency ultrasound imaging and structurally-informed finite element (FE) models were employed for an exploratory evaluation of the stretch-induced kinematics of RV fibers. Image-based experimental evaluation of fiber kinematics in porcine myocardium revealed the capability of affine assumptions to effectively approximate myofiber realignment in the RV free wall. The developed imaging framework provides a noninvasive modality to quantify transmural RV myofiber kinematics in large animal models. FE modeling results demonstrated that chronic pressure overload, but not solely an acute rise in pressures, results in kinematic shift of RV fibers towards the longitudinal direction. Additionally, FE simulations suggest a potential protective role for concentric hypertrophy (increased wall thickness) against fiber reorientation, while eccentric hypertrophy (RV dilation) resulted in longitudinal fiber realignment. Our study improves the current understanding of the role of different remodeling events involved in transmural myofiber reorientation in PH. Future experimentations are warranted to test the model-generated hypotheses.
Radiomics signature on CECT as a predictive factor for invasiveness of lung adenocarcinoma manifesting as subcentimeter ground glass nodules
Authors: Chen Wufei , Li Ming , Mao Dingbiao , Ge Xiaojun , Wang Jiaofeng , Tan Mingyu , Ma Weiling , Huang Xuemei , Lu Jinjuan , Li Cheng , Hua Yanqing , Wu Hao 
Published: February 2021

AbstractControversy and challenges remain regarding the cognition of lung adenocarcinomas presented as subcentimeter ground glass nodules (GGNs). Postoperative lymphatic involvement or intrapulmonary metastasis is found in approximately 15% to 20% of these cases. This study aimed to develop and validate a radiomics signature to identify the invasiveness of lung adenocarcinoma appearing as subcentimeter ground glass nodules. We retrospectively enrolled 318 subcentimeter GGNs with histopathology-confirmed adenocarcinomas in situ (AIS), minimally invasive adenocarcinomas (MIA) and invasive adenocarcinomas (IAC). The radiomics features were extracted from manual segmentation based on contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) and non-contrast enhanced CT (NCECT) images after imaging preprocessing. The Lasso algorithm was applied to construct radiomics signatures. The predictive performance of radiomics models was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. A radiographic-radiomics combined nomogram was developed to evaluate its clinical utility. The radiomics signature on CECT (AUC: 0.896 [95% CI 0.815–0.977]) performed better than the radiomics signature on NCECT data (AUC: 0.851[95% CI 0.712–0.989]) in the validation set. An individualized prediction nomogram was developed using radiomics model on CECT and radiographic model including type, shape and vascular change. The C index of the nomogram was 0.915 in the training set and 0.881 in the validation set, demonstrating good discrimination. Decision curve analysis (DCA) revealed that the proposed model was clinically useful. The radiomics signature built on CECT could provide additional benefit to promote the preoperative prediction of invasiveness in patients with subcentimeter lung adenocarcinomas.
The multifunctional role of SPANX-A/D protein subfamily in the promotion of pro-tumoural processes in human melanoma
Authors: Urizar-Arenaza Itziar , Benedicto Aitor , Perez-Valle Arantza , Osinalde Nerea , Akimov Vyacheslav , Muñoa-Hoyos Iraia , Rodriguez Jose Antonio , Asumendi Aintzane , Boyano Maria Dolores , Blagoev Blagoy , Kratchmarova Irina , Subiran Nerea 
Published: February 2021

AbstractHuman sperm protein associated with the nucleus on the X chromosome (SPANX) genes encode a protein family (SPANX-A, -B, -C and -D), whose expression is limited to the testis and spermatozoa in normal tissues and various tumour cells. SPANX-A/D proteins have been detected in metastatic melanoma cells, but their contribution to cancer development and the underlying molecular mechanisms of skin tumourigenesis remain unknown. Combining functional and proteomic approaches, the present work describes the presence of SPANX-A/D in primary and metastatic human melanoma cells and how it promotes pro-tumoural processes such as cell proliferation, motility and migration. We provide insights into the molecular features of skin tumourigenesis, describing for the first time a multifunctional role of the SPANX-A/D protein family in nuclear function, energy metabolism and cell survival, considered key hallmarks of cancer. A better comprehension of the SPANX-A/D protein subfamily and its molecular mechanisms will help to describe new aspects of tumour cell biology and develop new therapeutic targets and tumour-directed pharmacological drugs for skin tumours.
Association between solid fuel use and cognitive decline among middle-aged and elderly Chinese adults: a longitudinal study
Authors: Ji Haoqiang , Du Liang , Sun Meng , Duan Yuxin , Xu Jia , Wu Ruiheng , Chen Xu , Pan Yuanping , Chen Yunting , Zhou Ling 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis study was conducted to investigate (1) the association between solid fuel use for cooking and cognitive function; (2) the moderating effects of gender and residential area on cognitive scores among solid fuel users; and (3) the effects of solid fuel use on cognitive decline among different gender and age subgroups in 2011–2018. A total of 5140 Chinese middle-aged and elderly participants were successfully followed for 7 years (2011–2018). Solid fuel use was self-reported as using solid fuel for cooking at home, and cognitive function was assessed by 4 parts: episodic memory, time orientation, numerical ability and picture drawing. After adjusting for covariates, solid fuel users had lower cognitive scores, and the moderation effects of gender and residence on cognitive function were significant among the solid fuel users. In addition, compared with the group of clean fuel users, solid fuel users had a faster decline rate of cognitive function among the subgroups of female and elderly people.
The efficacy of single posterior debridement, bone grafting and instrumentation for the treatment of thoracic spinal tuberculosis
Authors: Yi Zhi , Song Qichun , Zhou Jiao , Zhou Yongchun 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of single posterior debridement, bone grafting and instrumentation for the treatment of thoracic spinal tuberculosis in adult patients. A retrospective analysis was conducted between June 2013 and September 2017of 88 adult patients with thoracic spinal tuberculosis. All patients were treated with single posterior debridement, bone grafting and instrumentation. The clinical manifestations and laboratory and imageological results were subsequently analysed. All patients were followed for 40.6 ± 4.1 months (range, 36–48 m). Bony fusion was achieved in all bone grafts of thoracic vertebrae. The visual analogue scale scores, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein levels 6 weeks after surgery and at the final follow up were significantly lower than the preoperative levels (P < 0.05). The postoperative and final follow up kyphosis angles were both significantly smaller than the preoperative kyphosis angles (P < 0.05). The postoperative angle correction rate reached 81.5% and the postoperative angle loss reached only 4.1%. At the last follow up, American Spinal Injury Association improvement was significant, compared with the preoperative levels (P < 0.05). The single posterior approach can achieve satisfactory clinical outcomes in the treatment of thoracic spinal tuberculosis.
New polyp image classification technique using transfer learning of network-in-network structure in endoscopic images
Authors: Kim Young Jae , Bae Jang Pyo , Chung Jun-Won , Park Dong Kyun , Kim Kwang Gi , Kim Yoon Jae 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWhile colorectal cancer is known to occur in the gastrointestinal tract. It is the third most common form of cancer of 27 major types of cancer in South Korea and worldwide. Colorectal polyps are known to increase the potential of developing colorectal cancer. Detected polyps need to be resected to reduce the risk of developing cancer. This research improved the performance of polyp classification through the fine-tuning of Network-in-Network (NIN) after applying a pre-trained model of the ImageNet database. Random shuffling is performed 20 times on 1000 colonoscopy images. Each set of data are divided into 800 images of training data and 200 images of test data. An accuracy evaluation is performed on 200 images of test data in 20 experiments. Three compared methods were constructed from AlexNet by transferring the weights trained by three different state-of-the-art databases. A normal AlexNet based method without transfer learning was also compared. The accuracy of the proposed method was higher in statistical significance than the accuracy of four other state-of-the-art methods, and showed an 18.9% improvement over the normal AlexNet based method. The area under the curve was approximately 0.930 ± 0.020, and the recall rate was 0.929 ± 0.029. An automatic algorithm can assist endoscopists in identifying polyps that are adenomatous by considering a high recall rate and accuracy. This system can enable the timely resection of polyps at an early stage.
Legume-rhizobium specificity effect on nodulation, biomass production and partitioning of faba bean (Vicia faba L.)
Authors: Allito Bayou Bunkura , Ewusi-Mensah Nana , Logah Vincent , Hunegnaw Demelash Kefale 
Published: February 2021

AbstractGreenhouse and multi-location experiments were conducted for two consecutive years to investigate the effects of rhizobium on nodulation, biomass production and partitioning of faba bean. Split-plot in randomized complete block design was used for field experiments. Treatments consisted of six rhizobium strains and three faba bean varieties. Peat carrier-based inoculant of each strain was applied at the rate of 10 g kg−1 seed. Non-inoculated plants without N fertilizer and with N fertilizer served as –N and + N controls, respectively. Data on nodulation, shoot dry weight and root dry weight were collected and analyzed. Inoculation of rhizobium significantly increased nodulation of faba bean under greenhouse and field conditions. Location x strain x variety interaction had significant effects on nodulation, dry matter production and partitioning. Rhizobium inoculation increased nodulation, shoot and root dry weights of faba bean across locations. For example, inoculation with rhizobium strains NSFBR-15 and NSFBR-12 to variety Moti resulted in 206.9 and 99.3% shoot dry weight increase at Abala Gase and Hankomolicha, respectively and 133.3 and 70.7% root dry weight increase on the same variety at the same sites, respectively. Nodulation and biomass production depend on the compatibility between faba bean genotype and rhizobium strain and its interaction with soil bio-physical conditions.
Sense-oriented AluYRa1 elements provide a lineage-specific transcription environment for polyadenylation
Authors: Cho Hyeon-Mu , Choe Se-Hee , Kim Young-Hyun , Park Hye-Ri , Lee Hee-Eun , Lee Ja-Rang , Park Sang-Je , Huh Jae-Won 
Published: February 2021

AbstractTransposable elements cause alternative splicing (AS) in different ways, contributing to transcript diversification. Alternative polyadenylation (APA), one of the AS events, is related to the generation of mRNA isoforms in 70% of human genes. In this study, we tried to investigate AluYRa1s located at the terminal region of cynomolgus monkey genes, utilizing both computational analysis and molecular experimentation. We found that ten genes had AluYRa1 at their 3′ end, and nine of these AluYRa1s were sense-oriented. Furthermore, in seven genes, AluYRa1s were expected to have a similar consensus sequence for polyadenylation cleavage. Additional computational analysis using the annotation files from the UCSC database showed that AluYRa1 was more involved in polyadenylation than in open reading frame exon splicing. To examine the extent of AluYRa1 involvement in polyadenylation, RNA-seq data from 30 normal cynomolgus monkeys were analyzed using TAPAS, a recently devised software that detects all the promising polyadenylation sites including APA sites. We observed that approximately 74% of possible polyadenylation sites in the analyzed genes were provided by sense-oriented AluYRa1. In conclusion, AluYRa1 is an Old-World monkey-specific TE, and its sense-oriented insertion at the 3′UTR region tends to provide a favorable environment for polyadenylation, diversifying gene transcripts.
Investigation of Proteus vulgaris and Elizabethkingia meningoseptica invasion on muscle oxidative stress and autophagy in Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis)
Authors: Li Hong-Hui , Bao Ling-Sheng , Deng Shi-Ming , Liu Li , Cheng Jia , Chen Xiao , Pan Ya-Xiong , Zhang Jian-She , Chu Wu-Ying 
Published: February 2021

AbstractMuscle is an important structural tissue in aquatic animals and it is susceptible to bacterial and fungal infection, which could affect flesh quality and health. In this study, Chinese soft-shelled turtles were artificially infected with two pathogens, Proteus vulgaris and Elizabethkingia meningoseptica and the effects on muscle nutritional characteristics, oxidative stress and autophagy were assayed. Upon infection, the muscle nutritional composition and muscle fiber structure were notably influenced. Meanwhile, the mRNA expression of Nrf2 was down-regulated and Keap1 up-regulated, thus resulting in a decrease in antioxidant capacity and oxidative stress. However, with N-acetylcysteine treatment, the level of oxidative stress was decreased, accompanied by significant increases in antioxidant enzyme activities and the mRNA levels of SOD, CAT, GSTCD, and GSTO1. Interestingly, there was a significant increase in autophagy in the muscle tissue after the pathogen infection, but this increase could be reduced by N-acetylcysteine treatment. Our findings suggest that muscle nutritional characteristics were dramatically changed after pathogen infection, and oxidative stress and autophagy were induced by pathogen infection. However, N-acetylcysteine treatment could compromise the process perhaps by decreasing the ROS level and regulating Nrf2-antioxidant signaling pathways.
Vaccine advertising: preach to the converted or to the unaware?
Authors: Krupenkin Masha , Yom-Tov Elad , Rothschild David 
Published: February 2021

AbstractEncouraging people to vaccinate is a challenging endeavor, but one which has tremendous public health benefits. Doing so requires overcoming barriers of awareness, availability, and (sometimes) vaccine hesitancy. Here we focus on nudging people to vaccinate through online advertising. We conducted a pre-registered online ads campaign encouraging people to vaccinate against three diseases: influenza, human papillomavirus, and herpes zoster. Ads were shown to ~69,000 people and were compared to similar ads shown to 8.6 million people. Outcome measures were clicks on ads and future searches for relevant terms. We find that ads have two main effects: First, a congruence effect whereby ads increase the likelihood of clicks and future searches by up to 116% in people who express an interest in the disease or the vaccine. Most commercial vaccine advertising is aimed entirely at this population. Second, we observed a priming effect, where ads shown to people who were searching for terms unrelated to the vaccine could be encouraged to click on them (odds ratios of 7.5–33.0) and, more often, search for the vaccine later (hazard ratios of 6.9–157.3). We provide analysis for optimizing vaccine advertising campaign budgets to balance the two populations. These findings demonstrate that digital advertising campaigns should consider not just advertising to direct keywords or to individuals that look exactly like existing customers, but consider tangential keywords that draw a wider target population who are likely earlier in their conversion funnel, thus increasing the number of people who vaccinate and maximizing vaccines uptake.
Internet search patterns reveal clinical course of COVID-19 disease progression and pandemic spread across 32 countries
Authors: Lu Tina , Reis Ben Y. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractEffective public health response to novel pandemics relies on accurate and timely surveillance of pandemic spread, as well as characterization of the clinical course of the disease in affected individuals. We sought to determine whether Internet search patterns can be useful for tracking COVID-19 spread, and whether these data could also be useful in understanding the clinical progression of the disease in 32 countries across six continents. Temporal correlation analyses were conducted to characterize the relationships between a range of COVID-19 symptom-specific search terms and reported COVID-19 cases and deaths for each country from January 1 through April 20, 2020. Increases in COVID-19 symptom-related searches preceded increases in reported COVID-19 cases and deaths by an average of 18.53 days (95% CI 15.98–21.08) and 22.16 days (20.33–23.99), respectively. Cross-country ensemble averaging was used to derive average temporal profiles for each search term, which were combined to create a search-data-based view of the clinical course of disease progression. Internet search patterns revealed a clear temporal pattern of disease progression for COVID-19: Initial symptoms of fever, dry cough, sore throat and chills were followed by shortness of breath an average of 5.22 days (3.30–7.14) after initial symptom onset, matching the clinical course reported in the medical literature. This study shows that Internet search data can be useful for characterizing the detailed clinical course of a disease. These data are available in real-time at population scale, providing important benefits as a complementary resource for tracking pandemics, especially before widespread laboratory testing is available.
Simple sequence repeats drive genome plasticity and promote adaptive evolution in penaeid shrimp
Authors: Yuan Jianbo , Zhang Xiaojun , Wang Min , Sun Yamin , Liu Chengzhang , Li Shihao , Yu Yang , Gao Yi , Liu Fei , Zhang Xiaoxi , Kong Jie , Fan Guangyi , Zhang Chengsong , Feng Lu , Xiang Jianhai , Li Fuhua 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSimple sequence repeats (SSRs) are rare (approximately 1%) in most genomes and are generally considered to have no function. However, penaeid shrimp genomes have a high proportion of SSRs (>23%), raising the question of whether these SSRs play important functional and evolutionary roles in these SSR-rich species. Here, we show that SSRs drive genome plasticity and adaptive evolution in two penaeid shrimp species, Fenneropenaeus chinensis and Litopenaeus vannamei. Assembly and comparison of genomes of these two shrimp species at the chromosome-level revealed that transposable elements serve as carriers for SSR expansion, which is still occurring. The remarkable genome plasticity identified herein might have been shaped by significant SSR expansions. SSRs were also found to regulate gene expression by multi-omics analyses, and be responsible for driving adaptive evolution, such as the variable osmoregulatory capacities of these shrimp under low-salinity stress. These data provide strong evidence that SSRs are an important driver of the adaptive evolution in penaeid shrimp.
Preparation of functionalised UiO‐66 metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) nanoparticles using deep eutectic solvents as a benign medium
Authors: Albayati Noor , Kadhom Mohammed 
Published: February 2021

UiO‐66 nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by the solvothermal method using deep eutectic solvents (DESs) and compared to those prepared using the traditional solvent, dimethylformamide. A mixture of choline chloride:glycerol with a molar ratio of 1:2 was used as a green solvent to prepare the NPs. SEM, a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, zeta potential, N2 adsorption/desorption, and surface area characterisations were used to characterise the NPs. Results showed that the NPs formed in the DES had a smaller size but the lower surface area and functionalised with new chemical groups due to the DES effect. Also, the modified metal–organic frameworks surface area increased by increasing the incubation time but decreased by increasing the temperature.
A Green, Scalable, and Catalyst-Free One-Minute Synthesis of Quinoxalines
Authors: Hansen Jørn H. , Elumalai Vijayaragavan 
Published: February 2021

AbstractA highly efficient and catalyst-free protocol is reported for the synthesis of quinoxalines via the classical cyclocondensation reaction between aryldiamines and dicarbonyl compounds. Remarkably simple and green reaction conditions employing methanol as solvent afforded medium to excellent yield of quinoxalines after only one-minute reaction time at ambient temperature. The conditions allow at least 10 gram scale synthesis of quinoxalines and should be a preferred starting point for optimization and method of choice for applications in the synthetic community.
The Association between Serum Sodium Levels and Febrile Seizures Recurrence: Is the Degree of Hyponatremia a Risk Factor?
Authors: Alp Esma Keleş , Elmacı Ahmet Midhat 
Published: February 2021

AbstractFebrile seizures are common disorders in childhood. We evaluated the serum electrolyte levels and the associated factors in children with single and recurrent febrile seizures in 24 hours period of hospitalization. The medical records of children who were clinically diagnosed with febrile seizures and hospitalized were retrospectively revealed and analyzed. Data were collected for children aged 1 to 6 years including demographic parameters and serum electrolyte levels. A total of 244 children were enrolled in the study in which 209 were diagnosed with single febrile seizures and 35 of them with recurrent febrile seizures. Serum sodium levels were significantly lower in children with recurrent febrile seizure (138.5 ± 2.38 and 134.2 ± 3.55, p < 0.001). Correlation analysis revealed that mild hyponatremia is associated with recurrence of febrile seizure within 24 hours. However, receiver-operating characteristics analysis for hyponatremia showed lower sensitivity (50.3%) and specificity (43.1%) values for optimal cutoff value of 133.5 mmol/L of serum sodium level. Our study suggested that serum sodium levels were significantly lower in children with recurrent febrile seizures. However, because of its lower sensitivity and specificity values, mild hyponatremia cannot be used as an indicator for febrile seizure recurrence.