bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mapping of impaired functional connectivity during memory phases in Alzheimer's disease and its association with cortical β-amyloid
Authors: Li Binyin , Zhang Miao , Ye Guanyu , Zhou Liche , He Guiying , Lin Xiaozhu , Meng Hongping , Huang Xinyun , Hai Wangxi , Chen Shengdi , Li Biao , Liu Jun 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Amnesia in Alzheimer's disease (AD) could be due to disrupted encoding, consolidation dysfunction, or an impairment in the retrieval of stored memory information. The different memory phases relate with different parts of functional brain systems. Methods: We combine task functional magnetic resonance imaging and amyloid positron emission tomography in 72 participants (36 AD and 36 controls), to investigate the relationship between memory performance, memory phase-locked functional connectivity, and cortical β-amyloid deposition.Results: We found that AD was mainly characterized by decreased functional connectivity in a new data-driven Network composed of regions from default mode network, limbic network and frontoparietal network during the memory maintenance and retrieval phase. Within the Network, AD had more regions with reduced connectivity during the retrieval phase than other phases, locating mainly in the medial prefrontal cortex, posterior cingulate cortex, middle temporal and inferior parietal cortex of left hemisphere. Furthermore, functional connectivity in the Network related to memory performance. Crucially, the magnitude of the Network connectivity reduction during retrieval negatively correlated with mean cortical β-amyloid, and this relationship mediated the relationship between cortical β-amyloid and memory performance.Conclusions: Our findings show that memory deficiency in AD relates with decreased connectivity in specific network and cortical β-amyloid only during retrieval phase. These findings help to map impaired functional connectivity during memory phases and explain the relationship between memory deficiency and cortical β-amyloid.
Pluripotency and Immunomodulatory Signatures of Canine Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Are Similar to Harvested Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Authors: Shahsavari Arash , Weeratunga Prasanna , Ovchinnikov Dmitry A. , Whitworth Deanne 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: With a view towards harnessing the therapeutic potential of canine mesenchymal stromal cells (cMSCs) as modulators of inflammation and the immune response, and to avoid the issues of the variable quality and quantity of harvested cMSCs, we examined the immunomodulatory properties of cMSCs derived from canine induced pluripotent stem cells (ciMSCs), and compared them to cMSCsharvested from adipose tissue (cAT-MSC) and bone marrow (cBM-MSC).Methods and results: Deep sequencing of the ciMSC transcriptome confirmed that ciMSCsexpress more genes in common with cBM-MSCsthan with the ciPSCs from which they were derived. Both ciMSCs and cBM-MSCsexpress a range of pluripotency factors in common withthe ciPSCsincluding NANOG, POU5F1 (OCT-4), SOX-2, KLF-4, LIN-28A, MYC, LIF, LIFR, and TERT. However, ESRRB and PRDM-14, both factors associated with naïve, rather than primed, pluripotency were expressed only in the ciPSCs. LOXL-2, which is involved in epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), is also expressed in ciMSCs and cBM-MSCs but notciPSCs. ciMSCsconstitutively express the immunomodulatory factors iNOS, GAL-9, TGF-β1, PTGER-2αand VEGF, and the pro-inflammatory mediators COX-2,IL-1βand IL-8.When stimulated with the canine pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (cTNF-α), interferon-γ (cIFN-γ), or a combination of both, ciMSCsupregulated their expression ofIDO,iNOS, GAL-9,HGF, TGF-β1, PTGER-2α, VEGF, COX-2, IL-1β andIL-8.When co-cultured with mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes, ciMSCsdownregulated their expression of iNOS, HGF, TGF-β1andPTGER-2α, while increasing their expression of COX-2, IDO and IL-1β. Conclusions: Taken together, these findings suggest that ciMSCs possess similar immunomodulatory capabilities as harvested cMSCs and support further investigation into the potential use ofciMSCsfor the management of canine immune-mediated and inflammatory disorders.
Spatial Scale of Geomagnetic Pc5/pi3 Pulsations as a Factor of Their Efficiency in Generation of Geomagnetically Induced Currents
Authors: Yagova Nadezda V. , Pilipenko Vyacheslav , Sakharov Yaroslav , Selivanov Vasily 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) in a meridional power transmission line at the Kola Peninsula are analyzed during the intervals of Pc5/Pi3 (frequency range from 1.5 to 5 mHz) pulsation activity observed at the IMAGE magnetometer network. We have analyzed GIC in a transformer at the terminal station Vykhodnoj (68◦N, 33◦E) during the entire year of 2015, near the maximum of 24-th Solar cycle. To quantify the efficiency of GIC generation by a geomagnetic pulsation, a ratio between power spectral densities of GIC and magnetic field variations is introduced. Upon examination of the efficiency of geomagnetic pulsations in GIC generation, the emphasis is given to its dependence on frequency and spatial scale. To estimate pulsation spatial scales in latitudinal and longitudinal directions, the triangle of stations KEV-SOD-KIL has been used. Large-scale pulsations along the electric power line (with a high spectral coherence, low phase difference, and similar amplitudes) are found to be more effective in GIC generation than small-scale pulsations. The accuracy of GIC prediction also depends on the pulsation scale transversal to the electric power line.
Spatio-temporal Characteristics of Frictional Properties on the Subducting Pacific Plate Off the East of Tohoku District, Japan Estimated from Stress Drops of Small Earthquakes
Authors: Yamada Takuji , Duan Meitong , Kawahara Jun 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
The east coast of the Tohoku district, Japan has a high seismicity, including aftershocks of the 2011 M9 Tohoku earthquake. We analyzed 1142 earthquakes with $4.4 \le M_{W} \le 5.0$ that occurred in 2003 through 2018 and obtained spatio-temporal pattern of stress drop on the Pacific Plate that subducts beneath the Okhotsk Plate. Here we show that small earthquakes at edges of a region with a large slip during the 2011 Tohoku earthquake had high values of stress drop, indicating that the areas had a high frictional strength and suppressed the coseismic slip of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. In addition, stress drops of small earthquakes in some of the areas likely decreased after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. This indicates that the frictional strength decreased at the areas due to the following aftershocks of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, consistent with a high aftershock activity. This also supports that the frictional properties on a subducting plate interface can be monitored by stress drops of small earthquakes, as pointed out by some previous studies.
Fast Hypothermia Induced by Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy Alleviates Renal and Intestinal Injury After Cardiac Arrest in Swine
Authors: Xu Jiefeng , Shi Lin , Wang Jiangang , Wu Chunshuang , Chen Qijiang , Jin Xiaohong , Zhang Jungen , Zhang Mao 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Renaland intestinal damagelead tomultiple organ dysfunction and death after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and can be partly mitigated by therapeutic hypothermia. Currently, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) was demonstrated to be an effectiveway to induce hypothermia. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the influence of CRRT cooling on renal and intestinal damage after CPR based on a porcine model.Methods: 32swine were subjected to ventricular fibrillation for 8 min, while defibrillation was performed at 5 min of CPR. All pigs were randomly allocated to receive CRRT (n = 9), surface cooling (SC, n = 9), normothermia (NT, n = 9) or sham control (Control, n = 5)at 5 min post resuscitation. In the CRRT group, the pigs werecooled by the combination of8-hr CRRT and16-hr SC,a rate of 180 ml/min of blood flow was initially set with the infusion line submerged in 4 °C of ice water. In the SC group, pigs were cooled by the 24-hr SC.As to theNT and Controlgroups, thetemperatures were maintained at a normal range. The levels of creatinine (Cr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), intestinal fatty acid binding protein (IFABP) and diamine oxidase (DAO) in serum were measured at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24and30h post resuscitation. Additionally, tissues of kidney and intestine were harvested, from which the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and theapoptosis levels were analyzed.Results:After resuscitation, the blood temperature decreasedsignificantlymore rapidlyin the CRRT group than in the SC group (9.8±1.6vs. 1.5±0.4 ℃/h, P <0.01). The levels of Cr, BUN, IFABP and DAOafter resuscitation were significantly lower in the two hypothermic groupscompared with the NT group. Furthermore, from pathological evidence, cooling induced by CRRTalleviated post-resuscitation renaland intestinal injury compared to SC.Conclusion:Fast hypothermia induced by continuous renal replacement therapy was superior to surface cooling in mitigating renal and intestinal injury post resuscitation.
The role of the metabolic parameters of pre-treatment 18F-FDG PET/CT in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer
Authors: Wang Dunhuang , Liu Xiaoliang , Wang Weiping , Huo Li , Pan Qingqing , Ren Xue , Zhang Fuquan , Hu Ke 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the role of the pre-treatment metabolic parameters of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) treated with definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) or radiotherapy.
Methods
Patients with LACC who underwent pre-treatment 18F-FDG PET/CT examination and definitive CCRT or radiotherapy between February 2010 and December 2015 in our institute were enrolled. For each patient, the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), mean standardized uptake value (SUVmean), metabolic tumour volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) of the primary tumour were measured. The survival outcomes were calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox proportional hazards models were used for univariate and multivariate analyses.
Results
A total of 125 patients were finally included in this study. The median follow-up duration was 62 months (range, 4-114 months). The 5-year overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), local control (LC) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) rates were 83.6%, 75.1%, 92.3% and 79.9%, respectively. Univariate analysis indicated that MTV ≥ 18.3 cm3 showed worse OS and DMFS; however, no significant differences were identified for OS and DMFS in multivariate analyses. TLG ≥ 113.4 implied worse DFS and DMFS. In multivariate analysis, TLG ≥ 113.4 was an independent predictive factor for OS, DFS and DMFS. SUVmax and SUVmean had no significant influence on OS, DFS, LC or DMFS in either univariate or multivariate analysis.
Conclusion
Pre-treatment TLG ≥ 113.4 was associated with a high incidence of disease recurrence and poor OS in patients with LACC.
The Effect of Strict State Measures on the Epidemiologic Curve of Covid-19 Infection in the Context of a Developing Country: A Simulation From Jordan
Authors: Kheirallah Khalid A. , Alsinglawi Belal , Alzoubi Abdallah , Saidan Motasem N. , Mubin Omar , Alorjani Mohammed S. , Mzyak Fawaz 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: COVID-19 has posed an unprecedented global public health threat and caused a significant number of severe cases that necessitated long hospitalization and overwhelmed the health services in most affected countries. In response, the governments initiated a series of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) that led to severe economic and social impacts. The effect of these intervention measures on the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic are not well investigated within developing countries settings. This study simulated the trajectories of COVID-19 epidemic curve Jordan and assessed the effect of Jordan’s strict NPI measures on the spread of COVID-19. Methods: A modified Susceptible, Exposed, Infected, and Recovered (SEIR) epidemic model was utilized. The compartments in the proposed model categorized Jordan population into six deterministic compartments; Suspected, Exposed, Infectious Pre-symptomatic, Infectious with Mild Symptoms, Infectious with Moderate to Severe Symptoms, and Recovered. GLEAMviz client simulator was used to run the simulation model. Epidemic curves were plotted for estimated COVID-19 cases in the simulation model, and compared against the reported cases. Results: The simulation model estimated the highest number of total daily new COVID-19 cases, in the pre-symptomatic compartmental state, to be 65 cases, with an epidemic curve growing to its peak in 49 days and terminating in a duration of 83 days, and a total number of simulated cumulative case count of 1,048 cases. The curve representing the number of actual reported cases in Jordan showed a good pattern compatibility to that in the mild and moderate to severe compartmental states. Reproduction number under the NPIs was reduced from 5.6 to less than one. Conclusion: NPIs in Jordan were effective in controlling the COVID-19 epidemic and reducing the reproduction rate. Early strict intervention measures showed evidence of containing and suppressing the disease.
Sensory Experiences and Cues among E-Cigarette Users
Authors: Piazza Jennifer Di , Caponnetto Pasquale , Askin Gulce , Christos Paul , Maglia Marilena , Gautam Richa , Roche Samantha , Polosa Riccardo 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background and AimsWe characterized the extent and quality of respiratory sensations and sensory related smoking cues associated with e-cigarette use among those who failed to quit combustible tobacco cigarette (CTC) use with traditional FDA approved medications but succeeded in doing so with e-cigarettes. Further, we sought to understand former smokers’ perceptions about the influence of sensory experience with e-cigarette use on CTC cessation outcomes.MethodsA nonrandom purposive sample of 156 participants recruited in the U.S. through the Consumer Advocates for Smoke Free Alternatives Association Facebook page completed an online cross-sectional survey to assess sensory experiences and smoking cues associated with e-cigarette use. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and the ANOVA/Kruskal-Wallis test with post-hoc testing and the two-sample t-test/Wilcoxon rank-sum test, as appropriate based on distribution, were used to assess the association between sample characteristics and sensory experiences and cues using investigator constructed questions, the Modified Cigarette Evaluation Questionnaire (mCEQ) and the Smoking Cue Appeal Survey (SCAS).ResultsWith e-cigarette use, participants reported feeling the vapor in their throats, windpipes, noses, lungs, and on their tongues; reductions in nicotine craving; and enjoyment of their e-cigarette, including tasting, smelling, and seeing the vapor and touching the device. Women had greater craving reduction than men (p=0.023). Those who began smoking at 13 years of age or younger had more smoking satisfaction and had greater sensory enjoyment than those who began smoking at 16-17 years of age (p=0.015 and p=0.026, respectively), as well as greater sensory enjoyment than those who began smoking at 14-15 years of age (p=0.047). There was a significant overall association between the number of years a respondent smoked and e-cigarette sensory enjoyment (p=0.038). Participants 18-34 years old rated e-cigarettes as being more pleasant compared to 45+ year olds, (p=0.012). Eighty four percent of participants reported the sensation of the vapor as important in quitting CTCs, and 91% believed the sensations accompanying e-cigarette use contributed to their smoking cessation success.ConclusionsFor those who failed to quit previously using approved cessation medications to stop smoking cigarettes, sensory experiences associated with e-cigarette use may help smokers quit smoking.
The Anti-fibrotic Effect of Human Fetal Skin-derived Stem Cell Secretome on the Liver Fibrosis
Authors: Yao Xia , Wang Jing , Zhu Jiajing , Rong Xiaoli 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Liver fibrosis resulting from chronic liver injury is one of the major causes of mortality worldwide. Stem cells-secreted secretome has been evaluated for overcoming the limitations of cell-based therapy in hepatic disease, while maintaining its advantages.Methods: In this study, we investigated the effect ofhuman fetal skin-derived stem cells (hFFSCs) secretome in the treatment of liver fibrosis. To determine the therapeutic potential of the hFFSCssecretome in liver fibrosis, we established the CCl4-induced rat liver fibrosis model, and administered hFFSCssecretome in vivo. Moreover, we investigated the anti-fibrotic mechanism of hFFSCssecretome in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).Results: Our results showed that hFFSCssecretomeffectively reduced collagen content in liver, improved the liver function and promoted liver regeneration. Interestingly, we also found thathFFSCssecretom reduced liver fibrosis through suppressing the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. In addition, we found that hFSSCsecretom inhibited the TGF-β1, Smad2, Smad3, and Collagen I expression, however, increased Smad7 expression.Conclusions: In conclusions, our results suggest that hFFSCssecretome treatment could reduce CCl4-induced liver fibrosis via regulating the TGF-β/Smad signal pathway.
The effect of microbiota-based investigational drug RBX2660 on the gut microbiome and resistome revealed by a placebo-controlled clinical trial
Authors: Kwak Suryang , Choi JooHee , Hink Tiffany , Reske Kimberly A. , Blount Kenneth , Jones Courtney , Bost Margaret H. , Sun Xiaoqing , Burnham Carey-Ann D. , Dubberke Erik R. , Dantas Gautam 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background.
Intestinal microbiota restoration can be achieved by replacing a subject’s perturbed microbiota with that of a healthy donor. Recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (rCDI) is one key application of such treatment. Another emerging application of interest is depletion of antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) and organisms (AROs). In this study, we investigated fecal specimens from a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2b study of microbiota-based investigational drug RBX2660. Patients were administered either placebo, 1 dose of RBX2660 and 1 placebo, or 2 doses of RBX2660 via enema and longitudinally tracked for changes in their microbiome and antibiotic resistome.
Results.
All patients exhibited significant recovery of gut microbiome diversity and a decrease of ARG abundance during the first 7 days post-treatment. However, the microbiome and resistome shifts towards healthier configurations were more significant and longer-lasting in RBX2660 recipients compared to placebo. We quantified microbiome and resistome modification by RBX2660 using a novel ‘transplantation index’ metric. We identified taxonomic and metabolic features distinguishing the baseline microbiome of non-transplanted patients and taxa specifically enriched during the process of transplantation. We elucidated the correlation between resistome and taxonomic transplantations and post-treatment dynamics of patient-specific and RBX2660-specific ARGs. Whole genome sequencing of AROs cultured from RBX2660 product and patient samples indicate ARO eradication in patients via RBX2660 administration, but also, to a lesser extent, introduction of RBX2660-derived AROs.
Conclusions.
Through shotgun metagenomic sequencing, we elucidated the effects of RBX2660 in the microbiome and resistome. Antibiotic discontinuation alone resulted in significant recovery of gut microbial diversity and reduced ARG abundance, but RBX2660 administration more rapidly and completely changed the composition of patients’ microbiome, resistome, and ARO colonization by transplanting RBX2660 microbiota into the recipients. Although ARGs and AROs were transmitted through RBX2660, the resistome post-RBX2660 more closely resembled that of the administered product—a proxy for the donor—than an antibiotic perturbed state.
Rural community water management through directional tunnelling: visual modelling of rainwater harvesting system
Authors: Raya Raghavendra Kumar , Gupta Rajiv 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Rainwater, a prominent source of water, needs to be properly harvested for better utilisation during water unavailable circumstances. Creating rainwater storage structures is an important aspect in the planning of water resources as it serves for future water usage and consumption. Advancements in rainwater storage structures are not happening on a large scale. Most of the structures are limited to individual household rainwater collection. Innovations and advanced technology applications must address rainwater storage functioning for a community. This research work proposes an innovative method called directional tunnelling for the activity of rainwater harvesting and its management for a small community in a rural area. Initially, rainwater is harvested in multiple individual household tanks, and later the excess of water from the corresponding tanks is subsequently collected in a community tank named as directional tunnel. All the details related to rural community water management have been discussed as well as highlighted by visual modelling using Building Information Modelling (BIM) tools. The current research work is intended on the rural aspect; therefore, the directional tunnel's practical execution and results are portrayed in a better manner through a case study at a village in Rajasthan, India.
Moxifloxacin-Loaded Lipidic Nanoparticles for Antimicrobial Efficacy
Authors: Darvishi Mohammad , Farahani Shahrzad , Haeri Azadeh 
Published: July 2020

Background:Pulmonary infections are an increasing problem in individuals and current therapies are lacking. Liposomes are spherical lipidic vesicles composed of phospholipid and cholesterol. Liposomes have numerous advantages, such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, non-immunogenicity, lack of toxicity, controlled release properties and high stability.Objective:This work was carried out to construct a novel liposomal moxifloxacin formulation and examine its antimicrobial effects against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.Methods:he liposomal moxifloxacin formulation was prepared by the thin-film hydration method. The bilayer was composed of cholesterol and phospholipid at 30:70 molar ratio. To prepare cationic liposomes, 5% cationic agent (CTAB) was added. The liposomes were reduced in size with the bath sonication technique. The liposomal characterizations were tested regarding vesicle size, surface charge and drug encapsulation efficacy. Microdilution method was used to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus of the free drug, neutral and cationic moxifloxacin liposomes.Results:The size of the liposomes was 50-70 nm. The zeta potential of neutral and cationic vesicles was ∼0 and +22 mV. The MIC values against Pseudomonas aeruginosa of the free drug, neutral and cationic moxifloxacin liposomes were 10, 5 and 2.5, respectively. The MICs against Staphylococcus aureus of the free drug, neutral and cationic moxifloxacin liposomes were 1, 1 and 0.5, respectively.Conclusion:This study demonstrates that the encapsulation of moxifloxacin into liposomes (especially cationic vesicles) could enhance antimicrobial properties.