bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Match and mismatch between opening area and resistance in mild and moderate rheumatic mitral stenosis
Authors: El‐Dosouky Ibtesam Ibrahim 
Published: August 2016

BackgroundMitral valve resistance (MVR) is a hemodynamic consequence of mitral stenosis (MS), but it has no clear threshold with a shortage of data to be reliable. We aimed to investigate match and mismatch between opening area and resistance especially in patients with moderate and mild MS.MethodsThis study comprised 88 patients with moderate and mild rheumatic MS. Transthoracic echocardiographic study estimated the following: mitral valve area (MVA) by both planimetry (2D) and pressure half‐time (PHT), mitral valve score (MVS), mean transmitral pressure gradient (MPG), diastolic filling time (DFT), left ventricular out flow tract diameter (LVOTd) and velocity‐time integral (LVOTvti), and MVR = MPG/aortic flow ratio [(LVOTd) (LVOTvti)/DFT] in dynes·s/cm5. Patients were classified into two groups: group 1 (51 patients) with matched MVR and group 2 (37 patients) with mismatched higher MVR.ResultsIn the matched group, moderate MS showed MVR <105 dynes·s/cm5 and <76dynes·s/cm5 with mild MS. Group 2 compared to group 1 had higher NYHA class (1.4±0.6 vs 1.2±0.4, P<.05) and higher MVS (8.1±1.8 vs 7±0.9, P<.05). MVR showed positive correlation with MVS (r=.5, P<.05), and logistic regression analysis showed that MVS is the only independent predictor of the MVR severity in the mismatched group (i.e., with higher MVR compared to the ROC analysis results) (B±SE=6.997±2.826, t=2.476, 95% CI 1.241±12.752 with an odds ratio=0.412, P<.05).ConclusionOn investigating match and mismatch between opening area and resistance, the only independent predictor of mismatch is the mitral valve score.
Synchrony as an Adaptive Mechanism for Large‐Scale Human Social Bonding
Authors: Launay Jacques , Tarr Bronwyn , Dunbar Robin I. M. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractHumans have developed a number of specific mechanisms that allow us to maintain much larger social networks than would be expected given our brain size. For our primate cousins, social bonding is primarily supported using grooming, and the bonding effect this produces is primarily mechanistically underpinned by the release of endorphins (although other neurohormones are also likely to be involved). Given large group sizes and time budgeting constraints, grooming is not viable as the primary social bonding mechanism in humans. Instead, during our evolutionary history, we developed other behaviours that helped us to feel connected to our social communities. Here, we propose that synchrony might act as direct means to encourage group cohesion by causing the release of neurohormones that influence social bonding. By acting on ancient neurochemical bonding mechanisms, synchrony can act as a primal and direct social bonding agent, and this might explain its recurrence throughout diverse human cultures and contexts (e.g. dance, prayer, marching, music‐making). Recent evidence supports the theory that endorphins are released during synchronised human activities, including sport, but particularly during musical interaction. Thus, synchrony‐based activities are likely to have developed due to the fact that they allow the release of these hormones in large‐scale human communities, providing an alternative to social bonding mechanisms such as grooming.
A meta‐analysis of fertilizer‐induced soil NO and combined NO+N2O emissions
Authors: Liu Shuwei , Lin Feng , Wu Shuang , Ji Cheng , Sun Yi , Jin Yaguo , Li Shuqing , Li Zhaofu , Zou Jianwen 
Published: August 2016

AbstractSoils are among the important sources of atmospheric nitric oxide (NO) and nitrous oxide (N2O), acting as a critical role in atmospheric chemistry. Updated data derived from 114 peer‐reviewed publications with 520 field measurements were synthesized using meta‐analysis procedure to examine the N fertilizer‐induced soil NO and the combined NO+N2O emissions across global soils. Besides factors identified in earlier reviews, additional factors responsible for NO fluxes were fertilizer type, soil C/N ratio, crop residue incorporation, tillage, atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration, drought and biomass burning. When averaged across all measurements, soil NO‐N fluxes were estimated to be 4.06 kg ha−1 yr−1, with the greatest (9.75 kg ha−1 yr−1) in vegetable croplands and the lowest (0.11 kg ha−1 yr−1) in rice paddies. Soil NO emissions were more enhanced by synthetic N fertilizer (+38%), relative to organic (+20%) or mixed N (+18%) sources. Compared with synthetic N fertilizer alone, synthetic N fertilizer combined with nitrification inhibitors substantially reduced soil NO emissions by 81%. The global mean direct emission factors of N fertilizer for NO (EFNO) and combined NO+N2O (EFc) were estimated to be 1.16% and 2.58%, with 95% confidence intervals of 0.71–1.61% and 1.81–3.35%, respectively. Forests had the greatest EFNO (2.39%). Within the croplands, the EFNO (1.71%) and EFc (4.13%) were the greatest in vegetable cropping fields. Among different chemical N fertilizer varieties, ammonium nitrate had the greatest EFNO (2.93%) and EFc (5.97%). Some options such as organic instead of synthetic N fertilizer, decreasing N fertilizer input rate, nitrification inhibitor and low irrigation frequency could be adopted to mitigate soil NO emissions. More field measurements over multiyears are highly needed to minimize the estimate uncertainties and mitigate soil NO emissions, particularly in forests and vegetable croplands.
Multispectral imaging for highly accurate analysis of tumour‐infiltrating lymphocytes in primary melanoma
Authors: Vasaturo Angela , Di Blasio Stefania , Verweij Dagmar , Blokx Willeke A M , van Krieken J Han , de Vries I Jolanda M , Figdor Carl G 
Published: August 2016

AimsThe quality and quantity of the infiltration of immune cells into tumour tissues have substantial impacts on patients’ clinical outcomes, and are associated with response to immunotherapy. Therefore, the precise analysis of tumour‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) is becoming an important additional pathological biomarker. Analysis of TILs is usually performed semiquantitatively by pathologists on haematoxylin and eosin‐stained or immunostained tissue sections. However, automated quantification outperforms semiquantitative approaches, and is becoming the standard. Owing to the presence of melanin pigment, this approach is seriously hampered in melanoma, because the spectrum of melanin lies close to that of commonly used immunohistochemical stains. Aim of this study is to overcome the technical issues due to the presence of melanin for an automated and accurate quantification of TILs in melanoma.Methods and resultsHere, we successfully applied a novel multispectral imaging (MSI) technique to enumerate T cells in human primary melanomas. This microscopy technique combines imaging with spectroscopy to obtain both quantitative expression data and the tissue distributions of different cellular markers. We demonstrate that MSI allows complete and accurate analysis of TILs, successfully avoiding the blurring of images by melanin pigments, in whole tissue slide primary melanoma lesions, which could otherwise not be accurately detected by conventional digital image methodologies.ConclusionsOur study highlights the potential of MSI for accurate assessment of immune cell infiltrates, including those in notoriously difficult tissues, such as pigmented melanomas. Quantification of tumour infiltration by different immune cell types is crucial in the search for new biomarkers to predict patient responses to immunotherapies. Our findings show that this innovative microscopy technique is an important extension of the armamentarium of pathologists.
Functional exhaustion of CD4+ T cells induced by co‐stimulatory signals from myeloid leukaemia cells
Authors: Ozkazanc Didem , Yoyen‐Ermis Digdem , Tavukcuoglu Ece , Buyukasik Yahya , Esendagli Gunes 
Published: August 2016

SummaryTo cope with immune responses, tumour cells implement elaborate strategies such as adaptive resistance and induction of T‐cell exhaustion. T‐cell exhaustion has been identified as a state of hyporesponsiveness that arises under continuous antigenic stimulus. Nevertheless, contribution of co‐stimulatory molecules to T‐cell exhaustion in cancer remains to be better defined. This study explores the role of myeloid leukaemia‐derived co‐stimulatory signals on CD4+ T helper (Th) cell exhaustion, which may limit anti‐tumour immunity. Here, CD86 and inducible T‐cell co‐stimulator ligand (ICOS‐LG) co‐stimulatory molecules that are found on myeloid leukaemia cells supported Th cell activation and proliferation. However, under continuous stimulation, T cells co‐cultured with leukaemia cells, but not with peripheral blood monocytes, became functionally exhausted. These in vitro‐generated exhausted Th cells were defined by up‐regulation of programmed cell death 1 (PD‐1), cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA‐4), lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG3) and T‐cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain‐containing protein 3 (TIM‐3) inhibitory receptors. They were reluctant to proliferate upon re‐stimulation and produced reduced amounts of interleukin‐2 (IL‐2), tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ). Nonetheless, IL‐2 supplementation restored the proliferation capacity of the exhausted Th cells. When the co‐stimulation supplied by the myeloid leukaemia cells were blocked, the amount of exhausted Th cells was significantly decreased. Moreover, in the bone marrow aspirates from patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a subpopulation of Th cells expressing PD‐1, TIM‐3 and/or LAG3 was identified together with CD86+ and/or ICOS‐LG+ myeloid blasts. Collectively, co‐stimulatory signals derived from myeloid leukaemia cells possess the capacity to facilitate functional exhaustion in Th cells.
Functional interleukin‐33 receptors are expressed in early progenitor stages of allergy‐related granulocytes
Authors: Tsuzuki Hirofumi , Arinobu Yojiro , Miyawaki Kohta , Takaki Ayako , Ota Shun‐ichiro , Ota Yuri , Mitoma Hiroki , Akahoshi Mitsuteru , Mori Yasuo , Iwasaki Hiromi , Niiro Hiroaki , Tsukamoto Hiroshi , Akashi Koichi 
Published: August 2016

SummaryInterleukin‐33 (IL‐33) induces T helper type 2 (Th2) cytokine production and eosinophilia independently of acquired immunity, leading to innate immunity‐mediated allergic inflammation. Allergy‐related innate myeloid cells such as eosinophils, basophils and mast cells express the IL‐33 receptor (IL‐33R), but it is still unknown how IL‐33 regulates allergic inflammation involving these cells and their progenitors. Here, we revealed that the functional IL‐33R was expressed on eosinophil progenitors (EoPs), basophil progenitors (BaPs) and mast cell progenitors (MCPs). In the presence of IL‐33, these progenitors did not expand, but produced a high amount of Th2 and pro‐inflammatory cytokines such as IL‐9, IL‐13, IL‐1β and IL‐6. The amount of cytokines produced by these progenitors was greater than that by mature cells. In vivo, IL‐33 stimulated the expansion of EoPs, but it was dependent upon the elevated serum IL‐5 that is presumably derived from type 2 innate lymphoid cells that express functional IL‐33R. These data collectively suggest that EoPs, BaPs and MCPs are not only the sources of allergy‐related granulocytes, but can also be sources of allergy‐related cytokines in IL‐33‐induced inflammation. Because such progenitors can differentiate into mature granulocytes at the site of inflammation, they are potential therapeutic targets in IL‐33‐related allergic diseases.
Reactive Hydrothermal Liquid‐Phase Densification (rHLPD) of Ceramics – A Study of the BaTiO3[TiO2] Composite System
Authors: Vakifahmetoglu Cekdar , Anger Jean Francois , Atakan Vahit , Quinn Sean , Gupta Surojit , Li Qinghua , Tang Ling , Riman Richard E. 
Published: August 2016

A densification process called reactive hydrothermal liquid‐phase densification (rHLPD), based on principles of hydrothermal reaction, infiltration, reactive crystallization, and liquid‐phase sintering, is presented. rHLPD can be used to form monolithic ceramic components at low temperatures. The densification of barium titanate–titania composite monoliths was studied to demonstrate proof of concept for this densification model. Permeable, green titania (anatase) compacts were infiltrated with aqueous barium hydroxide solutions and reacted under hydrothermal conditions in the temperature range 90°C–240°C. The effects of reaction time and temperature on the conversion of titania (anatase) into barium titanate were studied. Utilizing a 72 h reaction at 240°C between l.0 M Ba(OH)2, an anatase (TiO2) powder compact, and a corresponding Ba/Ti ratio of 1.5, it was possible to crystallize a composite 95 wt% (88 mol%) BaTiO3 and 5 wt% (12 mol%) TiO2. The composite had a relative density of ~90% with a compressive strength of 172 ± 21 MPa and a flexural strength of 49 ± 4 MPa.
The function and evolution of male and female genitalia in Phyllophaga Harris scarab beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)
Authors: Richmond M. P. , Park J. , Henry C. S. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractGenitalia diversity in insects continues to fuel investigation of the function and evolution of these dynamic structures. Whereas most studies have focused on variation in male genitalia, an increasing number of studies on female genitalia have uncovered comparable diversity among females, but often at a much finer morphological scale. In this study, we analysed the function and evolution of male and female genitalia in Phyllophaga scarab beetles, a group in which both sexes exhibit genitalic diversity. To document the interaction between male and female structures during mating, we dissected flash‐frozen mating pairs from three Phyllophaga species and investigated fine‐scale morphology using SEM. We then reconstructed ancestral character states using a species tree inferred from mitochondrial and nuclear loci to elucidate and compare the evolutionary history of male and female genitalia. Our dissections revealed an interlocking mechanism of the female pubic process and male parameres that appears to improve the mechanical fit of the copulatory position. The comparative analyses, however, did not support coevolution of male and female structures and showed more erratic evolution of the female genitalia relative to males. By studying a group that exhibits obvious female genitalic diversity, we were able to demonstrate the relevance of female reproductive morphology in studies of male genital diversity.
The Prevalence of Canine Oral Protozoa and Their Association with Periodontal Disease
Authors: Patel Niran , Colyer Alison , Harris Steve , Holcombe Lucy , Andrew Peter 
Published: August 2016

AbstractPeriodontal disease is one of the most important health concerns for companion animals. Research into canine forms of periodontitis has focused on the identification and characterization of the bacterial communities present. However, other microorganisms are known to inhabit the oral cavity and could also influence the disease process. A novel, broad spectrum 18S PCR was developed and used, in conjunction with next‐generation sequencing analyses to target the identification of protists. Trichomonas sp. and Entamoeba sp. were identified from 92 samples of canine plaque. The overall prevalence of trichomonads was 56.52% (52/92) and entamoebae was 4.34% (4/92). Next‐generation sequencing of pooled healthy, gingivitis, early‐stage periodontitis, and severe periodontitis samples revealed the proportion of trichomonad sequences to be 3.51% (health), 2.84% (gingivitis), 6.07% (early periodontitis), and 35.04% (severe periodontitis), respectively, and entamoebae to be 0.01% (health), 0.01% (gingivitis), 0.80% (early‐stage periodontitis), and 7.91% (severe periodontitis) respectively. Both genera of protists were statistically associated with plaque from dogs with periodontal disease. These findings provide the first conclusive evidence for the presence of oral protozoa in dog plaque and suggest a possible role for protozoa in the periodontal disease process.
Free and open‐source automated 3‐D microscope
Authors: WIJNEN BAS , PETERSEN EMILY E. , HUNT EMILY J. , PEARCE JOSHUA M. 
Published: August 2016

SummaryOpen‐source technology not only has facilitated the expansion of the greater research community, but by lowering costs it has encouraged innovation and customizable design. The field of automated microscopy has continued to be a challenge in accessibility due the expense and inflexible, noninterchangeable stages. This paper presents a low‐cost, open‐source microscope 3‐D stage. A RepRap 3‐D printer was converted to an optical microscope equipped with a customized, 3‐D printed holder for a USB microscope. Precision measurements were determined to have an average error of 10 μm at the maximum speed and 27 μm at the minimum recorded speed. Accuracy tests yielded an error of 0.15%. The machine is a true 3‐D stage and thus able to operate with USB microscopes or conventional desktop microscopes. It is larger than all commercial alternatives, and is thus capable of high‐depth images over unprecedented areas and complex geometries. The repeatability is below 2‐D microscope stages, but testing shows that it is adequate for the majority of scientific applications. The open‐source microscope stage costs less than 3–9% of the closest proprietary commercial stages. This extreme affordability vastly improves accessibility for 3‐D microscopy throughout the world.
Scanning electron microscopy image representativeness: morphological data on nanoparticles
Authors: ODZIOMEK KATARZYNA , USHIZIMA DANIELA , OBERBEK PRZEMYSLAW , KURZYDŁOWSKI KRZYSZTOF JAN , PUZYN TOMASZ , HARANCZYK MACIEJ 
Published: August 2016

SummaryA sample of a nanomaterial contains a distribution of nanoparticles of various shapes and/or sizes. A scanning electron microscopy image of such a sample often captures only a fragment of the morphological variety present in the sample. In order to quantitatively analyse the sample using scanning electron microscope digital images, and, in particular, to derive numerical representations of the sample morphology, image content has to be assessed. In this work, we present a framework for extracting morphological information contained in scanning electron microscopy images using computer vision algorithms, and for converting them into numerical particle descriptors. We explore the concept of image representativeness and provide a set of protocols for selecting optimal scanning electron microscopy images as well as determining the smallest representative image set for each of the morphological features. We demonstrate the practical aspects of our methodology by investigating tricalcium phosphate, Ca3(PO4)2, and calcium hydroxyphosphate, Ca5(PO4)3(OH), both naturally occurring minerals with a wide range of biomedical applications.
Fine structure characterization of martensite/austenite constituent in low‐carbon low‐alloy steel by transmission electron forward scatter diffraction
Authors: LI C.W. , HAN L.Z. , LUO X.M. , LIU Q.D. , GU J.F. 
Published: August 2016

SummaryTransmission electron forward scatter diffraction and other characterization techniques were used to investigate the fine structure and the variant relationship of the martensite/austenite (M/A) constituent of the granular bainite in low‐carbon low‐alloy steel. The results demonstrated that the M/A constituents were distributed in clusters throughout the bainitic ferrite. Lath martensite was the main component of the M/A constituent, where the relationship between the martensite variants was consistent with the Nishiyama–Wassermann orientation relationship and only three variants were found in the M/A constituent, suggesting that the variants had formed in the M/A constituent according to a specific mechanism. Furthermore, the Σ3 boundaries in the M/A constituent were much longer than their counterparts in the bainitic ferrite region. The results indicate that transmission electron forward scatter diffraction is an effective method of crystallographic analysis for nanolaths in M/A constituents.
Chronic consumption of Annona muricata juice triggers and aggravates cerebral tau phosphorylation in wild‐type and MAPT transgenic mice
Authors: Rottscholl Robert , Haegele Marlen , Jainsch Britta , Xu Hong , Respondek Gesine , Höllerhage Matthias , Rösler Thomas W. , Bony Emilie , Le Ven Jessica , Guérineau Vincent , Schmitz‐Afonso Isabelle , Champy Pierre , Oertel Wolfgang H. , Yamada Elizabeth S. , Höglinger Günter U. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractIn the pathogenesis of tauopathies, genetic and environmental factors have been identified. While familial clustering led to the identification of mutations in MAPT encoding the microtubule‐associated protein tau, the high incidence of a sporadic tauopathy endemic in Guadeloupe was linked to the plant‐derived mitochondrial complex I inhibitor annonacin. The interaction of both factors was studied in the present work in a realistic paradigm over a period of 12 months. Mice over‐expressing either human wild‐type tau or R406W mutant tau as well as non‐transgenic mice received either regular drinking water or commercially available tropical fruit juice made of soursop (Annona muricata L.) as dietary source of neurotoxins. HPLC‐MS analysis of this juice identified several Annonaceous acetogenins, mainly annonacin (16.2 mg/L), and 41 isoquinoline alkaloids (18.0 mg/L, mainly asimilobine and reticuline). After 12 month of juice consumption, several brain regions showed an increased number of neurons with phosphorylated tau in the somatodendritic compartment of R406W mice and, to a much lesser extent, of non‐transgenic mice and mice over‐expressing human wild‐type tau. Moreover, juice drinking was associated with a reduction in synaptophysin immunoreactivity, as well as an increase in 3‐nitrotyrosine (3NT) reactivity in all three genotypes. The increase in 3NT suggests that Annona muricata juice promotes the generation of reactive nitrogen species. This study provides first experimental evidence that long‐lasting oral ingestion of a widely consumed environmental factor can induce somatodendritic accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau in mice expressing rodent or human wild‐type tau, and can accelerate tau pathology in R406W‐MAPT transgenic mice.
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