bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimized and scalable synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles for RNA extraction in response to developing countries' needs in the detection and control of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Chacón-Torres Julio C. , Reinoso C. , Navas-León Daniela G. , Briceño Sarah , González Gema 
Published: November 2020

AbstractEcuador is one of the most affected countries, with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, in Latin America derived from an ongoing economic crisis. One of the most important methods for COVID-19 detection is the use of techniques such as real time RT-PCR based on a previous extraction/purification of RNA procedure from nasopharyngeal cells using functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (MNP). This technique allows the processing of ~ 10,000 tests per day in private companies and around hundreds per day at local Universities guaranteeing to reach a wide range of the population. However, the main drawback of this method is the need for specialized MNP with a strong negative charge for the viral RNA extraction to detect the existence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Here we present a simplified low cost method to produce 10 g of nanoparticles in 100 mL of solution that was scaled to one litter by parallelizing the process 10 times in just two days and allowing for the possibility of making ~ 50,000 COVID-19 tests. This communication helps in reducing the cost of acquiring MNP for diverse biomolecular applications supporting developing country budgets constraints and chemical availability specially during the COVID-19 International Health Emergency.
Genetic diversity and inter-relationships of fruit bio-chemicals and antioxidant activity in Iranian wild blackberry species
Authors: Garazhian Mehdi , Gharaghani Ali , Eshghi Saeid 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBlackberries are a rich source of bio-chemicals such as anthocyanins and polyphenolic antioxidants. The evaluation of the extent of variation among wild genetic resources can provide useful information for the establishment of effective conservation strategies and future breeding programs. In this study, variations and inter-relationship of berry weight, total phenol (TP), total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), ascorbic acid (AA), anthocyanin and antioxidant activity were estimated in their values among 57 accessions belonging to 4 different Rubus spp. native to Iran. The experiments were performed during two consecutive years (2014 and 2015). Combine analysis showed that there is no significant difference between the data of 2 years in all measured traits. High or very high levels of variations were detected in berry weight (0.14–1.30 g), antioxidant activity (40.21–88.08%), anthocyanin (80.74–145.09 mg/100 g), TSS (7.9–17.8 °Brix), TA (0.36–0.83%) and AA (9.56–20.92 mg/100 g). This is while TP showed very low levels of variation (109.5–129.1 mg/100 g). Correlation analysis showed that antioxidant activity correlated highly and positively with all of the measured characteristics including ascorbic acid (r = 0.927), anthocyanin (r = 0.752), total phenol (r = 0.681), TSS (r = 0.473) and berry weight (r = 0.541) except for TA. Cluster analysis based on all measured characteristics showed a partial differentiation between the accessions based on their species and, to lesser extent, according to their origin within the main clusters. Based on the bi-plot of the first two PCAs, genotypes and traits classified into four quadrants. This grouping was in agreement with that of cluster analysis, considering the fact that almost all of accessions in quadrants II and III (with a few exceptions) were same to those in the first clade of cluster analysis and the genotypes grouped in quadrants I and IV, represents the accessions of clade 2 in cluster analysis. The projection of the traits vectors in PCA were also fully in accordance to that of correlation analysis in almost all of studied traits. Results showed that a rich source of variations is available considering berry weight, fruit bio-chemical and antioxidant activity in the Iranian wild Rubus species, which needs immediate conservation and worth to be utilized in commercial breeding programs.
An artificial intelligence-based first-line defence against COVID-19: digitally screening citizens for risks via a chatbot
Authors: Martin Alistair , Nateqi Jama , Gruarin Stefanie , Munsch Nicolas , Abdarahmane Isselmou , Zobel Marc , Knapp Bernhard 
Published: November 2020

AbstractTo combat the pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), numerous governments have established phone hotlines to prescreen potential cases. These hotlines have struggled with the volume of callers, leading to wait times of hours or, even, an inability to contact health authorities. Symptoma is a symptom-to-disease digital health assistant that can differentiate more than 20,000 diseases with an accuracy of more than 90%. We tested the accuracy of Symptoma to identify COVID-19 using a set of diverse clinical cases combined with case reports of COVID-19. We showed that Symptoma can accurately distinguish COVID-19 in 96.32% of clinical cases. When considering only COVID-19 symptoms and risk factors, Symptoma identified 100% of those infected when presented with only three signs. Lastly, we showed that Symptoma’s accuracy far exceeds that of simple “yes–no” questionnaires widely available online. In summary, Symptoma provides unparalleled accuracy in systematically identifying cases of COVID-19 while also considering over 20,000 other diseases. Furthermore, Symptoma allows free text input, furthered with disease-specific follow up questions, in 36 languages. Combined, these results and accessibility give Symptoma the potential to be a key tool in the global fight against COVID-19. The Symptoma predictor is freely available online at https://www.symptoma.com.
Statistics of dislocation avalanches in FCC and BCC metals: dislocation mechanisms and mean swept distances across microsample sizes and temperatures
Authors: Alcalá Jorge , Očenášek Jan , Varillas Javier , A. El-Awady Jaafar , Wheeler Jeffrey M. , Michler Johann 
Published: November 2020

AbstractPlastic deformation in crystalline materials consists of an ensemble of collective dislocation glide processes, which lead to strain burst emissions in micro-scale samples. To unravel the combined role of crystalline structure, sample size and temperature on these processes, we performed a comprehensive set of strict displacement-controlled micropillar compression experiments in conjunction with large-scale molecular dynamics and physics-based discrete dislocation dynamics simulations. The results indicate that plastic strain bursts consist of numerous individual dislocation glide events, which span over minuscule time intervals. The size distributions of these events exhibit a gradual transition from an incipient power-law slip regime (spanning $$\approx$$
≈
2.5 decades of slip sizes) to a large avalanche domain (spanning $$\approx$$
≈
4 decades of emission probability) at a cut-off slip magnitude $${s}_{\mathrm{c}}$$

s
c

. This cut-off slip provides a statistical measure to the characteristic mean dislocation swept distance, which allows for the scaling of the avalanche distributions vis-à-vis the archetypal dislocation mechanisms in face-centered cubic (FCC) and body-centered cubic (BCC) metals. Our statistical findings provide a new pathway to characterizing metal plasticity and towards comprehension of the sample size effects that limit the mechanical reliability in small-scale structures.
Driven progressive evolution of genome sequence complexity in Cyanobacteria
Authors: Moya Andrés , Oliver José L. , Verdú Miguel , Delaye Luis , Arnau Vicente , Bernaola-Galván Pedro , de la Fuente Rebeca , Díaz Wladimiro , Gómez-Martín Cristina , González Francisco M. , Latorre Amparo , Lebrón Ricardo , Román-Roldán Ramón 
Published: November 2020

AbstractProgressive evolution, or the tendency towards increasing complexity, is a controversial issue in biology, which resolution entails a proper measurement of complexity. Genomes are the best entities to address this challenge, as they encode the historical information of a species’ biotic and environmental interactions. As a case study, we have measured genome sequence complexity in the ancient phylum Cyanobacteria. To arrive at an appropriate measure of genome sequence complexity, we have chosen metrics that do not decipher biological functionality but that show strong phylogenetic signal. Using a ridge regression of those metrics against root-to-tip distance, we detected positive trends towards higher complexity in three of them. Lastly, we applied three standard tests to detect if progressive evolution is passive or driven—the minimum, ancestor–descendant, and sub-clade tests. These results provide evidence for driven progressive evolution at the genome-level in the phylum Cyanobacteria.
Spatial distribution of stygobitic crustacean harpacticoids at the boundaries of groundwater habitat types in Europe
Authors: Iannella Mattia , Fiasca Barbara , Di Lorenzo Tiziana , Biondi Maurizio , Di Cicco Mattia , Galassi Diana M. P. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe distribution patterns of stygobitic crustacean harpacticoids at the boundaries of three different groundwater habitat types in Europe were analysed through a GIS proximity analysis and fitted to exponential models. The results showed that the highest frequency of occurrences was recorded in aquifers in consolidated rocks, followed by the aquifers in unconsolidated sediments and, finally, by the practically non-aquiferous rocks. The majority of the stygobitic harpacticoid species were not able to disperse across the boundaries between two adjacent habitats, with 66% of the species occurring in a single habitat type. The species were not evenly distributed, and 35–69% of them occurred from 2 to 6 km to the boundaries, depending on the adjacent habitat types. The distribution patterns were shaped by features extrinsic to the species, such as the hydrogeological properties of the aquifers, and by species’ intrinsic characteristics such as the preference for a given habitat type and dispersal abilities. Most boundaries between adjacent habitat types resulted to be “breaches”, that is transmissive borders for stygobitic harpacticoids, while others were “impermeable walls”, that is absorptive borders. Our results suggest that conservation measures of groundwater harpacticoids should consider how species are distributed within the different groundwater habitat types and at their boundaries to ensure the preservation of species metapopulations within habitat patches and beyond them.
On the correlation between material-induced cell shape and phenotypical response of human mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Vasilevich Aliaksei S. , Vermeulen Steven , Kamphuis Marloes , Roumans Nadia , Eroumé Said , Hebels Dennie G. A. J. , van de Peppel Jeroen , Reihs Rika , Beijer Nick R. M. , Carlier Aurélie , Carpenter Anne E. , Singh Shantanu , de Boer Jan 
Published: November 2020

AbstractLearning rules by which cell shape impacts cell function would enable control of cell physiology and fate in medical applications, particularly, on the interface of cells and material of the implants. We defined the phenotypic response of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) to 2176 randomly generated surface topographies by probing basic functions such as migration, proliferation, protein synthesis, apoptosis, and differentiation using quantitative image analysis. Clustering the surfaces into 28 archetypical cell shapes, we found a very strict correlation between cell shape and physiological response and selected seven cell shapes to describe the molecular mechanism leading to phenotypic diversity. Transcriptomics analysis revealed a tight link between cell shape, molecular signatures, and phenotype. For instance, proliferation is strongly reduced in cells with limited spreading, resulting in down-regulation of genes involved in the G2/M cycle and subsequent quiescence, whereas cells with large filopodia are related to activation of early response genes and inhibition of the osteogenic process. In this paper we were aiming to identify a universal set of genes that regulate the material-induced phenotypical response of human mesenchymal stem cells. This will allow designing implants that can actively regulate cellular, molecular signalling through cell shape. Here we are proposing an approach to tackle this question.
Description of neurotoxicity in a series of patients treated with CAR T-cell therapy
Authors: Belin Catherine , Devic Perrine , Ayrignac Xavier , Dos Santos Amélie , Paix Adrien , Sirven-Villaros Lila , Simard Claire , Lamure Sylvain , Gastinne Thomas , Ursu Renata , Berger Colette , Platon Laura , Tessoulin Benoît , Azoulay Elie , Wallet Florent , Thieblemont Catherine , Bachy Emmanuel , Cartron Guillaume , Laplaud David A. , Carpentier Antoine F. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractChimeric antigen receptor-modified T (CAR T) cell therapy is a highly promising treatment for haematological malignancies but is frequently associated with cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity. Between July 2018 and July 2019, all patients treated with CD19-targeted CAR T-cell therapy for relapsing lymphoma were followed-up longitudinally to describe neurological symptoms and their evolution over time. Four different French centres participated and 84 patients (median age 59 years, 31% females) were included. Neurotoxicity, defined as the presence of at least one neurological symptom appearing after treatment infusion, was reported in 43% of the patients. The median time to onset was 7 days after infusion with a median duration of 6 days. More than half of the patients (64%) had grade 1–2 severity and 34% had grade 3–4. CRS was observed in 80% of all patients. The most frequent neurological symptoms were cognitive signs, being severe in 36%, and were equally distributed between language disorders and cognitive disorders without language impairment. Non-pyramidal motor disorders, severe in 11%, were reported in 42% of the patients. Elevation of C-reactive protein (CRP) within 4 days after treatment was significantly correlated with the occurrence of grade 3–4 neurotoxicity. Although sometimes severe, neurotoxicity was almost always reversible. The efficacy of steroids and antiepileptic drugs remains unproven in the management of neurotoxicity. Neurotoxicity associated with CAR T-cell therapies occurs in more than 40% of patients. The clinical pattern is heterogeneous but cognitive disorders (not limited to language disorders) and, to a minor degree, non-pyramidal motor disorders, appeared as a signature of severe neurotoxicity.
Bone tissue morphology of rat offspring lactationally exposed to polychlorinated biphenyl 169 and 155
Authors: Brankovič Jana , Jan Janja , Fazarinc Gregor , Vrecl Milka 
Published: November 2020

AbstractPolychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are ubiquitous, persistent, organic pollutants also considered endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Our study examined the effects of lactational exposure to nondioxin-like PCB-155 and/or dioxin-like PCB-169 on longitudinal femur growth at the distal epiphyseal growth plate (EGP) in young rats at three different ages [postnatal days (PNDs) 9, 22, and 42]. After delivery, lactating rats were divided into four groups (PCB-169, PCB-155, PCB-155 + 169, and control) and administered PCBs intraperitoneally. The femurs of offspring were used to estimate growth rate (µm/day), and histomorphometric analysis on the distal femur included the thickness of the EGP and zones of proliferation and hypertrophy with calcification. Stereometry was used to determine trabecular bone volume density. In the PCB-169 and PCB-155 + 169 groups, PCB-169 affected longitudinal bone growth in the early postnatal period by interfering with chondrocytes in the EGP zone of proliferation and, to a lesser extent, the zone of hypertrophy. Morphometric alterations in EGP structure diminished until puberty. A slow growth rate persisted in the PCB-169 group until PND 42, while in the PCB-155 group, a fast growth rate between PNDs 9 to 22 was significantly reduced between PNDs 22 to 42. Sterometric assessment showed decreased trabecular bone volume in the PCB-155 + 169 group compared with that in the control on PND 9 and increased in the PCB-169 group compared with that in the PCB-155 group on PND 42. To summarize, studied PCB congeners exerted congener- and age-dependent effects on femur growth rate and its histomorphometric characteristics.
Reproduction and signals regulating worker policing under identical hormonal control in social wasps
Authors: Oi Cintia Akemi , Brown Robert L. , da Silva Rafael Carvalho , Wenseleers Tom 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIn social Hymenoptera, fertility and fertility signalling are often under identical hormonal control, and it has been suggested that such hormonal pleiotropies can help to maintain signal honesty. In the common wasp Vespula vulgaris, for example, fertile queens have much higher juvenile hormone (JH) titers than workers, and JH also controls the production of chemical fertility cues present on the females’ cuticle. To regulate reproductive division of labour, queens use these fertility cues in two distinct ways: as queen pheromones that directly suppress the workers’ reproduction as well as to mark queen eggs and enable the workers to recognize and police eggs laid by other workers. Here, we investigated the hormonal pleiotropy hypothesis by testing if experimental treatment with the JH analogue methoprene could enable the workers to lay eggs that evade policing. In support of this hypothesis, we find that methoprene-treated workers laid more eggs, and that the chemical profiles of their eggs were more queen-like, thereby causing fewer of their eggs to be policed compared to in the control. Overall, our results identify JH as a key regulator of both reproduction and the production of egg marking pheromones that mediate policing behaviour in eusocial wasps.
A prospective observational prevalence study of elevated HbA1c among elective surgical patients
Authors: Teo L. M. , Lim W. Y. , Ke Y. , Sia I. K. L. , Gui C. H. , Abdullah H. R. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractType 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease with high prevalence worldwide. Using glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) as a surrogate for potential pre-DM and DM conditions, our primary objective was to determine the HbA1c epidemiology in non-cardiac elective surgical patients in Singapore. Our secondary aim was to identify risk factors associated with elevated HbA1c. We conducted a prospective, observational single-centre study in adult patients. HbA1c screening was performed. Patient demographics and comorbidities were recorded. Patients were divided into those with HbA1C ≤ 6.0% and HbA1C ≥ 6.1%. Regression analyses were performed to identify associated factors. Subgroup analysis was performed comparing patients with HbA1C ≥ 6.1% and HbA1C ≥ 8.0%. Of the 875 patients recruited, 182 (20.8%) had HbA1c ≥ 6.1%, of which 32 (3.7%) had HbA1c ≥ 8%. HbA1C ≥ 6.1% was associated with Indian ethnicity [1.07 (1.01–1.13), p = 0.023], BMI > 27.5 [1.07 (1.02–1.11), p = 0.002], higher preoperative random serum glucose [1.03 (1.02–1.04), p < 0.001], pre-existing diagnosis of DM [1.85 (1.75–1.96), p < 0.001] and prediabetes [1.44 (1.24–1.67), p < 0.001], and peripheral vascular disease [1.30 (1.10–1.54), p = 0.002]. HbA1c ≥ 8% had an additional association with age > 60 years [0.96 (0.93–0.99), p = 0.017]. The prevalence of elevated HbA1c is high among the surgical population. Targeted preoperative HbA1c screening for at-risk elective surgical patients reduces cost, allowing focused use of healthcare resources.
Efficacy of S-PRG filler containing varnishes on enamel demineralization prevention
Authors: Spinola Manuela da Silva , Moecke Sabrina Elise , Rossi Natália Rivoli , Nakatsuka Toshiyuki , Borges Alessandra Bühler , Torres Carlos Rocha Gomes 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThis study evaluated the efficacy of S-PRG vanishes on preventing enamel demineralization. Bovine enamel specimens were obtained, polished and the baseline Knoop microhardness was evaluated. Specimens were stratified into six groups (n = 15), according to the varnish applied: S10—experimental varnish containing 10% of S-PRG fillers, S20—20% of S-PRG fillers, S30—30% of S-PRG fillers; S40—40% of S-PRG fillers; PC (positive control)—5% of NaF; NC (negative control)—no treatment was performed. Half of enamel surfaces were protected to work as a control and varnishes were applied over the unprotected area. A demineralizing pH-cycling was performed, and surface and cross-sectional microhardness were measured. The percentage of microhardness of the treated area was calculated comparing with the untreated area. Statistical analysis was performed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test (p = 5%). All experimental S-PRG varnishes protected against demineralization in relation to no treatment, but S40 was the most effective on the surface. For all depths, S30 and S40 were superior in enamel demineralization prevention than other S-PRG filler concentrations and 5% NaF. It was concluded that S-RPG filler containing varnishes were effective to prevent enamel demineralization. The higher concentrated products were more effective than 5% sodium fluoride on surface demineralization prevention.
Deep learning classification of early normal-tension glaucoma and glaucoma suspects using Bruch’s membrane opening-minimum rim width and RNFL
Authors: Seo Sat byul , Cho Hyun-kyung 
Published: November 2020

AbstractWe aimed to classify early normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) and glaucoma suspect (GS) using Bruch’s membrane opening-minimum rim width (BMO-MRW), peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and the color classification of RNFL based on a deep-learning model. Discriminating early-stage glaucoma and GS is challenging and a deep-learning model may be helpful to clinicians. NTG accounts for an average 77% of open-angle glaucoma in Asians. BMO-MRW is a new structural parameter that has advantages in assessing neuroretinal rim tissue more accurately than conventional parameters. A dataset consisted of 229 eyes out of 277 GS and 168 eyes of 285 patients with early NTG. A deep-learning algorithm was developed to discriminate between GS and early NTG using a training set, and its accuracy was validated in the testing dataset using the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). The deep neural network model (DNN) achieved highest diagnostic performance, with an AUC of 0.966 (95%confidence interval 0.929–1.000) in classifying either GS or early NTG, while AUCs of 0.927–0.947 were obtained by other machine-learning models. The performance of the DNN model considering all three OCT-based parameters was the highest (AUC 0.966) compared to the combinations of just two parameters. As a single parameter, BMO-MRW (0.959) performed better than RNFL alone (0.914).