bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of dose-volume histogram prediction for organ-at risk and planning target volume based on machine learning
Authors: Jiao Sheng xiu , Wang Ming li , Chen Li xin , Liu Xiao-wei 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe purpose of this work is to evaluate the performance of applying patient dosimetric information induced by individual uniform-intensity radiation fields in organ-at risk (OAR) dose-volume histogram (DVH) prediction, and extend to DVH prediction of planning target volume (PTV). Ninety nasopharyngeal cancer intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) plans and 60 rectal cancer volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans were employed in this study. Of these, 20 nasopharyngeal cancer cases and 15 rectal cancer cases were randomly selected as the testing data. The DVH prediction was performed using two methods. One method applied the individual dose-volume histograms (IDVHs) induced by a series of fields with uniform-intensity irradiation and the other method applied the distance-to-target histogram and the conformal-plan-dose-volume histogram (DTH + CPDVH). The determination coefficient R2 and mean absolute error (MAE) were used to evaluate DVH prediction accuracy. The PTV DVH prediction was performed using the IDVHs. The PTV dose coverage was evaluated using D98, D95, D1 and uniformity index (UI). The OAR dose was compared using the maximum dose, V30 and V40. The significance of the results was examined with the Wilcoxon signed rank test. For PTV DVH prediction using IDVHs, the clinical plan and IDVHs prediction method achieved mean UI values of 1.07 and 1.06 for nasopharyngeal cancer, and 1.04 and 1.05 for rectal cancer, respectively. No significant difference was found between the clinical plan results and predicted results using the IDVHs method in achieving PTV dose coverage (D98,D95,D1 and UI) for both nasopharyngeal cancer and rectal cancer (p-values ≥ 0.052). For OAR DVH prediction, no significant difference was found between the IDVHs and DTH + CPDVH methods for the R2, MAE, the maximum dose, V30 and V40 (p-values ≥ 0.087 for all OARs). This work evaluates the performance of dosimetric information of several individual fields with uniform-intensity radiation for DVH prediction, and extends its application to PTV DVH prediction. The results indicated that the IDVHs method is comparable to the DTH + CPDVH method in accurately predicting the OAR DVH. The IDVHs method quantified the input features of the PTV and showed reliable PTV DVH prediction, which is helpful for plan quality evaluation and plan generation.
Near-infrared fundus autofluorescence alterations correlate with swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography findings in patients with retinitis pigmentosa
Authors: Nassisi Marco , Lavia Carlo , Mohand-Said Saddek , Smirnov Vasily , Antonio Aline , Condroyer Christel , Sancho Serge , Varin Juliette , Gaudric Alain , Zeitz Christina , Sahel José-Alain , Audo Isabelle 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThirty-eight patients from 37 families with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) underwent macular 6 × 6-mm swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA) and 30° near-infrared fundus autofluorescence (NIR-FAF) acquisitions in one eye. Superficial vascular complex (SVC), deep capillary complex (DCC) and choriocapillaris (CC) angiograms were registered with NIR-FAF acquisitions to comparatively assess subjects with and without central area of preserved NIR-FAF (APA). On the subset of patients showing an APA, the vessel densities for SVC and DCC and flow deficits for CC were assessed in three directions (superior, inferior and temporal) from the fovea and compared to healthy 1:1 age-matched controls. Nine patients with no APA had evidence of severe central OCTA alterations at all levels, especially in the DCC. In the other 29 subjects presenting APA, all OCTA parameters were similar to healthy eyes within the APA, where the retina preserves its structural integrity. Outside the APA, both the DCC and CC were significantly reduced in all directions. These alterations are probably related to the outer retinal atrophy outside the APA. Comparing OCTA to other imaging modalities is helpful to determine the potential interest of OCTA findings as an outcome measure for disease status and progression.
Simultaneous, efficient and continuous oil–water separation via antagonistically functionalized membranes prepared by atmospheric-pressure cold plasma
Authors: Kim Dong-hyun , Mauchauffé Rodolphe , Kim Jongwoon , Moon Se Youn 
Published: February 2021

AbstractFor decades, oil and water separation has remained a challenge. Not only oil spills but also industrial oily wastewaters are threatening our environment. Over the years, oil–water separation methods have been developed, however, there are still considerable hurdles to overcome to provide a low cost and efficient process able to treat a large amount of liquid. In this work, we suggest a continuous, simultaneous and effective oil–water separation method based on the antagonistic functionalization of meshes using atmospheric pressure cold plasmas. Using this robust plasma method, superhydrophobic/underwater-superoleophilic or superhydrophilic/underwater-superoleophobic functionalized meshes are obtained. Antagonistically functionalized meshes can simultaneously separate oil and water and show continuous separation flow rates of water (900 L m−2 h−1) and oil (400 L m−2 h−1) with high purities (> 99.9% v/v). This fast, low-cost and continuous plasma-based process can be readily and widely adopted for the selective functionalization of membranes at large scale for oil-spill cleanup and water purification.
Growth, clinical and neurodevelopmental outcomes at school age are similar for children who received 1-year lamivudine or lopinavir/ritonavir HIV prophylaxis in early life
Authors: Nagot Nicolas , Singata-Madliki Mandisa , Cournil Amandine , Nalugya Joyce , Tassembedo Souleymane , Quillet Catherine , Tonga Melany W. , Tumwine James , Meda Nicolas , Kankasa Chipepo , Mwiya Mwiya , Bangirana Paul , Peries Marianne , Batting Joanne , Engebretsen Ingunn M. S. , Tylleskär Thorkild , Perre Philippe Vande , Ndeezi Grace , Molès Jean-Pierre 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIn the ANRS 12174 trial, HIV-exposed uninfected African neonates who received lopinavir-ritonavir (LPV/r) prophylaxis for 1 year exhibited slower growth from birth to week 50 compared with those receiving lamivudine (3TC). We assessed whether this difference in growth persisted over time, and was accompanied by differences in neuropsychological and clinical outcomes. Between February 2017 and February 2018, we conducted a cross-sectional clinical evaluation among former trial participants who completed the 50-week follow-up and who were not HIV-infected. In addition to clinical examination, neuropsychological outcomes were assessed using the tests Kaufman-ABCII, Test of Variables of Attention, Movement Assessment Battery for Children and the Strengths and Difficulties questionnaire, parent version. Of 1101 eligible children, aged 5–7 years, 553 could be traced and analysed (274 in the LPV/r and 279 in the 3TC groups). Growth, clinical and neuropsychological outcomes did not differ between treatment groups. At school age, children exposed to LPV/r and 3TC at birth for 1 year had comparable growth and neuropsychological outcomes without evidence of long-term side-effects of LPV/r. It provides reassuring data on clinical outcomes for all HIV-infected children treated with this antiretroviral drug in early life.
Sample pooling as a strategy for community monitoring for SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Sawicki Rafal , Korona-Glowniak Izabela , Boguszewska Anastazja , Stec Agnieszka , Polz-Dacewicz Malgorzata 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSample pooling strategy was intended to determine the optimal parameters for group testing of pooled specimens for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 and process them without significant loss of test usability. Standard molecular diagnostic laboratory equipment, and commercially available centrifugal filters, RNA isolation kits and SARS Cov2 PCR tests were used. The basic idea was to combine and concentrate several samples to the maximal volume, which can be extracted with the single extraction column. Out of 16 tested pools, 12 were positive with cycle threshold (Ct) values within 0.5 and 3.01 Ct of the original individual specimens. The analysis of 112 specimens determined that 12 pools were positive, followed by identification of 6 positive individual specimens among the 112 tested. This testing was accomplished with the use of 16 extractions/PCR tests, resulting in saving of 96 reactions but adding the 40 centrifugal filters. The present study demonstrated that pool testing could detect even up to a single positive sample with Ct value as high as 34. According to the standard protocols, reagents and equipment, this pooling method can be applied easily in current clinical testing laboratories.
Genetic background-dependent abnormalities of the enteric nervous system and intestinal function in Kif26a-deficient mice
Authors: Ohara Yukiko , Fujimura Lisa , Sakamoto Akemi , Teratake Youichi , Hiraoka Shuichi , Koseki Haruhiko , Saito Takeshi , Terui Keita , Mitsunaga Tetsuya , Nakata Mitsuyuki , Yoshida Hideo , Hatano Masahiko 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe Kif26a protein-coding gene has been identified as a negative regulator of the GDNF-Ret signaling pathway in enteric neurons. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of genetic background on the phenotype of Kif26a-deficient (KO, −/−) mice. KO mice with both C57BL/6 and BALB/c genetic backgrounds were established. Survival rates and megacolon development were compared between these two strains of KO mice. Functional bowel assessments and enteric neuron histopathology were performed in the deficient mice. KO mice with the BALB/c genetic background survived more than 400 days without evidence of megacolon, while all C57BL/6 KO mice developed megacolon and died within 30 days. Local enteric neuron hyperplasia in the colon and functional bowel abnormalities were observed in BALB/c KO mice. These results indicated that megacolon and enteric neuron hyperplasia in KO mice are influenced by the genetic background. BALB/c KO mice may represent a viable model for functional gastrointestinal diseases such as chronic constipation, facilitating studies on the underlying mechanisms and providing a foundation for the development of treatments.
Quantification of injury burden using multiple data sources: a longitudinal study
Authors: Tung Keith T. S. , Ho Frederick K. , Wong Wilfred H. S. , Wong Rosa S. , Tsui Matthew S. H. , Ho Paul , Kam Chak Wah , Chan Esther W. Y. , Leung Gilberto K. K. , Chan Ko Ling , Chow Chun Bong , Ip Patrick 
Published: February 2021

AbstractQuantification of injury burden is vital for injury prevention, as it provides a guide for setting policies and priorities. This study generated a set of Hong Kong specific disability weights (DWs) derived from patient experiences and hospital records. Patients were recruited from the Accident and Emergency Department (AED) of three major trauma centers in Hong Kong between September 2014 and December 2015 and subsequently interviewed with a focus on health-related quality of life at most three times over a 12-month period. These patient-reported data were then used for estimation of DWs. The burden of injury was determined using the mortality and inpatient data from 2001 to 2012 and then compared with those reported in the UK Burden of Injury (UKBOI) and global burden of diseases (GBD) studies. There were 22,856 mortality cases and 817,953 morbidity cases caused by injuries, in total contributing to 1,027,641 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in the 12-year study timeframe. Estimates for DALYs per 100,000 in Hong Kong amounted to 1192, compared with 2924 in UKBOI and 3459 in GBD. Our findings support the use of multiple data sources including patient-reported data and hospital records for estimation of injury burden.
Drosophila oocyte proteome composition covaries with female mating status
Authors: McDonough-Goldstein Caitlin E. , Pitnick Scott , Dorus Steve 
Published: February 2021

AbstractOocyte composition can directly influence offspring fitness, particularly in oviparous species such as most insects, where it is the primary form of parental investment. Oocyte production is also energetically costly, dependent on female condition and responsive to external cues. Here, we investigated whether mating influences mature oocyte composition in Drosophila melanogaster using a quantitative proteomic approach. Our analyses robustly identified 4,485 oocyte proteins and revealed that stage-14 oocytes from mated females differed significantly in protein composition relative to oocytes from unmated females. Proteins forming a highly interconnected network enriched for translational machinery and transmembrane proteins were increased in oocytes from mated females, including calcium binding and transport proteins. This mating-induced modulation of oocyte maturation was also significantly associated with proteome changes that are known to be triggered by egg activation. We propose that these compositional changes are likely to have fitness consequences and adaptive implications given the importance of oocyte protein composition, rather than active gene expression, to the maternal-to-zygotic transition and early embryogenesis.
Clinical manifestations and visual outcomes associated with ocular toxoplasmosis in a Brazilian population
Authors: Arruda Sigrid , Vieira Barbara R. , Garcia Denny M. , Araújo Michelle , Simões Milena , Moreto Renata , Rodrigues Murilo W. , Belfort Rubens , Smith Justine R. , Furtado João M. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractOcular toxoplasmosis is the leading cause of posterior uveitis worldwide. We conducted an observational study of 262 consecutive individuals (n = 344 eyes) with ocular toxoplasmosis who were followed over a 34-month period. Most subjects were T. gondii IgG + /IgM- (n = 242; 92.4%; 317 eyes), and 140 eyes (40.7%) had active lesions. For eyes in which retinal lesions were active at recruitment and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) could be measured (n = 133), 21.0% (n = 28) remained blind (BCVA below 20/400) after inflammation resolved. In these eyes, atypical ocular toxoplasmosis (OR 4.99; 95% CI 1.14–22.85; p = 0.0330), macular lesion (OR 9.95; 95% CI 2.45–47.15; p = 0.0019) and any complication (OR 10.26; 95% CI 3.82–30.67; p < 0.0001) were associated with BCVA below 20/200. For eyes with only inactive lesions at recruitment and BCVA measured (n = 178), 28.1% (n = 50) were blind. In these eyes, having at least one lesion larger than one disc-diameter (OR 6.30; 95% CI 2.28–22.46; p = 0.0013) and macular lesion (OR 5.69; 95% CI 2.53–13.54; p < 0.0001) were associated with BCVA below 20/200. Older age (OR 1.02; 95% CI 1.00–1.05; p = 0.0493) and active disease at presentation (OR 4.74; 95% CI 1.95–12.91; p = 0.0011) were associated with recurrences. Additional clinical attention should be directed towards patients with risk factors for poor visual outcome.
Chromosomal evolution in Raphicerus antelope suggests divergent X chromosomes may drive speciation through females, rather than males, contrary to Haldane's rule
Authors: Robinson Terence J. , Cernohorska Halina , Kubickova Svatava , Vozdova Miluse , Musilova Petra , Ruiz-Herrera Aurora 
Published: February 2021

AbstractChromosome structural change has long been considered important in the evolution of post-zygotic reproductive isolation. The premise that karyotypic variation can serve as a possible barrier to gene flow is founded on the expectation that heterozygotes for structurally distinct chromosomal forms would be partially sterile (negatively heterotic) or show reduced recombination. We report the outcome of a detailed comparative molecular cytogenetic study of three antelope species, genus Raphicerus, that have undergone a rapid radiation. The species are largely conserved with respect to their euchromatic regions but the X chromosomes, in marked contrast, show distinct patterns of heterochromatic amplification and localization of repeats that have occurred independently in each lineage. We argue a novel hypothesis that postulates that the expansion of heterochromatic blocks in the homogametic sex can, with certain conditions, contribute to post-zygotic isolation. i.e., female hybrid incompatibility, the converse of Haldane’s rule. This is based on the expectation that hybrids incur a selective disadvantage due to impaired meiosis resulting from the meiotic checkpoint network’s surveillance of the asymmetric expansions of heterochromatic blocks in the homogametic sex. Asynapsis of these heterochromatic regions would result in meiotic silencing of unsynapsed chromatin and, if this persists, germline apoptosis and female infertility.
Exemplifying an archetypal thorium-EPS complexation by novel thoriotolerant Providencia thoriotolerans AM3
Authors: Shukla Arpit , Parmar Paritosh , Goswami Dweipayan , Patel Baldev , Saraf Meenu 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIt is the acquisition of unique traits that adds to the enigma of microbial capabilities to carry out extraordinary processes. One such ecosystem is the soil exposed to radionuclides, in the vicinity of atomic power stations. With the aim to study thorium (Th) tolerance in the indigenous bacteria of such soil, the bacteria were isolated and screened for maximum thorium tolerance. Out of all, only one strain AM3, found to tolerate extraordinary levels of Th (1500 mg L−1), was identified to be belonging to genus Providencia and showed maximum genetic similarity with the type strain P. vermicola OP1T. This is the first report suggesting any bacteria to tolerate such high Th and we propose to term such microbes as ‘thoriotolerant’. The medium composition for cultivating AM3 was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) which also led to an improvement in its Th-tolerance capabilities by 23%. AM3 was found to be a good producer of EPS and hence one component study was also employed for its optimization. Moreover, the EPS produced by the strain showed interaction with Th, which was deduced by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.
Significance of abnormal 53BP1 expression as a novel molecular pathologic parameter of follicular-shaped B-cell lymphoid lesions in human digestive tract
Authors: Luong Thi My Hanh , Matsuda Katsuya , Niino Daisuke , Kurohama Hirokazu , Ito Masahiro , Nakashima Masahiro 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe digestive tract is a common site of extranodal malignant lymphomas (MLs) and benign lymphoid lesions (BLs). TP53-binding protein 1 (53BP1) expression has been widely investigated in class switch recombination but rarely in human lymphoid tissues with respect to tumorigenesis. We previously reported that immunofluorescence (IF) analysis of 53BP1 nuclear foci (NF), reflecting DNA double strand breaks, is useful for estimating genomic instability in different tumor types. In this study, we evaluated the potential of IF-based analysis of 53BP1 expression in differentiating MLs from BLs. We examined 231 biopsied tissue samples of primary MLs and BLs in the digestive tract. The 53BP1 immunoreactivity pattern was determined by multicolor IF. Compared to BLs, MLs showed a high frequency of abnormal 53BP1 expression (p < 0.0001). Statistically, abnormal 53BP1 expression is an effective test for distinguishing follicular lymphomas from BLs (specificity 98.6%, sensitivity 86.8%) and for distinguishing small B-cell lymphomas from BLs (specificity 98.3%, sensitivity 77.6%). Furthermore, a high frequency of abnormal 53BP1 expression was associated with “high-risk” MALT lymphomas, which exhibited t(11;18)(q21;21) (p = 0.0145). Collectively, these results suggest that IF-based analysis of 53BP1 expression in biopsy samples is a promising technique for diagnosing MLs in the digestive system.
Implications of sample size and acquired number of steps to investigate running biomechanics
Authors: Oliveira Anderson Souza , Pirscoveanu Cristina Ioana 
Published: February 2021

AbstractLow reproducibility and non-optimal sample sizes are current concerns in scientific research, especially within human movement studies. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the implications of different sample sizes and number of steps on data variability and statistical outcomes from kinematic and kinetics running biomechanical variables. Forty-four participants ran overground using their preferred technique (normal) and minimizing the contact sound volume (silent). Running speed, peak vertical, braking forces, and vertical average loading rate were extracted from > 40 steps/runner. Data stability was computed using a sequential estimation technique. Statistical outcomes (p values and effect sizes) from the comparison normal vs silent running were extracted from 100,000 random samples, using various combinations of sample size (from 10 to 40 runners) and number of steps (from 5 to 40 steps). The results showed that only 35% of the study sample could reach average stability using up to 10 steps across all biomechanical variables. The loading rate was consistently significantly lower during silent running compared to normal running, with large effect sizes across all combinations. However, variables presenting small or medium effect sizes (running speed and peak braking force), required > 20 runners to reach significant differences. Therefore, varying sample sizes and number of steps are shown to influence the normal vs silent running statistical outcomes in a variable-dependent manner. Based on our results, we recommend that studies involving analysis of traditional running biomechanical variables use a minimum of 25 participants and 25 steps from each participant to provide appropriate data stability and statistical power.
Survey and characterization of nonfunctional alleles of FUT2 in a database
Authors: Soejima Mikiko , Koda Yoshiro 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe expression of ABO antigens in human saliva is regulated by the FUT2 gene, which encodes a secretor type α(1,2)fucosyltransferase. Secretors express ABO substrates in saliva and non-secretors do not. Secretor status is an object of concern, especially for susceptibility to various infectious diseases. A multitude of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and copy number variations (CNVs) have been reported, and they show unique distributions among different populations. In this study, we selected 18 uncharacterized FUT2 alleles listed in the Erythrogene database and obtained genomic DNA having these alleles. We experimentally confirmed the haplotypes, but 10 of 18 alleles disagreed with those in the database, which may be attributed to their low frequency. We then examined the activity of the encoded α(1,2)fucosyltransferase for 13 alleles by flow cytometry of H antigen expression. The impact of each nonsynonymous SNP on the enzyme was also estimated by software. We finally identified two non-secretor alleles (se610and se357,856,863) and one weak secretor allele (se262,357), while in silico analysis predicted that many alleles impair the function. The present results suggest that correct haplotyping and functional assays are desirable for analysis of the FUT2 gene.