bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
miR-193a-3p increases glycolysis under hypoxia by facilitating Akt phosphorylation and PFKFB3 activation in human macrophages
Authors: Fuhrmann Dominik C. , Brüne Bernhard 
Published: January 2022

AbstractHuman macrophages infiltrating hypoxic regions alter their metabolism, because oxygen becomes limited. Increased glycolysis is one of the most common cellular adaptations to hypoxia and mostly is regulated via hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) and RAC-alpha serine/threonine–protein kinase (Akt) signaling, which gets activated under reduced oxygen content. We noticed that micro RNA (miR)-193a-3p enhances Akt phosphorylation at threonine 308 under hypoxia. In detail, miR-193a-3p suppresses the protein abundance of phosphatase PTC7 homolog (PPTC7), which in turn increases Akt phosphorylation. Lowering PPTC7 expression by siRNA or overexpressing miR-193a-3p increases Akt phosphorylation. Vice versa, inhibition of miR-193a-3p attenuates Akt activation and prevents a subsequent increase of glycolysis under hypoxia. Excluding effects of miR-193a-3p and Akt on HIF expression, stabilization, and function, we noticed phosphorylation of 6 phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose 2,6-bisphosphatase PFKFB3 in response to the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling cascade. Inhibition of PFKFB3 blocked an increased glycolytic flux under hypoxia. Apparently, miR-193a-3p balances Akt phosphorylation and dephosphorylation by affecting PPTC7 protein amount. Suppression of PPTC7 increases Akt activation and phosphorylation of PFKFB3, which culminates in higher rates of glycolysis under hypoxia.
Site Response Analysis of Anchorage, Alaska Using Generalized Inversions of Strong-Motion Data (2004–2019)
Authors: Thornley John , Douglas John , Dutta Utpal , Yang Zhaohui 
Published: January 2022

AbstractAnchorage, Alaska, is located in one of the most active tectonic settings in the world. The city and region were significantly impacted by the MW 9.2 Great Alaska Earthquake in 1964, and they were recently shaken by a MW 7.1 event in 2018. The city was developed in an area underlain by complex soil deposits of varied geological origins and stiffnesses, with the deposits’ thicknesses increasing east to west. Situated at the edge of the North American Plate, with the actively subducting Pacific Plate below, Anchorage is susceptible to both intraslab and interface earthquakes, along with crustal earthquakes. Strong-motion stations were installed across the city in an attempt to capture the variability in site response. Several previous studies have been performed to evaluate that variability but have not included larger magnitude events and have not benefited from the current density of instrumentation. The work presented here provides background information on the geology and tectonic setting of Anchorage and presents details related to the dataset and methods used to perform the site-response analysis. This study has collected strong-motion recordings from 35 surface stations across Anchorage for 95 events spanning from 2004 to 2019, including the MW 7.1 Anchorage Earthquake in 2018. The more than 1700 three-component recordings from those 95 events with moment magnitudes ranging from 4.5 to 7.1 were used to evaluate site response variability across the city. Using the Generalized Inversion Technique and a reference rock site, spectral amplifications were calculated and analyzed for frequencies between 0.25 and 10 Hz for each strong-motion station. The study results were used to develop contour maps at 1 Hz and 5 Hz, using logarithmic-band averages, to describe the variability of spectral amplifications at these two frequencies of interest. The results were also compared to geologic conditions across Anchorage, and the overlaying of different soil deposits can be seen to have an impact on the spectral amplification at the sites. The results of this study provide improvements on past microzonation studies and, using sensitivity analyses, offer support for the use of small and moderate earthquakes to evaluate spectral amplifications.
Efficient Claustrum Segmentation in T2-weighted Neonatal Brain MRI Using Transfer Learning from Adult Scans
Authors: Neubauer Antonia , Li Hongwei Bran , Wendt Jil , Schmitz-Koep Benita , Menegaux Aurore , Schinz David , Menze Bjoern , Zimmer Claus , Sorg Christian , Hedderich Dennis M. 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Purpose
Intrauterine claustrum and subplate neuron development have been suggested to overlap. As premature birth typically impairs subplate neuron development, neonatal claustrum might indicate a specific prematurity impact; however, claustrum identification usually relies on expert knowledge due to its intricate structure. We established automated claustrum segmentation in newborns.

Methods
We applied a deep learning-based algorithm for segmenting the claustrum in 558 T2-weighted neonatal brain MRI of the developing Human Connectome Project (dHCP) with transfer learning from claustrum segmentation in T1-weighted scans of adults. The model was trained and evaluated on 30 manual bilateral claustrum annotations in neonates.

Results
With only 20 annotated scans, the model yielded median volumetric similarity, robust Hausdorff distance and Dice score of 95.9%, 1.12 mm and 80.0%, respectively, representing an excellent agreement between the automatic and manual segmentations. In comparison with interrater reliability, the model achieved significantly superior volumetric similarity (p = 0.047) and Dice score (p < 0.005) indicating stable high-quality performance. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the transfer learning technique was demonstrated in comparison with nontransfer learning. The model can achieve satisfactory segmentation with only 12 annotated scans. Finally, the model’s applicability was verified on 528 scans and revealed reliable segmentations in 97.4%.

Conclusion
The developed fast and accurate automated segmentation has great potential in large-scale study cohorts and to facilitate MRI-based connectome research of the neonatal claustrum. The easy to use models and codes are made publicly available.
Quality of Life in Patients with Benign Non‐Toxic Goiter After Surgical Intervention: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Chaves Natalia , Rodriguez M. Juanita , Broekhuis Jordan M. , Chen Hao Wei , Bain Paul A. , James Benjamin C. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundPrior studies evaluating health‐related quality of life (HR‐QoL) outcomes in patients undergoing surgery for benign non‐toxic goiter have used different instruments and time points, leading to conflicting results. We sought to systematically review the differences in HR‐QoL among patients with BNTG at baseline and 6 months after surgery, using exclusively the ThyPRO questionnaire.
MethodsA systematic search was performed using PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Central, CINAHL, and PsycINFO for papers reporting the assessment of HR‐QoL utilizing ThyPRO. Data were meta‐analyzed using a random‐effects model, and pooled estimates were calculated using weighted mean differences (WMD) between baseline and 6 months after surgery. We assessed the quality and risk of bias of the studies using the Robins‐I tool and previously published minimally important change (MIC) values to assess clinical significance.ResultsSix papers met the predefined inclusion criteria, describing a total of 496 patients. Meta‐analysis demonstrated improved QoL in all thirteen domains of ThyPRO six months post‐surgical intervention compared to baseline. Specifically, the largest improvement in QoL was seen in the domains of overall QoL, WMD −25.84 (95% CI −29.70, −21.98, p < 0.001, I2 = 23%), goiter symptoms, 23.96 (95% CI −30.29, −17.64, p < 0.001, I2 = 91%), and tiredness, −16.20 (95% CI −19.23, −13.16, p < 0.001, I2 = 3%). The differences in scores 9 of 13 domains were clinically significant based on MIC.ConclusionsDisease‐specific HR‐QoL improved in all ThyPRO domains after surgery in patients with BNTG. Future studies of QoL in thyroid surgery patients will benefit from a standard questionnaire and improved reporting of covariates including complications to ensure comparability across studies.
An experimental/numerical investigation of non-reacting turbulent flow in a piloted premixed Bunsen burner
Authors: Pareja Jhon , Lipkowicz Timo , Inanc Eray , Carter Campbell D. , Kempf Andreas , Boxx Isaac 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
In this paper, an experimental study of the non-reacting turbulent flow field characteristics of a piloted premixed Bunsen burner designed for operational at elevated pressure conditions is presented. The generated turbulent flow fields were experimentally investigated at atmospheric and elevated pressure by means of high-speed particle image velocimetry (PIV). The in-nozzle flow through the burner was computed using large-eddy simulation (LES), and the turbulent flow field predicted at the burner exit was compared against the experimental results. The findings show that the burner yields a reasonably homogeneous, nearly isotropic turbulence at the nozzle exit with highly reproducible boundary conditions that can be well predicted by numerical simulations. Similar levels of turbulence intensities and turbulent length scales were obtained at varied pressures and bulk velocities with turbulent Reynolds numbers up to 5300. This work demonstrates the burner’s potential for the study of premixed flames subject to intermediate and extreme turbulence at the elevated pressure conditions found in gas turbine combustors.

Graphical abstract
Human milk fatty acid composition and its association with maternal blood and adipose tissue fatty acid content in a cohort of women from Europe
Authors: Giuffrida Francesca , Fleith Mathilde , Goyer Amélie , Samuel Tinu Mary , Elmelegy-Masserey Isabelle , Fontannaz Patric , Cruz-Hernandez Cristina , Thakkar Sagar K. , Monnard Cathriona , De Castro Carlos Antonio , Lavalle Luca , Rakza Thameur , Agosti Massimo , Al-Jashi Isam , Pereira Almerinda Barroso , Costeira Maria Jose , Marchini Giovanna , Vanpee Mireille , Stiris Tom , Stoicescu Sylvia , Silva Maria Gorett , Picaud Jean-Charles , Martinez-Costa Cecilia , Domellöf Magnus , Billeaud Claude 
Published: January 2022

AbstractPurposeHuman milk (HM) composition is influenced by factors, like maternal diet and body stores, among other factors. For evaluating the influence of maternal fatty acid (FA) status on milk FA composition, the correlation between FA content in HM and in maternal plasma, erythrocytes, and adipose tissue was investigated.Methods223 European women who delivered at term, provided HM samples over first four months of lactation. Venous blood and adipose tissue (only from mothers who consented and underwent a C-section delivery) were sampled at delivery. FAs were assessed in plasma, erythrocytes, adipose tissue, and HM. Evolution of HM FAs over lactation and correlations between FA content in milk and tissues and between mother’s blood and cord blood were established.ResultsDuring lactation, arachidonic acid (ARA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) significantly decreased, while linoleic acid (LA), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) remained stable. Positive correlations were observed between HM and adipose tissue for palmitic, stearic, oleic, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Correlations were found between milk and plasma for oleic, LA, ARA, ALA, DHA, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), and PUFAs. No correlation was observed between erythrocytes and HM FAs. LA and ALA were more concentrated in maternal blood than in infant blood, contrary to ARA and DHA, supporting that biomagnification of LCPUFAs may have occurred during pregnancy.ConclusionsThese data show that maternal adipose tissue rather than erythrocytes may serve as reservoir of PUFAs and LCPUFAs for human milk. Plasma also supplies PUFAs and LCPUFAs to maternal milk. If both, adipose tissue and plasma PUFAs, are reflection of dietary intake, it is necessary to provide PUFAs and LCPUFAs during pregnancy or even before conception and lactation to ensure availability for mothers and enough supply for the infant via HM.
Hearing outcome after tympanoplasty type III
Authors: Tihanyi A. , Speck I. , Wolff K. , Arnold P. , Aschendorff A. , Arndt S. 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Purpose
We assessed overall hearing outcome after tympanoplasty type III in chronically infected ears with cholesteatoma (CH) and without cholesteatoma: otitis media chronica mesotympanalis, tympanosclerosis, and adhesive process (COM_T_AP).

Methods
303 surgeries were evaluated: 229 CH-group and 74 COM_T_AP-group. Air-bone gaps (PTA-ABG) with pure-tone averages (PTA-4) at four frequencies (0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz) were compared preoperatively, early postoperatively (< 40 days) and late postoperatively (40–400 days). Hearing outcome was compared in various types of middle-ear reconstruction and in smokers and non-smokers. Correlations between hearing outcome and predictive staging indices were evaluated: Middle Ear Risk-Index (MER-I) and Ossiculoplasty Outcome Parameter Staging-Index (OOPS-I).

Results
Mean PTA-ABG in the CH-group increased from 20.9 ± 11.3 dB to 22.3 ± 10.4 dB early postoperatively and decreased significantly to 19.2 ± 10.1 dB late postoperatively. Mean PTA-ABG in the COM_T_AP-group decreased significantly from 27.3 ± 10.9 dB to 20.6 ± 10.9 dB early postoperatively and decreased to 20.0 ± 12.2 dB late postoperatively. No significant difference was seen between PTA-ABG-closures of partial or total ossicular replacement prosthesis (PORP/TORP) and cartilage ossiculoplasty in the CH-group. Patients receiving TORP showed a significantly higher preoperative PTA-ABG. All reconstruction types exhibited postoperative PTA-ABG around 20 dB. In the COM_T_AP-group, smokers had a significantly higher mean PTA-ABG early postoperatively; this equalized with that of non-smokers late postoperatively. PTA-ABG-closures and MER-I or OOPS-I were not significantly correlated.

Conclusion
Tympanoplasty type III maintains hearing in patients with cholesteatoma and significantly improves hearing in chronically inflamed ears without cholesteatoma. All investigated ossicular replacement prostheses are equally beneficial. Healing postoperatively takes longer in smokers, but they eventually catch up with non-smokers.
Ex vivo propagation in a novel 3D high-throughput co-culture system for multiple myeloma
Authors: Waldschmidt Johannes M. , Fruttiger Stefan J. , Wider Dagmar , Jung Johannes , Thomsen Andreas R. , Hartmann Tanja N. , Duyster Justus , Hug Martin J. , Azab Kareem A. , Jung Manfred , Wäsch Ralph , Engelhardt Monika 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Purpose
Multiple myeloma (MM) remains an incurable hematologic malignancy which ultimately develops drug resistance and evades treatment. Despite substantial therapeutic advances over the past years, the clinical failure rate of preclinically promising anti-MM drugs remains substantial. More realistic in vitro models are thus required to better predict clinical efficacy of a preclinically active compound.

Methods
Here, we report on the establishment of a conical agarose 3D co-culture platform for the preclinical propagation of primary MM cells ex vivo. Cell growth was compared to yet established 2D and liquid overlay systems. MM cell lines (MMCL: RPMI-8226, U266, OPM-2) and primary patient specimens were tested. Drug sensitivity was examined by exploring the cytotoxic effect of bortezomib and the deubiquitinase inhibitor auranofin under various conditions.

Results
In contrast to 2D and liquid overlay, cell proliferation in the 3D array followed a sigmoidal curve characterized by an initial growth delay but more durable proliferation of MMCL over 12 days of culture. Primary MM specimens did not expand in ex vivo monoculture, but required co-culture support by a human stromal cell line (HS-5, MSP-1). HS-5 induced a > fivefold increase in cluster volume and maintained long-term viability of primary MM cells for up to 21 days. Bortezomib and auranofin induced less cytotoxicity under 3D vs. 2D condition and in co- vs. monoculture, respectively.

Conclusions
This study introduces a novel model that is capable of long-term propagation and drug testing of primary MM specimens ex vivo overcoming some of the pitfalls of currently available in vitro models.
Relationship between body size and sexual size dimorphism in syringophilid quill mites
Authors: Rózsa Lajos , Moldovan Evelyn 
Published: January 2022

AbstractA positive relationship of body size and sexual size dimorphism (males’ size relative to females), called Rensch’s rule, is often observed in comparisons within non-parasitic taxa. However, this allometric relationship has rarely been tested in comparisons across closely related parasite species. Since male sexual rivalry is often regarded as the main cause of this phenomenon, the present study tests this rule in a taxon where sexual selection is almost totally absent in males. Body size data of (non-physogastric) female and male quill mites (Acari: Syringophilidae) were gathered from the literature to investigate this relationship. The data set consisted of 113 species representing 8 genera. For the data set as a whole, increasing body size came together with decreasing relative body size of males (relative to females), a phenomenon known as converse Rensch’s rule. Repeating the same analysis for the 8 genera separately, similar patterns were found in 4 significant and 3 non-significant cases. There was a significant tendency to comply with Rensch’s rule only in one genus, the Neoaulonastus. Thus, converse Rensch’s rule is the primary trend in syringophilid quill mites that appears repeatedly and independently in several genera. This phenomenon is probably caused by their extreme inbreeding, which strongly reduces sexual competition among males in this taxon.
Oral chronic GVHD after allogeneic stem cell transplantation without total body irradiation performed at a young age
Authors: Tanem Kristine Eidal , Wilberg Petter , Diep Phoi Phoi , Ruud Ellen , Skaare Anne B. , Brinch Lorentz , Herlofson Bente Brokstad 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

Purpose

Long-term survivors (LTSs) of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HCT) may experience oral long-term effects like chronic graft-versus-host disease (oral cGVHD). The aim of this study was to investigate oral cGVHD in patients treated at a young age (< 30 years) more than 5 years after allo-HCT without total body irradiation (TBI).

Methods
All 94 participants went through a semi-structured interview, and an oral examination. Diagnosis of oral cGVHD was based on the “National Institutes of Health (NIH) cGVHD diagnosis and staging consensus criteria” from 2014.

Results
Mean age at transplantation was 17.5 years (range 0.4–29.9 years), and mean time since transplantation was 16.7 years (range 6–26 years). Oral cGVHD was diagnosed in 26 (28%) of 94 LTSs. Of which 20 (21.5%) showed lichen planus-like (LPL) changes, and additionally six (6.5%) also fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of oral cGVHD since they had one or more distinctive signs and symptoms of oral cGVHD combined with definite cGVHD in another organ. No LTSs reported oral cGVHD (NIH) grade 3. There was a significant association between cGVHD in the oral cavity and cGVHD in another organ (77% vs 29%, p < 0.001). Out of 72 LTSs, who answered the questions regarding taste disturbances, 16 (22%) reported dysgeusia. No LTSs developed secondary malignancies in the oral cavity during follow-up time.

Conclusion
Oral long-term effects, such as oral cGVHD, may persist for many years after allo-HCT without TBI-conditioning in patients treated at a young age.
Effects of binder types and other significant variables on the unconfined compressive strength of chemical-stabilized clayey soil using gene-expression programming
Authors: Pham Van-Ngoc , Oh Erwin , Ong Dominic E. L. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractSoil stabilization is an in situ soil treatment in which soils are mixed with cementitious or other chemical stabilizing agents. Determining the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of stabilized soil is a principal task in the design and construction of the ground improvement. Hence, this study aims to develop a reliable predictive model for the UCS of clay stabilization with common cementitious binders using the gene-expression programming (GEP) technique. Eleven parameters, including the soil characteristics, the binder types, the binder contents, the mixing method, and the curing period, were considered as the independent variables in the model. The research results show that the selected optimal GEP-based model performs well with an acceptable correlation coefficient (R = 0.951) and low errors (e.g., RMSE and MAE). Besides, parametric analyses indicate that the plastic index, the percentage of clay, and the total water content have a negative effect on the UCS of stabilized soil. In contrast, the percentage of silt and sand, the binder types, the binder contents, and the curing time show a positive effect on the strength of stabilized soil. In addition, the strength of stabilized clay could be significantly enhanced by combining cement with slag, lime, or fly ash with a reasonable ratio, or by reducing the natural water content in the soil. The research findings could help engineers choose suitable binder types and cost-effective methods to optimize the UCS of stabilized clay.
Patterns of atmospheric circulation in Western Europe linked to heavy rainfall in Germany: preliminary analysis into the 2021 heavy rainfall episode
Authors: Ibebuchi Chibuike Chiedozie 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
The July 2021 heavy rainfall episode in parts of Western Europe caused devastating floods, specifically in Germany. This study examines circulation types (CTs) linked to extreme precipitation in Germany. It was investigated if the classified CTs can highlight the anomaly in synoptic patterns that contributed to the unusual July 2021 heavy rainfall in Germany. The North Atlantic Oscillation was found to be the major climatic mode related to the seasonal and inter-annual variations of most of the classified CTs. On average, wet (dry) conditions in large parts of Germany can be linked to westerly (northerly) moisture fluxes. During spring and summer seasons, the mid-latitude cyclone when located over the North Sea disrupts onshore moisture transport from the North Atlantic Ocean by westerlies driven by the North Atlantic subtropical anticyclone. The CT found to have the highest probability of being associated with above-average rainfall in large part of Germany features (i) enhancement and northward track of the cyclonic system over the Mediterranean; (ii) northward track of the North Atlantic anticyclone, further displacing poleward, the mid-latitude cyclone over the North Sea, enabling band of westerly moisture fluxes to penetrate Germany; (iii) cyclonic system over the Baltic Sea coupled with northeast fluxes of moisture to Germany; (iv) and unstable atmospheric conditions over Germany. In 2021, a spike was detected in the amplitude and frequency of occurrence of the aforementioned wet CT suggesting that in addition to the nearly stationary cut-off low over central Europe, during the July flood episode, anomalies in the CT contributed to the heavy rainfall event.