bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Establishment and characterization of a new spontaneously immortalized ER−/PR−/HER2+ human breast cancer cell line, DHSF-BR16
Authors: Nobili Stefania , Mannini Antonella , Parenti Astrid , Raggi Chiara , Lapucci Andrea , Chiorino Giovanna , Paccosi Sara , Di Gennaro Paola , Vezzosi Vania , Romagnoli Paolo , Susini Tommaso , Coronnello Marcella 
Published: April 2021

AbstractInvasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) constitutes the most frequent malignant cancer endangering women’s health. In this study, a new spontaneously immortalized breast cancer cell line, DHSF-BR16 cells, was isolated from the primary IDC of a 74-years old female patient, treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and disease-free 5-years after adjuvant chemotherapy. Primary breast cancer tissue surgically removed was classified as ER−/PR−/HER2+, and the same phenotype was maintained by DHSF-BR16 cells. We examined DHSF-BR16 cell morphology and relevant biological and molecular markers, as well as their response to anticancer drugs commonly used for breast cancer treatment. MCF-7 cells were used for comparison purposes. The DHSF-BR16 cells showed the ability to form spheroids and migrate. Furthermore, DHSF-BR16 cells showed a mixed stemness phenotype (i.e. CD44+/CD24−/low), high levels of cytokeratin 7, moderate levels of cytokeratin 8 and 18, EpCAM and E-Cadh. Transcriptome analysis showed 2071 differentially expressed genes between DHSF-BR16 and MCF-7 cells (logFC > 2, p-adj < 0.01). Several genes were highly upregulated or downregulated in the new cell line (log2 scale fold change magnitude within − 9.6 to + 12.13). A spontaneous immortalization signature, mainly represented by extracellular exosomes-, plasma membrane- and endoplasmic reticulum membrane pathways (GO database) as well as by metabolic pathways (KEGG database) was observed in DHSF-BR16 cells. Also, these cells were more resistant to anthracyclines compared with MCF-7 cells. Overall, DHSF-BR16 cell line represents a relevant model useful to investigate cancer biology, to identify both novel prognostic and drug response predictive biomarkers as well as to assess new therapeutic strategies.
Origin and hydrodynamics of xylem sap in tree stems, and relationship to root uptake of soil water
Authors: Mahara Yasunori , Ohta Tomoko , Ohshima Jyunichi , Iizuka Kazuya 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAlthough 10 years have passed since Japan’s Fukushima nuclear accident, the future radiation risk from 137Cs contamination of wood via root uptake is a serious concern. We estimated the depth at which the roots of evergreen coniferous sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) and broadleaf deciduous konara (Quercus serrata) trees actively take up soil water by using positive δD values from the artificial D2O tracer and seasonal changes in the δ18O values of soil water as a natural environmental tracer. We compared the tracer concentration changes in xylem sap with those in the soil water and ascertained that both tree species primarily took up water from a depth of 20 cm, though with mixing of water from other depths. Using sap hydrodynamics in tree stems, we found that water circulation was significantly slower in heartwood than in sapwood. Heartwood water was not supplied by direct root uptake of soil water. The measured diffusion coefficients for D2O, K+, Cs+, and I− in xylem stems were greater in sapwood than in heartwood, and their magnitude was inversely correlated with their molecular weights. The distribution of D2O and 137Cs concentrations along the radial stem could be explained by simulations using the simple advective diffusion model.
Self-organization and culture of Mesenchymal Stem Cell spheroids in acoustic levitation
Authors: Jeger-Madiot Nathan , Arakelian Lousineh , Setterblad Niclas , Bruneval Patrick , Hoyos Mauricio , Larghero Jérôme , Aider Jean-Luc 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn recent years, 3D cell culture models such as spheroid or organoid technologies have known important developments. Many studies have shown that 3D cultures exhibit better biomimetic properties compared to 2D cultures. These properties are important for in-vitro modeling systems, as well as for in-vivo cell therapies and tissue engineering approaches. A reliable use of 3D cellular models still requires standardized protocols with well-controlled and reproducible parameters. To address this challenge, a robust and scaffold-free approach is proposed, which relies on multi-trap acoustic levitation. This technology is successfully applied to Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) maintained in acoustic levitation over a 24-h period. During the culture, MSCs spontaneously self-organized from cell sheets to cell spheroids with a characteristic time of about 10 h. Each acoustofluidic chip could contain up to 30 spheroids in acoustic levitation and four chips could be ran in parallel, leading to the production of 120 spheroids per experiment. Various biological characterizations showed that the cells inside the spheroids were viable, maintained the expression of their cell surface markers and had a higher differentiation capacity compared to standard 2D culture conditions. These results open the path to long-time cell culture in acoustic levitation of cell sheets or spheroids for any type of cells.
Pore-scale modelling and sensitivity analyses of hydrogen-brine multiphase flow in geological porous media
Authors: Hashemi Leila , Blunt Martin , Hajibeygi Hadi 
Published: April 2021

AbstractUnderground hydrogen storage (UHS) in initially brine-saturated deep porous rocks is a promising large-scale energy storage technology, due to hydrogen’s high specific energy capacity and the high volumetric capacity of aquifers. Appropriate selection of a feasible and safe storage site vitally depends on understanding hydrogen transport characteristics in the subsurface. Unfortunately there exist no robust experimental analyses in the literature to properly characterise this complex process. As such, in this work, we present a systematic pore-scale modelling study to quantify the crucial reservoir-scale functions of relative permeability and capillary pressure and their dependencies on fluid and reservoir rock conditions. To conduct a conclusive study, in the absence of sufficient experimental data, a rigorous sensitivity analysis has been performed to quantify the impacts of uncertain fluid and rock properties on these upscaled functions. The parameters are varied around a base-case, which is obtained through matching to the existing experimental study. Moreover, cyclic hysteretic multiphase flow is also studied, which is a relevant aspect for cyclic hydrogen-brine energy storage projects. The present study applies pore-scale analysis to predict the flow of hydrogen in storage formations, and to quantify the sensitivity to the micro-scale characteristics of contact angle (i.e., wettability) and porous rock structure.
LRTM effect and electronic crystal imaging on silicon surface
Authors: Huang Zhong-Mei , Liu Shi-Rong , Peng Hong-yan , Li Xin , Huang Wei-Qi 
Published: April 2021

AbstractSome interesting phenomena have been observed in the laser reflecting Talbot magnification (LRTM) effect discovered at first, in which the high-order nonlinear imaging and the plasmonic structures imaging occur. The LRTM effect images were obtained on the 1D and 2D photonic crystals fabricated by using nanosecond pulsed laser etching on silicon surface, where the high-order nonlinear imaging on the 1D and 2D photonic crystals was observed interestingly. The theory result is consistent with the experimental one, which exhibits that the suitable wave-front shape of injection beam selected in optical route can effectively enlarge the magnification rate and elevate the resolution of the Talbot image. Especially the periodic plasmonic structures on silicon surface have been observed in the LRTM effect images, which have a good application in the online detection of pulsed laser etching process. The temporary reflecting Talbot images exhibit that the electrons following with photonic frequency float on plasma surface to form electronic crystal observed on silicon at first, which is similar with the Wigner crystal structure.
Superradiance of bacteriochlorophyll c aggregates in chlorosomes of green photosynthetic bacteria
Authors: Malina Tomáš , Koehorst Rob , Bína David , Pšenčík Jakub , van Amerongen Herbert 
Published: April 2021

AbstractChlorosomes are the main light-harvesting complexes of green photosynthetic bacteria that are adapted to a phototrophic life at low-light conditions. They contain a large number of bacteriochlorophyll c, d, or e molecules organized in self-assembling aggregates. Tight packing of the pigments results in strong excitonic interactions between the monomers, which leads to a redshift of the absorption spectra and excitation delocalization. Due to the large amount of disorder present in chlorosomes, the extent of delocalization is limited and further decreases in time after excitation. In this work we address the question whether the excitonic interactions between the bacteriochlorophyll c molecules are strong enough to maintain some extent of delocalization even after exciton relaxation. That would manifest itself by collective spontaneous emission, so-called superradiance. We show that despite a very low fluorescence quantum yield and short excited state lifetime, both caused by the aggregation, chlorosomes indeed exhibit superradiance. The emission occurs from states delocalized over at least two molecules. In other words, the dipole strength of the emissive states is larger than for a bacteriochlorophyll c monomer. This represents an important functional mechanism increasing the probability of excitation energy transfer that is vital at low-light conditions. Similar behaviour was observed also in one type of artificial aggregates, and this may be beneficial for their potential use in artificial photosynthesis.
SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in healthcare workers at a frontline hospital in Tokyo
Authors: Fukuda Hiroshi , Seyama Kuniaki , Ito Kanami , Ai Tomohiko , Nojiri Shuko , Hori Satoshi , Wakita Mitsuru , Saito Kaori , Shida Yuka , Nagura Rie , Hasegawa Mayu , Kanemoto Chiaki , Tokuhara Mayumi , Okajima Katsunobu , Yoshikawa Yukio , Katsuta Narimasa , Yamamoto Takamasa , Idei Mayumi , Horiuchi Yuki , Yamatani Kotoko , Misawa Shigeki , Naito Toshio , Miida Takashi , Sato Hiroyuki , Hattori Nobutaka , Tabe Yoko , Takahashi Kazuhisa 
Published: April 2021

AbstractHealthcare workers (HCWs) are highly exposed to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The actual coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation, especially in regions that are less affected, has not yet been determined. This study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in HCWs working in a frontline hospital in Tokyo, Japan. In this cross-sectional observational study, screening was performed on consented HCWs, including medical, nursing, and other workers, as part of a mandatory health checkup. The screening test results and clinical characteristics of the participants were recorded. The antibody seroprevalence rate among the 4147 participants screened between July 6 and August 21, 2020, was 0.34% (14/4147). There was no significant difference in the seroprevalence rate between frontline HCWs with a high exposure risk and HCWs working in other settings with a low exposure risk. Of those seropositive for SARS-CoV-2, 64% (9/14) were not aware of any symptoms and had not previously been diagnosed with COVID-19. In conclusion, this study provides insights into the extent of infection and immune status in HCWs in Japan, which has a relatively low prevalence of COVID-19. Our findings aid in formulating public health policies to control virus spread in regions with low-intensity COVID-19.
An ERP study on proactive and reactive response inhibition in individuals with schizotypy
Authors: Jia Lu-xia , Qin Xiao-jing , Cui Ji-fang , Zheng Qi , Yang Tian-xiao , Wang Ya , Chan Raymond C. K. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractSchizotypy, a subclinical group at risk for schizophrenia, has been found to show impairments in response inhibition. However, it remains unclear whether this impairment is accompanied by outright stopping (reactive inhibition) or preparation for stopping (proactive inhibition). We recruited 20 schizotypy and 24 non-schizotypy individuals to perform a modified stop-signal task with electroencephalographic (EEG) data recorded. This task consists of three conditions based on the probability of stop signal: 0% (no stop trials, only go trials), 17% (17% stop trials), and 33% (33% stop trials), the conditions were indicated by the colour of go stimuli. For proactive inhibition (go trials), individuals with schizotypy exhibited significantly lesser increase in go response time (RT) as the stop signal probability increasing compared to non-schizotypy individuals. Individuals with schizotypy also exhibited significantly increased N1 amplitude on all levels of stop signal probability and increased P3 amplitude in the 17% stop condition compared with non-schizotypy individuals. For reactive inhibition (stop trials), individuals with schizotypy exhibited significantly longer stop signal reaction time (SSRT) in both 17% and 33% stop conditions and smaller N2 amplitude on stop trials in the 17% stop condition than non-schizotypy individuals. These findings suggest that individuals with schizotypy were impaired in both proactive and reactive response inhibition at behavioural and neural levels.
Artificial intelligence-assisted analysis of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography image for identifying ampulla and difficulty of selective cannulation
Authors: Kim Taesung , Kim Jinhee , Choi Hyuk Soon , Kim Eun Sun , Keum Bora , Jeen Yoon Tae , Lee Hong Sik , Chun Hoon Jai , Han Sung Yong , Kim Dong Uk , Kwon Soonwook , Choo Jaegul , Lee Jae Min 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has facilitated its application in medical fields. However, there has been little research for AI-assisted endoscopy, despite the clinical significance of the efficiency and safety of cannulation in the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). In this study, we aim to assist endoscopists performing ERCP through automatic detection of the ampulla and the identification of cannulation difficulty. We developed a novel AI-assisted system based on convolutional neural networks that predict the location of the ampulla and the difficulty of cannulation to the ampulla. ERCP data of 531 and 451 patients were utilized in the evaluation of our model for each task. Our model detected the ampulla with mean intersection-over-union 64.1%, precision 76.2%, recall 78.4%, and centroid distance 0.021. In classifying the cannulation difficulty, it achieved the recall of 71.9% for the class of easy cases and that of 61.1% for that of difficult cases. Remarkably, our model accurately detected AOV with varying morphological shape, size, and texture on par with the level of a human expert and showed promising results for recognizing cannulation difficulty. It demonstrated its potential to improve the quality of ERCP by assisting endoscopists.
Utility of prophylactic antibiotics for preventing febrile neutropenia during cabazitaxel therapy for castration-resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Watanabe Keitaro , Kosaka Takeo , Hongo Hiroshi , Oya Mototsugu 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe aim was to investigate the efficacy of prophylactic antibiotics for the prevention of febrile neutropenia (FN) during cabazitaxel therapy for castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) with G-CSF. We retrospectively studied 443 cycles of cabazitaxel therapy given to 56 patients with CRPC at Keio University Hospital between May 2012 and August 2018. Statistical analysis was conducted to determine whether the combination of prophylactic G-CSF and antibiotics was more effective in preventing FN, compared with prophylactic G-CSF alone. Prophylactic PEG-G-CSF or G-CSF was administered in all 443 cycles. Only fluoroquinolones were used as prophylactic antibiotics and were administered in 328 cycles (74.0%). FN occurred in 5 cycles (1.1%). Prophylactic antibiotics were administered in 327 cycles (74.6%) in the FN-negative group and in only 1 cycle (20.0%) in the FN-positive group. Chi-square test indicated the incidence of FN was significantly lower in the group that received prophylactic antibiotics compared with the group that did not receive prophylactic antibiotics (P = 0.017). Compared with prophylactic G-CSF alone, prophylactic G-CSF and antibiotics significantly suppressed the occurrence of FN.
Ensemble forecasting of a continuously decreasing trend in bladder cancer incidence in Taiwan
Authors: Hsiao Bo-Yu , Su Shih-Yung , Jhuang Jing-Rong , Chiang Chun-Ju , Yang Ya-Wen , Lee Wen-Chung 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBladder cancer is one of the most common malignancies involving the urinary system of about 1.65 million cases worldwide. To attain the 25 by 25 goal set by the World Health Organization (25% reduction in non-communicable diseases between 2015 and 2025), developing strategies to reduce cancer burdens is essential. The data of the study comprised the age-specific bladder cancer cases and total population numbers from age 25 to 85 and above from 1997 to 2016 in Taiwan. An ensemble age–period–cohort model was used to estimate bladder cancer incidence trends and forecast the trends to 2025. For men, the projected age-standardized incidence rates per 100,000 people in 2020 and 2025 are 13.0 and 10.4, respectively, with a 16.1% and 32.9% decrease projected from 2016 to 2020 and 2025, respectively. For women, the projected age-standardized incidence rates per 100,000 people in 2020 and 2025 are 4.7 and 3.7, respectively, with a 16.1% and 33.9% decrease projected from 2016 to 2020 and 2025, respectively. The age-specific bladder cancer incidence rates demonstrated a consistently downward trend after 2003 for all ages and both sexes. This study projects that the incidence rates of bladder cancer in Taiwan will continue to decrease, and more than a 25% reduction can be achieved from 2016 to 2025.
Agricultural land use curbs exotic invasion but sustains native plant diversity at intermediate levels
Authors: Pellegrini E. , Buccheri M. , Martini F. , Boscutti F. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractUnveiling the processes driving exotic plant invasion represent a central issue in taking decisions aimed at constraining the loss of biodiversity and related ecosystem services. The invasion success is often linked to anthropogenic land uses and warming due to climate change. We studied the responses of native versus casual and naturalised exotic species richness to land uses and climate at the landscape level, relying on a large floristic survey undertaken in North - Eastern Italy. Both climate and land use drove exotic species richness. Our results suggest that the success of plant invasion at this scale is mainly due to warm climatic conditions and the extent of urban and agricultural land, but with different effects on casual and naturalized exotic species. The occurrence of non-linear trends showed that a small percentage of extensive agricultural land in the landscape may concurrently reduce the number of exotic plant while sustaining native plant diversity. Plant invasion could be potentially limited by land management, mainly focusing on areas with extensive agricultural land use. A more conscientious land management is more and more commonly required by local administrations. According to our results, a shift of intensive to extensive agricultural land, by implementing green infrastructures, seems to be a win–win solution favouring native species while controlling the oversimplification of the flora due to plant invasion.
H2-CO2 polymer electrolyte fuel cell that generates power while evolving CH4 at the Pt0.8Ru0.2/C cathode
Authors: Matsuda Shofu , Niitsuma Yuuki , Yoshida Yuta , Umeda Minoru 
Published: April 2021

AbstractGenerating electric power using CO2 as a reactant is challenging because the electroreduction of CO2 usually requires a large overpotential. Herein, we report the design and development of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell driven by feeding H2 and CO2 to the anode (Pt/C) and cathode (Pt0.8Ru0.2/C), respectively, based on their theoretical electrode potentials. Pt–Ru/C is a promising electrocatalysts for CO2 reduction at a low overpotential; consequently, CH4 is continuously produced through CO2 reduction with an enhanced faradaic efficiency (18.2%) and without an overpotential (at 0.20 V vs. RHE) was achieved when dilute CO2 is fed at a cell temperature of 40 °C. Significantly, the cell generated electric power (0.14 mW cm−2) while simultaneously yielding CH4 at 86.3 μmol g−1 h−1. These results show that a H2-CO2 fuel cell is a promising technology for promoting the carbon capture and utilization (CCU) strategy.
Highlighting the compound risk of COVID-19 and environmental pollutants using geospatial technology
Authors: Singh Ram Kumar , Drews Martin , De la Sen Manuel , Srivastava Prashant Kumar , Trisasongko Bambang H. , Kumar Manoj , Pandey Manish Kumar , Anand Akash , Singh S. S. , Pandey A. K. , Dobriyal Manmohan , Rani Meenu , Kumar Pavan 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe new COVID-19 coronavirus disease has emerged as a global threat and not just to human health but also the global economy. Due to the pandemic, most countries affected have therefore imposed periods of full or partial lockdowns to restrict community transmission. This has had the welcome but unexpected side effect that existing levels of atmospheric pollutants, particularly in cities, have temporarily declined. As found by several authors, air quality can inherently exacerbate the risks linked to respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. In this study, we explore patterns of air pollution for ten of the most affected countries in the world, in the context of the 2020 development of the COVID-19 pandemic. We find that the concentrations of some of the principal atmospheric pollutants were temporarily reduced during the extensive lockdowns in the spring. Secondly, we show that the seasonality of the atmospheric pollutants is not significantly affected by these temporary changes, indicating that observed variations in COVID-19 conditions are likely to be linked to air quality. On this background, we confirm that air pollution may be a good predictor for the local and national severity of COVID-19 infections.
Leucyl-tRNA synthetase deficiency systemically induces excessive autophagy in zebrafish
Authors: Inoue Masanori , Miyahara Hiroaki , Shiraishi Hiroshi , Shimizu Nobuyuki , Tsumori Mika , Kiyota Kyoko , Maeda Miwako , Umeda Ryohei , Ishitani Tohru , Hanada Reiko , Ihara Kenji , Hanada Toshikatsu 
Published: April 2021

AbstractLeucyl-tRNA synthetase (LARS) is an enzyme that catalyses the ligation of leucine with leucine tRNA. LARS is also essential to sensitize the intracellular leucine concentration to the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) activation. Biallelic mutation in the LARS gene causes infantile liver failure syndrome type 1 (ILFS1), which is characterized by acute liver failure, anaemia, and neurological disorders, including microcephaly and seizures. However, the molecular mechanism underlying ILFS1 under LARS deficiency has been elusive. Here, we generated Lars deficient (larsb−/−) zebrafish that showed progressive liver failure and anaemia, resulting in early lethality within 12 days post fertilization. The atg5-morpholino knockdown and bafilomycin treatment partially improved the size of the liver and survival rate in larsb−/− zebrafish. These findings indicate the involvement of autophagy in the pathogenesis of larsb−/− zebrafish. Indeed, excessive autophagy activation was observed in larsb−/− zebrafish. Therefore, our data clarify a mechanistic link between LARS and autophagy in vivo. Furthermore, autophagy regulation by LARS could lead to development of new therapeutics for IFLS1.