bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for treatment of anxiety and other psychological distress related to life-threatening illnesses: a randomized pilot study
Authors: Wolfson Philip E. , Andries Julane , Feduccia Allison A. , Jerome Lisa , Wang Julie B. , Williams Emily , Carlin Shannon C. , Sola Evan , Hamilton Scott , Yazar-Klosinski Berra , Emerson Amy , Mithoefer Michael C. , Doblin Rick 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe success of modern medicine creates a growing population of those suffering from life-threatening illnesses (LTI) who often experience anxiety, depression, and existential distress. We present a novel approach; investigating MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of anxiety in people with an LTI. Participants with anxiety from an LTI were randomized in a double-blind study to receive MDMA (125 mg, n = 13) or placebo (n = 5) in combination with two 8-h psychotherapy sessions. The primary outcome was change in State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) Trait scores from baseline to one month post the second experimental session. After unblinding, participants in the MDMA group had one open-label MDMA session and placebo participants crossed over to receive three open-label MDMA sessions. Additional follow-up assessments occurred six and twelve months after a participant’s last experimental session. At the primary endpoint, the MDMA group had a greater mean (SD) reduction in STAI-Trait scores, − 23.5 (13.2), indicating less anxiety, compared to placebo group, − 8.8 (14.7); results did not reach a significant group difference (p = .056). Hedges’ g between-group effect size was 1.03 (95% CI: − 5.25, 7.31). Overall, MDMA was well-tolerated in this sample. These preliminary findings can inform development of larger clinical trials to further examine MDMA-assisted psychotherapy as a novel approach to treat individuals with LTI-related anxiety.Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02427568, first registered April 28, 2015.
The effect of time since stroke, gender, age, and lesion size on thalamus volume in chronic stroke: a pilot study
Authors: Krishnamurthy Lisa C. , Champion Gabriell N. , McGregor Keith M. , Krishnamurthy Venkatagiri , Turabi Aaminah , Roberts Simone R. , Nocera Joe R. , Borich Michael R. , Rodriguez Amy D. , Belagaje Samir R. , Harrington Rachael M. , Harris-Love Michelle L. , Harnish Stacy M. , Drucker Jonathan H. , Benjamin Michelle , Meadows M. Lawson , Seeds Lauren , Zlatar Zvinka Z. , Sudhyadhom Atchar , Butler Andrew J. , Garcia Amanda , Patten Carolynn , Trinastic Jonathan , Kautz Steven A. , Gregory Chris , Crosson Bruce A. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractRecent stroke studies have shown that the ipsi-lesional thalamus longitudinally and significantly decreases after stroke in the acute and subacute stages. However, additional considerations in the chronic stages of stroke require exploration including time since stroke, gender, intracortical volume, aging, and lesion volume to better characterize thalamic differences after cortical infarct. This cross-sectional retrospective study quantified the ipsilesional and contralesional thalamus volume from 69 chronic stroke subjects’ anatomical MRI data (age 35–92) and related the thalamus volume to time since stroke, gender, intracortical volume, age, and lesion volume. The ipsi-lesional thalamus volume was significantly smaller than the contra-lesional thalamus volume (t(68) = 13.89, p < 0.0001). In the ipsilesional thalamus, significant effect for intracortical volume (t(68) = 2.76, p = 0.008), age (t(68) = 2.47, p = 0.02), lesion volume (t(68) = − 3.54, p = 0.0008), and age*time since stroke (t(68) = 2.46, p = 0.02) were identified. In the contralesional thalamus, significant effect for intracortical volume (t(68) = 3.2, p = 0.002) and age (t = − 3.17, p = 0.002) were identified. Clinical factors age and intracortical volume influence both ipsi- and contralesional thalamus volume and lesion volume influences the ipsilesional thalamus. Due to the cross-sectional nature of this study, additional research is warranted to understand differences in the neural circuitry and subsequent influence on volumetrics after stroke.
Meteorological drivers of respiratory syncytial virus infections in Singapore
Authors: Ali Sheikh Taslim , Tam Clarence C. , Cowling Benjamin J. , Yeo Kee Thai , Yung Chee Fu 
Published: November 2020

AbstractMeteorological drivers are known to affect transmissibility of respiratory viruses including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), but there are few studies quantifying the role of these drivers. We used daily RSV hospitalization data to estimate the daily effective reproduction number (Rt), a real-time measure of transmissibility, and examined its relationship with environmental drivers in Singapore from 2005 through 2015. We used multivariable regression models to quantify the proportion of the variance in Rt explained by each meteorological driver. After constructing a basic model for RSV seasonality, we found that by adding meteorological variables into this model we were able to explain a further 15% of the variance in RSV transmissibility. Lower and higher value of mean temperature, diurnal temperature range (DTR), precipitation and relative humidity were associated with increased RSV transmissibility, while higher value of maximum wind speed was correlated with decreased RSV transmissibility. We found that a number of meteorological drivers were associated with RSV transmissibility. While indoor conditions may differ from ambient outdoor conditions, our findings are indicative of a role of ambient temperature, humidity and wind speed in affecting RSV transmission that could be biological or could reflect indirect effects via the consequences on time spent indoors.
Bioassay-based Corchorus capsularis L. leaf-derived β-sitosterol exerts antileishmanial effects against Leishmania donovani by targeting trypanothione reductase
Authors: Pramanik Pijush Kanti , Chakraborti Sajal , Bagchi Angshuman , Chakraborti Tapati 
Published: November 2020

AbstractLeishmaniasis, a major neglected tropical disease, affects millions of individuals worldwide. Among the various clinical forms, visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is the deadliest. Current antileishmanial drugs exhibit toxicity- and resistance-related issues. Therefore, advanced chemotherapeutic alternatives are in demand, and currently, plant sources are considered preferable choices. Our previous report has shown that the chloroform extract of Corchorus capsularis L. leaves exhibits a significant effect against Leishmania donovani promastigotes. In the current study, bioassay-guided fractionation results for Corchorus capsularis L. leaf-derived β-sitosterol (β-sitosterolCCL) were observed by spectroscopic analysis (FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and GC–MS). The inhibitory efficacy of this β-sitosterolCCL against L. donovani promastigotes was measured (IC50 = 17.7 ± 0.43 µg/ml). β-SitosterolCCL significantly disrupts the redox balance via intracellular ROS production, which triggers various apoptotic events, such as structural alteration, increased storage of lipid bodies, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, externalization of phosphatidylserine and non-protein thiol depletion, in promastigotes. Additionally, the antileishmanial activity of β-sitosterolCCL was validated by enzyme inhibition and an in silico study in which β-sitosterolCCL was found to inhibit Leishmania donovani trypanothione reductase (LdTryR). Overall, β-sitosterolCCL appears to be a novel inhibitor of LdTryR and might represent a successful approach for treatment of VL in the future.
Metabolomics-derived marker metabolites to characterize Phaeocystis pouchetii physiology in natural plankton communities
Authors: Kuhlisch Constanze , Althammer Julia , Sazhin Andrey F. , Jakobsen Hans H. , Nejstgaard Jens C. , Pohnert Georg 
Published: November 2020

AbstractPhaeocystis pouchetii (Hariot) Lagerheim, 1893 regularly dominates phytoplankton blooms in higher latitudes spanning from the English Channel to the Arctic. Through zooplankton grazing and microbial activity, it is considered to be a key resource for the entire marine food web, but the actual relevance of biomass transfer to higher trophic levels is still under discussion. Cell physiology and algal nutritional state are suggested to be major factors controlling the observed variability in zooplankton grazing. However, no data have so far yielded insights into the metabolic state of Phaeocystis populations that would allow testing this hypothesis. Therefore, endometabolic markers of different growth phases were determined in laboratory batch cultures using comparative metabolomics and quantified in different phytoplankton blooms in the field. Metabolites, produced during exponential, early and late stationary growth of P. pouchetii, were profiled using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Then, metabolites were characterized that correlate with the growth phases using multivariate statistical analysis. Free amino acids characterized the exponential growth, whereas the early stationary phase was correlated with sugar alcohols, mono- and disaccharides. In the late stationary phase, free fatty acids, sterols and terpenes increased. These marker metabolites were then traced in Phaeocystis blooms during a cruise in the Barents Sea and North Norwegian fjords. About 50 endometabolites of P. pouchetii were detected in natural phytoplankton communities. Mannitol, scyllo-inositol, 24-methylcholesta-5,22-dien-3β-ol, and several free fatty acids were characteristic for Phaeocystis-dominated blooms but showed variability between them. Distinct metabolic profiles were detected in the nutrient-depleted community in the inner Porsangerfjord (< 0.5 µM NO3−, < 0.1 µM PO
4
3−
), with high relative amounts of free mono- and disaccharides indicative for a limited culture. This study thereby shows how the variable physiology of phytoplankton can alter the metabolic landscape of entire plankton communities.
Factors associated with acute cardiac injury and their effects on mortality in patients with COVID-19
Authors: He Xingwei , Wang Luyan , Wang Hongjie , Xie Yang , Yu Yongfu , Sun Jianhua , Yan Jiangbo , Du Yuxin , Shen Yin , Zeng Hesong 
Published: November 2020

AbstractTo determine the incidence of acute cardiac injury (ACI), the factors associated with ACI and the in-hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19, especially in severe patients. All consecutive in-patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 from Tongji Hospital in Wuhan during February 1 and March 29, 2020 were included. The demographic, clinical characteristics, laboratory, radiological and treatment data were collected. Univariate and Firth logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with ACI and in-hospital mortality, and Kaplan–Meier method was used to estimate cumulative in-hospital mortality. Among 1031 patients included, 215 (20.7%) had ACI and 501 (48.6%) were severe cases. Overall, 165 patients died; all were from the severe group, and 131 (79.39%) had ACI. ACI (OR = 2.34, P = 0.009), male gender (OR = 2.58, P = 0.001), oximeter oxygen saturation (OR = 0.90, P < 0.001), lactate dehydrogenase (OR = 3.26, P < 0.001), interleukin-6 (IL-6) (OR = 8.59, P < 0.001), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (OR = 3.29, P = 0.016), N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) (OR = 2.94, P = 0.001) were independent risk factors for the in-hospital mortality in severe patients. The mortality was significantly increased among severe patients with elevated hs-CRP, IL-6, hs-cTnI, and/or NT-proBNP. Moreover, the mortality was significantly higher in patients with elevation of both hs-cTnI and NT proBNP than in those with elevation of either of them. ACI develops in a substantial proportion of patients with COVID-19, and is associated with the disease severity and in-hospital mortality. A combination of hs-cTnI and NT-proBNP is valuable in predicting the mortality.
Characterization and identification of lysine crotonylation sites based on machine learning method on both plant and mammalian
Authors: Wang Rulan , Wang Zhuo , Wang Hongfei , Pang Yuxuan , Lee Tzong-Yi 
Published: November 2020

AbstractLysine crotonylation (Kcr) is a type of protein post-translational modification (PTM), which plays important roles in a variety of cellular regulation and processes. Several methods have been proposed for the identification of crotonylation. However, most of these methods can predict efficiently only on histone or non-histone protein. Therefore, this work aims to give a more balanced performance in different species, here plant (non-histone) and mammalian (histone) are involved. SVM (support vector machine) and RF (random forest) were employed in this study. According to the results of cross-validations, the RF classifier based on EGAAC attribute achieved the best predictive performance which performs competitively good as existed methods, meanwhile more robust when dealing with imbalanced datasets. Moreover, an independent test was carried out, which compared the performance of this study and existed methods based on the same features or the same classifier. The classifiers of SVM and RF could achieve best performances with 92% sensitivity, 88% specificity, 90% accuracy, and an MCC of 0.80 in the mammalian dataset, and 77% sensitivity, 83% specificity, 70% accuracy and 0.54 MCC in a relatively small dataset of mammalian and a large-scaled plant dataset respectively. Moreover, a cross-species independent testing was also carried out in this study, which has proved the species diversity in plant and mammalian.
The effect of Elymus nutans sowing density on soil reinforcement and slope stabilization properties of vegetation–concrete structures
Authors: Tan Xiangqian , Huang Yongwen , Xiong Danwei , Lv Kun , Chen Fangqing 
Published: November 2020

AbstractElymus nutans is an herbaceous plant that can be used to restore degraded alpine and subalpine ecosystems. Here, we evaluated how sowing density affects soil reinforcement and slope stabilization properties of vegetation–concrete structures. To investigate the optimal sowing density of E. nutans in vegetation–concrete applications for slope protection, six experimental treatments were established with different plant densities: control, I (1100 seeds/m2), II (2200 seeds/m2), III (3300 seeds/m2), IV (4400 seeds/m2), and V (5500 seeds/m2). Several parameters of plant growth in addition to soil reinforcement and slope stabilization properties were measured in each treatment, as well as the associations among parameters. As density increased, aboveground biomass continually increased, and plant heights, root surface areas, root lengths, and underground biomass all first increased and then decreased. In contrast, tiller numbers and the average root diameter gradually decreased with increasing density. Increased density also resulted in increased maximum water interception levels by aboveground stems and leaves. The maximum water interception by the aboveground stems and leaves was 41.75% greater in the highest density treatment (V) compared to the lowest density treatment (I). However, the enhancement of erosion resistance and soil shear strength first increased and then decreased as density increased, with maximal values observed in the medium-high density treatment (IV). Sowing density was highly correlated with aboveground biomass, plant heights, tiller numbers, and the maximum level of water interception by stems and leaves. Thus, sowing density directly influenced soil reinforcement and slope stabilization properties of aboveground plant components. However, density was not significantly correlated with belowground biomass, root lengths, root surface areas, the enhancement of erosion resistance, and soil shear strengths. Therefore, sowing density indirectly influenced soil reinforcement and slope stabilization of belowground plant components. Following from these results, we suggest that the optimal sowing density of E. nutans is approximately 4400 plants/m2 in their application within vegetation–concrete structures used for slope protection.
Differences of sucrose accumulation concentration and related genes expression between two sucrose accumulation types of Actinidia eriantha
Authors: Xu Xiaobiao , Liao Guanglian , Huang Chunhui , Zhong Min , Jia Dongfeng , Qu Xueyan , Liu Qing , He Yanqun , Li Yiqi 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAccording to the investigation of wild Actinidia eriantha in Jiangxi province of China, we found that soluble solids content of fruit was lower than edible standard (14%). However, we found a high-sugar type A. eriantha line (code was ‘MM24’, test material) during investigative process at Nancheng county (E 116° 48′, N 26° 23′, 845 m). We sheared its scions to asexual reproduction in Fengxin County (rootstock was A. deliciosa ‘Miliang 1’ with 7 years old) and at the same time DUS (Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability) test was also carried out. There were uncontested differences between the two comparative genotypes according to the results of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, it can be judged as a new cultivar. In addition, there was great similarity on most important morphological and quality characteristics. While, there was difference on SSC, DM and TS between the two materials on ripen fruit, these indicators were much higher on test material than on control. The sugar degree assessment showed that the sugar degree of test material was strong and retention time was long. Further, no sucrose was found before DAF 135 d in test material and sucrose were significantly higher than in control only at DAF 165 d and DAF 175 d. The qRT-PCR results of sucrose-related genes showed that the relative expression levels of AcSPS1, AcSPS3, AcSPS5 and AcSUS5 genes were consistent with the sucrose accumulation trend, which was probably the main genes for the difference in sugar degree.
Microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA analyses unveil the genetic structure of native sheep breeds from three major agro-ecological regions of India
Authors: Sharma Rekha , Ahlawat Sonika , Sharma Himani , Sharma Priyanka , Panchal Poonam , Arora Reena , Tantia M S 
Published: November 2020

AbstractSheep farming has been fundamental to many civilizations in the world and is practiced in India since antiquity. Several thousand years of adaptation to local environmental conditions and selective breeding have evolved 44 sheep breeds in India. They are paramount in terms of economic, scientific, and cultural heritage. Genetic characterization information is imperative for sustainable utilization and conservation of ovine heritage. In this study, the genetic diversity, differentiation, and structure of 11 indigenous sheep breeds from three different agro-ecological zones of India were explored with genomic microsatellite loci and mitochondrial DNA (D loop). The estimated diversity parameters indicated that populations retained high levels of genetic diversity (Na = 8.27 ± 0.17; Ho = 0.65 ± 0.01), which provides an optimistic viewpoint for their survival. However, significant inbreeding was also observed in the nine populations. Moderate genetic differentiation existed among the groups (FST = 0.129 ± 0.012), and most likely clusters existing in the dataset are seven. Phylogenetic clustering was in line with the geographical locations of sheep populations. Mitochondrial sequences revealed high haplotype diversity with the existence of maternal haplogroups A, B, and C, and signals of population expansion. Decreased genetic diversity and unique maternal lineage (C) in endangered Tibetan and Bonpala sheep breed, warrant their immediate scientific management. Overall, the quantitative data reported here on the extant variability, and genetic relationships among the Indian sheep breeds, provide critically important inputs that will be valuable for the decision-making process on their management, both for the conservation of endangered breeds, and formulation of breeding programs to check genetic erosion.
Enhanced mirroring upon mutual gaze: multimodal evidence from TMS-assessed corticospinal excitability and the EEG mu rhythm
Authors: Prinsen Jellina , Alaerts Kaat 
Published: November 2020

AbstractPrevious research has demonstrated that eye contact between actor and observer specifically enhances the ‘mirroring’ of others’ actions, as measured by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)-induced motor evoked potentials (MEPs). However, it remains unknown whether other markers of mirror system activation, such as suppression of the EEG mu rhythm (8–13 Hz) over the sensorimotor strip, are also susceptible to perceived eye contact. Here, both TMS-induced MEPs and EEG mu suppression indices were assessed (in separate sessions) while 32 participants (mean age: 24y; 8m) observed a simple hand movement combined with direct or averted gaze from the actor. Both measures were significantly modulated by perceived eye gaze during action observation; showing an increase in MEP amplitude and an attenuation of the mu rhythm during direct vs. averted gaze. Importantly, while absolute MEP and mu suppression scores were not related, a significant association was identified between gaze-related changes in MEPs and mu suppression, indicating that both measures are similarly affected by the modulatory impact of gaze cues. Our results suggest that although the neural substrates underlying TMS-induced MEPs and the EEG mu rhythm may differ, both are sensitive to the social relevance of the observed actions, which might reflect a similar neural gating mechanism.
Naringin derivatives as glucosamine-6-phosphate synthase inhibitors based preservatives and their biological evaluation
Authors: Lather Amit , Sharma Sunil , Khatkar Anurag 
Published: November 2020

AbstractGlucosamine-6-Phosphate synthase enzyme has been targeted for development of better and safe preservative due to its role in microbial cell wall synthesis. In recent year’s demand of preservatives for the food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals have increased. Although, the available synthetic preservatives have associated unwanted adverse effects, soa chain of naringin derivatives were schemed synthesized and judged for antioxidant, antimicrobial, preservative efficacy, stability study and topical evaluation. Molecular docking resulted with excellent dock score and binding energy for compound 7, compound 6 and compound 1 as compared to standard drugs. Resultant data of antimicrobial activity revealed compound 7as most potent antimicrobial compound for P. mirabilis, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, E. coli, C. albicans, and A. niger, respectively, as compared to the standard drugs. The preservative efficacy test of compound 7 in White Lotion USP showed the log cfu/mL value within prescribed limit of USP standard. Compound 7 stabilize the White lotion USP from microbial growth for a period of six months under accelerated storage condition. Compound 7 was further evaluated for toxicity by using the Draize test in rabbits and showed no sign of eye and skin irritation. The outcome demonstrated that synthesized naringin compounds showed glorious antioxidant, antimicrobial, preservative efficacy, stable and safe as compared to standards.