bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Deep learning of the sectional appearances of 3D CT images for anatomical structure segmentation based on an FCN voting method
Authors: Zhou Xiangrong , Takayama Ryosuke , Wang Song , Hara Takeshi , Fujita Hiroshi 
Published: July 2017

PurposeWe propose a single network trained by pixel‐to‐label deep learning to address the general issue of automatic multiple organ segmentation in three‐dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) images. Our method can be described as a voxel‐wise multiple‐class classification scheme for automatically assigning labels to each pixel/voxel in a 2D/3D CT image.MethodsWe simplify the segmentation algorithms of anatomical structures (including multiple organs) in a CT image (generally in 3D) to a majority voting scheme over the semantic segmentation of multiple 2D slices drawn from different viewpoints with redundancy. The proposed method inherits the spirit of fully convolutional networks (FCNs) that consist of “convolution” and “deconvolution” layers for 2D semantic image segmentation, and expands the core structure with 3D‐2D‐3D transformations to adapt to 3D CT image segmentation. All parameters in the proposed network are trained pixel‐to‐label from a small number of CT cases with human annotations as the ground truth. The proposed network naturally fulfills the requirements of multiple organ segmentations in CT cases of different sizes that cover arbitrary scan regions without any adjustment.ResultsThe proposed network was trained and validated using the simultaneous segmentation of 19 anatomical structures in the human torso, including 17 major organs and two special regions (lumen and content inside of stomach). Some of these structures have never been reported in previous research on CT segmentation. A database consisting of 240 (95% for training and 5% for testing) 3D CT scans, together with their manually annotated ground‐truth segmentations, was used in our experiments. The results show that the 19 structures of interest were segmented with acceptable accuracy (88.1% and 87.9% voxels in the training and testing datasets, respectively, were labeled correctly) against the ground truth.ConclusionsWe propose a single network based on pixel‐to‐label deep learning to address the challenging issue of anatomical structure segmentation in 3D CT cases. The novelty of this work is the policy of deep learning of the different 2D sectional appearances of 3D anatomical structures for CT cases and the majority voting of the 3D segmentation results from multiple crossed 2D sections to achieve availability and reliability with better efficiency, generality, and flexibility than conventional segmentation methods, which must be guided by human expertise.
Better arthritis care: Patients' expectations and priorities, the competencies that community‐based health professionals need to improve their care of people with arthritis?
Authors: Erwin J. , Edwards K. , Woolf A. , Whitcombe S. , Kilty S. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to identify the competencies that patients think non‐specialist community‐based nurses and allied health professionals (AHPs) need to enable them to assess, care for and manage arthritis appropriately.MethodsFour face‐to‐face focus groups were held with a total of 16 women and nine men with arthritis, to discuss the care they received from community‐based health professionals, the skills and knowledge they expected from community‐based health professionals and what they prioritized.ResultsPeople with arthritis wanted health providers to have an understanding of the difference between inflammatory arthritis (IA) and osteoarthritis (OA), of how serious OA can be, and of the unpredictability of IA and flares. They emphasized the need for nurses and AHPs to understand the psychosocial impact of arthritis on individuals, family and friends, and the psychological adjustment needed when diagnosed with IA. They wanted community‐based health professionals to have some knowledge of the types of drug treatments that people with IA receive and the implications of taking immunosuppressive drugs. They also wanted them to understand the pain associated with arthritis, particularly OA, which participants felt was not taken seriously enough. They wanted nurses and AHPs in the community to be able to give basic advice on pacing and pain management, to make multidisciplinary referrals, to communicate effectively between referral points and to be able to signpost people to sources of help and good, reliable sources of education and information (especially for OA). They also wanted them to understand that patients who have had a diagnosis for a long time are the experts in their own disease. Other areas which were emphasized as being important were good communication skills and taking a holistic approach to caring for people with arthritis.ConclusionsOA and IA differ significantly, both in their nature and their management. However, patients with arthritis want health professionals working in the community to be able to take a holistic approach to arthritis, with an understanding not just of the physical effects, but also their impact on the lives of patients, their family and their wider social circle, and on their ability to participate. People with OA want their condition to be taken seriously and to be offered appropriate management options, while people with IA want professionals to understand the unpredictability of their condition and to have a basic understanding of the drugs used for its treatment.
A Medieval/Early Modern Alpine Population from Zweisimmen, Switzerland: A Comparative Study of Anthropology and Palaeopathology
Authors: Somers J. , Cooper C. , Alterauge A. , Lösch S. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractTo date, anthropological comparative studies from Switzerland are rare. Therefore, this research aims to make a comparison between the alpine individuals from Zweisimmen (ca. 14th–19th), and 17 other rural and urban populations from Switzerland all dating to the medieval and early modern period. An osteoarchaeological analysis was carried out on the rural population of Zweisimmen, consisting of 134 skeletons. For each individual, the arm position and orientation were observed in the field, while preservation, representation, sex, age, stature, trauma and pathologies were recorded in the laboratory. These results were compared with data from published and grey literature in order to gain a better understanding of chronological and regional patterns in Switzerland. A chronological development was observed in the orientation, arm position and use of a coffin, which suggests a change in burial practices and beliefs throughout time. The demographic profile represents a natural mortality; however, children and especially neonates are underrepresented in this sample. Some individuals were buried in groups, suggesting simultaneous burial during a period of increased mortality. The palaeopathological findings suggest that the living conditions in rural alpine Zweisimmen were similar to those of other contemporaneous populations, as well as those living in an urban setting. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Label‐Free Direct Electrical Detection of a Histidine‐Rich Protein with Sub‐Femtomolar Sensitivity using an Organic Field‐Effect Transistor
Authors: Minamiki Tsukuru , Sasaki Yui , Tokito Shizuo , Minami Tsuyoshi 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe front cover artwork is provided by the group of Dr. Tsuyoshi Minami at the Institute of Industrial Science, the University of Tokyo (Japan). Easy‐to‐use sensing systems for on‐site biomarker testing have been researched numerously, because conventional approaches for biomarker detection (e.g. enzyme linked‐immunosorbent assays, etc.) are too complicated. In that regard, organic filed‐effect transistors (OFETs) are some of the most promising platforms for construction of on‐site testing systems. As OFETs can be easily fabricated on flexible substrates using wet processes, these are not only valuable transducers for chemo‐/biosensors, but also the prospective device for rollable displays and low‐cost radio frequency identification tags. Thus, the components of the sensing system could be integrated into a single chip by using OFET‐based circuits. For more details, see the full text of the Communication at 10.1002/open.201700070.
A novel free fatty acid receptor 1 (GPR40/FFAR1) agonist, MR1704, enhances glucose‐dependent insulin secretion and improves glucose homeostasis in rats
Authors: Tsuda Naoto , Kawaji Atsuko , Sato Toshihiro , Takagi Mitsuhiro , Higashi Chika , Kato Yutaka , Ogawa Kumiko , Naba Hiroyasu , Ohkouchi Munetaka , Nakamura Masaki , Hosaka Yoshitaka , Sakaki Junichi 
Published: July 2017

AbstractActivation of G protein‐coupled receptor 40/Free fatty acid receptor 1 (GPR40/FFAR1), which is highly expressed in pancreatic β cells, is considered an important pharmacologic target for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of MR1704, a novel GPR40/FFAR1 agonist, on glucose homeostasis in rats. MR1704 is a highly potent and selective, orally bioavailable agonist with similar in vitro potencies among humans, mice, and rats. Treatment of rat islets with MR1704 increased glucose‐dependent insulin secretion. Augmentation of glucose‐dependent insulin secretion was abolished by adding a GPR40/FFAR1 antagonist. In mouse, insulinoma MIN6 cells, palmitic acid induced the activity of caspase 3/7 after a 72‐h exposure, while pharmacologically active concentrations of MR1704 did not. In an oral glucose tolerance test in normal Sprague‐Dawley rats, orally administered MR1704 (1–10 mg·kg−1) reduced plasma glucose excursion and enhanced insulin secretion, but MR1704 did not induce hypoglycemia, even at 300 mg·kg−1, in fasted Sprague‐Dawley rats. In addition, orally administered MR1704 reduced plasma glucose excursion and enhanced insulin secretion in diabetic Goto‐Kakizaki rats. Oral administration of MR1704 once daily to Goto‐Kakizaki rats reduced their blood glucose levels during a 5‐week treatment period without reducing pancreatic insulin content; as a result, hemoglobin A1C levels significantly decreased. These results suggest that MR1704 improves glucose homeostasis through glucose‐dependent insulin secretion with a low risk of hypoglycemia and pancreatic toxicity. MR1704 shows promise as a new, glucose‐lowering drug to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Numerical simulation and experimental investigation of combinatorial electrodeposition of Ni‐Cu material library using modified Hull cell
Authors: Palli Srinivas , Dey Suhash R. 
Published: July 2017

Numerical simulation of single run electrodeposition of Ni‐Cu material library fabricated from citrate plating bath in a modified Hull cell is carried out at an applied average current density of 2 mA cm−2 by considering multiple electrode reactions. These electrode reactions include reduction of copper ions and nickel ions and hydrogen generation reaction along with influence of diffusion of metal species and Butler–Volmer kinetic rate equations. From the model, partial and total current densities, alloy compositions, and current efficiencies during codeposition of Ni‐Cu alloy as a function of position on the working electrode is predicted. Ni‐Cu thin film combinatorial material library is also fabricated experimentally under similar conditions used in the simulation. An acceptable agreement is noticed from the comparison of the simulated results with experimental data. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies reveal the distinct changes in the surface morphology of the films at different positions on the substrate. The measured room temperature electrical resistivity values for the fabricated material library at 2 mA cm−2 are compared with the reported data of the metallurgical processed bulk Ni‐Cu alloys and found that there is a relatively good match between them.Combinatorial strategy used for fabrication of Ni‐Cu material library through electrodeposition.
The Potential Impact of Radix Paeoniae Alba in Embryonic Development of Mice
Authors: Xu Wei , Xu Ling , Deng Bin , Leng Jing , Tang Nong , Zhao Li Chun , Zhou Hong Hai , Zhao Zhong Zhen , Yang Zhi Jun , Xiao Ting Ting , Tian Xiao Ying , Ho Alan H.M. , Chan Nickie W.K. , Chow Yeuk Lung , Chow Chi Yi , Xu Min 
Published: July 2017

Although Radix Paeoniae Alba (RPA) has been ranked as one of the top 6 herbs used frequently to prevent and treat miscarriages clinically, there is no clear evidence regarding its safety in embryonic development. This study aims to evaluate the potential impacts of RPA on embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and pregnant mice. Cytotoxicity assays of the extract were performed in ESCs and 3T3 cells. Pregnant ICR mice were orally treated with RPA extracts at dosages of 0 (G1 group as negative controls), 2, 8 and 32 g/kg/day (G2, G3 and G4 groups) respectively from the gestation day (Gd) 6–15. On Gd 18, there was no significant difference in the IC50 values between ESCs and 3T3 cells (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the maternal and fetal evaluations among four groups (p > 0.05). Fetal IL‐2, IL‐2r, TNF‐α, TNF‐αr, IL‐4, IL‐4r, IL‐10r, IL‐17 and IL‐17r of G4 group were significantly lower than G1 group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, RPA at dosage of 32 g/kg/day (16‐folds of human daily dosage) did not cause adverse impact in cultured ESCs and pregnant mice. RPA might down‐regulate fetal Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines and receptors maybe beneficial to embryonic survival and development. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anticandidal Activity of Extracts and a Novel Compound, Amnomopin, Isolated From Petriella setifera
Authors: Awaad Amani S. , Al‐Aonazi Nour K. , Al‐Othman Monerah R. , Zain Mohamed E. , El‐Meligy Reham M. , El‐Sayed Nabil 
Published: July 2017

A novel triterpenoidal compound named ‘amnomopin’ (3β‐diglucoside‐5,12‐28‐oic acid), which is named IUPAC as 3‐O‐(2′ ➔ 1″diglucoside)1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,6a,6b,7,9,10,11,12,12a,12b,13,14b‐octadecahydro‐10‐hydroxy‐2,2,6a,6b,9,9,12a‐heptamethylpicene‐4a‐carboxylic acid, was isolated from the extract Petriella setifera. The total alcoholic extract of P. setifera showed a great activity against clinically isolated Candida species, including Candida albicans, Candida dubliniensis, Candida famata, Candida glabrata, Candida inconspicua, Candida kefyr, Candida krusei, Candida norvegensis, Candida parapsilosis and Candida tropicalis. Also, the new compound amnomopin was active against all the investigated Candida species. The highest anticandidal activity of P. setifera extract was obtained against C. kefyr (22.6 ± 1.5 mm), C. albicans and C. norvegensis (21.3 ± 0.63 mm) and C. krusei (20.6 ± 1.5 mm). Moreover, the minimum inhibitory concentrations of both the total extract and the isolated compound were low. The minimum inhibitory concentration of the compound isolated from P. setifera was 0.49 μg/mL against C. kefyr, 0.98 μg/mL against C. albicans and C. norvegensis and 1.95 μg/mL against C. krusei. The oral dosing of the extract and the isolated compound did not show any significant effect on the activity of alanine aminotransferase, aspirate aminotransferase and the levels of blood urea and serum creatinine. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A literature review on planning and analysis of accelerated testing for reliability assessment
Authors: Limon Shah , Yadav Om Prakash , Liao Haitao 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAccelerated testing has been widely used for several decades. Started with accelerated life tests with constant‐stress loadings, more interest has been focused prominently on accelerated degradation tests and time‐varying stress loadings. Because accelerated testing is crucial to the assessment of product reliability and the design of warranty policy, it is important to develop an efficacious test plan that encompasses and addresses important issues, such as design of stress profiles, sample allocation, test duration, measurement frequency, and budget constraint. In recent years, extensive research has been conducted on the optimal design of accelerated testing plans, and the consideration of multiple stresses with interactions has become a big challenge in such experimental designs. The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive review of important methods for statistical inference and optimal design of accelerated testing plans by compiling the existing body of knowledge in the area of accelerated testing. In this work, different types of test planning strategies are categorized, and their drawbacks and the research trends are provided to assist researchers and practitioners in conducting new research in this area.
Voluntary Sustainability Standards: A Squandered Opportunity to Improve Workers' Wages
Authors: Bennett Elizabeth A. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe sustainable development agenda has long been linked with social justice, income equality, and workers' rights. This article argues that voluntary sustainability standards‐setting organizations (VSSSOs) can contribute to these goals by requiring employers to pay living wages and actively support collective bargaining. Examining the content of 25 voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) set by 16 systematically selected VSSSOs, this study finds that only 32% of VSS mandate a living wage, and only 16% rigorously support collective bargaining. It argues that supporting national minimum wages is helpful but not sufficient, examines sources of downward pressure on VSS, identifies potential explanations for variation among standards, and briefly describes a new initiative promoting living wage standards. While VSS are not a silver bullet for sustainable development or wage equity, VSSSOs are overlooking a significant opportunity to be a transformative part of a broader solution. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Tricetin suppresses human oral cancer cell migration by reducing matrix metalloproteinase‐9 expression through the mitogen‐activated protein kinase signaling pathway
Authors: Chung Tsung‐Te , Chuang Chun‐Yi , Teng Ying‐Hock , Hsieh Ming‐Ju , Lai Ji‐Ching , Chuang Yi‐Ting , Chen Mu‐Kuan , Yang Shun‐Fa 
Published: July 2017

AbstractTricetin is a flavonoid derivative and a potent anti‐inflammatory and anticancer agent. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the effects of tricetin on human oral cancer cell migration remains unclear. The cell migration and invasion abilities of three oral cancer cell lines (SCC‐9, HSC‐3, and OECM‐1) were analyzed using Boyden chamber migration assays. Our results demonstrated that tricetin attenuates 12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbol‐13‐acetate‐induced SCC‐9, HSC‐3, and OECM‐1 cell invasiveness and migration by reducing matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐9 enzyme activity. The reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and luciferase reporter assay revealed that tricetin downregulates the mRNA expression and promoter activity of MMP‐9. In addition, Western blot analysis revealed that tricetin significantly reduced the levels of phosphorylated c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) 1/2 and p38 levels but not those of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that tricetin suppresses MMP‐9 enzymatic activity by downregulating the p38/JNK1/2 pathway and might be a beneficial chemopreventive agent.
Methodologies and approaches for the analysis of cell–nanoparticle interactions
Authors: Ivask Angela , Mitchell Andrew J. , Malysheva Anzhela , Voelcker Nicolas H. , Lombi Enzo 
Published: July 2017

How to study nanoparticle–cell interactions is the key question that puzzles researchers in the fields of nanomedicine as well as in nanotoxicology. In nanotoxicology, the amount of nanoparticles internalized by the cells or bound to the external surfaces of cells determines the toxic profile of those particles. In medical applications, cellular uptake and binding of medically effective nanoparticles decides their efficacy. Despite the importance of understanding the extent and mode of nanoparticle–cell interactions, these processes are underinvestigated, mainly due to the lack of suitable user‐friendly methodologies. Here we discuss the advantages and limitations of currently available (and most advanced) microscopic, spectroscopic, and other bioanalytical methods that could be used to assess cell‐nanoparticle interactions either qualitatively or quantitatively. Special emphasis is given to the methods that enable analysis and identification of nanoparticles at single‐cell level, and allow intracellular localization and speciation analysis of nanoparticles.This article is categorized under:

Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Cells at the Nanoscale
Toxicology and Regulatory Issues in Nanomedicine > Toxicology of Nanomaterials
Identification by phenotypic and genetic approaches of an indigenous Saccharomyces cerevisiae wine strain with high desiccation tolerance
Authors: Zambuto Marianna , Romaniello Rossana , Guaragnella Nicoletta , Romano Patrizia , Votta Sonia , Capece Angela 
Published: July 2017

AbstractDuring active dry yeast (ADY) production process, cells are exposed to multiple stresses, such as thermal, oxidative and hyperosmotic shock. Previously, by analysing cells in exponential growth phase, we selected an indigenous Saccharomyces cerevisiae wine strain, namely CD‐6Sc, for its higher tolerance to desiccation and higher expression of specific desiccation stress‐related genes in comparison to other yeast strains. In this study, we performed a desiccation treatment on stationary phase cells by comparing the efficacy of two different methods: a ‘laboratory dry test’ on a small scale (mild stress) and a treatment by spray‐drying (severe stress), one of the most appropriate preservation method for yeasts and other micro‐organisms. The expression of selected desiccation‐related genes has been also assessed in order to validate predictive markers for desiccation tolerance. Our data demonstrate that the ‘mild’ and the ‘severe’ desiccation treatments give similar results in terms of cell recovery, but the choice of marker genes strictly depends on the growth phase in which cells undergo desiccation. The indigenous CD‐6Sc was ultimately identified as a high dehydration stress‐tolerant indigenous strain suitable for ADY production. This study highlights the exploitation of natural yeast biodiversity as a source of hidden technological features and as an alternative approach to strain improvement by genetic modifications. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Copper (II) complexes of bidentate ligands exhibit potent anti-cancer activity regardless of platinum sensitivity status
Authors: Wehbe Mohamed , Lo Cody , Leung Ada W. Y. , Dragowska Wieslawa H. , Ryan Gemma M. , Bally Marcel B. 
Published: July 2017

SummaryInsensitivity to platinum, either through inherent or acquired resistance, is a major clinical problem in the treatment of many solid tumors. Here, we explored the therapeutic potential of diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC), pyrithione (Pyr), plumbagin (Plum), 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ), clioquinol (CQ) copper complexes in a panel of cancer cell lines that differ in their sensitivity to platins (cisplatin/carboplatin) using a high-content imaging system. Our data suggest that the copper complexes were effective against both platinum sensitive (IC50 ~ 1 μM platinum) and insensitive (IC50 > 5 μM platinum) cell lines. Furthermore, copper complexes of DDC, Pyr and 8-HQ had greater therapeutic activity compared to the copper-free ligands in all cell lines; whereas the copper-dependent activities of Plum and CQ were cell-line specific. Four of the copper complexes (Cu(DDC)2, Cu(Pyr)2, Cu(Plum)2 and Cu(8-HQ)2) showed IC50 values less than that of cisplatin in all tested cell lines. The complex copper DDC (Cu(DDC)2) was selected for in vivo evaluation due to its low nano-molar range activity in vitro and the availability of an injectable liposomal formulation. Liposomal (Cu(DDC)2) was tested in a fast-growing platinum-resistant A2780-CP ovarian xenograft model and was found to achieve a statistically significant reduction (50%; p < 0.05) in tumour size. This work supports the potential use of copper-based therapeutics to treat cancers that are insensitive to platinum drugs.