bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of wavelength ranges and tissue depth probed by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy for colorectal cancer detection
Authors: Nogueira Marcelo Saito , Maryam Siddra , Amissah Michael , Lu Huihui , Lynch Noel , Killeen Shane , O’Riordain Micheal , Andersson-Engels Stefan 
Published: January 2021

AbstractColorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common type of cancer worldwide and the second most deadly. Recent research efforts have focused on developing non-invasive techniques for CRC detection. In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic capabilities of diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) for CRC detection by building 6 classification models based on support vector machines (SVMs). Our dataset consists of 2889 diffuse reflectance spectra collected from freshly excised ex vivo tissues of 47 patients over wavelengths ranging from 350 and 1919 nm with source-detector distances of 630-µm and 2500-µm to probe different depths. Quadratic SVMs were used and performance was evaluated using twofold cross-validation on 10 iterations of randomized training and test sets. We achieved (93.5 ± 2.4)% sensitivity, (94.0 ± 1.7)% specificity AUC by probing the superficial colorectal tissue and (96.1 ± 1.8)% sensitivity, (95.7 ± 0.6)% specificity AUC by sampling deeper tissue layers. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first DRS study to investigate the potential of probing deeper tissue layers using larger SDD probes for CRC detection in the luminal wall. The data analysis showed that using a broader spectrum and longer near-infrared wavelengths can improve the diagnostic accuracy of CRC as well as probing deeper tissue layers.
Intraocular toxicity caused by MEROCTANE perfluorocarbon liquid
Authors: Coco-Martin Rosa M. , Andrés-Iglesias Cristina , Srivastava Girish K. , Lagos-Rodriguez Javier , Ruiz-Tevah Miguel , Díaz-Cárdenas Mario R. , Fernandez-Bueno Ivan , García-Serna Juan , García-Gutierrez María T. , García-Layana Alfredo , Pastor J. Carlos 
Published: January 2021

AbstractSerious intraocular toxicity cases have been reported worldwide after the use of different perfluorocarbon liquids. The current study reports for the first-time the clinical pictures of cases of acute intraocular toxicity caused by MEROCTANE, a perfluoro-octane commercialized by a Turkish company and distributed in many countries. A series of 18 cases from Chile and Spain was retrospectively analysed. To evaluate the impurity profile, a suspicious MEROCTANE sample (lot OCT.01.2013) was analysed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry and compared with a non-suspicious sample of the same commercial perfluoro-octane (lot OCT 722011). Cytotoxicity was tested following a direct-contact method, taking into consideration the high volatility and hydrophobicity of perfluoro-octane and following the ISO 10993 guideline. Cytotoxicity test showed clear cytotoxic effects of the analysed batch (less than 9% of cell viability). Moreover, chemical analysis demonstrated the presence of many contaminants, some highly toxic (acids and alcohols). Perfluorocarbon liquids are useful tools for intraocular surgery but companies and Agencies of Medical Devices must implement measures that guarantee the safety of these products based on both chemical and cytotoxicity analysis for every batch. Medical staff should be encouraged to report any suspected case to their respective National Agencies.
Impacts of streamflow alteration on benthic macroinvertebrates by mini-hydro diversion in Sri Lanka
Authors: Munasinghe Dinuke S. N. , Najim Mohamed M. M. , Quadroni Silvia , Musthafa Muneeb M. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractOur study focused on quantifying the alterations of streamflow at a weir site due to the construction of a mini-hydropower plant in the Gurugoda Oya (Sri Lanka), and evaluating the spatial responses of benthic macroinvertebrates to altered flow regime. The HEC–HMS 3.5 model was applied to the Gurugoda Oya sub-catchment to generate streamflows for the time period 1991–2013. Pre-weir flows were compared to post-weir flows with 32 Indicators of Hydrologic Alteration using the range of variability approach (RVA). Concurrently, six study sites were established upstream and downstream of the weir, and benthic macroinvertebrates were sampled monthly from May to November 2013 (during the wet season). The key water physico-chemical parameters were also determined. RVA analysis showed that environmental flow was not maintained below the weir. The mean rate of non-attainment was ~ 45% suggesting a moderate level of hydrologic alteration. Benthic macroinvertebrate communities significantly differed between the study sites located above and below the weir, with a richness reduction due to water diversion. The spatial distribution of zoobenthic fauna was governed by water depth, dissolved oxygen content and volume flow rate. Our work provides first evidence on the effects of small hydropower on river ecosystem in a largely understudied region. Studies like this are important to setting-up adequate e-flows.
High molecular pyrogens present in plant extracts interfere with examinations of their immunomodulatory properties in vitro
Authors: Kruk Aleksandra , Piwowarski Jakub P. , Pawłowska Karolina A. , Popowski Dominik , Granica Sebastian 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe widely accepted strategy to justify the use of medicinal plant extracts in diseases with inflammatory background is their examination on in vitro models using immune cells. It is also a key initial step of research for active principles, which could be then isolated and tested on more advanced models, becoming new pharmacologically active lead molecules. The crucial aspect which has not been so far addressed in this context, is the presence of pyrogens in plant preparations. The aim of this study was the examination of pyrogens interference with in vitro evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of plant extracts using human primary neutrophils model together with introduction of effective method of interfering factors elimination. The obtained results showed that chosen plant extracts contained pyrogens, which were responsible for concentration-dependent stimulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines production by human neutrophils in vitro in the same extent as LPS did. The ultrafiltration method was successfully applied for pyrogens elimination, which effectiveness was confirmed using LAL test. The determined interference of pyrogens implies the necessity of their consideration and removal when in vitro studies include direct addition of plant extracts to the cell culture, what can be obtained by ultrafiltration, which does not affect extract composition.
Elucidation of high permeability water among VACNFs using molecular dynamics
Authors: Matsuzaki Ryosuke , Chisaka Yusuke , Tajiri Tomohiro 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe cause of the high permeability in the flow of water in CNT (carbon nanotube)-based nanoscale materials remains to be elucidated. In this study, water impregnation simulations outside the VACNFs were performed using the molecular dynamics method to investigate the factors that cause high permeability by virtually changing the force field parameters. As a result, the permeability coefficient increased with increasing CNT content (VC) in the slip flow region. For the constant VC, the smaller the intermolecular force between water and CNTs, the higher the permeability coefficient. Because the intermolecular forces between water and CNTs are smaller than those between water and water, it may have an effect on the high permeability phenomenon. Furthermore, in the present VC change, the arrangement structure of the water molecules changed from a disordered structure, such as bulk flow, to a chain structure in the impregnation direction, which is also considered a factor for the increase in the permeability. Therefore, both the intermolecular forces between water and CNTs and structural change in the arrangement of water molecules were factors in the high permeability phenomenon.
Studying local Berry curvature in 2H-WSe2 by circular dichroism photoemission utilizing crystal mirror plane
Authors: Cho Soohyun , Park Jin-Hong , Huh Soonsang , Hong Jisook , Kyung Wonshik , Park Byeong-Gyu , Denlinger J. D. , Shim Ji Hoon , Kim Changyoung , Park Seung Ryong 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIt was recently reported that circular dichroism in angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (CD-ARPES) can be used to observe the Berry curvature in 2H-WSe2 (Cho et al. in Phys Rev Lett 121:186401, 2018). In that study, the mirror plane of the experiment was intentionally set to be perpendicular to the crystal mirror plane, such that the Berry curvature becomes a symmetric function about the experimental mirror plane. In the present study, we performed CD-ARPES on 2H-WSe2 with the crystal mirror plane taken as the experimental mirror plane. Within such an experimental constraint, two experimental geometries are possible for CD-ARPES. The Berry curvature distributions for the two geometries are expected to be antisymmetric about the experimental mirror plane and exactly opposite to each other. Our experimental CD intensities taken with the two geometries were found to be almost opposite near the corners of the 2D projected hexagonal Brillouin zone (BZ) and were almost identical near the center of the BZ. This observation is well explained by taking the Berry curvature or the atomic orbital angular momentum (OAM) into account. The Berry curvature (or OAM) contribution to the CD intensities can be successfully extracted through a comparison of the CD-ARPES data for the two experimental geometries. Thus, the CD-ARPES experimental procedure described provides a method for mapping Berry curvature in the momentum space of topological materials, such as Weyl semimetals.
Sequential transfer learning based on hierarchical clustering for improved performance in deep learning based food segmentation
Authors: Siemon Mia S. N. , Shihavuddin A. S. M. , Ravn-Haren Gitte 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAccurately segmenting foods from optical images is a challenging task, yet becoming possible with the help of recent advances in Deep Learning based solutions. Automated identification of food items opens up possibilities of useful applications like nutrition intake monitoring. Given large variations in food choices, Deep Learning based solutions still struggle to generate human level accuracy. In this work, we propose a novel Sequential Transfer Learning method using Hierarchical Clustering. This novel approach simulates a step by step problem solving framework based on clustering of similar types of foods. The proposed approach provides up to 6% gain in accuracy compared to traditional network training and generated a robust model performing better in challenging unseen cases. This approach is also tested for segmenting foods in Danish school children meals for dietary intake monitoring as an application.
Hair follicle germs containing vascular endothelial cells for hair regenerative medicine
Authors: Kageyama Tatsuto , Chun Yang-Sook , Fukuda Junji 
Published: January 2021

AbstractHair regenerative medicine has emerged as a promising approach for the treatment of severe hair loss. Recent advances in three-dimensional tissue engineering, such as formation of hair follicle germs (HFGs), have considerably improved hair regeneration after transplantation in animal models. Here, we proposed an approach for fabricating HFGs containing vascular endothelial cells. Epithelial, dermal papilla, and vascular endothelial cells initially formed a single aggregate, which subsequently became a dumbbell-shaped HFG, wherein the vascular endothelial cells localized in the region of dermal papilla cells. The HFGs containing vascular endothelial cells exhibited higher expression of hair morphogenesis-related genes in vitro, along with higher levels of hair shaft regeneration upon transplantation to the dorsal side of nude mice, than those without vascular endothelial cells. The generated hair follicles represented functional characteristics, such as piloerection, as well as morphological characteristics comparable to those of natural hair shafts. This approach may provide a promising strategy for fabricating tissue grafts with higher hair inductivity for hair regenerative medicine.
Bacteriological and mechanical impact of the Sterrad sterilization method on personalized 3D printed guides for mandibular reconstruction
Authors: Bosc Romain , Tortolano Lionel , Hersant Barbara , Oudjhani Moussa , Leplay Céline , Woerther Paul L. , Aguilar Paola , Leguen Ronan , Meningaud Jean-Paul 
Published: January 2021

AbstractSurgical cutting guides are increasingly used for maxillofacial reconstruction. They are usually provided by laboratories. In recent years, surgical teams have published studies on the possibility of manufacturing their own cutting guides thanks to 3D printers. The object of this study is to analyze the impact of the sterilization on the surface of those personalized models and to assess the effectiveness of sterilization. Using the data from high-resolution CT scan of patient, 3D models were generated through computerized assisted design and fabricated with a 3D printer using Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS). For the sterilization, a Sterrad method was used. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of sterilization, 3D models were artificially contaminated with several bacterial reference strains, sterilized and finally cultured. The surfaces and mechanical modifications were analyzed before and after sterilization with infrared spectrometry, surface contact angle, extensometer, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Ten models of different shapes and 24 samples were fabricated, sterilized and analyzed. The 3D models were designed in 48 h, printed in an average of 122 min and underwent a 47 min cycle of sterilization. All experimentally contaminated 3D models were negative in culture, with at least, a six log reduction of the initial inoculum. The hydrophobicity and roughness of the surface suffered few changes. The reproducibility of this procedure was proved by identical results in the three sterilization rounds. Using Sterrad process for the sterilization of ABS printed material doesn’t represent a bacterial risk for the patient. It is a feasible and safe innovative reconstructive method that can save time particularly for oncological cases.
Absolute configuration by vibrational circular dichroism of anti-inflammatory macrolide briarane diterpenoids from the Gorgonian Briareum asbestinum
Authors: Pech-Puch Dawrin , Joseph-Nathan Pedro , Burgueño-Tapia Eleuterio , González-Salas Carlos , Martínez-Matamoros Diana , Pereira David M. , Pereira Renato B. , Jiménez Carlos , Rodríguez Jaime 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe four new briarane diterpenoids 2-butyryloxybriarane B-3 (2), 9-acetylbriarenolide S (3), briarenolide W (4), and 12-isobriarenolide P (5), along with briarane B-3 (1) and the five known diterpenes 6–10 were isolated from the gorgonian coral Briareum asbestinum collected from the Mexican Caribbean Sea. The structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR and MS measurements. Since the structure of briarane B-3 (1) was only suggested and published without any spectroscopic support, it was herein confirmed, and the supporting data are now provided. In addition, 1 provided the opportunity to explore the sensitivity of vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) to determine the configuration of a single stereogenic center in the presence of eight other stereogenic centers in a molecule possessing a highly flexible ten-member ring. A single-crystal X-ray diffraction study, in which the Flack and Hooft parameters of 1 were determined, further confirmed that briarane B-3 is (1S,2S,6S,7R,8R,9S,10S,11R,17R)-1. This paper reports for first time the use of VCD in briarane diterpenes and with the presence of chlorine atoms. Biological evaluation of seven isolated compounds evidenced a moderate anti-inflammatory activity for compounds 6 and 9 but it did not show any cytotoxic, antiviral, antibacterial, and topoisomerase inhibitory activity.
Amorphous metal oxide semiconductor thin film, analog memristor, and autonomous local learning for neuromorphic systems
Authors: Kimura Mutsumi , Sumida Ryo , Kurasaki Ayata , Imai Takahito , Takishita Yuta , Nakashima Yasuhiko 
Published: January 2021

AbstractArtificial intelligence is a promising concept in modern and future societies. Presently, software programs are used but with a bulky computer size and large power consumption. Conversely, hardware systems named neuromorphic systems are suggested, with a compact computer size and low power consumption. An important factor is the number of processing elements that can be integrated. In the present study, three decisive technologies are proposed: (1) amorphous metal oxide semiconductor thin films, one of which, Ga–Sn–O (GTO) thin film, is used. GTO thin film does not contain rare metals and can be deposited by a simple process at room temperature. Here, oxygen-poor and oxygen-rich layers are stacked. GTO memristors are formed at cross points in a crossbar array; (2) analog memristor, in which, continuous and infinite information can be memorized in a single device. Here, the electrical conductance gradually changes when a voltage is applied to the GTO memristor. This is the effect of the drift and diffusion of the oxygen vacancies (Vo); and (3) autonomous local learning, i.e., extra control circuits are not required since a single device autonomously modifies its own electrical characteristic. Finally, a neuromorphic system is assembled using the abovementioned three technologies. The function of the letter recognition is confirmed, which can be regarded as an associative memory, a typical artificial intelligence application.
Precise enhancement quantification in post-operative MRI as an indicator of residual tumor impact is associated with survival in patients with glioblastoma
Authors: Garcia-Ruiz Alonso , Naval-Baudin Pablo , Ligero Marta , Pons-Escoda Albert , Bruna Jordi , Plans Gerard , Calvo Nahum , Cos Monica , Majós Carles , Perez-Lopez Raquel 
Published: January 2021

AbstractGlioblastoma is the most common primary brain tumor. Standard therapy consists of maximum safe resection combined with adjuvant radiochemotherapy followed by chemotherapy with temozolomide, however prognosis is extremely poor. Assessment of the residual tumor after surgery and patient stratification into prognostic groups (i.e., by tumor volume) is currently hindered by the subjective evaluation of residual enhancement in medical images (magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]). Furthermore, objective evidence defining the optimal time to acquire the images is lacking. We analyzed 144 patients with glioblastoma, objectively quantified the enhancing residual tumor through computational image analysis and assessed the correlation with survival. Pathological enhancement thickness on post-surgical MRI correlated with survival (hazard ratio: 1.98, p < 0.001). The prognostic value of several imaging and clinical variables was analyzed individually and combined (radiomics AUC 0.71, p = 0.07; combined AUC 0.72, p < 0.001). Residual enhancement thickness and radiomics complemented clinical data for prognosis stratification in patients with glioblastoma. Significant results were only obtained for scans performed between 24 and 72 h after surgery, raising the possibility of confounding non-tumor enhancement in very early post-surgery MRI. Regarding the extent of resection, and in agreement with recent studies, the association between the measured tumor remnant and survival supports maximal safe resection whenever possible.
Local knowledge as a tool for prospecting wild food plants: experiences in northeastern Brazil
Authors: de Medeiros Patrícia Muniz , dos Santos Gabriela Maria Cota , Barbosa Déborah Monteiro , Gomes Laílson César Andrade , Santos Élida Monique da Costa , da Silva Rafael Ricardo Vasconcelos 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis study aims to provide a simple framework to identify wild food plants with potential for popularization based on local knowledge and perception. To this end, we also characterized the distribution of this knowledge in the socio-ecological system. We developed the study in the rural settlement Dom Hélder Câmara in northeastern Brazil. The species with the greatest potential for popularization considering the attributes accessed from local knowledge and perception were Psidium guineense Sw., Genipa americana L., Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.) Schott and Dioscorea trifida L.f. However, the high variation in local knowledge on wild food plants suggests that species that are not frequently cited can also be promising. The absence of age or gender-related knowledge patterns indicates that studies for prospecting wild food plants in similar socioecological contexts need to reach the population as a whole, rather than focusing on a specific group.
Novel method for evaluating the indication for endoscopic papillectomy in patients with ampullary adenocarcinoma
Authors: Yamamoto Kenjiro , Itoi Takao , Nagata Naoyoshi , Sofuni Atsushi , Tsuchiya Takayoshi , Ishii Kentaro , Tanaka Reina , Tonozuka Ryosuke , Honjo Mitsuyoshi , Mukai Shuntaro , Asai Yasutsugu , Matsunami Yukitoshi , Yamaguchi Hiroshi , Matsubayashi Jun , Joyama Eri , Nagakawa Yuichi 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis study aimed to determine the clinicopathological features of the subtypes of ampullary carcinoma (AC) to explore the indications for endoscopic papillectomy (EP) in early AC. Fifty-seven patients with AC who underwent curative resection were retrospectively reviewed. The 0/IA stages were significantly more common in the intestinal type (I-type) than in the mixed and pancreatobiliary type (M&PB-type) (90.7% vs 35.7%, P < 0.001). Tis/T1a tumors limited to the ampulla [Tis/T1a(ampulla)] were significantly more likely to be I-type than M&PB-type (74.4% vs 14.3%, P = 0.002). The tub1 rate was significantly higher in the I-type than in the M&PB-type (81.4% vs 35.7%, P = 0.001). In the I-type, the tub1 rate was significantly higher for Tis/T1a(ampulla) than for T1a tumors limited to the sphincter of Oddi (100% vs 42.9%, P = 0.004). These observations suggest that I-type AC with tub1 is an indication for EP. The concordance rate of pathological subtypes between endoscopic biopsy and resected specimens was high (κ = 0.8053, P < 0.001). Tis/T1a(ampulla) showed no lymphovascular or perineural invasion. An endoscopic imaging finding of early AC with I-type and tub1 on biopsy could be an indication for EP. Identifying the pathological subtype of AC by endoscopic biopsy could be a novel preoperative approach for evaluating the indications for EP.
Deep learning-based pupil model predicts time and spectral dependent light responses
Authors: Zandi Babak , Khanh Tran Quoc 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAlthough research has made significant findings in the neurophysiological process behind the pupillary light reflex, the temporal prediction of the pupil diameter triggered by polychromatic or chromatic stimulus spectra is still not possible. State of the art pupil models rested in estimating a static diameter at the equilibrium-state for spectra along the Planckian locus. Neither the temporal receptor-weighting nor the spectral-dependent adaptation behaviour of the afferent pupil control path is mapped in such functions. Here we propose a deep learning-driven concept of a pupil model, which reconstructs the pupil’s time course either from photometric and colourimetric or receptor-based stimulus quantities. By merging feed-forward neural networks with a biomechanical differential equation, we predict the temporal pupil light response with a mean absolute error below 0.1 mm from polychromatic (2007 $$\pm$$
±
1 K, 4983 $$\pm$$
±
3 K, 10,138 $$\pm$$
±
22 K) and chromatic spectra (450 nm, 530 nm, 610 nm, 660 nm) at 100.01 ± 0.25 cd/m2. This non-parametric and self-learning concept could open the door to a generalized description of the pupil behaviour.