bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
MRI-based clinical-radiomics model predicts tumor response before treatment in locally advanced rectal cancer
Authors: Delli Pizzi Andrea , Chiarelli Antonio Maria , Chiacchiaretta Piero , d’Annibale Martina , Croce Pierpaolo , Rosa Consuelo , Mastrodicasa Domenico , Trebeschi Stefano , Lambregts Doenja Marina Johanna , Caposiena Daniele , Serafini Francesco Lorenzo , Basilico Raffaella , Cocco Giulio , Di Sebastiano Pierluigi , Cinalli Sebastiano , Ferretti Antonio , Wise Richard Geoffrey , Genovesi Domenico , Beets-Tan Regina G. H. , Caulo Massimo 
Published: March 2021

AbstractNeoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy (CRT) followed by total mesorectal excision (TME) represents the standard treatment for patients with locally advanced (≥ T3 or N+) rectal cancer (LARC). Approximately 15% of patients with LARC shows a complete response after CRT. The use of pre-treatment MRI as predictive biomarker could help to increase the chance of organ preservation by tailoring the neoadjuvant treatment. We present a novel machine learning model combining pre-treatment MRI-based clinical and radiomic features for the early prediction of treatment response in LARC patients. MRI scans (3.0 T, T2-weighted) of 72 patients with LARC were included. Two readers independently segmented each tumor. Radiomic features were extracted from both the “tumor core” (TC) and the “tumor border” (TB). Partial least square (PLS) regression was used as the multivariate, machine learning, algorithm of choice and leave-one-out nested cross-validation was used to optimize hyperparameters of the PLS. The MRI-Based “clinical-radiomic” machine learning model properly predicted the treatment response (AUC = 0.793, p = 5.6 × 10–5). Importantly, the prediction improved when combining MRI-based clinical features and radiomic features, the latter extracted from both TC and TB. Prospective validation studies in randomized clinical trials are warranted to better define the role of radiomics in the development of rectal cancer precision medicine.
Pharmacological targeting of host chaperones protects from pertussis toxin in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Ernst Katharina , Mittler Ann-Katrin , Winkelmann Veronika , Kling Carolin , Eberhardt Nina , Anastasia Anna , Sonnabend Michael , Lochbaum Robin , Wirsching Jan , Sakari Moona , Pulliainen Arto T. , Skerry Ciaran , Carbonetti Nicholas H. , Frick Manfred , Barth Holger 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWhooping cough is caused by Bordetella pertussis that releases pertussis toxin (PT) which comprises enzyme A-subunit PTS1 and binding/transport B-subunit. After receptor-mediated endocytosis, PT reaches the endoplasmic reticulum from where unfolded PTS1 is transported to the cytosol. PTS1 ADP-ribosylates G-protein α-subunits resulting in increased cAMP signaling. Here, a role of target cell chaperones Hsp90, Hsp70, cyclophilins and FK506-binding proteins for cytosolic PTS1-uptake is demonstrated. PTS1 specifically and directly interacts with chaperones in vitro and in cells. Specific pharmacological chaperone inhibition protects CHO-K1, human primary airway basal cells and a fully differentiated airway epithelium from PT-intoxication by reducing intracellular PTS1-amounts without affecting cell binding or enzyme activity. PT is internalized by human airway epithelium secretory but not ciliated cells and leads to increase of apical surface liquid. Cyclophilin-inhibitors reduced leukocytosis in infant mouse model of pertussis, indicating their promising potential for developing novel therapeutic strategies against whooping cough.
Transcranial static magnetic stimulation over the motor cortex can facilitate the contralateral cortical excitability in human
Authors: Takamatsu Yasuyuki , Koganemaru Satoko , Watanabe Tatsunori , Shibata Sumiya , Yukawa Yoshihiro , Minakuchi Masatoshi , Shimomura Ryota , Mima Tatsuya 
Published: March 2021

AbstractTranscranial static magnetic stimulation (tSMS) has been focused as a new non-invasive brain stimulation, which can suppress the human cortical excitability just below the magnet. However, the non-regional effects of tSMS via brain network have been rarely studied so far. We investigated whether tSMS over the left primary motor cortex (M1) can facilitate the right M1 in healthy subjects, based on the hypothesis that the functional suppression of M1 can cause the paradoxical functional facilitation of the contralateral M1 via the reduction of interhemispheric inhibition (IHI) between the bilateral M1. This study was double-blind crossover trial. We measured the corticospinal excitability in both M1 and IHI from the left to right M1 by recording motor evoked potentials from first dorsal interosseous muscles using single-pulse and paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation before and after the tSMS intervention for 30 min. We found that the corticospinal excitability of the left M1 decreased, while that of the right M1 increased after tSMS. Moreover, the evaluation of IHI revealed the reduced inhibition from the left to the right M1. Our findings provide new insights on the mechanistic understanding of neuromodulatory effects of tSMS in human.
Integrins and extracellular matrix proteins modulate adipocyte thermogenic capacity
Authors: Gonzalez Porras Maria A. , Stojkova Katerina , Vaicik Marcella K. , Pelowe Amanda , Goddi Anna , Carmona Alanis , Long Byron , Qutub Amina A. , Gonzalez Anjelica , Cohen Ronald N. , Brey Eric M. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractObesity and the metabolic disease epidemic has led to an increase in morbidity and mortality. A rise in adipose thermogenic capacity via activation of brown or beige fat is a potential treatment for metabolic diseases. However, an understanding of how local factors control adipocyte fate is limited. Mice with a null mutation in the laminin α4 (LAMA4) gene (KO) exhibit resistance to obesity and enhanced expression of thermogenic fat markers in white adipose tissue (WAT). In this study, changes in WAT extracellular matrix composition in the absence of LAMA4 were evaluated using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. KO-mice showed lower levels of collagen 1A1 and 3A1, and integrins α7 (ITA7) and β1 (ITB1). ITA7-ITB1 and collagen 1A1-3A1 protein levels were lower in brown adipose tissue compared to WAT in wild-type mice. Immunohistochemical staining confirmed lower levels and different spatial distribution of ITA7 in KO-WAT. In culture studies, ITA7 and LAMA4 levels decreased following a 12-day differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells into beige fat, and knock-down of ITA7 during differentiation increased beiging. These results demonstrate that extracellular matrix interactions regulate adipocyte thermogenic capacity and that ITA7 plays a role in beige adipose formation. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying these interactions can be used to improve systemic energy metabolism and glucose homeostasis.
Predictors of retention in the prospective HIV prevention OKAPI cohort in Kinshasa
Authors: Carlos S. , Burgueño E. , Ndarabu A. , Reina G. , Lopez-del Burgo C. , Osorio A. , Makonda B. , de Irala J. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractRetention is a key element in HIV prevention programs. In Sub-Saharan Africa most data on retention come from HIV clinical trials or people living with HIV attending HIV treatment and control programs. Data from observational cohorts are less frequent. Retention at 6-/12-month follow-up and its predictors were analyzed in OKAPI prospective cohort. From April 2016 to April 2018, 797 participants aged 15–59 years attending HIV Voluntary Counseling and Testing in Kinshasa were interviewed about HIV-related knowledge and behaviors at baseline and at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Retention rates were 57% and 27% at 6- and 12-month follow up; 22% of participants attended both visits. Retention at 6-month was significantly associated with 12-month retention. Retention was associated with low economic status, being studying, daily/weekly Internet access, previous HIV tests and aiming to share HIV test with partner. Contrarily, perceiving a good health, living far from an antiretroviral center, daily/weekly alcohol consumption and perceiving frequent HIV information were inversely associated with retention. In conclusion, a high attrition was found among people attending HIV testing participating in a prospective cohort in Kinshasa. Considering the low retention rates and the predictors found in this study, more HIV cohort studies in Kinshasa need to be evaluated to identify local factors and strategies that could improve retention if needed.
Spectral reflectance of marine macroplastics in the VNIR and SWIR measured in a controlled environment
Authors: Moshtaghi Mehrdad , Knaeps Els , Sterckx Sindy , Garaba Shungudzemwoyo , Meire Dieter 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWhile at least 8 million tons of plastic litter are ending up in our oceans every year and research on marine litter detection is increasing, the spectral properties of wet as well as submerged plastics in natural marine environments are still largely unknown. Scientific evidence-based knowledge about these spectral characteristics has relevance especially to the research and development of future remote sensing technologies for plastic litter detection. In an effort to bridge this gap, we present one of the first studies about the hyperspectral reflectances of virgin and naturally weathered plastics submerged in water at varying suspended sediment concentrations and depth. We also conducted further analyses on the different polymer types such as Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Polypropylene (PP), Polyester (PEST) and Low-density polyethylene (PE-LD) to better understand the effect of water absorption on their spectral reflectance. Results show the importance of using spectral wavebands in both the visible and shortwave infrared (SWIR) spectrum for litter detection, especially when plastics are wet or slightly submerged which is often the case in natural aquatic environments. Finally, we demonstrate in an example how to use the open access data set driven from this research as a reference for the development of marine litter detection algorithms.
Correlation analysis between lower limb muscle architectures and cycling power via ultrasonography
Authors: Lee Hyung-Jin , Lee Kang-Woo , Takeshi Kurokawa , Lee Yong-Woo , Kim Hee-Jin 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe primary purpose was to examine the relationship between the muscle architectural characteristics of short and long-distance cyclist—including muscle thickness, fascicle angle, and fascicle length—of the anterior thigh and posterior leg and its impact in 20-s cycling power. The secondary purpose was to clarify the muscle variables that predict the cycling power by using ultrasonography to measure the muscle architectural characteristics. Twenty-four varsity cyclists participated in this study, of whom 12 were short-distance cyclists and 12 were long-distance cyclists. B-mode ultrasonography was used to measure muscle architecture parameters. A cycle ergometer was used to measure the cycling power. The rectus femoris, vastus medialis, and medial head of gastrocnemius were significantly thicker in short-distance cyclists than in long-distance cyclists at every site (p < 0.05). Our analysis revealed that the rectus femoris fascicle length at the 30% level of the thigh was a significant independent predictor of the 20-s cycling power in short-distance cyclists, while the rectus femoris fascicle angle at the 50% level was that of the 20-s cycling power in long-distance cyclists. These findings highlight the significance of rectus femoris muscle architecture to cycling power.
Cannabidiol induces autophagy via ERK1/2 activation in neural cells
Authors: Vrechi Talita A. M. , Leão Anderson H. F. F. , Morais Ingrid B. M. , Abílio Vanessa C. , Zuardi Antonio W. , Hallak Jaime Eduardo C. , Crippa José Alexandre , Bincoletto Claudia , Ureshino Rodrigo P. , Smaili Soraya S. , Pereira Gustavo J. S. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAutophagy is a lysosomal catabolic process essential to cell homeostasis and is related to the neuroprotection of the central nervous system. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychotropic phytocannabinoid present inCannabis sativa. Many therapeutic actions have been linked to this compound, including autophagy activation. However, the precise underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear, and the downstream functional significance of these actions has yet to be determined. Here, we investigated CBD-evoked effects on autophagy in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y and murine astrocyte cell lines. We found that CBD-induced autophagy was substantially reduced in the presence of CB1, CB2 and TRPV1 receptor antagonists, AM 251, AM 630 and capsazepine, respectively. This result strongly indicates that the activation of these receptors mediates the autophagic flux. Additionally, we demonstrated that CBD activates autophagy through ERK1/2 activation and AKT suppression. Interestingly, CBD-mediated autophagy activation is dependent on the autophagy initiator ULK1, but mTORC1 independent. Thus, it is plausible that a non-canonical pathway is involved. Our findings collectively provide evidence that CBD stimulates autophagy signal transduction via crosstalk between the ERK1/2 and AKT kinases, which represent putative regulators of cell proliferation and survival. Furthermore, our study sheds light on potential therapeutic cannabinoid targets that could be developed for treating neurodegenerative disorders.
Identification of suitable reference genes for mesenchymal stem cells from menstrual blood of women with endometriosis
Authors: Zucherato Victoria S. , Penariol Leticia B. C. , Silva Lilian E. C. M. , Padovan Cristiana C. , Poli-Neto Omero B. , Rosa-e-Silva Julio C. , Ferriani Rui A. , Meola Juliana 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIt has been suggested that menstrual blood-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MenMSCs) are associated with the etiopathogenesis of endometriosis and considerable effort has been invested in searching for target genes and deciphering associated molecular pathways. However, reference gene stability for proper reproducible normalization in the analyses of the expression data validation is still unexplored in this experimental context. Therefore, in this exploratory study, we used stringent case and control selection criteria and collected menstrual blood from women with a laparoscopic diagnosis of advanced endometriosis and from fertile women without endometriosis. We tested for the first time the stability of 32 candidate reference genes to achieve increased accuracy and reliable results in the quantification of gene expression and direct future experiments using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) in MenMSCs for endometriosis studies. Using the RefFinder web tool, we recommend the EIF2B1 and POP4 reference genes for the normalization of RT-qPCR data in study designs similar to ours. Furthermore, we suggest avoiding the commonly used GAPDH and ACTB reference genes as they are unstable. This high-visibility study is capable of directing different experimental designs as MenMSCs are derived from a minimally invasive tissue source with multifunctional roles in regenerative medicine.
Broadband mid-infrared amplified spontaneous emission from Er/Dy co-doped fluoride fiber with a simple diode-pumped configuration
Authors: Goya Kenji , Mori Akira , Tokita Shigeki , Yasuhara Ryo , Kishi Tetsuo , Nishijima Yoshiaki , Tanabe Setsuhisa , Uehara Hiyori 
Published: March 2021

AbstractEr3+/Dy3+ co-doped double-clad ZBLAN optical fiber has been used to obtain amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) broadband light sources cladding-pumped by 980-nm multimode laser diode (LD) sources. It has been demonstrated that mid-infrared broadband emission extending from 2515 to 3735 nm was obtained by energy transfer between Er3+ and Dy3+. We experimentally investigated the optimum design of Er3+/Dy3+ co-doped ZBLAN fiber in terms of ion concentration, fiber length, pumping configuration, and pumping power. The ASE output power was more than 2.5 mW when the LD pump power was set at 5 W. To assess its potential for gas sensing applications, the fabricated ASE light source was used to successfully detect methane gas with concentrations at 1% and 5%. The simple and stable construction of our ASE light source is suitable for practical purposes.
Integrated hybrid architecture of metal and biochar for high performance asymmetric supercapacitors
Authors: Norouzi Omid , Pourhosseini S. E. M. , Naderi Hamid Reza , Di Maria Francesco , Dutta Animesh 
Published: March 2021

AbstractTwo state-of-the-art electrodes were successfully synthesized and used to assemble both symmetric and asymmetric type supercapacitors. 3DFAB was fabricated by direct pyrolysis of green macroalgae in the presence of NaOH. Possible NaOH activation mechanisms are proposed, which explains the formation of oxygen functional groups through quick penetration of OH- and NaOH into the vacancies. To obtain CoTLM, the tile-like architecture of cobalt oxides was introduced to the 3D interconnected functional algal biochar (3DFAB) by a simple one-pot hydrothermal method under mild conditions. For the symmetric supercapacitors, the maximum specific capacitance of RAB, 3DFAB, and CoTLM were 158, 296, and 445 F g−1 at the current density of 1 A g−1. Regarding cobalt-based asymmetric systems, the maximum capacitance for the 3DFAB//CoTLM was 411 F g−1. This asymmetric supercapacitor device also retained 100.9% of its initial capacitance after 4000 cycles at the current density of 4 A g−1. Unbuffered aqueous electrolyte and the unique morphological structure used in this study might catapult forward commercialization of such advanced energy storage devices.
A stalled-ribosome rescue factor Pth3 is required for mitochondrial translation against antibiotics in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Hoshino Soichiro , Kanemura Ryohei , Kurita Daisuke , Soutome Yukihiro , Himeno Hyouta , Takaine Masak , Watanabe Masakatsu , Nameki Nobukazu 
Published: March 2021

AbstractMitochondrial translation appears to involve two stalled-ribosome rescue factors (srRFs). One srRF is an ICT1 protein from humans that rescues a “non-stop” type of mitochondrial ribosomes (mitoribosomes) stalled on mRNA lacking a stop codon, while the other, C12orf65, reportedly has functions that overlap with those of ICT1; however, its primary role remains unclear. We herein demonstrated that the Saccharomyces cerevisiae homolog of C12orf65, Pth3 (Rso55), preferentially rescued antibiotic-dependent stalled mitoribosomes, which appear to represent a “no-go” type of ribosomes stalled on intact mRNA. On media containing a non-fermentable carbon source, which requires mitochondrial gene expression, respiratory growth was impaired significantly more by the deletion of PTH3 than that of the ICT1 homolog PTH4 in the presence of antibiotics that inhibit mitochondrial translation, such as tetracyclines and macrolides. Additionally, the in organello labeling of mitochondrial translation products and quantification of mRNA levels by quantitative RT-PCR suggested that in the presence of tetracycline, the deletion of PTH3, but not PTH4, reduced the protein expression of all eight mtDNA-encoded genes at the post-transcriptional or translational level. These results indicate that Pth3 can function as a mitochondrial srRF specific for ribosomes stalled by antibiotics and plays a role in antibiotic resistance in fungi.
Massively-multiplexed generation of Bell-type entanglement using a quantum memory
Authors: Lipka Michał , Mazelanik Mateusz , Leszczyński Adam , Wasilewski Wojciech , Parniak Michał 
Published: March 2021

AbstractHigh-rate generation of hybrid photon-matter entanglement remains a fundamental building block of quantum network architectures enabling protocols such as quantum secure communication or quantum distributed computing. While a tremendous effort has been made to overcome technological constraints limiting the efficiency and coherence times of current systems, an important complementary approach is to employ parallel and multiplexed architectures. Here we follow this approach experimentally demonstrating the generation of bipartite polarization-entangled photonic states across more than 500 modes, with a programmable delay for the second photon enabled by qubit storage in a wavevector-multiplexed cold-atomic quantum memory. We demonstrate Clauser, Horne, Shimony, Holt inequality violation by over 3 standard deviations, lasting for at least 45 μs storage time for half of the modes. The ability to shape hybrid entanglement between the polarization and wavevector degrees of freedom provides not only multiplexing capabilities but also brings prospects for novel protocols.
Elimination of interlayer Schottky barrier in borophene/C4N4 vdW heterojunctions via Li-ion adsorption for tunneling photodiodes
Authors: Zheng Cancan , Zhou Cong , Shi Man , Li Haiyan , Dou Nianxi , Ma Zhihao , Xia Feifei , He Yuanyuan , Zhao Jianwei 
Published: March 2021

The adsorption of Li-ions on the bottom site contributes to improve the photodetectivity and photoresponsivity in B/C4N4 vdW heterojunction photodiode, owing to the elimination of interlayer Schottky barrier.
Optimal controlled islanding considering frequency‐arresting and frequency‐stabilising constraints: A graph theory‐assisted approach
Authors: Daniar Sabah , Aminifar Farrokh , Hesamzadeh Mohammad Reza , Lesani Hamid 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe optimal controlled islanding of power systems is a practical solution to prevent system blackouts if the boundary of islands and corrective control actions in each island are carefully specified. This paper establishes a model for the controlled islanding problem by a proposed mixed integer linear program (MILP). The frequency‐arresting (FA) and frequency‐stabilising (FS) constraints are linearised and incorporated in our FA‐FS‐constrained MILP model to prevent triggering of load shedding (LS) relays. This achievement makes our model capable of handling low‐inertia networks. Intentional LS and stepwise generation curtailment are corrective actions accommodated for frequency control and power mismatch considerations. These corrective actions increase the degree of freedom and broaden the feasible space of the MILP model under the envisaged tough operating conditions. Our model's computational efficiency is improved using a proposed graph theory‐based network reduction technique. The basic groups of coherent generators, determined in the offline mode, are aggregated as equivalent buses using an extended Steiner tree method. A graph‐path determination technique is also proposed to generate disconnection constraints (between equivalent buses of incoherent areas) and bus‐allocation constraints. Simulation results on the IEEE 39‐bus test system and a 76‐bus case study verify the proposed network reduction technique's effectiveness and the MILP model.
Assessment of the impacts of distributed generation and electric vehicles as mobile sources through a nodal and zonal pricing methodology
Authors: dos Santos Priscila Duarte , de Souza Antonio Carlos Zambroni , Bonatto Benedito Donizeti 
Published: March 2021

AbstractElectricity is an essential asset for the economic and social development of any region. In the search for a cleaner, balanced and economical process, the industry and the electricity sector suffered several transformations over the years. Renewable energies became appealing, but electric vehicles also deserve attention, especially because they can act as source or load, with an impact on the electricity tariff. This work uses nodal and zonal pricing methodologies in a distribution system to verify the renewable micro‐generation advantage to the system and to scale them through an electricity tariff system, based on a regulatory context implemented in Brazil. The used methodology enables one to assess how the distributed generators, including electric vehicles working as sources, interfere with the locational pricing in the system.