bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors associated with baseline mortality in Norwegian Atlantic salmon farming
Authors: Oliveira Victor H. S. , Dean Katharine R. , Qviller Lars , Kirkeby Carsten , Bang Jensen Britt 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIn 2019, it was estimated that more than 50 million captive Atlantic salmon in Norway died in the final stage of their production in marine cages. This mortality represents a significant economic loss for producers and a need to improve welfare for farmed salmon. Single adverse events, such as algal blooms or infectious disease outbreaks, can explain mass mortality in salmon cages. However, little is known about the production, health, or environmental factors that contribute to their baseline mortality during the sea phase. Here we conducted a retrospective study including 1627 Atlantic salmon cohorts put to sea in 2014–2019. We found that sea lice treatments were associated with Atlantic salmon mortality. In particular, the trend towards non-medicinal sea lice treatments, including thermal delousing, increases Atlantic salmon mortality in the same month the treatment is applied. There were differences in mortality among production zones. Stocking month and weight were other important factors, with the lowest mortality in smaller salmon stocked in August–October. Sea surface temperature and salinity also influenced Atlantic salmon mortality. Knowledge of what affects baseline mortality in Norwegian aquaculture can be used as part of syndromic surveillance and to inform salmon producers on farming practices that can reduce mortality.
Metamaterials for simultaneous acoustic and elastic bandgaps
Authors: Elmadih Waiel , Chronopoulos Dimitrios , Zhu Jian 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIn this work, we present a single low-profile metamaterial that provides bandgaps of acoustic and elastic waves at the same time. This was done by ensuring impedance mismatch in two different domains, the fluid domain where the acoustic waves propagate and the solid domain where the elastic waves propagate. Through creatively designing the metamaterial, waves of certain nature and frequencies of interest were completely blocked in the solid and fluid domains simultaneously. The simulation results showed bandgaps with acoustic waves attenuation below 5 kHz and elastic waves attenuation below 10 kHz. The acoustic and elastic dispersion curves of the metamaterials were calculated for various designs with various diameters and neck lengths, and the bandgaps were calculated. These parameters can be used as means for tuning both the acoustic and elastic bandgaps. A representative design of the metamaterial was manufactured on a laser powder bed fusion system and the dynamic performance was measured at various points. The measurements were carried out using a dynamic shaker setup and the dynamic performance was in good agreement with the numerical modelling results. Such metamaterials can be used for simultaneous acoustic and elastic attenuation, as well as saving in space and material consumption, in various fields including building construction, automobile, aerospace and rocket design.
The effect of eligibility for antiretroviral therapy on body mass index and blood pressure in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Authors: Kuber Aditi , Reuter Anna , Geldsetzer Pascal , Chimbindi Natsayi , Moshabela Mosa , Tanser Frank , Bärnighausen Till , Vollmer Sebastian 
Published: July 2021

AbstractWe use a regression discontinuity design to estimate the causal effect of antiretroviral therapy (ART) eligibility according to national treatment guidelines of South Africa on two risk factors for cardiovascular disease, body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure. We combine survey data collected in 2010 in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, with clinical data on ART. We find that early ART eligibility significantly reduces systolic and diastolic blood pressure. We do not find any significant effects on BMI. The effect on blood pressure can be detected up to three years after becoming eligible for ART.
Rate of decline in kidney function and known age-of-onset or duration of type 2 diabetes
Authors: Buyadaa Oyunchimeg , Salim Agus , Morton Jedidiah I. , Magliano Dianna J. , Shaw Jonathan E. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe association between rate of kidney function decline and age-of-onset or duration of diabetes has not been well investigated. We aimed to examine whether rates of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline differ by age-of-onset or duration in people with type 2 diabetes. Using the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes study which included those with HbA1c ≥ 7.5% and who were at high risk of cardiovascular events,, rates of eGFR decline were calculated and were compared among groups defined by the known age-of-onset (0–39, 40–49, 50–59, 60–69 and > 70 years) and 5-year diabetes duration intervals. Changes in renal function were evaluated using median of 6 (interquartile range 3–10) eGFR measurements per person. eGFR decline was the slowest in those with known age-at-diagnosis of 50–59 years or those with duration of diabetes < 5 years. The rates of eGFR decline were significantly greater in those with known age-of-onset < 40 years or those with duration of diabetes > 20 years compared to those diagnosed at 50–59 or those with duration of diabetes < 5 years (− 1.98 vs − 1.61 mL/min/year; − 1.82 vs − 1.52 mL/min/year; respectively (p < 0.001). Those with youngest age-of-onset or longer duration of diabetes had more rapid declines in eGFR compared to those diagnosed at middle age or those with shorter duration of diabetes.
Circulating miRNome of Trachemys scripta after elective gonadectomy under general anesthesia
Authors: Bardi Edoardo , Brizzola Stefano , Ravasio Giuliano , Romussi Stefano , Dall’Ara Paola , Zamarian Valentina , Arigoni Maddalena , Calogero Raffaele Adolfo , Lecchi Cristina 
Published: July 2021

AbstractPost-surgical management is an important issue in veterinary medicine, requiring biomarkers with high sensitivity and specificity for timely and effective treatment. Emerging evidence suggests that miRNAs are promising stress- and pain-related markers. The aims were to profile the circulating miRNA signature in plasma of turtles (Trachemysscripta) and point out potential candidate biomarkers to assess the status of the animal. The plasma of female turtles underwent surgical gonadectomy were collected 24 h pre-surgery, and 2.5 h and 36 h post-surgery. The expression of miRNAs was profiled by Next Generation Sequencing and the dysregulated miRNAs were validated using RT-qPCR. The diagnostic value of miRNAs was calculated by ROC curves. The results showed that 14 miRNAs were differentially expressed over time. RT-qPCR validation highlighted that 2-miR-499-3p and miR-203-5p-out of 8 miRNAs tested were effectively modulated. The Area Under the Curve (AUC) of miR-203-5p was fair (AUC 0.7934) in discriminating pre- and 36 h post-surgery samples and poor for other time points; the AUC of miR-499-3p was excellent (AUC 0.944) in discriminating pre-surgery and 2.5 h post-surgery samples, and fair in discriminating pre-surgery and 36 h post-surgery (AUC 0.7292) and 2.5 h and 36 h post-surgery (AUC 0.7569) samples. In conclusion, we demonstrated for the first time that miRNAs profile changes in plasma of turtles underwent surgical oophorectomy and identified miR-203-5p and miR-499-3p as potential candidate biomarkers to assess animals' status. Further studies are necessary to confirm their diagnostic value and to investigate functional and mechanistic networks to improve our understanding of the biological processes.
Understanding small Chinese cities as COVID-19 hotspots with an urban epidemic hazard index
Authors: Li Tianyi , Luo Jiawen , Huang Cunrui 
Published: July 2021

AbstractMultiple small- to middle-scale cities, mostly located in northern China, became epidemic hotspots during the second wave of the spread of COVID-19 in early 2021. Despite qualitative discussions of potential social-economic causes, it remains unclear how this unordinary pattern could be substantiated with quantitative explanations. Through the development of an urban epidemic hazard index (EpiRank) for Chinese prefectural districts, we came up with a mathematical explanation for this phenomenon. The index is constructed via epidemic simulations on a multi-layer transportation network interconnecting local SEIR transmission dynamics, which characterizes intra- and inter-city population flow with a granular mathematical description. Essentially, we argue that these highlighted small towns possess greater epidemic hazards due to the combined effect of large local population and small inter-city transportation. The ratio of total population to population outflow could serve as an alternative city-specific indicator of such hazards, but its effectiveness is not as good as EpiRank, where contributions from other cities in determining a specific city’s epidemic hazard are captured via the network approach. Population alone and city GDP are not valid signals for this indication. The proposed index is applicable to different epidemic settings and can be useful for the risk assessment and response planning of urban epidemic hazards in China. The model framework is modularized and the analysis can be extended to other nations.
Meta-regression of randomized control trials with antithrombotics: weak correlation between net clinical benefit and all cause-mortality
Authors: Kilo Roubi , Laporte Silvy , Arab Rama , Mainbourg Sabine , Provencher Steeve , Grenet Guillaume , Bertoletti Laurent , Villeneuve Laurent , Cucherat Michel , Lega Jean-Christophe ,   META-EMBOL Group
Published: July 2021

AbstractThis study aimed to explore the validity of the use of the net clinical benefit (NCB), i.e. the sum of major bleeding and thrombotic events, as a potential surrogate for all-cause mortality in clinical trials assessing antithrombotics. Published randomized controlled trials testing anticoagulants in the prevention or treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) were systematically reviewed. The validity of NCB as a surrogate endpoint was estimated by calculating the strength of correlation of determination (R2) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) between the relative risks of NCB and all-cause mortality. Amongst the 125 trials retrieved, the highest R2trial values were estimated for NVAF (R2trial = 0.41, 95% CI [0.03; 0.48]), and acute VTE (R2trial = 0.30, 95% CI [0.04; 0.84]). Conversely, the NCB did not correlate with all-cause mortality in prevention studies with medical (R2trial = 0.12, 95% CI [0.00; 0.36]), surgical (R2trial = 0.05, 95% CI [0.00; 0.23]), and cancer patients (R2trial = 0.006, 95% CI [0.00; 1.00]). A weak correlation between NCB and all cause-mortality was found in NVAF and acute VTE, whereas no correlation was observed in clinical situations where the mortality rate was low. Consequently, NCB should not be considered a surrogate outcome for all cause-mortality in anticoagulation trials.
Single-cell transcriptomic profile of human pulmonary artery endothelial cells in health and pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Asosingh Kewal , Comhair Suzy , Mavrakis Lori , Xu Weiling , Horton Dean , Taylor Ian , Tkachenko Svyatoslav , Hu Bo , Erzurum Serpil 
Published: July 2021

AbstractPulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is an insidious disease characterized by severe remodeling of the pulmonary vasculature caused in part by pathologic changes of endothelial cell functions. Although heterogeneity of endothelial cells across various vascular beds is well known, the diversity among endothelial cells in the healthy pulmonary vascular bed and the pathologic diversity among pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (PAEC) in PAH is unknown and previously unexplored. Here single-cell RNA sequencing technology was used to decipher the cellular heterogeneity among PAEC in the human pulmonary arteries isolated from explanted lungs from three patients with PAH undergoing lung transplantation and three healthy donor lungs not utilized for transplantation. Datasets of 36,368 PAH individual endothelial cells and 36,086 healthy cells were analyzed using the SeqGeq bioinformatics program. Total population differential gene expression analyses identified 629 differentially expressed genes between PAH and controls. Gene Ontology and Canonical Ingenuity analysis revealed pathways that are known to be involved in pathogenesis, as well as unique new pathways. At the individual cell level, dimensionality reduction followed by density based clustering revealed the presence of eight unique PAEC clusters that were typified by proliferative, angiogenic or quiescent phenotypes. While control and PAH harbored many similar subgroups of endothelial cells, PAH had greater proportions of angiogenic and proliferative subsets. These findings identify that only specific subgroups of PAH PAEC have gene expression different than healthy PAEC, and suggest these subpopulations lead to the pathologic functions leading to remodeling.
A Cdk4/6-dependent phosphorylation gradient regulates the early to late G1 phase transition
Authors: Kaulich Manuel , Link Verena M. , Lapek John D. , Lee Yeon J. , Glass Christopher K. , Gonzalez David J. , Dowdy Steven F. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractDuring early G1 phase, Rb is exclusively mono-phosphorylated by cyclin D:Cdk4/6, generating 14 different isoforms with specific binding patterns to E2Fs and other cellular protein targets. While mono-phosphorylated Rb is dispensable for early G1 phase progression, interfering with cyclin D:Cdk4/6 kinase activity prevents G1 phase progression, questioning the role of cyclin D:Cdk4/6 in Rb inactivation. To dissect the molecular functions of cyclin D:Cdk4/6 during cell cycle entry, we generated a single cell reporter for Cdk2 activation, RB inactivation and cell cycle entry by CRISPR/Cas9 tagging endogenous p27 with mCherry. Through single cell tracing of Cdk4i cells, we identified a time-sensitive early G1 phase specific Cdk4/6-dependent phosphorylation gradient that regulates cell cycle entry timing and resides between serum-sensing and cyclin E:Cdk2 activation. To reveal the substrate identity of the Cdk4/6 phosphorylation gradient, we performed whole proteomic and phospho-proteomic mass spectrometry, and identified 147 proteins and 82 phospho-peptides that significantly changed due to Cdk4 inhibition in early G1 phase. In summary, we identified novel (non-Rb) cyclin D:Cdk4/6 substrates that connects early G1 phase functions with cyclin E:Cdk2 activation and Rb inactivation by hyper-phosphorylation.
Dynamics of inhaled corticosteroid use are associated with asthma attacks
Authors: Lee Joy , Huvanandana Jacqueline , Foster Juliet M. , Reddel Helen K. , Abramson Michael J. , Thamrin Cindy , Hew Mark 
Published: July 2021

AbstractInhaled corticosteroids (ICS) suppress eosinophilic airway inflammation in asthma, but patients may not adhere to prescribed use. Mean adherence—averaging total doses taken over prescribed—fails to capture many aspects of adherence. Patients with difficult-to-treat asthma underwent electronic monitoring of ICS, with data collected over 50 days. These were used to calculate entropy (H) a measure of irregular inhaler use over this period, defined in terms of transitional probabilities between different levels of adherence, further partitioned into increasing (Hinc) or decreasing (Hdec) adherence. Mean adherence, time between actuations (Gapmax), and cumulative time- and dose-based variability (area-under-the-curve) were measured. Associations between adherence metrics and 6-month asthma status and attacks were assessed. Only H and Hdec were associated with poor baseline status and 6-month outcomes: H and Hdec correlated negatively with baseline quality of life (H:Spearman rS = − 0·330, p = 0·019, Hdec:rS = − 0·385, p = 0·006) and symptom control (H:rS = − 0·288, p = 0·041, Hdec: rS = − 0·351, p = 0·012). H was associated with subsequent asthma attacks requiring hospitalisation (Wilcoxon Z-statistic = − 2.34, p = 0·019), and Hdec with subsequent asthma attacks of other severities. Significant associations were maintained in multivariable analyses, except when adjusted for blood eosinophils. Entropy analysis may provide insight into adherence behavior, and guide assessment and improvement of adherence in uncontrolled asthma.
Choroidal shift in myopic eyes in the 10-year follow-up Beijing eye study
Authors: Jonas Jost B. , Yan Yan Ni , Zhang Qi , Jonas Rahul A. , Wang Ya Xing 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe aim of the study was to assess longitudinal changes in the spatial relationship of the choroidal vasculature to retinal vasculature in myopic eyes. In the population-based longitudinal Beijing Eye Study in 2001/2011, we examined all highly myopic eyes with assessable fundus photographs and a randomized group of non-highly myopic. Using fundus photographs, we qualitatively assessed changes in the location of major choroidal vessels in relationship to retinal vessels. The study consisted of 85 highly myopic eyes (58 participants;age:64.8 ± 9.4 years) and 85 randomly selected non-highly myopic eyes. A choroidal shift in relationship to the retinal vessels was detected more often in the highly myopic group than the non-highly myopic group (47/85 (55%) vs 6/85 (7%); P < 0.001). In the highly myopic group, the choroidal vessel shift occurring on the disc-fovea line in 39 (44%) eyes, was similar to, or smaller than, the enlargement in gamma zone width in 26 (67%) eyes and in 11 (28%) eyes respectively. The choroidal vessel shift was larger (P = 0.002) in eyes without choroidal vessels in gamma zone than in eyes with large choroidal vessels in gamma zone. In 14 (17%) eyes, a localized centrifugal choroidal shift was observed in association with an increase in the stage of myopic maculopathy. The results suggest that highly myopic eyes show a change in the position of large choroidal vessels in relationship to retinal vessels, in association with development or enlargement of gamma zone and an increase in the stage of myopic maculopathy.
Methylene blue can act as an antidote to pesticide poisoning of bumble bee mitochondria
Authors: Syromyatnikov Mikhail , Nesterova Ekaterina , Smirnova Tatiana , Popov Vasily 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe population of bumble bees and other pollinators has considerably declined worldwide, probably, due to the toxic effect of pesticides used in agriculture. Inexpensive and available antidotes can be one of the solutions for the problem of pesticide toxicity for pollinators. We studied the properties of the thiazine dye Methylene blue (MB) as an antidote against the toxic action of pesticides in the bumble bee mitochondria and found that MB stimulated mitochondrial respiration mediated by Complex I of the electron transport chain (ETC) and increased respiration of the mitochondria treated with mitochondria-targeted (chlorfenapyr, hydramethylnon, pyridaben, tolfenpyrad, and fenazaquin) and non-mitochondrial (deltamethrin, metribuzin, and penconazole) pesticides. MB also restored the mitochondrial membrane potential dissipated by the pesticides affecting the ETC. The mechanism of MB action is most probably related to its ability to shunt electron flow in the mitochondrial ETC.
Heat source free water floating carbon nanotube thermoelectric generators
Authors: Chiba Tomoyuki , Amma Yuki , Takashiri Masayuki 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThermoelectric generators (TEGs) produce electric power from environmental heat energy and are expected to play a key role in powering the Internet of things. However, they require a heat source to create a stable and irreversible temperature gradient. Overcoming these restrictions will allow the use of TEGs to proliferate. Therefore, we propose heat source-free water-floating carbon nanotube (CNT) TEGs. Output voltage and power are generated by the temperature gradient in the CNT films in which water pumping via capillary action leads to evaporation-induced cooling in selected areas. Furthermore, the output voltage and power increase when the films are exposed to sunlight and wind flow. These water-floating CNT TEGs demonstrate a pathway for developing wireless monitoring systems for water environments.
Ex vivo dendritic cell-based (DC) vaccine pulsed with a low dose of liposomal antigen and CpG-ODN improved PD-1 blockade immunotherapy
Authors: Yazdani Mona , Gholizadeh Zahra , Nikpoor Amin Reza , Mohamadian Roshan Nema , Jaafari Mahmoud Reza , Badiee Ali 
Published: July 2021

AbstractLack of pre-existing tumor infiltrated T cells resulting in resistance to programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) blockade therapies can be solved by combining with anti-cancer vaccines and CpG-ODN in increasing T cell expansion and infiltration. Therefore, we prepared an ex vivo dendritic cell-based (DC) vaccine pulsed with a low dose of either liposomal or non-liposomal gp100 antigen (2.8 µg) plus CpG-ODN (800 ng) formulations and evaluated its anti-tumor activity in combination with anti-PD-1 therapy. Our results showed a combination of liposomal peptide plus CpG-ODN pulsed DC with anti-PD-1 antibody was more efficacious, as evidenced by a significant increase in Teff/Treg TILs with a marked fourfold elevation of IFN-γ expression level in the tumor site of treated mice which reversed resistance to PD-1 blockade in a CD8 T cell-dependent manner. Furthermore, this combination also led to a remarkable tumor remission and prolonged survival rate in melanoma-bearing mice compared to non-liposomal peptide plus CpG-ODN or single-treated liposomal peptide formulations. Our results provide essential insights to devise combining regimens to improve the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockers even by a low dose of peptide and CpG-ODN.
Measuring global multi-scale place connectivity using geotagged social media data
Authors: Li Zhenlong , Huang Xiao , Ye Xinyue , Jiang Yuqin , Martin Yago , Ning Huan , Hodgson Michael E. , Li Xiaoming 
Published: July 2021

AbstractShaped by human movement, place connectivity is quantified by the strength of spatial interactions among locations. For decades, spatial scientists have researched place connectivity, applications, and metrics. The growing popularity of social media provides a new data stream where spatial social interaction measures are largely devoid of privacy issues, easily assessable, and harmonized. In this study, we introduced a global multi-scale place connectivity index (PCI) based on spatial interactions among places revealed by geotagged tweets as a spatiotemporal-continuous and easy-to-implement measurement. The multi-scale PCI, demonstrated at the US county level, exhibits a strong positive association with SafeGraph population movement records (10% penetration in the US population) and Facebook’s social connectedness index (SCI), a popular connectivity index based on social networks. We found that PCI has a strong boundary effect and that it generally follows the distance decay, although this force is weaker in more urbanized counties with a denser population. Our investigation further suggests that PCI has great potential in addressing real-world problems that require place connectivity knowledge, exemplified with two applications: (1) modeling the spatial spread of COVID-19 during the early stage of the pandemic and (2) modeling hurricane evacuation destination choice. The methodological and contextual knowledge of PCI, together with the open-sourced PCI datasets at various geographic levels, are expected to support research fields requiring knowledge in human spatial interactions.