bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
BoLA-DRB3 gene haplotypes show divergence in native Sudanese cattle from taurine and indicine breeds
Authors: Salim Bashir , Takeshima Shin-nosuke , Nakao Ryo , Moustafa Mohamed A. M. , Ahmed Mohamed-Khair A. , Kambal Sumaya , Mwacharo Joram M. , Alkhaibari Abeer M. , Giovambattista Guillermo 
Published: August 2021

AbstractAutochthonous Sudanese cattle breeds, namely Baggara for beef and Butana and Kenana for dairy, are characterized by their adaptive characteristics and high performance in hot and dry agro-ecosystems. They are thus used largely by nomadic and semi-nomadic pastoralists. We analyzed the diversity and genetic structure of the BoLA-DRB3 gene, a genetic locus linked to the immune response, for the indigenous cattle of Sudan and in the context of the global cattle repository. Blood samples (n = 225) were taken from three indigenous breeds (Baggara; n = 113, Butana; n = 60 and Kenana; n = 52) distributed across six regions of Sudan. Nucleotide sequences were genotyped using the sequence-based typing method. We describe 53 alleles, including seven novel alleles. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the protein pockets implicated in the antigen-binding function of the MHC complex revealed that pockets 4 and 9 (respectively) differentiate Kenana-Baggara and Kenana-Butana breeds from other breeds. Venn analysis of Sudanese, Southeast Asian, European and American cattle breeds with 115 alleles showed 14 were unique to Sudanese breeds. Gene frequency distributions of Baggara cattle showed an even distribution suggesting balancing selection, while the selection index (ω) revealed the presence of diversifying selection in several amino acid sites along theBoLA-DRB3exon 2 of these native breeds. The results of several PCA were in agreement with clustering patterns observed on the neighbor joining (NJ) trees. These results provide insight into their high survival rate for different tropical diseases and their reproductive capacity in Sudan's harsh environment.
A novel model of care for simplified testing of HBV in African communities during the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain
Authors: Picchio Camila A. , Nomah Daniel K. , Araujo Silvia G. , Rando-Segura Ariadna , Fernández Emma , Buti Maria , Rodríguez-Tajes Sergio , Lens Sabela , Rodríguez-Frías Francisco , Lazarus Jeffrey V. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractChronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major public health threat for migrant populations in Spain and efforts to scale up testing are needed to reach the WHO elimination targets. The Hepatitis B Virus Community Screening and Vaccination in Africans (HBV-COMSAVA) study aims to use point-of-care testing and simplified diagnostic tools to identify, link to care, or vaccinate African migrants in Barcelona during the COVID-19 pandemic. From 21/11/20 to 03/07/2021, 314 study participants were offered HBV screening in a community clinic. Rapid tests for HBsAg screening were used and blood samples were collected with plasma separation cards. Patients received results and were offered: linkage to specialist care; post-test counselling; or HBV vaccination in situ. Sociodemographic and clinical history were collected and descriptive statistics were utilized. 274 patients were included and 210 (76.6%) returned to receive results. The HBsAg prevalence was 9.9% and 33.2% of people had evidence of past resolved infection. Overall, 133 required vaccination, followed by post-test counselling (n = 114), and linkage to a specialist (n = 27). Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, by employing a community-based model of care utilizing novel simplified diagnostic tools, HBV-COMSAVA demonstrated that it was possible to diagnose, link to care, and vaccinate African migrants in community-based settings.
NaV1.5 knockout in iPSCs: a novel approach to study NaV1.5 variants in a human cardiomyocyte environment
Authors: Pierre Marion , Djemai Mohammed , Poulin Hugo , Chahine Mohamed 
Published: August 2021

AbstractCardiomyocytes derived from patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC-CMs) successfully reproduce the mechanisms of several channelopathies. However, this approach involve cell reprogramming from somatic tissue biopsies or genomic editing in healthy iPSCs for every mutation found and to be investigated. We aim to knockout (KO) NaV1.5, the cardiac sodium channel, in a healthy human iPSC line, characterize the model and then, use it to express variants of NaV1.5. We develop a homozygous NaV1.5 KO iPSC line able to differentiate into cardiomyocytes with CRISPR/Cas9 tool. The NaV1.5 KO iPSC-CMs exhibited an organized contractile apparatus, spontaneous contractile activity, and electrophysiological recordings confirmed the major reduction in total Na+ currents. The action potentials (APs) exhibited a reduction in their amplitude and in their maximal rate of rise. Voltage optical mapping recordings revealed that the conduction velocity Ca2+ transient waves propagation velocities were slow. A wild-type (WT) NaV1.5 channel expressed by transient transfection in the KO iPSC-CMs restored Na+ channel expression and AP properties. The expression of NaV1.5/delQKP, a long QT type 3 (LQT3) variant, in the NaV1.5 KO iPSC-CMs showed that dysfunctional Na+ channels exhibited a persistent Na+ current and caused prolonged AP duration that led to arrhythmic events, characteristics of LQT3.
Stability of MRI radiomic features according to various imaging parameters in fast scanned T2-FLAIR for acute ischemic stroke patients
Authors: Joo Leehi , Jung Seung Chai , Lee Hyunna , Park Seo Young , Kim Minjae , Park Ji Eun , Choi Keum Mi 
Published: August 2021

AbstractFrom May 2015 to June 2016, data on 296 patients undergoing 1.5-Tesla MRI for symptoms of acute ischemic stroke were retrospectively collected. Conventional, echo-planar imaging (EPI) and echo train length (ETL)-T2-FLAIR were simultaneously obtained in 118 patients (first group), and conventional, ETL-, and repetition time (TR)-T2-FLAIR were simultaneously obtained in 178 patients (second group). A total of 595 radiomics features were extracted from one region-of-interest (ROI) reflecting the acute and chronic ischemic hyperintensity, and concordance correlation coefficients (CCC) of the radiomics features were calculated between the fast scanned and conventional T2-FLAIR for paired patients (1st group and 2nd group). Stabilities of the radiomics features were compared with the proportions of features with a CCC higher than 0.85, which were considered to be stable in the fast scanned T2-FLAIR. EPI-T2-FLAIR showed higher proportions of stable features than ETL-T2-FLAIR, and TR-T2-FLAIR also showed higher proportions of stable features than ETL-T2-FLAIR, both in acute and chronic ischemic hyperintensities of whole- and intersection masks (p < .002). Radiomics features in fast scanned T2-FLAIR showed variable stabilities according to the sequences compared with conventional T2-FLAIR. Therefore, radiomics features may be used cautiously in applications for feature analysis as their stability and robustness can be variable.
Lifting restrictions on coherence loss when characterizing non-transparent hypersonic phononic crystals
Authors: Rolle Konrad , Yaremkevich Dmytro , Scherbakov Alexey V. , Bayer Manfred , Fytas George 
Published: August 2021

AbstractHypersonic phononic bandgap structures confine acoustic vibrations whose wavelength is commensurate with that of light, and have been studied using either time- or frequency-domain optical spectroscopy. Pulsed pump-probe lasers are the preferred instruments for characterizing periodic multilayer stacks from common vacuum deposition techniques, but the detection mechanism requires the injected sound wave to maintain coherence during propagation. Beyond acoustic Bragg mirrors, frequency-domain studies using a tandem Fabry–Perot interferometer (TFPI) find dispersions of two- and three-dimensional phononic crystals (PnCs) even for highly disordered samples, but with the caveat that PnCs must be transparent. Here, we demonstrate a hybrid technique for overcoming the limitations that time- and frequency-domain approaches exhibit separately. Accordingly, we inject coherent phonons into a non-transparent PnC using a pulsed laser and acquire the acoustic transmission spectrum on a TFPI, where pumped appear alongside spontaneously excited (i.e. incoherent) phonons. Choosing a metallic Bragg mirror for illustration, we determine the bandgap and compare with conventional time-domain spectroscopy, finding resolution of the hybrid approach to match that of a state-of-the-art asynchronous optical sampling setup. Thus, the hybrid pump–probe technique retains key performance features of the established one and going forward will likely be preferred for disordered samples.
Automated computational analysis reveals structural changes in the enteric nervous system of nNOS deficient mice
Authors: Cairns Ben R. , Jevans Benjamin , Chanpong Atchariya , Moulding Dale , McCann Conor J. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractNeuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) neurons play a fundamental role in inhibitory neurotransmission, within the enteric nervous system (ENS), and in the establishment of gut motility patterns. Clinically, loss or disruption of nNOS neurons has been shown in a range of enteric neuropathies. However, the effects of nNOS loss on the composition and structure of the ENS remain poorly understood. The aim of this study was to assess the structural and transcriptional consequences of loss of nNOS neurons within the murine ENS. Expression analysis demonstrated compensatory transcriptional upregulation of pan neuronal and inhibitory neuronal subtype targets within the Nos1−/− colon, compared to control C57BL/6J mice. Conventional confocal imaging; combined with novel machine learning approaches, and automated computational analysis, revealed increased interconnectivity within the Nos1−/− ENS, compared to age-matched control mice, with increases in network density, neural projections and neuronal branching. These findings provide the first direct evidence of structural and molecular remodelling of the ENS, upon loss of nNOS signalling. Further, we demonstrate the utility of machine learning approaches, and automated computational image analysis, in revealing previously undetected; yet potentially clinically relevant, changes in ENS structure which could provide improved understanding of pathological mechanisms across a host of enteric neuropathies.
Machine learning model to predict hypotension after starting continuous renal replacement therapy
Authors: Kang Min Woo , Kim Seonmi , Kim Yong Chul , Kim Dong Ki , Oh Kook-Hwan , Joo Kwon Wook , Kim Yon Su , Han Seung Seok 
Published: August 2021

AbstractHypotension after starting continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is associated with worse outcomes compared with normotension, but it is difficult to predict because several factors have interactive and complex effects on the risk. The present study applied machine learning algorithms to develop models to predict hypotension after initiating CRRT. Among 2349 adult patients who started CRRT due to acute kidney injury, 70% and 30% were randomly assigned into the training and testing sets, respectively. Hypotension was defined as a reduction in mean arterial pressure (MAP) ≥ 20 mmHg from the initial value within 6 h. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROCs) in machine learning models, such as support vector machine (SVM), deep neural network (DNN), light gradient boosting machine (LGBM), and extreme gradient boosting machine (XGB) were compared with those in disease-severity scores such as the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II. The XGB model showed the highest AUROC (0.828 [0.796–0.861]), and the DNN and LGBM models followed with AUROCs of 0.822 (0.789–0.856) and 0.813 (0.780–0.847), respectively; all machine learning AUROC values were higher than those obtained from disease-severity scores (AUROCs < 0.6). Although other definitions of hypotension were used such as a reduction of MAP ≥ 30 mmHg or a reduction occurring within 1 h, the AUROCs of machine learning models were higher than those of disease-severity scores. Machine learning models successfully predict hypotension after starting CRRT and can serve as the basis of systems to predict hypotension before starting CRRT.
Salivary cytokine profile in patients with ischemic stroke
Authors: Maciejczyk Mateusz , Mil Kacper Maksymilian , Gerreth Piotr , Hojan Katarzyna , Zalewska Anna , Gerreth Karolina 
Published: August 2021

AbstractInflammation plays a crucial role in stroke pathogenesis. Thus, it is not surprising that cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors have been advocated in stroke diagnostics. Our study is the first to evaluate the salivary cytokine profile in patients with ischemic stroke. Twenty-five patients with subacute ischemic stroke and an age-, sex-, and oral hygiene status-matched control group were enrolled in the study. The number of patients was set a priori based on our previous experiment (α = 0.05, test power = 0.9). Salivary concentrations of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and interleukin 10 (IL-10) were assessed using an ELISA method. We showed that salivary TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly higher, whereas IL-10 content was statistically lower in both non-stimulated (NWS) and stimulated (SWS) whole saliva of ischemic stroke patients. However, evaluation of cytokines in NWS rather than in SWS may be of greater diagnostic value. Of particular note is salivary TNF-α, which may indicate cognitive/physical impairment in post-stroke individuals. This parameter distinguishes stroke patients from healthy controls and correlates with cognitive decline and severity of functional impairment. It also differentiates (with high sensitivity and specificity) stroke patients with normal cognition from mild to moderate cognitive impairment. Saliva may be an alternative to blood for assessing cytokines in stroke patients, although further studies on a larger patient population are needed.
A study of negative life events driven depressive symptoms and academic engagement in Chinese college students
Authors: Ji Lei , Chen Changfeng , Hou Binyin , Ren Decheng , Yuan Fan , Liu Liangjie , Bi Yan , Guo Zhenming , Yang Fengping , Wu Xi , Li Xingwang , Liu Chuanxin , Zuo Zhen , Zhang Rong , Yi Zhenghui , Xu Yifeng , He Lin , Shi Yi , Yu Tao , He Guang 
Published: August 2021

AbstractNegative life events (NLEs) are an important predictor of depressive symptoms (DS). College students experiencing NLEs are at risk of developing DS that could further weaken their academic engagement (AE), while social supports may assuage such negative effect. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between negative life events, depressive symptoms, and academic engagement, and how the NLE-DS-AE relationship is affected by the level of social support among Chinese college students. To test this hypothesis, we applied data from the Decoding Happiness Gene Cohort Study (DHGCS). Baseline depressive symptoms and academic engagement were measured at the beginning of the first academic year. Approximately 12 months later, negative life events and social support over the past year were assessed retrospectively along with current depressive symptoms and academic engagement. A total of 3629 college students (Age = 18.67 ± 0.82) were included in the study. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 26.7% and 36.7% in college students at the beginning of the first and second academic year, respectively. Depressive symptoms predicted subsequent academic engagement rather than the reverse based on cross-lagged analyses. Using structural equation modeling analyses, findings revealed a partial mediation effect of social support between negative life events and the development of depressive symptoms, and a partial mediation effect between negative life events and academic engagement. The findings presented negative life events jeopardize the academic engagement via depressive symptoms, while social supports are able to cancel such negative effect among college students under the Chinese cultural context.
Bacillus pumilus induced tolerance of Maize (Zea mays L.) against Cadmium (Cd) stress
Authors: Shahzad Asim , Qin Mingzhou , Elahie Mahmood , Naeem Muhammad , Bashir Tasmia , Yasmin Humaira , Younas Muhammad , Areeb Ahsan , Irfan Muhammad , Billah Motsim , Shakoor Abdul , Zulfiqar Saman 
Published: August 2021

AbstractHeavy metals contaminate the soil that alters the properties of soil and negatively affect plants growth. Using microorganism and plant can remove these pollutants from soil. The present investigation was designed to evaluate the induced effect of Bacillus pumilus on maize plant in Cadmium (Cd) contaminated soil. Three different concentrations of Cd (i.e. 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75 mg kg−1) were applied in soil under which maize plants were grown. The germination percentage, shoot length, leaf length, number of leaves, root length, fresh weight and nutrient uptake by maize plant were determined. The experiment was conducted by using complete randomized design (CRD) with three replicates. The result indicated that germination percentage, Shoot length, leaf length, root length, number of leaves, and plant fresh weight were reduced by 37, 39, 39, 32 and 59% respectively at 0.75 mg kg−1 of CdSO4 concentration but when maize seeds inoculated with Bacillus pumilus significantly increased the germination percentage, shoot length, leaf length, number of leaves, plant fresh weight at different concentrations of CdSO4. Moreover, the plant protein were significantly increased by 60% in T6 (0.25 mg kg−1 of CdSO4 + inoculated seed) and Peroxidase dismutase (POD) was also significantly higher by 346% in T6 (0.25 mg kg−1 of CdSO4 + inoculated seed), however, the Superoxide dismutase (SOD) was significantly higher in T5 (0.75 mg kg−1 of CdSO4 + uninoculated seed) and was 769% higher as compared to control. The Cd contents in Bacillus pumilus inoculated maize roots and shoots were decreased. The present investigations indicated that the inoculation of maize plant with Bacillus pumilus can help maize plants to withstand Cd stress but higher concentration of Cd can harm the plant. The Bacillus pumilus has good potential to remediate Cd from soil, and also have potential to reduce the phyto availability and toxicity of Cd.
Visible-light-responsive Z-scheme system for photocatalytic lignocellulose-to-H2 conversion
Authors: Liu Qing-Yu , Wang Hao-Dong , Yuan Yong-Jun , Tang Rui , Bao Liang , Ma Zhanfeng , Zhong Jiasong , Yu Zhen-Tao , Zou Zhigang 
Published: August 2021

A Z-scheme CoTiO3−[Co(bpy)3]3+/[Co(bpy)3]2+-Pt/CdS photocatalytic system was successfully constructed for visible-light-driven photocatalytic H2 production from lignocellulose.
Anti-algal activity of a fluorine-doped titanium oxide photocatalyst against Microcystis aeruginosa and its photocatalytic degradation
Authors: Wei Xuechun , Zhu Hongxiang , Xiong Jianhua , Huang Wenyu , Shi Ji , Wang Shuangfei , Song Hainong , Feng Qilin , Zhong Kai 
Published: August 2021

Fluorine-doped TiO2 was successfully synthesised and applied as algaecide. Studies on algae removal efficiencies and mechanisms illustrated that F-TiO2 was suitable for algae elimination in natural water bodies.
Local energy markets design for integrated distribution energy systems based on the concept of transactive peer‐to‐peer market
Authors: Davoudi Mehdi , Moeini‐Aghtaie Moein 
Published: August 2021

AbstractWith the advent of small‐scale heat and electricity producers in distribution energy systems, the interdependencies between energy carriers have been increased. Moreover, the rapid deployment of micro CHP, electric heat pumps, electricity‐to‐heat appliances etc., calls for new local market frameworks to be employed in distribution energy systems. In response, this paper presents a new energy market framework based on the concept of peer‐to‐peer negotiations to facilitate energy transactions between agents at the distribution level while addressing the interdependencies between different energy carriers. Moreover, linear optimization problems are proposed to investigate the optimal strategies of market participants with various configurations. These optimization problems not only obtain the optimum strategy of agents to participate in the day‐ahead peer‐to‐peer electricity market, the day‐ahead heat market, and gas distribution systems but also obtain their optimal operation scheduling for the entire next day. The numerical results successfully demonstrate the applicability and merits of the proposed market framework.
Au‐TiO2‐ZnO sandwich‐structured composite films with enhanced ultraviolet‐light photocatalytic activity
Authors: Jian Aoqun , Li Wanghao , Wang Meiling , Jia Huaping , Sang Shengbo 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe rapid recombination of photogenerated electron‐hole pairs is one of the main reasons for limiting the photocatalytic efficiency of semiconductor photocatalysts. This paper investigates and analyzes two methods to improve the separation and lifetimes of electron‐hole pairs: semiconductor heterojunction and metal electron sink. As a specific example, an Au‐TiO2‐ZnO composite film with a sandwich structure is prepared. The energy level gradient formed at the TiO2/ZnO heterojunction separates the electron‐hole pairs effectively, and the AuNPs promote the photo‐induced charge transfer. Moreover, a synergistic effect of TiO2/ZnO heterojunction and AuNPs, which can further improve the photocatalytic performance, has been found by the photoelectric performance measurement. The experimental results demonstrate that the UV photocurrent density of the Au‐TiO2‐ZnO composite film is almost 22 times that of the pure TiO2 film. And a similar result has been observed in the UV light degradation of methylene blue. Such Au‐TiO2‐ZnO composite film combining semiconductor heterojunctions and metal electron sink has a potential prospect in the photo‐degradation of organic pollutants.