bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Citizen Science Network for Measurements of Atmospheric Ionizing Radiation Levels
Authors: Clewer B. J. , Ryden K. A. , Dyer A. C. R. , Hands A. D. P. , Jackson D. R. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractHistorically, gathering data on atmospheric radiation levels during solar particle events has been difficult, as there is little or no time warning of events. Being able to accurately quantify radiation levels within the atmosphere during solar events is of significance to the aviation industry, as described in the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) Space Weather manual. Particularly during a large ground‐level enhancement (GLE) where the ionizing dose to passengers and crew can exceed the recommended general public annual dose limits, set by the International Commission for Radiological Protection (Barlett, Beck, Bilski, Bottollier‐Depois, & Lindborg, 2004, https://doi.org/10.1093/rpd/nch232), in a single flight. The Smart Atmospheric Ionizing RAdiation (SAIRA) Monitoring Network is a new system of handheld radiation detectors that can be carried on aircraft to monitor and record atmospheric radiation levels. The system operates via citizen science volunteers, who record radiation data as they travel for normal purposes. Over 30 flights have been conducted with volunteers to demonstrate that a citizen science network is possible. Volunteers have used a new Android application to record and upload data to a central server to form a database of flight measurements. The demonstration has shown that there is a willingness in public volunteers to use radiation detectors and engage in science outreach. A fully developed system will ideally provide the capability to quantify radiation levels during a solar particle event or ground‐level enhancement and the data can be used by relevant organizations to minimize potential risks.
SP-8356, a (1S)-(–)-verbenone derivative, exerts in vitro and in vivo anti-breast cancer effects by inhibiting NF-κB signaling
Authors: Mander Sunam , Kim Dong Hwi , Thi Nguyen Huong , Yong Hyo Jeong , Pahk Kisoo , Kim Eun-Yeong , Lee Kiho , Seong Jae Young , Kim Won-Ki , Hwang Jong-Ik 
Published: April 2019

AbstractBreast cancer exhibits high lethality in women because it is frequently detected at an advanced stage and aggressive forms such as triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which are often characterized by metastasis through colonization of secondary tumors. Thus, developing therapeutic agents that target the metastatic process is crucial to successfully treat aggressive breast cancer. We evaluated SP-8356, an anti-inflammatory synthetic verbenone derivative, with respect to its regulation of breast cancer cell behavior and cancer progression. Treatment of SP-8356 arrested cell cycle and reduced growth in various types of breast cancer cells with mild cytotoxicity. Particularly, SP-8356 significantly reduced the motility and invasiveness of TNBC cells. Assays using an in vivo xenograft mouse model confirmed the cell-specific anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic activity of SP-8356. Functional studies revealed that SP-8356 suppressed serum response element-dependent reporter gene expression and NF-κB-related signaling, resulting in downregulation of many genes related to cancer invasion. We conclude that SP-8356 suppresses breast cancer progression through multimodal functions, including inhibition of NF-κB signaling and growth-related signaling pathways.
Computer vision enables short- and long-term analysis of Lophelia pertusa polyp behaviour and colour from an underwater observatory
Authors: Osterloff Jonas , Nilssen Ingunn , Järnegren Johanna , Van Engeland Tom , Buhl-Mortensen Pål , Nattkemper Tim W. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractAn array of sensors, including an HD camera mounted on a Fixed Underwater Observatory (FUO) were used to monitor a cold-water coral (Lophelia pertusa) reef in the Lofoten-Vesterålen area from April to November 2015. Image processing and deep learning enabled extraction of time series describing changes in coral colour and polyp activity (feeding). The image data was analysed together with data from the other sensors from the same period, to provide new insights into the short- and long-term dynamics in polyp features. The results indicate that diurnal variations and tidal current influenced polyp activity, by controlling the food supply. On a longer time-scale, the coral’s tissue colour changed from white in the spring to slightly red during the summer months, which can be explained by a seasonal change in food supply. Our work shows, that using an effective integrative computational approach, the image time series is a new and rich source of information to understand and monitor the dynamics in underwater environments due to the high temporal resolution and coverage enabled with FUOs.
Hypergravity and microgravity exhibited reversal effects on the bone and muscle mass in mice
Authors: Tominari Tsukasa , Ichimaru Ryota , Taniguchi Keita , Yumoto Akane , Shirakawa Masaki , Matsumoto Chiho , Watanabe Kenta , Hirata Michiko , Itoh Yoshifumi , Shiba Dai , Miyaura Chisato , Inada Masaki 
Published: April 2019

AbstractSpaceflight is known to induce severe systemic bone loss and muscle atrophy of astronauts due to the circumstances of microgravity. We examined the influence of artificially produced 2G hypergravity on mice for bone and muscle mass with newly developed centrifuge device. We also analyzed the effects of microgravity (mostly 0G) and artificial produced 1G in ISS (international space station) on mouse bone mass. Experiment on the ground, the bone mass of humerus, femur and tibia was measured using micro-computed tomography (μCT), and the all bone mass was significantly increased in 2G compared with 1G control. In tibial bone, the mRNA expression of bone formation related genes such as Osx and Bmp2 was elevated. The volume of triceps surae muscle was also increased in 2G compared with 1G control, and the mRNA expression of myogenic factors such as Myod and Myh1 was elevated by 2G. On the other hand, microgravity in ISS significantly induced the loss of bone mass on humerus and tibia, compared with artificial 1G induced by centrifugation. Here, we firstly report that bone and muscle mass are regulated by the gravity with loaded force in both of positive and negative on the ground and in the space.
Localised states and their capture characteristics in amorphous phase-change materials
Authors: Rütten Martin , Geilen Andreas , Sebastian Abu , Krebs Daniel , Salinga Martin 
Published: April 2019

AbstractAs phase-change materials are poised to play a key role in next-generation computing systems, improving the current understanding of electrical transport in their amorphous phase can further strengthen their technological competitiveness. Even though the interaction of charge carriers with disorder-induced localised states largely affect the field-dependent conductivity, a clear link between electrical transport and specific features of the electronic density of states (DOS) could not be established yet due to a lack of knowledge of the capture characteristics of trap states. Here, we address this knowledge gap and employ modulated photocurrent spectroscopy (MPC) to investigate localised states in the frequently studied amorphous phase of Ge2Sb2Te5. Additionally, we present results on the DOS in the bandgap of amorphous AgIn-doped Sb2Te, which has not been subject to high-resolution DOS spectroscopy before. We find experimental evidence for clearly non-constant capture coefficients among a continuous spectrum of localised states in both studied materials. According to this observation especially in AgIn-doped Sb2Te, where no pronounced defect can be detected as main channel for carrier emission, we point out the necessity of modifying the current Poole-Frenkel-based transport modelling.
Amino acid derangements in adults with severe falciparum malaria
Authors: Leopold Stije J. , Apinan Siribha , Ghose Aniruddha , Kingston Hugh W. , Plewes Katherine A. , Hossain Amir , Dutta Asok Kumar , Paul Sujat , Barua Anupam , Sattar Abdus , Day Nicholas P. J. , Tarning Joel , Winterberg Markus , White Nicholas J. , Dondorp Arjen M. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractAmino acid derangements are common in severe falciparum malaria and have been associated with endothelial dysfunction (L-arginine), metabolic acidosis (alanine and lactate), and disease severity (phenylalanine and tryptophan metabolites). Whether these amino acid perturbations reflect isolated pathogenic mechanisms or if they are part of overall changes in amino acid metabolism is unclear. To investigate this, we prospectively simultaneously quantified a broad range of plasma free amino acids (PFAA) using HPLC-MRM-Mass spectrometry in relation to presenting symptoms in adults with severe malaria (n = 88), septicaemia (n = 88), uncomplicated malaria (n = 71), and healthy controls (n = 48) from Bangladesh. The total plasma concentration of measured amino acids was significantly reduced in each of the patient groups when compared to normal levels observed in healthy local controls: uncomplicated malaria −54%, severe malaria −23%, and sepsis −32%, (p = <0.001). Inspection of amino acid profiles revealed that in each group the majority of amino acids were below normal levels, except for phenylalanine. Among patients with severe malaria, L-lactate was strongly associated with an increase of the total amino acid concentration, likely because this reflects tissue hypoxia. Our data confirm previously described amino acid abnormalities, likely resulting from overall changes in the concentration of PFAA.
Characterization of the physical properties of tumor-derived spheroids reveals critical insights for pre-clinical studies
Authors: Guillaume Ludivine , Rigal Lise , Fehrenbach Jérôme , Severac Childérick , Ducommun Bernard , Lobjois Valérie 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThree-dimensional spheroids are widely used as cancer models to study tumor cell proliferation and to evaluate new anticancer drugs. Growth-induced stress (i.e., stress that persists in tumors after external loads removal) influences tumor growth and resistance to treatment. However, it is not clear whether spheroids recapitulate the tumor physical properties. Here, we demonstrated experimentally and with the support of mathematical models that, like tumors, spheroids accumulate growth-induced stress. Moreover, we found that this stress is lower in spheroids made of 5,000 cancer cells and grown for 2 days than in spheroids made of 500 cancer cells and grown for 6 days. These two culture conditions associated with different growth-induced stress levels also had different effects on the spheroid shape (using light sheet microscopy) and surface topography and stiffness (using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy). Finally, the response to irinotecan was different in the two spheroid types. Taken together, our findings bring new insights into the relationship between the spheroid physical properties and their resistance to antitumor treatment that should be taken into account by the experimenters when assessing new therapeutic agents using in vitro 3D models or when comparing studies from different laboratories.
Influence of SHH/GLI1 axis on EMT mediated migration and invasion of breast cancer cells
Authors: Riaz Syeda Kiran , Ke Yuepeng , Wang Fen , Kayani Mahmood Akhtar , Malik Muhammad Faraz Arshad 
Published: April 2019

AbstractSonic Hedgehog signaling is critical for breast morphogenesis and cancer. The present study was conducted to explore the influence of SHH/GLI1 axis on epithelial mesenchymal transition and invasion in breast cancer cells. SHH/GLI1 positive samples demonstrated high expression of Snail and Vimentin with relatively low expression of E-cadherin. Overexpression of Vimentin and Snail in SHH/GLI1 positive patients was also associated with poor overall survival. Interestingly, GANT61 (GLI1 inhibitor) exposure significantly reduced cell viability and induced apoptosis at 10 µM. Suppression of Hedgehog pathway either by CRISPR mediated SHH knock out or GANT61 altered regulation of EMT markers in breast cancer cells. Moreover, in-activation of SHH/GLI1 axis also significantly restricted cell migration and invasiveness. These findings suggest that targeting SHH/GLI1 axis alters expression of EMT markers and abrogates neoplastic invasion in breast cancer cells.
High information capacity DNA-based data storage with augmented encoding characters using degenerate bases
Authors: Choi Yeongjae , Ryu Taehoon , Lee Amos C. , Choi Hansol , Lee Hansaem , Park Jaejun , Song Suk-Heung , Kim Seojoo , Kim Hyeli , Park Wook , Kwon Sunghoon 
Published: April 2019

AbstractDNA-based data storage has emerged as a promising method to satisfy the exponentially increasing demand for information storage. However, practical implementation of DNA-based data storage remains a challenge because of the high cost of data writing through DNA synthesis. Here, we propose the use of degenerate bases as encoding characters in addition to A, C, G, and T, which augments the amount of data that can be stored per length of DNA sequence designed (information capacity) and lowering the amount of DNA synthesis per storing unit data. Using the proposed method, we experimentally achieved an information capacity of 3.37 bits/character. The demonstrated information capacity is more than twice when compared to the highest information capacity previously achieved. The proposed method can be integrated with synthetic technologies in the future to reduce the cost of DNA-based data storage by 50%.
Gut microbiota and butyrate level changes associated with the long-term administration of proton pump inhibitors to old rats
Authors: Lee Sun Min , Kim Nayoung , Nam Ryoung Hee , Park Ji Hyun , Choi Soo In , Park Young-Tae , Kim Yeon-Ran , Seok Yeong-Jae , Shin Cheol Min , Lee Dong Ho 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe association between adverse effects of PPI and gut microbiota in old age has yet to be elucidated. We assessed changes in the gut microbiota and butyrate levels following the long-term administration of PPIs to old rats and investigated their associations. F344 aged male rats were fed a PPI-supplemented diet for 50 weeks. The ileal microbiota was analysed by metagenomic sequencing of the 16S rRNA, while the butyrate concentration was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. We observed a significant decrease in microbial diversity following PPI administration in the 2-year-old rats but not in the 74-week-old rats. PPI treatment reduced both commensal bacteria and opportunistic pathogens, particularly in the 2-year-old rats. Enterotypes comprising the majority of the control samples were enriched in Lactobacillus, while other enterotypes in the PPI group were dominated by Turicibacter or Romboutsia. The PPI treatment reduced the butyrate concentrations in the intestines and colons of 74-week-old rats compared to the control group. The abundance of Lactobacillus significantly correlated with butyrate concentrations in 74-week-old rats. In conclusion, long-term administration of PPIs alters the gut microbiota and butyrate concentrations in rats, particularly in old age, which may be an underlying mechanism of PPI-induced adverse effects such as pseudomembranous colitis.
Exome sequencing in patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy
Authors: Schellevis Rosa L. , Breukink Myrte B. , Gilissen Christian , Boon Camiel J. F. , Hoyng Carel B. , de Jong Eiko K. , den Hollander Anneke I. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractChronic central serous chorioretinopathy (cCSC) is a multifactorial eye disease characterized by subretinal fluid accumulation that leads to vision loss. Clinically, cCSC is associated with stress, hypercortisolism and corticosteroid use, and is more frequent in males (80%) than in females (20%). Current genetic studies on cCSC have thus far focussed on common variants, but familial occurrence of cCSC also suggests a role for rare variants in the disease susceptibility. Therefore, in this study, we performed exome sequencing of cCSC patients to elucidate the role of rare (protein-altering) variants in the disease. Exome sequencing was performed on 269 cCSC patients and 1,586 controls. Data were processed according to the Genome-Analysis-Toolkit (GATK) best practices. Principal component analysis was performed to check for genetic ancestry and only unrelated subjects of European descent were retained. Burden, SKAT and SKAT-O tests were performed using 2 different grouping criteria. One group included protein-altering variants only, while the other contained synonymous and splice site variants as well. The gene-based analyses were performed using the SKAT R-package correcting for two principal components using two approaches; (1) on the entire cohort correcting for sex and (2) on males and females separately. Additionally, the gene-based associations of genes at previously reported cCSC loci were investigated. After filtering, the dataset contained 263 cCSC patients (208 males [79%]) and 1352 controls (671 males [50%]) carrying 197,915 protein-altering variants in 16,370 genes and 330,689 exonic variants in 18,173 genes. Analysis stratified by sex identified significant associations with the PIGZ (PSKAT = 9.19 × 10−7 & PSKAT-O = 2.48 × 10−6), DUOX1 (PSKAT = 1.03 × 10−6), RSAD1 (PSKAT = 1.92 × 10−7 & PSKAT-O = 8.57 × 10−8) and LAMB3 (PBurden = 1.40 × 10−6 & PSKAT-O = 1.14 × 10−6) genes in female cCSC patients, after correction for multiple testing. The number of rare variant carriers in these genes was significantly higher in the female cCSC cohort compared to female controls (45,5% vs. 18.5%, P = 1.92 × 10−6, OR = 3.67 [95% CI = 2.09–6.46]). No significant associations were identified in the entire cohort nor in the male patients. In this exome study on cCSC patients, we have identified PIGZ, DUOX1, RSAD1 and LAMB3 as potential new candidate genes for cCSC in females. The sex-specific associations identified here suggest a possible interaction between rare genetic factors and sex for cCSC, but replication of these findings in additional cohorts of cCSC patients is necessary.
Influence of shape, size and magnetostatic interactions on the hyperthermia properties of permalloy nanostructures
Authors: Ferrero Riccardo , Manzin Alessandra , Barrera Gabriele , Celegato Federica , Coïsson Marco , Tiberto Paola 
Published: April 2019

AbstractWe present a detailed study of permalloy (Ni80Fe20) nanostructures with variable shape (disk, cylinder and sphere) for magnetic hyperthermia application, exploiting hysteresis losses for heat release. The study is performed modifying nanostructure aspect ratio and size (up to some hundreds of nanometres), to find the optimal conditions for the maximization of specific heating capabilities. The parameters are also tuned to guarantee negligible magnetic remanence and fulfilment of biophysical limits on applied field amplitude and frequency product, to avoid aggregation phenomena and intolerable resistive heating, respectively. The attention is first focused on disk-shaped nanostructures, with a comparison between micromagnetic simulations and experimental results, obtained on nanodisks still attached on the lithography substrate (2D array form) as well as dispersed in ethanol solution (free-standing). This analysis enables us to investigate the role of magnetostatic interactions between nanodisks and to individuate an optimal concentration for the maximization of heating capabilities. Finally, we study magnetization reversal process and hysteresis properties of nanocylinders (diameter between 150 nm and 600 nm, thickness from 30 nm up to 150 nm) and nanospheres (size between 100 nm and 300 nm), to give instructions on the best combination of geometrical parameters for the design of novel hyperthermia mediators.
Maximum standardized uptake value on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography improves outcome prediction in retroperitoneal liposarcoma
Authors: Rhu Jinsoo , Hyun Seung Hyup , Lee Kyung-Han , Jo Sung Jun , Lee Kyo Won , Park Jae Berm , Kim Sung Joo 
Published: April 2019

AbstractWhile 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) has been investigated in extremity sarcomas, there is no evidence on its usefulness in retroperitoneal sarcoma. This study was designed to evaluate the usefulness of 18F-FDG PET/CT in predicting aggressiveness of retroperitoneal liposarcoma. Patients experienced surgery for retroperitoneal liposarcoma from November 2007 to February 2018 and underwent preoperative 18F-FDG PET/CT were included. Preoperative maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) was calculated. To evaluate the predictability of SUVmax for Fédération Nationale des Centres de Lutte Contre le Cancer (FNCLCC) grade 3, receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was performed. To analyze whether SUVmax can be a risk factor for prognosis, multivariable Cox regression was performed including potential risk factors regarding operation and histopathology. A total of 133 patients were included. ROC curve showed area under the curve of 0.877 (P < 0.001), with a cut-off point of 4.5 SUVmax showing 85.7% sensitivity and 78.3% specificity. Cox analyses showed that SUVmax > 4.5 was a significant factor for recurrence-free survival (HR = 2.148, CI 1.301–3.546, P = 0.003) and overall survival (HR = 5.052, CI 1.854–13.766, P = 0.002). SUVmax is highly predictive of FNCLCC grade 3 and SUVmax > 4.5 can be used as a prognostic factor before obtaining the histopathology.
Isolation and mass spectrometry based hydroxyproline mapping of type II collagen derived from Capra hircus ear cartilage
Authors: Maity Priti Prasanna , Dutta Debabrata , Ganguly Sayan , Kapat Kausik , Dixit Krishna , Chowdhury Amit Roy , Samanta Ramapati , Das Narayan Chandra , Datta Pallab , Das Amit Kumar , Dhara Santanu 
Published: April 2019

AbstractCollagen II (COLII), the most abundant protein in vertebrates, helps maintain the structural and functional integrity of cartilage. Delivery of COLII from animal sources could improve cartilage regeneration therapies. Here we show that COLII can be purified from the Capra ear cartilage, a commonly available bio-waste product, with a high yield. MALDI-MS/MS analysis evidenced post-translational modifications of the signature triplet, Glycine-Proline-Hydroxyproline (G-P-Hyp), in alpha chain of isolated COLII (COLIIA1). Additionally, thirty-two peptides containing 59 Hyp residues and a few G-X-Y triplets with positional alterations of Hyp in COLIIA1 are also identified. Furthermore, we show that an injectable hydrogel formulation containing the isolated COLII facilitates chondrogenic differentiation towards cartilage regeneration. These findings show that COLII can be isolated from Capra ear cartilage and that positional alteration of Hyp in its structural motif, as detected by newly developed mass spectrometric method, might be an early marker of cartilage disorder.