bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RARE-EARTH ELEMENTS, NOBLE AND RARE METALS IN ORES OF THE ALGAMINSKOE ZIRCONIUM OCCURRENCE (KHABAROVSKY KRAI)
Authors:   Kosygin Institute of Tectonics and Geophysics, Far East Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Cherepanov A.A.
Published: January 2022

Samples of the ore and gravity concentrate from the Algaminskoe zirconium occurrence were studied. Concentrations of rare-earth elements (REE), rare and noble metals were determined. REE content in the ore is 200–300 g/t, with 400 g/t in the gravity concentrate. REE distribution diagrams clearly show Ce depletion and the predominance of intermediate lanthanides and yttrium. The ore and the concentrate contain elevated Hf, W, U, Ta, Au, and Pt, most of which are present in the form of isomorphic admixture in baddeleytte and zircon. Their source is the ancient weathering crust of peralkalic rocks of the Ingili massif. The suggestion has been made that there should be a buried weathering crust enriched in valuable components.
GEOCHEMICAL FEATURES OF NATIVE GOLD FROM THE YUGLER MINERAL DISTRICT (NORTH-EAST RUSSIA)
Authors:   N.A. Shilo North-East Interdisciplinary Scientific Research Institute, Litvinenko I.S.
Published: January 2022

We have used the “Leader” and “PROFILE” software programs to analyze spectral study results for 242 native gold samples from lode deposits and placer relics of the Yugler mineral district. The Yugler black shales host gold mineralization characterized by the geochemical specialization in lead and copper, which assigns it to the style of gold mineralization at the Degdekan deposit but distinguishes it from the majority of similar deposits in Russia and abroad. Native gold in ore bodies and placers displays a distinct geochemical specialization. Native gold from ore bodies is high in As, Bi and Pb, from the Yugler placer in Cu, Pb, Fe and Mn, and Spokoiny and Matrosov’s placers in Sb and Ag. Vertical zoning of mineralization manifests itself as low-grade antimonious grains of native gold in eroded parts of the sequence and high-grade bismuth-lead-arsenious grains in its preserved parts. The mineral-geochemical formation model of the Yugler lode-placer district is a space-time succession of copper-polymetallic mineral assemblages replaced by arsenic-bismuth-polymetallic and then by silver-antimony-polymetallic assemblages. Antimonious mineral assemblages were most abundant in the southwest of the ore field.
BISMUTH MINERALIZATION OF THE BELOGORSKY MAGNETITE DEPOSIT (SIKHOTE-ALIN)
Authors:   Far East Geological Institute, Far eastern branch, Russian academy of sciences, Kazachenko V.T. , Perevoznikova E.V. ,   Far East Geological Institute, Far eastern branch, Russian academy of sciences
Published: January 2022

Various bismuth minerals are found in the Belogorsky deposit. Many of them are rare natural minerals and mineral varieties. These are native bismuth, bismutite, cosalite, gladite(?), jonasonite, galenobismutite enriched with Ag and Cu, zavaritskite, a large group of unnamed compounds and other. A feature of the endogenous bismuth mineralization of the deposit is its localization in the products of low-medium-temperature hydrothermal transformation of early associations, especially in large carbonate (with fluorite) pockets in blocks of essentially magnetite ores, where it is closely associated with Au-Ag-Pd-Pt and Mo-W mineralization. The significant amount of Ag in the form of common Ag-Bi minerals is also associated with the bismuth mineralization of the Belogorsky deposit. A close geochemical relationship of Bi, Au, and PGEs in the processes of mineral formation at the Belogorsky deposit is also evident in the presence of common minerals of these elements, such as jonasonite and the unnamed compound Ru(Pb,Ag)2Bi4. The association of Bi and Mo-W mineralization is a characteristic feature of ores of some skarn-tungsten and skarn-molybdenum deposits containing scheelite, molybdenum and bismuthin as the main minerals. The presence of bismuth and noble-metal mineralization is most characteristic of gold and complex gold-bearing ores of hydrothermal deposits of various types. However, at the Belogorsky deposit, in contrast to the deposits of the above-mentioned types, such metals as W, Mo and Bi, as well as Au, Ag, Pd, and Pt do not have an independent practical value, being the accompanying useful components in relation to iron ores. Rocks and ores of the Belogorsky deposit are Triassic metal-bearing sediments metamorphosed and partially regenerated in the Late Cretaceous, which were accumulated in the lagoons of the islands as a result of erosion of the laterite weathering crust of ancient gabbroids. Related to this is the enrichment of ores in different metals, including Fe and Mn, and the presence of gold-silver-palladium-platinum, nickel-cobalt, and bismuth mineralization (Bi compounds with Au and PGE included), which is characteristic of some ultramafic massifs.
“A Unitary State of Difference?”
Authors: Kollmann Nancy Shields
Published: January 2022

Based on an abstract theory of geopolitics, LeDonne’s Forging a Unitary State presents a problematic and insupportable interpretation of early modern Russian history and empire.
In Search of One’s Self: Russian Travelers in the Balkans in 1800–1830s
Authors: Kasatkin Konstantin
Published: January 2022

In this paper, we are going to demonstrate that the writings of Russian travelers of the early 19th century laid the foundation of a discourse of Slavism. The travelers stopped perceiving the Balkans as part of the Near East and began considering them as ‘Ours’. This allowed the Russians to assert their identity within the boundaries of the European community while simultaneously separating themselves from the Roman-Germanic “West”. We examined four different types of descriptions of the Balkans by Russian travelers of the 1800–1830s. The authors’ approaches to these narratives were either orientalist or Slavic in nature. Works written in the framework of Orientalism are often characterized by the view of the Balkans as the land of the past, and travels perceived the Balkans as the antithesis of Russia, which they saw as being part of the West. Discourse of Slavism was fundamentally different from Orientalism. Firstly, it replaced the East-West binary relationship with a West-Russia-East triptych. Secondly, it sought to equate Russia and the Slavs. The travelers of the 3rd group were the first to discover a way to reconcile with the “backwards” past within the West-Russia-East triptych. Fourthly, Venelin verbalized a new paradigm in Russia’s description of the Balkans. He was the first to consider Russia as the center of the Slavic world, as opposed to the wild European periphery.
The Last Vikings: Russian Boat Bandits and the Formation of Princely Power
Authors: Korpela Jukka
Published: January 2022

The Viking age ended in the twelfth century in Scandinavia. Rising royal powers recruited most magnates and secured the development of medieval maritime trade. Only a few people who were marginalized to the peripheries turned to piracy. The situation in the Eastern Baltic and along Russian rivers was different. The Viking culture arrived there in the ninth century, but princely power formed late. Control of remote areas was superficial. Raiding by private gangs of young men and warlords continued: this activity was part of the economy and local societies benefited from it. The culture faded away gradually after the late fourteenth century but still in the seventeenth century, dragon ships raided along Siberian rivers. This activity provided the context for the formation of the early modern Muscovite economy, which differed from the West European pattern. This difference is essential to understand the situation in Russia today.
Невыносимость подполья. Коллективное самоубийство староверов-странников в межвоенной Вятке
Authors: Kuziner Igor
Published: January 2022

In the first half of the 1930s in the Vyatka region about 60 Old Believers-Wanderers, mostly women, committed suicide, no longer wanting to live in a world overrun by the Antichrist. The initiator of the wave of voluntary deaths was the local preacher, Khristofor Ivanovich. It is easy to write off these episodes as an actualization of traditional Old Believers’ religiously-motivated suicides or as a reaction to the excesses of Stalinist religious policies. However, as will be shown in the article, the Vyatka Wanderers were neither persistent escapist radicals nor uncompromising dissidents in their dealings with the Soviet authorities. My hypothesis is that this grim practice became possible not because the Wanderers were consistent underground millenarians, but because, squeezed into the catacombs by Stalin’s social and religious policies, they found themselves unable to maintain this unprecedented (for them) regime of existence.
Nutraceuticals and peripheral glial cells: a possible link?
Authors: Szymaszkiewicz Agata , López-Gómez Laura , Zielińska Marta , Abalo Raquel
Published: January 2022

A nutraceutical is a food-derived molecule that provides medical or health benefits beyond its basic nutritional role, including the prevention and treatment of disease and its symptoms. In the peripheral nervous system, satellite glial cells are found in close relationship with neurons, mainly in peripheral sensory ganglia, but, compared with other glial cells, the relationship between these cells and nutraceuticals has received little attention. After describing satellite glial cells and their role and changes in physiology and pathology, we review the studies on the effects of nutraceuticals as modulators of their functions. Maybe due to the difficulties in selectively labeling these cells, only a few studies, performed mainly in rodent models, have analyzed nutraceutical effects, showing that N-acetylcysteine, curcumin, quercetin, osthole and resveratrol may palliate neuropathic pain through satellite glial cells-dependent pathways, namely antioxidant mechanisms and/or interference with purinergic signaling. Neither other conditions in which satellite glial cells are involved (visceral pain, nerve regeneration) nor other nutraceuticals or mechanisms of action have been studied. Although more preclinical and clinical research is needed, the available reports support the general notion that nutraceuticals may become interesting alternatives in the prevention and/or treatment of peripheral gliopathies and their associated conditions, including those affecting the satellite glial cells.
Association between symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease and the integrity of the circle of Willis
Authors: Xu Yilan , Li Dongye , Dai Wei , Zheng Zhuozhao , Zhao Xihai
Published: January 2022

The relationship between the severity of intracranial atherosclerotic disease and the circle of Willis integrity is unclear. In this brief report, we investigate the associations between symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease and the integrity of the circle of Willis. Patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis were enrolled and underwent intracranial artery magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging and time-of-flight angiography. The presence or absence of an intracranial atherosclerotic plaque and its maximum wall thickness and stenosis were evaluated. The presence or absence of the A1 segment of the bilateral anterior cerebral arteries (from the internal carotid artery to the anterior communicating artery segment is called anterior cerebral artery A1 segment), and anterior communicating artery, the P1 segment of the bilateral posterior cerebral arteries (The P1 segment of the posterior cerebral artery is a horizontally outward segment), and bilateral posterior communicating arteries were determined. The associations of the intracranial plaque features with the integrity of the circle of Willis were analyzed. Of the 110 recruited subjects (57.2 ± 11.1 years; 65% males), 51 had intracranial plaques, and 44 had stenosis. In patients with bilateral A1 and P1 segments (n = 85), intracranial stenosis was more severe in patients with an anterior communicating artery than those without an anterior communicating artery (19.7% ± 21.7% vs. 1.4% ± 3.3%, p = 0.046). In patients with bilateral A1 and P1 segments and an anterior communicating artery (n = 79), intracranial stenosis was more severe in patients with posterior communicating arteries than those without posterior communicating arteries (27.9% ± 23.7% vs. 13.5% ± 17.9%, p = 0.007). The odds ratio of intracranial stenosis was 1.214 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.054–1.398; p = 0.007) in discriminating for the presence of posterior communicating arteries in patients with bilateral A1 and P1 segments and an anterior communicating artery after adjusting for confounding factors. The severity of intracranial atherosclerosis was independently associated with the presence of posterior communicating arteries in patients with a complete anterior part of the circle of Willis.
Altered functional connectivity of primary visual cortex in adults with strabismus and amblyopia: a resting-state fMRI study
Authors: Liu Li-Qi , Li Qiu-Yu , Zhang Zhi-Hua , Wu Shi-Nan , Shu Hui-Ye , Zhang Li-Juan , Liang Rong-Bin , Pan Yi-Cong , Shao Yi
Published: January 2022

Functional connectivity of the primary visual cortex was explored with resting functional magnetic resonance imaging among adults with strabismus and amblyopia and healthy controls. We used the two-sample test and receiver operating characteristic curves to investigate the differences in mean functional connectivity values between the groups with strabismus and amblyopia and healthy controls. Compared with healthy controls, functional connectivity values in the left Brodmann areas 17, including bilateral lingual/angular gyri, were reduced in groups with strabismus and amblyopia. Moreover, functional connectivity values in the right Brodmann area 17, including left cuneus, right inferior occipital gyrus, and left inferior parietal lobule, were reduced in adults with strabismus and amblyopia. Our findings indicate that functional connectivity abnormalities exist between the primary visual cortex and other regions. This may be the basis of the pathological mechanism of visual dysfunction and stereovision disorders in adults with strabismus and amblyopia.
Development and validation of anti-human Alpha synuclein DNA aptamer using computer modelling techniques—an in silico study
Authors: Rock Marcus , Zouganelis Georgios D. , de Andrade Ana Flavia Belchior , Drake Samantha J. , Alexiou Athanasios , Albrakati Ashraf , Batiha Gaber El-Saber , Illingworth Thomas Arron
Published: January 2022

Background: Biomarker detection strategies have, in recent years, been moving towards nucleic acid-based detection systems in the form of aptamers, short oligonucleotide sequences which have shown promise in pre-clinical and research settings. One such aptamer is M5-15, a DNA aptamer raised against human alpha synuclein (α-syn) the causative agent in Lewy body and Parkinson’s disease (PD) associated dementia. While this aptamer has shown promise, in silico methodologies have demonstrated a capacity to produce aptamers that have higher affinities for their targets than in vitro generated sequences. Methods: A Python script random generated library of DNA sequences were screened based on their thermodynamic stability with the use of DINAMelt server-QuickFold web server. The selected sequences were examined with MFold in order to generate secondary structure data that were used to produce 3D data with the use of RNA composer software. Further on, the structure was corrected and RNA was replaced with DNA and the virtual screening for α-syn aptamer took place with a series of molecular docking experiments with the use of CSD-Discovery-GOLD software. Results: Herein we propose an alternative in silico generated aptamer we call TMG-79 which demonstrates greater affinity for the target compared to M5-15 (M5-15 = –15.9 kcal/mol, TMG-79 = –17.77 kcal/mol) as well as better ChemPLP fitness scoring between the top poses (M5-15 = 32.33, TMG-79 = 53.32). Structural analysis suggests that while there are similarities, the greater potential flexibility of TMG-79 could be promoting greater affinity for the α-syn compared to M5-15. Conclusions: In silico methods of aptamer generation has the potential to revolutionise the field of aptamer design. We feel that further development of TMG-79 and validation in vitro will make it a viable candidate for diagnostic and research use in the future.
Clinical and neurophysiological patterns of impairments to emotion attention and empathy in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Adamaszek Michael , Krüger Stefan , Kessler Christof , Hosten Norbert , Hamm Alfons
Published: January 2022

Patients suffering from multiple sclerosis experience various cognitive and affective impairments, resulting in a negative impact on social behavior and personal independence to differing degrees. According to these often clinically subtle but conflicting cognitive-affective impairments, recordings of these socially relevant issues are still of demand to stratifying clinical and social support in a sophisticated way. Therefore, we studied specific cognitive and affective capacities in eleven patients with a predominant relapsing-remitting type of multiple sclerosis by applying paradigms of event-related potentials and a well-selected neuropsychological test protocol. Thus far, distinct cognitive disturbances of executive and attentional domains and the Wechsler Memory Test’s four memory indices were found in multiple sclerosis patients. Concerning affective domains, patients showed discrete impairments of affect discrimination and affected naming as proved by specific testing (Tuebinger Affect Battery). Neurophysiologically, event-related potentials recordings in multiple sclerosis patients, were associated with decreased implicit emotion processing to cues of different emotion arousal at the early processing stage depending on attentional capacities and alterations of implicit emotion modulation at late processing stages. These clinical neurophysiological and neuropsychological data were correlated in part to quantitative magnetic resonance imaging brain lesions. Summarizing our data, our data indicate certain neurocognitive and neuroaffective dysfunctions in patients with multiple sclerosis, thus highlighting the validity of sensitive recording of less apparent neurologic disturbances in multiple sclerosis for optimizing the individual care management in patients.
Post-stroke aphasia at the time of COVID-19 pandemic: a telerehabilitation perspective
Authors: Cassarino Laura , Santoro Franca , Gelardi Donatella , Panerai Simonetta , Papotto Maurizio , Tripodi Mariangela , Cosentino Filomena Irene Ilaria , Neri Vincenzo , Ferri Raffaele , Ferlito Salvatore , Modica Daniela , Fisicaro Francesco , Pennisi Manuela , Bella Rita , Lanza Giuseppe
Published: January 2022

We report on our remote speech therapy experience in post-stroke aphasia. The aim was to test the feasibility and utility of telerehabilitation to support future randomized controlled trials. Post-stroke aphasia is a common and disabling speech disorder, which significantly affects patients’ and caregivers’ health and quality of life. Due to COVID-19 pandemic, most of the conventional speech therapy approaches had to stop or “switch” into telerehabilitation procedures to ensure the safety of patients and operators but, concomitantly, the best rehabilitation level possible. Here, we planned a 5-month telespeech therapy programme, twice per week, of a patient with non-fluent aphasia following an intracerebral haemorrhage. Overall, treatment adherence based on the operator’s assessments was high, and incomplete adherence for technical problems occurred very rarely. In line with the patient’s feedback, acceptability was also positive, since he was constantly motivated during the sessions and the exercises performed autonomously, as confirmed by the speech therapist and caregiver, respectively. Moreover, despite the sequelae from the cerebrovascular event, evident in some writing tests due to the motor deficits in his right arm and the disadvantages typical of all telepractices, more relevant results were achieved during the telerehabilitation period compared to those of the “face-to-face” therapy before the COVID-19 outbreak. The telespeech therapy performed can be considered successful and the patient was able to return to work. Concluding, we support it as a feasible approach offering patients and their families the opportunity to continue the speech and language rehabilitation pathway, even at the time of pandemic.
Crosstalk between peripheral and the brain-resident immune components in epilepsy
Authors: Mu Xiaopeng , Zhang Xiuchun , Gao Honghua , Gao Lianbo , Li Qingchang , Zhao Chuansheng
Published: January 2022

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurology diseases. It is characterized by recurrent, spontaneous seizures and accompanied by various comorbidities which can significantly affect a person’s life. Accumulating evidence indicates an essential pathophysiological role for neuroinflammation in epilepsy, which involves activation of microglia and astrocytes, recruitment of peripheral leukocytes into the central nervous system, and release of some inflammatory mediators, including pro-inflammatory factors and anti-inflammatory cytokines. There is complex crosstalk between the central nervous system and peripheral immune responses associated with the progression of epilepsy. This review provides an update of current knowledge about the contribution of this crosstalk associated with epilepsy. Additionally, how gut microbiota is involved in epilepsy and its possible influence on crosstalk is also discussed. Such recent advances in understanding suggest innovative methods for targeting the molecules correlated with the crosstalk and may provide a better prognosis for patients diagnosed with epilepsy.
Lack of general learning ability factor in a rat test battery measuring a wide spectrum of cognitive domains
Authors: Kassai Ferenc , Ernyey Aliz J. , Kozma Kata , Plangár Imola , Gyertyán István
Published: January 2022

Objective: In the framework of a larger project aiming to test putative cognitive enhancer drugs in a system with improved translational validity, we established a rodent test battery, where different, clinically relevant cognitive domains were investigated in the same animal population. The aim of the current study was to check whether performances in the different tasks representing different cognitive functions are assay-specific or may originate in an underlying general learning ability factor. Methods: In the experiments 36 Long-Evans and 36 Lister Hooded rats were used. The test battery covered the following cognitive domains: attention and impulsivity (measured in the 5-choice serial reaction time task), spatial memory (Morris water-maze), social cognition (cooperation task), cognitive flexibility (attentional set shifting test), recognition memory (novel object recognition) and episodic memory (water-maze based assay). The outcome variables were analyzed by correlation analysis and principal component analysis (PCA). The datasets consisted of variables measuring learning speed and performance in the paradigms. From the raw variables composite variables were created for each assay, then from these variables a composite score was calculated describing the overall performance of each individual in the test battery. Results: Correlations were only found among the raw variables characterizing the same assay but not among variables belonging to different tests or among the composite variables. The PCAs did not reduce the dimensionality of the raw or composite datasets. Graphical analysis showed variable performance of the animals in the applied tests. Conclusions: The results suggests the assay outcomes (learning performance) in the system are based on independent cognitive domains.
Effects of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni extracts in the rat model of epilepsy induced by pentylenetetrazol: Sirt-1, at the crossroads between inflammation and apoptosis
Authors: El Nashar Eman M. , Obydah Walaa , Alghamdi Mansour A. , Saad Somaya , Yehia Asmaa , Maryoud Ayda , Kiwan Nedaa A. , Alasmari Wardah A. , Hussein Abdelaziz M.
Published: January 2022

The current study investigated the effects of stevia extracts on a PTZ-induced epileptic rat model and its potential mechanism. Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were equally subdivided into 3 groups; (1) normal control (NC) group, (2) PTZ-group: received PTZ (50 mg/kg, i.p. every other day) for 2 weeks, and (3) PTZ+ Stevia group: received PTZ and stevia (200 mg/kg orally daily) for 4 weeks (2 weeks before the start of PTZ treatment and 2 weeks with PTZ administration). The first jerk latency and the seizure score were assessed in rats. Also, brain tissue samples were collected by the end of the experiment, and oxidative stress markers (catalase, MDA, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC)) were measured by biochemical analysis in hippocampal brain homogenates. Also, in the hippocampus, the expression of IL6 and Bcl-2 at the mRNA level and expression of Sirt-1, P53, caspase-3, GFAP, and NF-kB in CA3 hippocampal region by immunohistochemistry was investigated. PTZ substantially increased the seizure score and decreased the seizure latency. Also, PTZ significantly increased MDA, GFAP, IL-6, NF-kB, caspase-3, and p53 and significantly reduced Sirt-1, TAC, and Bcl-2 in hippocampal tissues compared to the control group (p < 0.01). However, Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni (Stevia R.) significantly attenuated the PTZ-induced seizures, improved oxidative stress markers, downregulated GFAP, IL-6, NF-kB, caspase-3, and p53, and upregulated Sirt-1 and Bcl-2 in the CA3 hippocampal region (p < 0.01). In conclusion, Stevia R. exhibits neuroprotective and antiepileptic actions in PTZ-induced epilepsy due to its antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory effects. Additionally, the Sirt-1 pathway might be involved in the antiepileptic and neuroprotective effects of stevia in PTZ-kindled epileptic rat model.
The epidemiology series of brain-related disorders in Mongolia: nationwide registry-based epidemiological study on CNS tumours in Mongolia, 2015–2019
Authors: Sandagdorj Tuvshingerel , Tudev Undarmaa , Jamiyandorj Otgonbold , Oka Takakazu , Lkhagvasuren Battuvshin
Published: January 2022

No epidemiological study on central nervous system tumours is available for Mongolia. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence, mortality and survival of people diagnosed with central nervous system tumours in Mongolia. It reports cancer data for the entire population (3.3 million) during the period between 2015 and 2019. Data was obtained from the National Cancer Registry of Mongolia. Diagnosis of tumours was established according to the diagnostic criteria of the International Classification of Diseases-10 (ICD-10). Incidence and mortality rates were calculated as mean annual numbers per 100,000 population. Age-standardized incidence and age-standardized mortality rates were calculated from age-specific rates by weighting directly from the World Standard Population. The three-year survival from 2015 through 2017 was calculated between treatment types by the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. It found 515 (adults: 83 %; children: 17%) newly diagnosed central nervous system tumour cases over the five year period. The national age-standardized incidence of central nervous system tumours for the entire population was 3.7 per 100,000. The rate was higher for males than females (4.2 versus 3.4 per 100,000, respectively). Only 23% of the diagnosed cases were confirmed histologically. The most common tumour was glioma (57.6% of histologically verified tumours). In children (age 0–19 years) the age-specified incidence rate of tumours was 1.4 per 100,000. Geographically, the age-standardized incidences of the Eastern region were higher than the country average rates for both genders. During the period, 381 deaths were registered with an age-standardized mortality rate of 3.0 per 100,000 population. Furthermore, the overall three-year survival rate was 40.6% (out of 283 patients, 115 survived). The five-year prevalence of tumours was 183 and the mean per 100,000 population was 5.5. In conclusion, the data from the National Cancer Registry indicate that the incidence and survival rates of central nervous system tumours in Mongolia are relatively low. The most common location of central nervous system tumours was the brain. Glioma was the most common tumour among histologically confirmed cases. Despite the limitations, data from this study should provide information for national health policy and health care assessment. To improve the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of central nervous system tumours, expansion of the cancer registry through collecting data on non-malignant tumours, increasing the rate of histological verification, conducting studies on cancer epidemiology and the introduction of advanced treatment technologies for central nervous system tumours are recommended.
Single coil endovascular embolization of very tiny (≤2 mm) intracranial aneurysms: one center's experience
Authors: Li Yao , Bai Peng , Li Jinghui , Xiang Shouwei , Geng Xin , Zou Yanghong , Huang Wenqiang , Yu Hualin
Published: January 2022

Background: To investigate the safety and efficacy of endovascular embolization of very tiny (≤2 mm) intracranial aneurysms with single coil and summarize experience. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed for 15 consecutive patients with very tiny aneurysms treated by coil embolization alone or stent-assisted coil embolization between January 2017 and January 2020. 15 patients with six unruptured aneurysms and nine ruptured aneurysms were included in this study. There were eight males and seven females with a mean age of 50.0 ± 5.2 years (range 41 to 57 years old). Intraoperative complications, imaging outcomes, clinical outcomes and follow-up data were analyzed. Results: All aneurysms were embolized with a single coil. Lvis stents were used in all coil assisted embolizations. The embolization success rate was 100%. The average volume embolization ratio (VER) of aneurysm embolization was 53.7 ± 25.5%. An intraoperative aneurysm re-rupture complication occurred in one patient (6.7%). 11 patients (73.3%) had immediate complete occlusion after embolization. After a mean follow-up period of 6.7 ± 1.4 months, 13 patients (86.7%) had complete occlusion. No patients had aneurysm re-rupture, an ischemic event or recurrence during follow-up. All patients achieved favorable clinical outcomes with a modified rankin scale (MRS) of 0–2. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that endovascular embolization of very tiny intracranial aneurysms with a single coil is safe and effective. However, the follow-up period was not long enough and studies with larger numbers of patients are required. The summary of experience reported here is expected to provide significant patient benefits.
No association between myeloperoxidase gene rs2333227 G>A polymorphism and Alzheimer's disease risk: a meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis
Authors: Fang Zhi-Cheng , Mao Chen-Chen , Hu Ya-Jun , Yang Gong-Li , Zhou Lan
Published: January 2022

Evidence suggests that there is a close association between myeloperoxidase (MPO) gene rs2333227 G>A polymorphism with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) susceptibility. We conducted a meta-analysis to explore the precise association between MPO rs2333227 G>A polymorphism and AD susceptibility. Online databases were searched and the relevant information was collected. Crudeodds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Trial sequential analysis (TSA), heterogeneity analyses, accumulative analyses, sensitivity analyses, and publication biasestests were performed. Overall, nine publications (ten independent case-controls) were included in this meta-analysis, involving 3260 participants. Pooled results revealed no significant association between MPO rs2333227 G>A polymorphism and AD susceptibility was observed. TSA showed that the present meta-analysis remained inconclusive due to insufficient evidence. In summary, the current meta-analysis indicated that the MPO rs2333227 G>A polymorphism may not be acausalfactor in the development of AD.
R233H mutation in patients with tyrosine hydroxylase deficiency and corresponding phenotypes: a study of four cases and literature review
Authors: Yao Chun-Mei , Deng Ya-Xian , Wang Ya-Jie , Gao Bao-Qin , Zhao Cheng-Song
Published: January 2022

Owing to the small number of patients with tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) deficiency, no genotype-phenotype correlations have yet been identified. To investigate the genotype-phenotype correlation of R233H mutation in TH deficiency, we analyzed the clinical manifestations and treatment responses of four patients with the R233H homozygous mutation. Thirty-eight additional patients, available from the literature, known to be homozygous or heterozygous for the R233H mutation, were combined with the four cases from our hospital. Data for a total of 42 patients were retrieved. Our four patients showed clinical presentation consistent with Type A TH deficiency, and responded well to levodopa therapy, with an improvement in clinical symptoms within 1–2 weeks. In the 42 patients, 20 of 42 patients (48%) were homozygous and 22 (52%) were heterozygous for the R233H mutation. Of the 20 patients who were homozygous for the R233H mutation, a majority (80%) suffered from Type A TH deficiency. Of the 8 patients that were heterozygous for the R233H/the mutation located downstream of exon 11, 7 patients (86%) suffered from Type B TH deficiency. Of the 7 patients who were heterozygous for the R233H/nonsense mutation, 6 (86%) suffered from Type B TH deficiency. Genotype-phenotype correlation of R233H mutation was observed in TH deficiency. The homozygous R233H mutation frequently manifests as Type A TH deficiency, whereas R233H/nonsense mutation or any mutation located downstream of exon 11 manifests as Type B TH deficiency.
Neuropsychological performance after carotid endarterectomy
Authors: Krámská Lenka , Kovář Martin , Hrešková Lucia , Jerie Martin
Published: January 2022

Background: Internal carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is a method of stroke prevention in patients with severe internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis. Patients with significant carotid stenosis tend to have lower cognitive performance than those without significant stenosis. This is believed to be due to hypoperfusion or ongoing microembolization to the brain. Methods: We evaluated 60 patients with at least 70% ICA stenosis with the RBANS test (Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status, Czech research version), preoperatively and one month after endarterectomy. Results: Neuropsychological follow-up was completed by N = 57 patients one month after the procedure. At the group level, there was a significant improvement in Language, Attention, Delayed Memory and Total Scale Index Scores (p < 0.05). Conclusions: CEA not only decreases the long-term risk of ischemic stroke, but may also improve cognitive performance. In a small percentage of cases, there is higher risk of embolic stroke and silent microembolization due to surgery, which may have a negative impact on cognitive function. However, we did not detect any cognitive impairment after CEA in our patients.
OnabotulinumtoxinA for the treatment of headache: an updated review
Authors: Talbet Joseph H. , Elnahry Ayman G.
Published: January 2022

Botulinum toxin (BT) is a neurotoxin produced by Clostridium botulinum, a gram-positive anaerobic bacterium. Systemic human intoxication from BT following oral ingestion results in acute and life-threatening muscle paralysis called botulism. BT has a wide scope of therapeutic uses, including conditions associated with increased muscle tone, smooth muscle hyperactivity, salivation, sweating, and allergies, as well as for cosmetic purposes. Several commercial forms of BT are available for medical use, including Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA). Multiple studies have found evidence of an analgesic effect of onabotulinumtoxinA and demonstrated the benefits of its use for the treatment of various chronic pain disorders. In this review, we provide an update on the use of onabotulinumtoxinA for the treatment of headache disorders.
Therapeutic effects of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell on sepsis-associated encephalopathy in mice by regulating PI3K/AKT pathway
Authors: Zhang Zhe , Wang Li , Li Feng , Qian Xiangfeng , Hong Zhixing , Wu Longchuan , Jiang Yinsheng , Hu Haiqiang
Published: January 2022

Sepsis-associated encephalopathy is a common brain diseases, presenting severe diffuse brain dysfunction. The umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells have been reported to have protective role for treating diseases, while its role in sepsis-associated encephalopathy remained elusive. This brief report investigated the therapeutic effect of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells on sepsis-associated encephalopathy in mice model and uncovering the underlying mechanism. The sepsis-associated encephalopathy mice were injected with 3 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was carried out to determine the production of inflammatory cytokines. Morris water maze test was used to evaluate mice’s neurological dysfunction. Cell apoptosis and tissue injury of the cerebral cortex were assessed using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay and HE staining. Evans Blue leakage detection was used to examine the blood-brain barrier integrity. The protein levels were determined using Western blot. Results showed that the productions of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and high mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) and activated NF-κB were increased in sepsis-associated encephalopathy mice, which were decreased by umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells treatment. Besides, umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced cell apoptosis and neuron injury of the cerebral cortex in sepsis-associated encephalopathy mice. Moreover, cognitive dysfunction was observed in sepsis-associated encephalopathy mice, which was alleviated by umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells. Furthermore, umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells activated PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. In conclusion, umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells alleviated inflammation, cell apoptosis and neuron injury of the cerebral cortex, and cognitive dysfunction in sepsis-associated encephalopathy animal model in a PI3K/AKT dependent pathway, making them to be a promising therapeutic strategy for treating sepsis-associated encephalopathy.
Laterality of the activation of the vastus lateralis muscle in females with Parkinson's disease during the medication state compared with healthy controls
Authors: Nishikawa Yuichi , Watanabe Kohei , Takahashi Tetsuya , Maeda Noriaki , Maruyama Hirofumi , Tanaka Shinobu , Hyngstrom Allison
Published: January 2022

This study quantified the laterality of motor unit activation properties in females with Parkinson’s disease during force production (low to high-intensity contraction) using high-density surface electromyography. Sixteen females with Parkinson’s disease (age = 69.9 ± 7.6 years, disease duration = 4.9 ± 5.1 years) and 14 healthy female subjects (age = 68.6 ± 3.6 years) performed submaximal ramp-up contractions during isometric knee extension. High-density surface electromyography signals were recorded from both vastus lateralis muscles. The level of heterogeneity was calculated in the spatial distribution patterns of the high-density surface electromyography signals to determine the modified entropy, coefficient of variation of the root mean square and correlation coefficient to evaluate motor unit activation properties. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were calculated to examine the relationships between disease severity and the root mean square and electromyography variables. The root mean square value and heterogeneity were significantly higher and lower on the more-affected side in females with Parkinson’s disease than on the contralateral side in females with Parkinson’s disease or either side in control subjects (p < 0.05). Females with Parkinson’s disease that exhibited temporal changes of spatial motor unit activation properties showed significant laterality when compared to healthy control subjects in both the low and high-intensity contractions. Moderate-to-strong correlations were observed between disease severity and root mean square and electromyography variables in females with Parkinson’s disease (r> 0.6, p < 0.001). The laterality of motor unit activation properties was compared between the subjects with Parkinson’s disease and the control subjects. The findings suggest that females with Parkinson’s disease have asymmetrical motor unit activation properties, independent of the magnitude of force production.
Biological databases and tools for neurological disorders
Authors: Usman Muhammad Bello , Ojha Shreesh , Jha Saurabh Kumar , Chellappan Dinesh Kumar , Gupta Gaurav , Singh Sachin Kumar , Dua Kamal , Roychoudhury Shubhadeep , Kumar Neeraj , Khan Firdos Alam , Dureja Harish , Upadhye Vijay , Zacconi Flavia , Prasanna Pragya , Kesari Kavindra Kumar , Ashraf Ghulam Md , Alexiou Athanasios , Jha Niraj Kumar
Published: January 2022

Computational approaches to study of neuronal impairment is rapidly evolving, as experiments and intuition alone do not explain the complexity of the brain system. An overwhelming increase in the amount of new data from both theory and computational modeling necessitate the development of databases and tools for analysis, visualization and interpretation of neuroscience data. To ensure the sustainability of this development, consistent update and training of young professionals is imperative. For this purpose, relevant articles, chapters, and modules are essential to keep abreast of developments. This review seeks to outline the biological databases and analytical tools along with their applications. It is envisaged that such knowledge could provide a “training recipe” for young scientists and a guide for professionals and researchers in neuroscience.
Decomposition and Inference of Sources through Spatiotemporal Analysis of Network Signals: The DISSTANS Python Package
Authors: Köhne Tobias , Riel Bryan , Simons Mark
Published: January 2022

Dense, regional-scale, continuously-operating Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) networks enable the monitoring of plate motion and regional surface deformation.The spatial extent and density of these networks, as well as the length of observation records, have steadily increased in the past three decades.Software to efficiently analyze the ever-increasing amount of available timeseries should be geographically portable and computationally efficient, allow for automation, use spatial correlation (exploiting the fact that nearby stations experience common signals), and have openly accessible source code as well as documentation.We introduce the DISSTANS Python package, which aims to be generic (therefore portable), parallelizable (fast), and able to exploit the spatial structure of the observation records in a user-assisted, semi-automated framework that includes uncertainty propagation.DISSTANS is open-source, includes an application interface documentation as well as usage tutorials, and is easily extendable.We present two case studies that demonstrate our code, one using a synthetic dataset and one using real GNSS network timeseries.
Effect of Pressure and Stress cycles on fluid flow in hydraulically-fractured, low-porosity, anisotropic sandstone
Authors: Ibemesi Peter , Benson Philip
Published: January 2022

Hydraulic fracture in deep rock masses is used across a variety of disciplines, from unconventional oil and gas to geothermal exploration. The overall efficiency of this process requires not only knowledge of the fracture mechanics of the rocks, but also how the newly generated fractures influence macro-scale pore connectivity. We here use cylindrical samples of Crab Orchard sandstone (90mm length and 36mm diameter), drilled with a central conduit of 9.6mm diameter, to simulate hydraulic fracture. Results show that the anisotropy (mm-scale cross-bedding orientation) affects breakdown pressure, and subsequent fluid flow. In experiments with samples cored parallel to bedding, breakdown pressures of 11.3MPa, 27.7MPa and 40.5MPa are recorded at initial confining pressures at injection of 5MPa, 11MPa and 16MPa respectively. An increase in confining pressure (from 5 MPa to 26 MPa) after the initial fracture event results in a flow rate decrease from 1.67 mL/min to 0.043 mL/min. For samples cored perpendicular to bedding, breakdown pressure of 15.4MPa, 27.4MPa and 34.2MPa were recorded at initial confining pressure at injection of 5MPa, 11MPa and 16MPa respectively. As confining pressure increases from 5 MPa to 26 MPa, flow rate through the newly generated fracture decreases from 0.043 mL/min to 0.0073 mL/min. We note that fluid flow recovers during a confining pressure “re-set” and that the ability of flow to recover is strongly dependent on sample anisotropy and initial confining pressure at injection.
Gender role and Decision-Making Power of Sahariya Tribe’s Women in Lalitpur District, Uttar Pradesh
Authors: Rajpoot Anjana Singh
Published: January 2022

The Sahariya tribe of the Bundelkhand region is considered one of the most backward, side-lined, and vulnerable tribes in the country. The present paper investigates the gender role of Sahariya women in terms of their participation in the decision-making process and simultaneously elaborates their socio-economic and socio-cultural status. The major findings state that Sahariya women are relatively more active in the community than their male counterparts. Despite sharing the dual burden, the study revealed that the autonomy and decision-making power was confined to minor household issues only.
A Technical Guide to Recording Antegrade Mesenteric Bypass from the Surgeon’s Point of View
Authors: Rey Jorge , Maria Lalama , Kallo Jabori Sinan , Swafford Emily , Sheckley Marwan , Bornak Arash , Rey Jorge
Published: January 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced education to transform into a virtual platform. The decreased number of open cases performed by general and vascular surgical trainees necessitates the supplementation of intraoperative education with digital technologies. We present the benefits and drawbacks of recording, editing, and uploading surgical procedures for educational use. In this paper, we describe an educational video of an antegrade mesenteric bypass to treat chronic mesenteric ischaemia. Fomenting a common practice of filming surgeries is a step towards creating a high-definition video library for surgical trainees to familiarize themselves with procedures and/or enhance their learning, especially during mandated social distancing.