bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health problems and utilization of health services among Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals in Bangladesh
Authors: Rawal Lal B. , Kanda Kie , Biswas Tuhin , Tanim Md. Imtiaz , Dahal Padam Kanta , Islam Md. Rajibul , Huda Tarique Md. Nurul , Begum Tahmina , Sahle Berhe W. , Renzaho Andre M. N. , Anwar Iqbal
Published: October 2021

Background

Access to and utilization of health services have remained major challenges for people living in low- and middle-income countries, especially for those living in impaired public health environment such as refugee camps and temporary settlements. This study presents health problems and utilization of health services among Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMNs) living in the southern part of Bangladesh.

Methods

A mixed-method (quantitative and qualitative) approach was used. Altogether 999 household surveys were conducted among the FDMNs living in makeshift/temporary settlements and host communities. We used a grounded theory approach involving in-depth interviews (IDIs), focus group discussions (FGDs), and key informant interviews (KIIs) including 24 IDIs, 10 FGDs, and 9 KIIs. The quantitative data were analysed with STATA.

Results

The common health problems among the women were pregnancy and childbirth-related complications and violence against women. Among the children, fever, diarrhoea, common cold and malaria were frequently observed health problems. Poor general health, HIV/AIDS, insecurity, discrimination, and lack of employment opportunity were common problems for men. Further, 61.2% women received two or more antenatal care (ANC) visits during their last pregnancy, while 28.9% did not receive any ANC visit. The majority of the last births took place at home (85.2%) assisted by traditional birth attendants (78.9%), a third (29.3%) of whom suffered pregnancy- and childbirth-related complications. The clinics run by the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) (76.9%) and private health facilities (86.0%) were the most accessible places for seeking healthcare for the FDMNs living in the makeshift settlements. All participants heard about HIV/AIDS. 78.0% of them were unaware about the means of HIV transmission, and family planning methods were poorly used (45.2%).

Conclusions

Overall, the health of FDMNs living in the southern part of Bangladesh is poor and they have inadequate access to and utilization of health services to address the health problems and associated factors. Existing essential health and nutrition support programs need to be culturally appropriate and adopt an integrated approach to encourage men’s participation to improve utilization of health and family planning services, address issues of gender inequity, gender-based violence, and improve women empowerment and overall health outcomes.
Effect of intraperitoneal instillation of dexmedetomidine or fentanyl as adjuvants to bupivacaine on fast tracking discharge criteria in patients undergoing ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a randomised double-blind control trial
Authors: Gupta Bharti , Verma Versha , Chaudhary Usha Kumari , Sidhu Ripudaman , Chandel Ankita
Published: October 2021

Background

Postoperative analgesia in laparoscopic cholecystectomy significantly affects the ambulation and discharge of the patient. This study compares fentanyl and dexmedetomidine as adjuvants to bupivacaine in intraperitoneal instillation after LC, in terms of their impact on ambulation, analgesic efficacy and recovery profile. Ninety patients were randomised into three groups with thirty patients in each group; group BF was administered 20 ml of 2 μg/kg fentanyl + 0.25% bupivacaine, group BD received 20 ml of 1μg/kg dexmedetomidine + 0.25% bupivacaine and group B received 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine only. After 8 h, Post-Anaesthesia Discharge Scoring System (PADS) scored for determining home readiness. Analgesic profile was assessed using Verbal Rating Scale and rescue analgesia requirement seen. Sedation was scored using Ramsay sedation scoring.

Results

Group B had significantly higher VRS and rescue analgesia requirements whilst groups BF and BD had a similar analgesic profile. Ramsay sedation scores were significantly higher in group BD when compared to groups BF and B. However, the PADS score remained comparable in all three groups (P = 0.113). The trial was retrospectively registered with the clinical trial registry of India CTRI/2019/07/020466.

Conclusion

Intraperitoneal instillation of bupivacaine in combination with dexmedetomidine or fentanyl significantly reduces postoperative pain scores in comparison to bupivacaine alone, in patients undergoing ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy. However, fentanyl may be preferred over dexmedetomidine, because it causes less sedation and achieves a better PADS score.
Complication rates of percutaneous brachial artery puncture: effect of live ultrasound guidance
Authors: Appelt K. , Takes M. , Zech C. J. , Blackham KA , Schubert T.
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The current literature on the use of brachial artery access is controversial. Some studies found increased puncture site complications. Others found no higher complication rates than in patients with femoral or radial access. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of ultrasound (US)-guidance on access site complications.

Materials and methods

This is a single-center retrospective study of all consecutive patients with brachial arterial access for interventional procedures. Complications were classified into minor complications (conservative treatment only) and major complications (requiring surgical intervention). The brachial artery was cannulated in the antecubital fossa under US-guidance. After the intervention, manual compression or closure devices, both followed by a compression bandage for 3 h, either achieved hemostasis.

Results

Seventy-five procedures in seventy-one patients were performed in the study period using brachial access. Access was successful in all cases (100%). Procedures in different vascular territories were performed: neurovascular (10/13.5%), upper extremity (32/43.2%), visceral (20/27.0%), and lower extremity (12/16.3%). Sheath size ranged from 3.2F to 8F (mean: 5F). Closure devices were used in 17 cases (22.7%). In total, six complications were observed (8.0%), four minor complications (5.3%, mostly puncture site hematomas), and two major complications, that needed surgical treatment (2.7%). No brachial artery thrombosis or upper extremity ischemia occurred.

Conclusion

Exclusive use of US-guidance resulted in a low risk of brachial artery access site complications in our study compared to the literature. US-guidance has been proven to reduce the risk of access site complications in several studies in femoral access. In addition, brachial artery access yields a high technical success rate and requires no additional injection of spasmolytic medication. Sheath size was the single significant predictor for complications.
Paraneoplastic encephalomyeloradiculits with multiple autoantibodies against ITPR-1, GFAP and MOG: case report and literature review
Authors: Cirkel Anna , Wandinger Klaus-Peter , Ditz Claudia , Leppert Jan , Hanker Lars , Cirkel Christoph , Neumann Alexander , Brocke Jan , Höftberger Romana , Komorowski Lars , Perner Sven , Leypoldt Frank , Wagner-Altendorf Tobias , Münte Thomas F. , Royl Georg
Published: October 2021

Background

Recently, antibodies against the alpha isoform of the glial-fibrillary-acidic-protein (GFAPα) were identified in a small series of patients with encephalomyelitis. Coexisting autoantibodies (NMDA receptor, GAD65 antibodies) have been described in a few of these patients. We describe a patient with rapidly progressive encephalomyeloradiculitis and a combination of anti-ITPR1, anti-GFAP and anti-MOG antibodies.

Case presentation and literature review

A 44-year old caucasian woman with a flu-like prodrome presented with meningism, progressive cerebellar signs and autonomic symptoms, areflexia, quadriplegia and respiratory insufficiency. MRI showed diffuse bilateral T2w-hyperintense brain lesions in the cortex, white matter, the corpus callosum as well as a longitudinal lesion of the medulla oblongata and the entire spinal cord. Anti-ITPR1, anti-GFAP and anti-MOG antibodies were detected in cerebrospinal fluid along with lymphocytic pleocytosis. Borderline tumor of the ovary was diagnosed. Thus, the disease of the patient was deemed to be paraneoplastic. The patient was treated by surgical removal of tumor, steroids, immunoglobulins, plasma exchange and rituximab. Four months after presentation, the patient was still tetraplegic, reacted with mimic expressions to pain or touch and could phonate solitary vowels. An extensive literature research was performed.

Conclusion

Our case and the literature review illustrate that multiple glial and neuronal autoantibodies can co-occur, that points to a paraneoplastic etiology, above all ovarian teratoma or thymoma. Clinical manifestation can be a mixture of typically associated syndromes, e.g. ataxia associated with anti-ITPR1 antibodies, encephalomyelitis with anti-GFAPα antibodies and longitudinal extensive myelitis with anti-MOG antibodies.
Fungi of entomopathogenic potential in Chytridiomycota and Blastocladiomycota, and in fungal allies of the Oomycota and Microsporidia
Authors: Kaczmarek Agata , Boguś Mieczysława I.
Published: October 2021

The relationship between entomopathogenic fungi and their insect hosts is a classic example of the co-evolutionary arms race between pathogen and target host. The present review describes the entomopathogenic potential of Chytridiomycota and Blastocladiomycota fungi, and two groups of fungal allies: Oomycota and Microsporidia. The Oomycota (water moulds) are considered as a model biological control agent of mosquito larvae. Due to their shared ecological and morphological similarities, they had long been considered a part of the fungal kingdom; however, phylogenetic studies have since placed this group within the Straminipila. The Microsporidia are parasites of economically-important insects, including grasshoppers, lady beetles, bumblebees, colorado potato beetles and honeybees. They have been found to display some fungal characteristics, and phylogenetic studies suggest that they are related to fungi, either as a basal branch or sister group. The Blastocladiomycota and Chytridiomycota, named the lower fungi, historically were described together; however, molecular phylogenetic and ultrastructural research has classified them in their own phylum. They are considered parasites of ants, and of the larval stages of black flies, mosquitoes and scale insects.
The Role of Estrone in Feminizing Hormone Treatment
Authors: Tebbens Marieke , Heijboer Annemieke C , T’Sjoen Guy , Bisschop Peter H , den Heijer Martin
Published: October 2021

Context

In trans women, hormone treatment induces feminization; however, the degree of feminization varies from person to person. A possible contributing factor could be estrone, a weak estrogen that interferes with the estrogen receptor.

Objective

We assessed whether estrone is involved in feminization induced by hormone treatment.

Methods

This prospective cohort study, with follow-up of 1 year, included 212 adult trans women at a gender identity clinic, who were starting gender-affirming hormone treatment between July 2017 and December 2019, median age 25 years. Change in fat percentage and breast development were assessed.

Results

After 12 months of hormone treatment, estrone concentration was 187 pmol/L (95% CI, 153-220) in transdermal and 1516 pmol/L (95% CI, 1284-1748) in oral estradiol users. Fat percentage increased by 1.2% (interquartile range [IQR], 0.3-4.8) in transdermal and 4.6% (IQR, 2.5-5.9) in oral estradiol users. This was not associated with estrone concentrations in transdermal (+4.4% (95% CI, −4.0 to 13) per 100 pmol/L increase in estrone concentration) nor in oral estradiol users (−0.7% [95% CI, −1.7 to 0.3]). Breast volume increased by 69 mL (IQR, 58-134) in transdermal and 62 mL (IQR, 32-95) in oral estradiol users. This was not associated with estrone concentrations in transdermal (+14% [95% CI, −49 to 156] per 100 pmol/L increase in estrone concentration) nor oral estradiol users (+11% [95% CI −14 to 43]).

Conclusions

Change in fat percentage and breast development in trans women were not associated with estrone concentrations nor with administration route. Therefore, measurement of estrone concentrations does not have a place in the monitoring of feminization in trans women.
Requiem: Roundtable on Tendayi Sithole's The Black Register
Authors: Collis-Buthelezi Victoria J.
Published: October 2021

This special section of the issue offers a discussion of South African theorist Tendayi Sithole's book The Black Register (2020). The section's essays explore the stakes of Sithole's work as well as its implications. They unpack the book around questions of geography, historicity, and visual representation.
The long non-coding RNA ET-20 mediates EMT by impairing desmosomes in breast cancer cells
Authors: Saxena Meera , Hisano Mizue , Neutzner Melanie , Diepenbruck Maren , Ivanek Robert , Sharma Kirti , Kalathur Ravi K. R. , Bürglin Thomas R. , Risoli Salvatore , Christofori Gerhard
Published: October 2021

The vast majority of breast cancer-associated deaths are due to metastatic spread of cancer cells, a process aided by epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Mounting evidence has indicated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) also contribute to tumor progression. We report the identification of 114 novel lncRNAs that change their expression during TGFβ-induced EMT in murine breast cancer cells (referred to as EMT-associated transcripts; ETs). Of these, the ET-20 gene localizes in antisense orientation within the tenascin C (Tnc) gene locus. TNC is an extracellular matrix protein that is critical for EMT and metastasis formation. Both ET-20 and Tnc are regulated by the EMT master transcription factor Sox4. Notably, ablation of ET-20 lncRNA effectively blocks Tnc expression and with it EMT. Mechanistically, ET-20 interacts with desmosomal proteins, thereby impairing epithelial desmosomes and promoting EMT. A short transcript variant of ET-20 is shown to be upregulated in invasive human breast cancer cell lines, where it also promotes EMT. Targeting ET-20 appears to be a therapeutically attractive lead to restrain EMT and breast cancer metastasis in addition to its potential utility as a biomarker for invasive breast cancer.
Dia- and Rok-dependent enrichment of capping proteins in a cortical region
Authors: Schmidt Anja , Li Long , Lv Zhiyi , Yan Shuling , Großhans Jörg
Published: October 2021

Rho signaling with its major targets the formin Dia, Rho kinase (Rok) and non-muscle myosin II (MyoII, encoded by zip in flies) control turnover, amount and contractility of actomyosin. Much less investigated has been a potential function for the distribution of F-actin plus and minus ends. In syncytial Drosophila embryos, Rho1 signaling is high between actin caps, i.e. the cortical intercap region. Capping protein binds to free plus ends of F-actin to prevent elongation of the filament. Capping protein has served as a marker to visualize the distribution of F-actin plus ends in cells and in vitro. In the present study, we probed the distribution of plus ends with capping protein in syncytial Drosophila embryos. We found that capping proteins are specifically enriched in the intercap region similar to Dia and MyoII but distinct from overall F-actin. The intercap enrichment of Capping protein was impaired in dia mutants and embryos, in which Rok and MyoII activation was inhibited. Our observations reveal that Dia and Rok-MyoII control Capping protein enrichment and support a model that Dia and Rok-MyoII control the organization of cortical actin cytoskeleton downstream of Rho1 signaling.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first authors of the paper.
Do Maya women have the chance to improve their quality of life?
Authors: Siniarska Anna , Wolański Napoleon
Published: October 2021

Background: Maya families suffered greatly during the henequen industry in the Yucatan, but the lives of the Maya women at the time were perhaps worse than anywhere in the world. Changes in Maya body height over the 20th century were assessed in order to show secular changes. The use of the sexual dimorphism index (SDI) allowed for the evaluation of the living conditions prevailing during the existence of the henequen haciendas to the Mexican revolution and a gradual improvement of these conditions by the end of the 20th century.

Methods: In 1994, 364 men and 320 women aged 20-98 years were studied in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. They were divided into six age groups and by gender: 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70+ years. Stature for both genders, and age at menarche for women were considered. SDI in stature was calculated to assess living conditions.

Results: There were smaller (0.25 cm/10 years) changes in height in men than in women (0.9 cm/10 years) and no significant changes in acceleration of maturation. SDI results showed changes from 9.9 to 7.6, and this may indicate a constant, but very small improvement of living conditions. The age at menarche of women did not show statistically significant acceleration with age.

Conclusions: In the colonial period of the late 19th century until the Mexican Revolution, women were worse off than men. Previous research has shown that when living conditions change, men always react faster than women, e.g. by lowering or increasing body height. Our study of the Maya population in the 20th century showed otherwise; female height increased more than male height. This may reflect that the living conditions of Maya men have not changed over the 20th century, but have improved for women.
Impacts of Health and Safety Concerns on E-Commerce and Service Reconfiguration During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Insights from an Emerging Economy
Authors: Nguyen Jason , Le Quan Vu , Ha Jasmine Trang
Published: October 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented growth to the e-commerce industry, triggering widespread digital service transformation across various business segments in Vietnam. A pressing concern for both businesses and policymakers is whether the sudden peak in customer interest in e-commerce can be sustained in the future. This research seeks to address this concern by considering whether and how customers’ motivations to participate in e-commerce activities have changed. We collected primary data from a self-administered survey to empirically examine how health and safety concerns influence customers’ online shopping behavior during the pandemic, alongside other known determinants for e-commerce participation, namely technology readiness and connectedness. The results confirm that health and safety concerns have a positive influence on customers’ usage of e-commerce after controlling for technology readiness and connectedness. Furthermore, customers in age groups with higher risks of severe COVID-19 symptoms and mortality are more likely to increase e-commerce usage during the social distancing and isolation period. Our results support the idea that the customer base for e-commerce and digital services have expanded beyond the typical tech-savvy and young customers in their twenties. These are promising signs for postpandemic recovery and even expansion, as firms may leverage the momentum of change in customers’ motivations and start tailoring their public relation campaigns to address a wider age range of potential consumers.
Using psychopharmacology in the treatment of problem behaviours in dogs and cats
Authors: Warnes Caroline Elizabeth
Published: October 2021

Behaviourally-active medication can play an important role in improving the welfare of cats and dogs in both the short and longer term. Drugs can be used to reduce fear, anxiety and panic in the short term, such as to help noise-sensitive dogs cope better with events such as firework displays, or to help fearful dogs and cats cope better with visits to the vets or groomers. Drugs can also play an important role in longer-term reduction of negative emotional states, particularly fear and anxiety, as long as they are used in conjunction with a comprehensive behaviour modification plan. This article outlines some of the behaviourally-active drugs most commonly used to treat dogs and cats in the UK, as well as some of the considerations needed for using medication as part of behaviour modification in cats and dogs.
Effect of Sperm Dna Fragmentation Index on Clinical Outcomes of Intra-Uterine Insemination Patients
Authors: Chopra Shruti , Varma Ajit , Jain Seema , Jain Sangeeta , Choudhary Devendra
Published: October 2021

Objective: To study the effect of sperm chromatin condensation (DNA fragmentation index (DFI)) using aniline blue-eosin (AB-E) staining on pregnancy outcomes in patients facing unexplained infertility undergoing intra- uterine insemination (IUI). Our initial hypothesis states that if DNA fragmentation is high then chances of pregnancy are low/NIL hence these patients should be recommended with advanced ART procedures like IVF and ICSI. Design: Prospective study Setting: Tertiary care infertility centre Method: A total of 185 patients with age less than 40 years, non-smokers and without history of any pathogenic infection in the past 2months facing unexplained infertility i.e., males with normal semen analysis reports and females with normal ovulation and hysterosalpingography (HSG) reports were selected for the study. Patients were undergoing their first or second IUI treatment cycle between the period of June 2016 to December 2016. DNA fragmentation index (DFI) using aniline blue- eosin staining method was studied in semen samples provided on the day of IUI procedure. The patients were separated into 3 groups: low DFI (DFI<= 10%), medium DFI (DFI=11 % - 20%), and high DFI (DFI >= 21%) and clinical pregnancy outcomes of IUI were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson correlation co-efficient, ANOVA and Shapiro Wilk Test on the above groups. Main Outcome Measures: DNA fragmentation index (DFI) (%), Clinical pregnancy rate (%) Result: The overall clinical pregnancy rate for the selected patient pool was 21.08% with an average DFI of 8.84% in the pregnant female group and 14.65% in the non-pregnant female group. Sperm DFI % and clinical outcomes in IUI treated patients were statistically significant and negatively correlated with correlation coefficient (r) of -0.1, -0.3 and -0.3 in low DFI%, medium DFI and high DFI% groups respectively. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that DFI (%) and clinical pregnancy rate (%) are significantly and negatively correlated in patients with normal semen parameters undergoing IUI. The higher the DFI% the chances of clinical pregnancy become very low, therefore, these patients should not be recommended IUI but with advanced ART procedures like IVF and ICSI.
Evaluation of the Curative and Protective Role of Fresh Chicory Juice in Treatment of Hepatic Fibrosis in Male Albino Rats
Authors: Algazeery Ahmed , Moustafa Ahmed H. , El-Sayed Ashraf S. , G. Rizk Marwa , Sabbah Norhan A.
Published: October 2021

Background: Using synthetic drugs for treating liver fibrosis remains a challenge since, in contrast to natural products, are remarkably expensive and associated with several adverse effects. Herbs and plants showed strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. Aim: To investigate the hepatoprotective role of fresh chicory juice in delaying the immune response of hepatic cells to Carbon tetrachloride [CCl4]-induced fibrosis. Methods: Fresh chicory plant juice [50%] was given instead of drinking water to male albino rats [150-200 g]. Blood samples were collected for biochemical evaluation of liver and kidney function, antioxidant markers, lipid profile, and gene expression of TGF-ß by quantitative real-time quantification polymerase chain reaction [q PCR]. Liver tissue was removed and subjected to histopathological and genomic DNA fragmentation assay. Results: Measurements of liver enzymes, kidney function, lipid profile and levels of antioxidants confirmed the ability of chicory to protect the liver against CCl4-induced liver fibrosis by acting as a good inhibitor of TGF-ß. These results were confirmed by histopathological examination and DNA fragmentation. Conclusion: Administration of fresh chicory juice [50%] showed a significant protective role of chicory plant in delaying CCl4-induced liver fibrosis by decreasing TGF-ß.
Inhibitory Power of Papaya Leaves to the Adhesion of Streptococcus Mutans Bacteria to Neutrophils
Authors: Kurniati Nining
Published: October 2021

Papaya leaves contain several active substances that are thought to inhibit bacterial adhesion. This study aims to determine the inhibitory power of papaya leaf extraction and papaya leaf infusion to the adhesion of Streptococcus mutans bacteria to neutrophils and differences in inhibition in various concentrations. The method used is an in vitro experimental laboratory with a post-test-only control group design. The sample consisted of several concentrations of papaya leaf extraction and papaya leaf infusion (control, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%). The treatment group was added with neutrophil isolates and incubated for 3 hours, then exposed to Streptococcus mutans for 2.5 hours. Knowing the adhesion index can be done by calculating the average number of Streptococcus mutans attached to 100 neutrophils. The results showed successively with rounding in control, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100% papaya leaf infusion, adhesion of 9237, 8929, 7436, 3870, 3162 bacteria to neutrophils occurred. The minimum concentration of 25% papaya leaf extraction and 50% papaya leaf infusion can inhibit the adhesion of Streptococcus mutans to neutrophils. There is a difference in the ability between papaya leaf extraction and papaya leaf infusion in inhibiting the adhesion of Streptococcus mutans to neutrophils as follows: papaya leaf extraction 25% to papaya leaf infusion 25% obtained sig value ≥0.001* with a mean square of -16.38, papaya leaf extraction 50% to Papaya leaf infusion 50% got a sig value of ≥0.001* with a mean square of -42.91, 75% papaya leaf extraction to 75% papaya leaf infusion got a sig value of ≥0.001* with a mean square of -28.85 and 100% papaya leaf extraction to 100% papaya leaf infusion obtained a sig value of ≥0.001* with a mean square of -26.11.
Renal Outcome and Health Related Quality of Life of Living Related Donors In Pediatric Kidney Transplantation
Authors: G. Fathallah Mohamed , I. Fadel Fatina , Eldin Saadi Gamal , Abdel Mawla Mohamed A. , M. Salah Doaa
Published: October 2021

Objectives To assess the health related quality of life of living related donors after kidney transplantation and to evaluate clinical ,social and psychological condition post donation Study design This is an observational cross sectional study that included fifty living related donors of kidney transplant. All donors were assessed after at least one year of kidney donation. Data of the study was collected between April, 2019 and March, 2020. Methods The study included 50 living related donors;All donors were assessed after at least one year of kidney donation.WHOQOL-bref questionnaire (world health organization quality of life ) was used to assess quality of life of donors. Results The mean age at time of transplantation was 35.4±7.89 years. Eight cases developed hypertension after transplantation. There was no significant difference between serum creatinine before and after transplantation while there was significant decrease in glomerular filtration rate post transplantation. There was significant increase in fasting blood glucose and cholesterol in female donors compared to males.The results of the WHOQOL-bref questionnaire showed significant difference in results of psychological, social and environmental domains pre and post donation. Conclusion Proper selection of donors is very important to avoid complications post transplantation. Follow-up of donors should be maintained after donation.
Acute and Repeated Dose Toxicity Study of Clevira Syrup – A Polyherbal Formulation
Authors: Narayanamurthy Uma , .R Mirunalini , V Subha. , Manimekalai K. , K Sakthibalan , Paul. C Arther , K M Nagarajan , JV Sabarianandh
Published: October 2021

Aim and Objectives: This study evaluated the acute and repeated dose toxicity effects of Clevira Syrup Polyherbal formulation (CSPHF), which was prepared from ten different herbs, well known and widely used in traditional medicine for the management of viral infections and other inflammatory disease conditions. Individually these herbs (Carica papaya, Melia azedarach, Andrographis paniculata, Vetiveria zizanioides, Trichosanthes dioica, Cyperus rotundus, Zingiber officinale, Piper nigrum, Mollugo Cerviana and Tinospora cordifolia )were completely safe, but the polyherbal formulation effects were not known. Thus, this study was done for the investigation of toxicological profile of CSPHF in Wistar Albino rats. Methods: As per OECD(Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) guidelines 423 and 407, Acute and Repeated dose toxicity study were proceeded. In the acute toxicity study a single dose of CSPHF (2000mg/kg) was administered orally to female Wistar rats and in repeated dose toxicity study, CSPHF was administered orally in Control group and three different doses (1000, 500 and 250mg/kg body weight) to both male and female wistar albino rats for 28 days. At the end of the study, the animals were euthanized, observed the external and internal morphology (Acute Toxicity) and assessed the effect of CSPHF on histopathological and biochemical parameters (Repeated Dose toxicity study). Results: In acute toxicity study, there were no visual signs of toxicity of CSPHF (2000mg/kg) observed, whereas in Repeated dose toxicity study Ischaemia, inflammation and hematoma of the internal organs were observed at 1000mg/kg dose, but no such toxic features were seen at 500 and 250mg/kg dose of CSPHF. Conclusion: The results of the Acute and Repeated Dose toxicity study could be authenticated in future studies, which will be more useful and evidence based for the management of Viral infectionsduring pandemics.
Neuroprotective Potentials of Cocculus hirsutus Leaf Extract Against 6,7-Epoxytropine Tropate-Induced Memory Impairment in Rats
Authors: Sankar Gorla Uma , Rao GSN Koteswara , Kulandaivelu Umasankar , Alavala Rajasekhar Reddy , Panda Siva Prasad , Kolakota Rajkiran
Published: October 2021

Cocculus hirsutus, a tropical South Asian creeper,traditionally used as a diuretic, laxative, cardiotonic, anti-microbial, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and spermatogenic. However, the neuroprotective role was less explored; therefore, this researchwas conducted to investigate neuroprotective potentials of Cocculus hirsutus leaf hydroalcoholic extract in 6,7-Epoxytropine tropate (Scopolamine) induced cognitive impairment and oxidative lipid peroxidation in the brain of wistar albino rat. Scopolamine (1 mg/kg body weight, i.p.) was given in rats for 14 days to induce transient cognitive impairment. Donepezil (2 mg/kg body weight, orally) has been used for this research as a positive control. Behavioral studies were done using Morris water maze and elevated plus maze and neurobiochemical parameters such as acetylcholinesterase activity, reduced glutathione levels and activity of catalase were assessed in rats brain homogenate. Cocculus hirsutus leaf hydroalcoholic extract(200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) exhibited an improvement in spatial, exteroceptive learning and memory. The extract showed significant decline in the activity of acetylcholinesterase, enhancement of reduced glutathione levels and catalase activity (p<0.001). All the outcomes were assessed by Bonferroni post hoc tests with ANOVA for multiple comparison studies. This study reveals that hydroalcoholic extract of Cocculus hirsutusleaf acts as neuroprotective against scopolamine induced behavioral and neurobiochemical changes.
Deep level set method for optic disc and cup segmentation on fundus images
Authors: Zheng Yaoyue , Zhang Xuetao , Xu Xiayu , Tian Zhiqiang , Du Shaoyi
Published: October 2021

Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness. The measurement of vertical cup-to-disc ratio combined with other clinical features is one of the methods used to screen glaucoma. In this paper, we propose a deep level set method to implement the segmentation of optic cup (OC) and optic disc (OD). We present a multi-scale convolutional neural network as the prediction network to generate level set initial contour and evolution parameters. The initial contour will be further refined based on the evolution parameters. The network is integrated with augmented prior knowledge and supervised by active contour loss, which makes the level set evolution yield more accurate shape and boundary details. The experimental results on the REFUGE dataset show that the IoU of the OC and OD are 93.61% and 96.69%, respectively. To evaluate the robustness of the proposed method, we further test the model on the Drishthi-GS1 dataset. The segmentation results show that the proposed method outperforms the state-of-the-art methods.
Empirical assessment of laser safety for photoacoustic-guided liver surgeries: erratum
Authors: Huang Jiaqi , Wiacek Alycen , Kempski Kelley M. , Palmer Theron , Izzi Jessica , Beck Sarah , Lediju Bell Muyinatu A.
Published: October 2021

This erratum corrects the Monte Carlo simulation results reported in our recently published manuscript [Biomed. Opt. Express 12, 1205 (2021)10.1364/BOE.415054], which affects the results in Section 3.1. We also correct a summary statement regarding Table 4. These corrections do not alter the main findings of our publication.
Channeled imaging spectropolarimeter reconstruction by neural networks
Authors: Lv Xiaobo , Yang Zhihui , Wang Yifei , Zhou Keya , Lin Jie , Jin Peng
Published: October 2021

Snapshot channeled imaging spectropolarimetry (SCISP), which can achieve spectral and polarization imaging without scanning (a single exposure), is a promising optical technique. As Fourier transform is used to reconstruct information, SCISP has its inherent limitations such as channel crosstalk, resolution and accuracy drop, the complex phase calibration, et al. To overcome these drawbacks, a nonlinear technique based on neural networks (NNs) is introduced to replace the role of Fourier reconstruction. Herein, abundant spectral and polarization datasets were built through specially designed generators. The established NNs can effectively learn the forward conversion procedure through minimizing a loss function, subsequently enabling a stable output containing spectral, polarization, and spatial information. The utility and reliability of the proposed technique is confirmed by experiments, which are proved to maintain high spectral and polarization accuracy.
Broadband terahertz generation by optical rectification of ultrashort multiterawatt laser pulses near the beam breakup threshold
Authors: Nazarov M. M. , Shcheglov P. A. , Teplyakov V. V. , Chashchin M. V. , Mitrofanov A. V. , Sidorov-Biryukov D. A. , Panchenko V. Y. , Zheltikov A. M.
Published: October 2021

We identify the physical factors that limit the terahertz (THz) yield of an optical rectification (OR) of ultrashort multiterawatt laser pulses in large-area quadratically nonlinear crystals. We show that the THz yield tends to slow its growth as a function of the laser driver energy, saturate, and eventually decrease as the laser beam picks up a spatiotemporal phase due to the intensity-dependent refraction of the OR crystal. We demonstrate that, with a careful management of the driver intensity aimed at keeping the nonlinear length larger than the coherence length, OR-based broadband THz generation in large-area lithium niobate (LN) crystals is energy-scalable, enabling an OR of multiterawatt laser pulses, yielding

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of THz output energy per unit crystal area. With a 27-fs, 10-TW, 800-nm Ti:sapphire laser output used as a driver for OR in large-area LN crystals, this approach is shown to provide a THz output with a pulse energy above 10 µJ and a bandwidth extending well beyond 6 THz, supporting single-cycle THz waveforms.
Realizing normal group-velocity dispersion in free space via angular dispersion
Authors: Hall Layton A. , Abouraddy Ayman F.
Published: October 2021

It has long been thought that normal group-velocity dispersion (GVD) cannot be produced in free space via angular dispersion. Indeed, conventional diffractive or dispersive components such as gratings or prisms produce only anomalous GVD. We identify the conditions that must be fulfilled by the angular dispersion introduced into a plane-wave pulse to yield normal GVD. We then utilize a pulsed-beam shaper capable of introducing arbitrary angular-dispersion profiles to symmetrically produce normal and anomalous GVD in free space, which are realized here on the same footing for the first time, to our knowledge.
Demonstration of kilowatt monolithic Yb-doped fiber laser operation near 980  nm
Authors: Chen Maoni , Cao Jianqiu , Liu Aimin , Huang Zhihe , Pan Zhiyong , Chen Zilun , Chen Jinbao
Published: October 2021

In this Letter, to the best of our knowledge, the first kilowatt monolithic Yb-doped fiber laser operating near 980 nm is demonstrated. The fiber laser is achieved with the help of an all-fiber amplifier fabricated with a 105/250-

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core/cladding-diameter double-cladding Yb-doped fiber. With 11-W seed light, about 1.11-kW output power was obtained with 65.3% slope efficiency. The center wavelength was around 978 nm with a 10-dB bandwidth of about 0.6 nm. About 34-dB suppression of 1030-nm amplified spontaneous emission was realized, and the output beam quality (

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factor) was about 16.2 at maximum output power. Better beam quality can be expected by optimizing the seed light and active fiber. This work can provide significant guidance for the study and designation of high-power fiber lasers operating near 980 nm and other three-level fiber sources.
Spatial gene expression maps of the intestinal lymphoid follicle and associated epithelium identify zonated expression programs
Authors: Cohen Noam , Massalha Hassan , Ben-Moshe Shani , Egozi Adi , Rozenberg Milena , Bahar Halpern Keren , Itzkovitz Shalev
Published: October 2021

The intestine is lined with isolated lymphoid follicles (ILFs) that facilitate sampling of luminal antigens to elicit immune responses. Technical challenges related to the scarcity and small sizes of ILFs and their follicle-associated epithelium (FAE) impeded the characterization of their spatial gene expression programs. Here, we combined RNA sequencing of laser capture microdissected tissues with single-molecule transcript imaging to obtain a spatial gene expression map of the ILF and its associated FAE in the mouse small intestine. We identified zonated expression programs in both follicles and FAEs, with a decrease in enterocyte antimicrobial and absorption programs and a partial induction of expression programs normally observed at the villus tip. We further identified Lepr+ subepithelial telocytes at the FAE top, which are distinct from villus tip Lgr5+ telocytes. Our analysis exposes the epithelial and mesenchymal cell states associated with ILFs.
Dynamic large-scale connectivity of intrinsic cortical oscillations supports adaptive listening in challenging conditions
Authors: Alavash Mohsen , Tune Sarah , Obleser Jonas
Published: October 2021

In multi-talker situations, individuals adapt behaviorally to this listening challenge mostly with ease, but how do brain neural networks shape this adaptation? We here establish a long-sought link between large-scale neural communications in electrophysiology and behavioral success in the control of attention in difficult listening situations. In an age-varying sample of N = 154 individuals, we find that connectivity between intrinsic neural oscillations extracted from source-reconstructed electroencephalography is regulated according to the listener’s goal during a challenging dual-talker task. These dynamics occur as spatially organized modulations in power-envelope correlations of alpha and low-beta neural oscillations during approximately 2-s intervals most critical for listening behavior relative to resting-state baseline. First, left frontoparietal low-beta connectivity (16 to 24 Hz) increased during anticipation and processing of a spatial-attention cue before speech presentation. Second, posterior alpha connectivity (7 to 11 Hz) decreased during comprehension of competing speech, particularly around target-word presentation. Connectivity dynamics of these networks were predictive of individual differences in the speed and accuracy of target-word identification, respectively, but proved unconfounded by changes in neural oscillatory activity strength. Successful adaptation to a listening challenge thus latches onto two distinct yet complementary neural systems: a beta-tuned frontoparietal network enabling the flexible adaptation to attentive listening state and an alpha-tuned posterior network supporting attention to speech.
Corollary discharge enables proprioception from lateral line sensory feedback
Authors: Skandalis Dimitri A. , Lunsford Elias T. , Liao James C.
Published: October 2021

Animals modulate sensory processing in concert with motor actions. Parallel copies of motor signals, called corollary discharge (CD), prepare the nervous system to process the mixture of externally and self-generated (reafferent) feedback that arises during locomotion. Commonly, CD in the peripheral nervous system cancels reafference to protect sensors and the central nervous system from being fatigued and overwhelmed by self-generated feedback. However, cancellation also limits the feedback that contributes to an animal’s awareness of its body position and motion within the environment, the sense of proprioception. We propose that, rather than cancellation, CD to the fish lateral line organ restructures reafference to maximize proprioceptive information content. Fishes’ undulatory body motions induce reafferent feedback that can encode the body’s instantaneous configuration with respect to fluid flows. We combined experimental and computational analyses of swimming biomechanics and hair cell physiology to develop a neuromechanical model of how fish can track peak body curvature, a key signature of axial undulatory locomotion. Without CD, this computation would be challenged by sensory adaptation, typified by decaying sensitivity and phase distortions with respect to an input stimulus. We find that CD interacts synergistically with sensor polarization to sharpen sensitivity along sensors’ preferred axes. The sharpening of sensitivity regulates spiking to a narrow interval coinciding with peak reafferent stimulation, which prevents adaptation and homogenizes the otherwise variable sensor output. Our integrative model reveals a vital role of CD for ensuring precise proprioceptive feedback during undulatory locomotion, which we term external proprioception.
qc3C: Reference-free quality control for Hi-C sequencing data
Authors: DeMaere Matthew Z. , Darling Aaron E.
Published: October 2021

Hi-C is a sample preparation method that enables high-throughput sequencing to capture genome-wide spatial interactions between DNA molecules. The technique has been successfully applied to solve challenging problems such as 3D structural analysis of chromatin, scaffolding of large genome assemblies and more recently the accurate resolution of metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs). Despite continued refinements, however, preparing a Hi-C library remains a complex laboratory protocol. To avoid costly failures and maximise the odds of successful outcomes, diligent quality management is recommended. Current wet-lab methods provide only a crude assay of Hi-C library quality, while key post-sequencing quality indicators used have—thus far—relied upon reference-based read-mapping. When a reference is accessible, this reliance introduces a concern for quality, where an incomplete or inexact reference skews the resulting quality indicators. We propose a new, reference-free approach that infers the total fraction of read-pairs that are a product of proximity ligation. This quantification of Hi-C library quality requires only a modest amount of sequencing data and is independent of other application-specific criteria. The algorithm builds upon the observation that proximity ligation events are likely to create k-mers that would not naturally occur in the sample. Our software tool (qc3C) is to our knowledge the first to implement a reference-free Hi-C QC tool, and also provides reference-based QC, enabling Hi-C to be more easily applied to non-model organisms and environmental samples. We characterise the accuracy of the new algorithm on simulated and real datasets and compare it to reference-based methods.
Improved prediction of smoking status via isoform-aware RNA-seq deep learning models
Authors: Wang Zifeng , Masoomi Aria , Xu Zhonghui , Boueiz Adel , Lee Sool , Zhao Tingting , Bowler Russell , Cho Michael , Silverman Edwin K. , Hersh Craig , Dy Jennifer , Castaldi Peter J.
Published: October 2021

Most predictive models based on gene expression data do not leverage information related to gene splicing, despite the fact that splicing is a fundamental feature of eukaryotic gene expression. Cigarette smoking is an important environmental risk factor for many diseases, and it has profound effects on gene expression. Using smoking status as a prediction target, we developed deep neural network predictive models using gene, exon, and isoform level quantifications from RNA sequencing data in 2,557 subjects in the COPDGene Study. We observed that models using exon and isoform quantifications clearly outperformed gene-level models when using data from 5 genes from a previously published prediction model. Whereas the test set performance of the previously published model was 0.82 in the original publication, our exon-based models including an exon-to-isoform mapping layer achieved a test set AUC (area under the receiver operating characteristic) of 0.88, which improved to an AUC of 0.94 using exon quantifications from a larger set of genes. Isoform variability is an important source of latent information in RNA-seq data that can be used to improve clinical prediction models.
The information theory of developmental pruning: Optimizing global network architectures using local synaptic rules
Authors: Scholl Carolin , Rule Michael E. , Hennig Matthias H.
Published: October 2021

During development, biological neural networks produce more synapses and neurons than needed. Many of these synapses and neurons are later removed in a process known as neural pruning. Why networks should initially be over-populated, and the processes that determine which synapses and neurons are ultimately pruned, remains unclear. We study the mechanisms and significance of neural pruning in model neural networks. In a deep Boltzmann machine model of sensory encoding, we find that (1) synaptic pruning is necessary to learn efficient network architectures that retain computationally-relevant connections, (2) pruning by synaptic weight alone does not optimize network size and (3) pruning based on a locally-available measure of importance based on Fisher information allows the network to identify structurally important vs. unimportant connections and neurons. This locally-available measure of importance has a biological interpretation in terms of the correlations between presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons, and implies an efficient activity-driven pruning rule. Overall, we show how local activity-dependent synaptic pruning can solve the global problem of optimizing a network architecture. We relate these findings to biology as follows: (I) Synaptic over-production is necessary for activity-dependent connectivity optimization. (II) In networks that have more neurons than needed, cells compete for activity, and only the most important and selective neurons are retained. (III) Cells may also be pruned due to a loss of synapses on their axons. This occurs when the information they convey is not relevant to the target population.