bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Regulation of cell distancing in peri-plaque glial nets by Plexin-B1 affects glial activation and amyloid compaction in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Friedel Roland , Huang Yong , Wang Minghui , Wahane Shalaka , de Anda Mitzy Ríos , Ho Lap , Li Yuhuan , Kang Sangjo , Neff Ryan , Kostic Ana , Buxbaum Joseph , Crary John , Zhang Bin , Zou Hongyan 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Communication between glial cells has a profound effect on the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we reveal a role of reactive astrocytes in enforcing cell distancing in the glial nets surrounding amyloid plaques, which restricts microglial coverage of Aβ, a prerequisite to detect and engulf amyloid deposits. This process is mediated through guidance receptor Plexin-B1, which we identified as a key network regulator of late-onset AD. We show that Plexin-B1 is robustly upregulated in plaque-associated astrocytes in a corona-like pattern, and its expression levels correlate with plaque burden and disease severity in AD patients. In APP/PS1 mice, an amyloidogenic model of AD, removing Plexin-B1 led to smaller peri-plaque glial nets with relaxed cell distancing and enhanced glial coverage of Aβ plaques, as well as transcriptional changes in both reactive astrocytes and disease-associated microglia that are linked to glial activation and amyloid clearance. Furthermore, amyloid plaque burden was lowered, together with a shift towards dense-core plaques and reduced neuritic dystrophy. Our data thus support a role of Plexin-B1 in controlling glial net structure by imposing cell distancing, leading to poor glial coverage of Aβ, reduced amyloid clearance and compaction. Relaxing cell distancing by targeting guidance receptors may present an alternative strategy to alleviate neuroinflammation in AD by improving glial coverage of Aβ amyloid and plaque compaction.
Bioinformatics Analysis of ISLR in Pan-Cancer and its Correlation with Tumor Immunity
Authors: Zhang Cangyuan , Long Ziyang , Yan Cheng , Jalloh Mohamed Said , Fang Yongkun , Bao Li , Sun Biao , Shao Wenzhe , Sun Guowei , Fu Yayan , Zhang Qi , Wang Wei , Wang Liuhua , Ren Jun , Sun Qiannan , Tang Dong , Wang Daorong 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Background

The protein meflin encoded by ISLR contains a C2-type immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domain and five leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domains. ISLR is known to play a role in a small number of tumors, but its role in most tumors is unknown. The purpose of this study was to analyze the expression and prognosis of ISLR in pan-cancer, as well as its correlation with tumor immunity.
Methods

We used multiple databases and R software to conduct bioinformatics analysis to explore the predictive role of ISLR in pan-cancer, mainly involving expression patterns, prognosis, and immune infiltration.
Results

Compared with normal tissues, the expression of ISLR was significantly increased or decreased in most tumors. Moreover, the high expression of ISLR may cause the prognosis of some tumors to become better or worse. ISLR also affects immune infiltration in a variety of tumors, which affects the clinical prognosis. ISLR is also significantly related to TMB and MSI in pan-cancer and is related to genes encoding immune regulatory genes. ISLR also affects various cancer-and immune-related pathways.
Conclusions

ISLR is differentially expressed in tumors, may regulate TME, affect tumor prognosis, and is expected to become a prognostic biomarker.
Reduced susceptibility to daptomycin in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from catheter-related bloodstream infections
Authors: Ohyatsu Sho , Nariyama Tomoyuki , Matsumoto Kotaro , Moritoki Yuki , Kikuchi Kentaro 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Background

The appearance of reduced susceptibility to daptomycin in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has recently been reported. It is unclear how likely MRSA involved in catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) is to dampen susceptibility to daptomycin. We investigated the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of daptomycin in MRSA isolated from the blood of patients with CRBSI and examined how it was affected by previous anti-MRSA drug treatment.
Methods

A total of 115 patients whose blood culture samples were found to contain MRSA were enrolled in this study. The MIC of daptomycin and vancomycin and whether the subjects had a history of anti-MRSA drug treatment were investigated and compared between the CRBSI and non-CRBSI groups.
Results

The mean MIC of daptomycin was significantly higher for the 46 CRBSI-related MRSA isolates than for the 69 non-CRBSI-related MRSA isolates (0.78 vs. 0.33, respectively; p<0.0001). Among the CRBSI-related MRSA isolates, those collected from patients with a history of anti-MRSA drug treatment had significantly higher MIC (1.27 vs. 0.53, respectively; p <0.01). During treatment, MRSA was detected again in 10 CRBSI and 4 non-CRBSI patients, and all of the CRBSI-related MRSA isolates exhibited 1-2 log2 increases in their daptomycin MIC.
Conclusions

It is considered that when MRSA in catheter biofilms is exposed to anti-MRSA drugs, strains with reduced susceptibility to daptomycin are able to survive and disperse into the blood. Catheters should be removed if an MRSA-induced CRBSI is suspected. Further study of whether high-dose daptomycin treatment is effective when catheters cannot be immediately removed is needed.
Impact of Renin-Angiotensin System Inhibitors On The Survival of Patients With Rectal Cancer
Authors: Zeman Marcin , Skałba Władysław , Wilk Agata M. , Cortez Alexander J. , Maciejewski Adam , Czarniecka Agnieszka 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Background Renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RASIs) are widely used in the treatment of hypertension. However, their impact on the outcome of the combined treatment of rectal cancer is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of RASIs on the survival of rectal cancer patients with associated hypertension after neoadjuvant treatment and radical resection.Methods Between 2008 and 2016, 242 radical (R0) rectal resections for cancer were performed after neoadjuvant treatment in patients with associated hypertension. At the time of treatment, 158 patients were on RASIs, including 35 angiotensin-receptor antagonists (ARB) users and 123 angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) users. Eighty-four patients were on drugs other than RASIs (non-RASI users). The survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier estimator with the log-rank test and the Cox proportional hazards model.Results The log-rank test showed a significantly worse overall survival (OS) in the group of ACEI users compared to ARB users (p= 0.009) and non-RASI users (p= 0.013). As regards disease-free survival (DFS), worse survival was found in the ACEI group compared to ARB users and it was close to the statistical significance level (p= 0.064). The Multivariate Cox analysis showed a significant beneficial effect of ARBs on OS (HR: 0.326, 95% CI: 0.147-0.724, p= 0.006) and ARBs on DFS (HR: 0.339, 95% CI: 0.135-0.850, p= 0.021) compared to ACEIs. Other factors affecting OS included age (HR: 1.044, 95% CI: 1.016-1.073, p= 0.100), regional lymph node metastasis (ypN+) (HR: 2.157, 95% CI: 1.395-3.334, p= 0.001) and perineural invasion (PNI) (HR: 3.864, 95% CI: 1.799-8.301, p= 0.001). Additional factors affecting DFS included ypN+ (HR: 2.310, 95% CI: 1.374-3.883, p= 0.002) and PNI (HR: 4.351, 95% CI: 1.584-11.954, p= 0.004). Conclusions The use of ARBs instead of ACEIs may improve the outcome of the combined therapy for rectal cancer patients with associated hypertension.
Quantification of Ocular Parameters To Create An Anatomical Eye Model for The Japanese Population
Authors: Kawamorita Takushi , Uozato Hiroshi , Oshika Tetsuro , Negishi Kazuno , Fujikado Takashi , Murakami Akira , Kamiya Kazutaka , Maeda Naoyuki , Ueno Yuta , Onuma Kazuhiro , Hirota Masakazu , Hoshikawa Rie , Masui Sachiko , Yamaguchi Masahiro , Mihashi Toshifumi 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
This prospective observational study aimed to evaluate the eye shape and visual function of Japanese people through a multicenter approach and to create a Japanese model eye. Uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity (UDVA and CDVA, respectively) in the log minimum angle of resolution (logMAR), subjective and objective spherical equivalent values (SE) of ocular refraction, anterior and posterior corneal curvature (ACC and PCC, respectively), anterior and posterior corneal asphericity (ACA and PCA, respectively), central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior chamber depth (ACD), and ocular axial length (AL) were measured in the eyes of 250 participants (mean age = 46.5 ± 18.0 years, range: 20–90 years) across five institutions in Japan. The mean UDVA, CDVA, subjective SE, objective SE, ACC, PCC, ACA, PCA, CCT, ACD, and AL were 0.68, -0.08, -2.42 D, -2.66 D, 7.77 mm, 6.33 mm, -0.31, -0.39, 0.55 mm, 2.92 mm, and 24.78 mm, respectively. Age-related changes and sex-based differences were observed in the visual acuity, refraction, corneal shape, ACD, and AL. Although the sample size needs to be increased, the results of this study can be applied to the development of refractive correction methods and various vision-related fields.
Diversity and Functionality of Seed Vectored Bacterial Endophytes in Different Cultivars of Triticum Aestivum L. Across Ecological Boundaries
Authors: SaiPrasad Jogdande , Suman Archna , Ramakrishnan B. , Aswini K. 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
The endophytic microbial communities of plant seeds are either early or late colonizers, from the vascular system and stigma of mother plants or through contact from the environmental niches. Microbial communities get established in the plant progenies, particularly seeds, by vertical or horizontal transmission. The composition of seed microbiome determines the type of microbial associations, ranging from mutualism to pathogenicity with the emerging plants and also, the environmental conditions have a significant effect on their diversity. Wheat associated microbiota, especially rhizobacteria and endophytes from different plant organs possess competencies for plant growth promotion, and mitigation of abiotic and biotic stress. Improved yield and adaptation, as well as sustained wheat production across different ecologies necessitate the microbiome basis for understanding the genotype-environment (G×E) interactions. Hence,we investigated the diversity and functions of culturable endophytes from different ecological conditions on seed germination and the growth and fitness of plants. The core culturable microbiome members associated with seeds were identified, and evaluated for their potential for application and ensuing colonization in wheat plants.The diversity indices such as Shannon diversity (H), Chao1, Simpson’s reciprocal index and Species evenness (J) were generally highest in the PZ, followed by the NHZ. Likewise,this study showed that the genotypes play a profound role in their diversity, with variations in the hydrolytic enzyme production, plant growth promotion and priority effects on seedling colonization of wheat. The potential for hydrolytic enzyme production also suggest the multifarious mechanisms mediated by these endophytic bacteria for colonization and antagonism against plant pathogens.
Spatial Distribution of Stunting and Its Associated Factors Among Under-five Children in Ethiopia: Spatial and Multilevel Analysis
Authors: Yehualashet Delelegn Emwodew , Seboka Binyam Tariku , Tesfa Getanew Aschalew , Seid Elias , Hailegebreal Samuel , Demeke Abel Desalegn , Amede Endris Seid 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Background: Childhood stunting is a major challenge to the growth and development of nations by affecting millions of children across the world. Although Ethiopia has made steady progress in reducing stunting, the prevalence of stunting is still one of the highest in the world. This study aimed to assess the spatial variation and factors associated with stunting among under-five children in Ethiopia.Methods: This study is a secondary data analysis of the 2019 Ethiopian Mini Demographic and Health Survey (EMDHS). The Getis-Ord statistics tool has been used to identify areas with high and low hotspots of stunting. A multilevel logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with stunting. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with its 95% confidence intervals (CI) at p-value < 0.05 were used to declare statistical significance.Results: The result of this study shows that about 37% of under-five children were stunted. Statistically significant hotspots of stunting were found in northern parts of Ethiopia. Children in the age group between 24–35 months were more likely to be stunted than children whose age was less than one year [AOR = 3.74; 95 % CI: (3.04–4.59)]. Children with mothers who had completed higher education had lower odds of being stunted compared to children whose mothers had no formal education [AOR = 0.55; 95%CI: (0.38–0.82)]. Children from the poorest wealth quintile had higher odds of being stunted compared to children from the richest wealth quintiles [AOR = 2; 95 % CI: (1.46–2.73)]. Children living in Tigray (AOR =3.64; 95 % CI: 2.17–6.11), Afar (AOR 2.02; 95 % CI 1.19-3.39), Amhara (AOR =2.29; 95 % CI: 1.37–3.86), Benishangul Gumz (AOR=1.87; 95% CI: 1.10-3.17) and Harari (AOR=1.95; 95% CI: 1.17-3.25) regions were more likely to be stunted compared to children living in Addis Ababa.Conclusion: This study showed that both individual and community-level factors were significant predictors of stunting. Improving maternal education, improving the economic status of households, improving age-specific child feeding practice, and providing additional resources to regions with high hotspots of stunting are recommended.
Experimental Investigation of Snail Shell-Based Cement Mortar: Mechanical Strength, Durability and Microstructure
Authors: Alla Suseela , Asadi SS. 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Snail shells are the discarded bio-shell waste from restaurants, and oceans creating huge environmental problems for society. Living organisms are harmed when these shells are released. As previously stated, the work focuses primarily on the utilisation of snail shell powder as a raw ingredient in cement mortar. The mechanical and durability features of snail shell-based cement mortar were compared to the nominal mortar in this study. Snail shell powder, ranging from 0% to 35%, was used to partially substitute cement in mortar, with a variation of 5%. XRD (X-Ray Diffraction) was used to determine the chemical composition of both mixes. The mechanical properties of mortar for both mixes were determined using a compressive strength test. The tests on cement mortar viz., Water Absorption, Sorptivity, Acid Durability, and Rapid Chloride Permeability Test (RCP Test) were compared with nominal mortar mix. According to the results of the investigation, the optimum use of snail shell powder is 30%. The durability of both mixes increased by the increase of the snail shell powder. To detect the C-S-H gel formations, microstructural analysis was performed for both mixes.
Tilapia Prolactin Cells are Thermosensitive Osmoreceptors
Authors: Woo Daniel W. , Malintha G.H.T. , Celino-Brady Fritzie T. , Yamaguchi Yoko , Breves Jason P. , Seale Andre P. 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Prolactin (PRL) cells within the rostral pars distalis (RPD) of the euryhaline teleost tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus, rapidly respond to a hyposmotic stimulus by releasing two distinct PRL isoforms, PRL188 and PRL177. Here, we describe how environmentally relevant temperatures affect the release and mRNA levels of PRL188 and PRL177 from RPDs and dispersed PRL cells. When applied under isosmotic conditions (330 mOsm/kg), a 6 °C rise in temperature stimulated the release of PRL188 and PRL177 from both RPDs and dispersed PRL cells under perifusion. When exposed to this same change in temperature, ~50% of dispersed PRL cells gradually increased in volume by ~8%, a response partially inhibited by the water channel blocker, HgCl2. Following their response to increased temperature, PRL cells remained responsive to a hyposmotic stimulus (280 mOsm/kg). The mRNA expression of transient potential vanilloid 4, a Ca2+-channel involved in hyposomotically-induced PRL release, was elevated in response to a rise in temperature in dispersed PRL cells and RPDs at 6 and 24 h, respectively; prl188 and prl177 mRNAs were unaffected. Our findings indicate that thermosensitive PRL release is mediated, at least partially, through a cell-volume dependent pathway similar to how osmoreceptive PRL release is achieved.
Prognostic Effects of Treatment Protocols for Febrile Convulsive Status Epilepticus in Children
Authors: Tokumoto Shoichi , Nishiyama Masahiro , Yamaguchi Hiroshi , Tomioka Kazumi , Ishida Yusuke , Toyoshima Daisaku , Kurosawa Hiroshi , Nozu Kandai , Maruyama Azusa , Tanaka Ryojiro , Iijima Kazumoto , Nagase Hiroaki 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Background: Febrile status epilepticus is the most common form of status epilepticus in children. No previous reports compare the effectiveness of treatment strategies using fosphenytoin (fPHT) or phenobarbital (PB) and those using anesthetics as second-line anti-seizure medication for benzodiazepine-resistant convulsive status epilepticus (CSE). We aimed to examine the outcomes of various treatment strategies for febrile convulsive status epilepticus (FCSE) in a real-world setting while comparing the effects of different treatment protocols and their presence or absence.Methods: This was a single-center historical cohort study that was divided into three periods. Patients who presented with febrile convulsive status epilepticus for ≥60 min even after the administration of at least one anticonvulsant were included. During period I (October 2002–December 2006), treatment was performed at the discretion of the attending physician, without a protocol. During period II (January 2007–February 2013), barbiturate coma therapy (BCT) was indicated for FCSE resistant to benzodiazepines. During period III (March 2013–April 2016), BCT was indicated for FCSE resistant to fPHT or PB. Results: The rate of EEG monitoring was lower in period I than period II+III (7.7% vs. 83.3%, p<0.01). Midazolam was administered by continuous infusion more often in period I than period II+III (84.6% vs. 25.0%, p<0.01), whereas fPHT was administered less often in period I than period II+III (0% vs. 27.4%, p<0.01). The rate of poor outcome, which was determined using the Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category scale, was higher in period I than period II+III (23.1% vs. 7.1%, p=0.03). The rate of poor outcome did not differ between periods II and III (4.2% vs. 11.1%, p=0.40).Conclusions: While the presence of a treatment protocol for FCSE in children may improve outcomes, a treatment protocol using fPHT or PB may not be associated with better outcomes.
Ecological Characterisation of Native Isolates of Heterorhabditis indica from Viti Levu, Fiji Islands
Authors: Kour Sumeet , Khurma Uma , Brodie Gilianne 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) in the families Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae are obligate parasites of soil inhibiting insects. EPNs are being widely researched as promising biocontrol agents for a wide range of agricultural pests. It is known that strains of EPNs isolated from different geographical regions differ in their attributes, such as host-finding ability, host range, infectivity, reproduction, and environmental stress tolerance. A precise knowledge of these factors is therefore an essential pre-requisite for devising successful strategies to use these nematodes in biological control programmes. Thus, ecological characterisation of the EPN Heterorhabditis indica (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae) newly isolated and representing the only species of EPN reported from the island of Viti Levu, Fiji was carried out using Galleria mellonella larvae (L) (Pyralidae: Galleriinae) as hosts to allow comparisons between bioassays conducted in different laboratories around the world. Temperature data showed that native isolates of H. indica are warm-adapted nematodes with thermal range for infectivity between 15˚C and 35˚C and can reproduce between 20˚C and 30˚C. They are highly virulent with LC50 values against G. mellonella ranging from 2.8 IJ to 3.8 IJ/larva. However, they showed poor desiccation tolerance and fail to infect hosts in soil with moisture levels below 8%. They showed a moderate level of hypoxic tolerance and can be stored at 15˚C for 4 months. Results also showed great variability within the selected native isolates of H. indica. Beneficial traits for selected isolates were added up to identify a superior candidate. The current study also suggested that the thermal niche breadth for infection can differ among conspecific strains of an EPN species. The results of this experimental study on ecological aspects of these native isolates of H. indica should form a basis for their potential use in biological control of insect pests in Fiji.
Oxidation of arcs and mantle wedges by reduction of manganese in pelagic sediments during seafloor subduction
Authors: Song Shuguang , Ye Shiting , Allen Mark B. , Niu Yaoling , Sun Weidong , Zhang Lifei 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Plate subduction links the Earth’s surface and interior and may change the redox state of the Earth’s mantle. Mantle wedges above subduction zones have high oxygen fugacity compared with other mantle reservoirs, but the cause is debated. Here we analyze high-pressure metamorphic rocks derived from ferromanganese pelagic sediments in the Qilian subduction complex, northwest (NW) China. We show that progressive metamorphism is a process of reducing reactions, in which Mn4+ is reduced to Mn2+. On the global scale, such reactions would release significant amounts of oxygen (~1.27 × 1012 g year−1), estimated from the global flux of MnO in sediments passing into subduction zones. This budget is sufficient to raise the oxygen fugacity of the mantle wedge, hence arc magmas, to a higher level than other mantle reservoirs. In contrast, ferric iron (Fe3+) enters hematite, aegirine, and garnet, without valence change and plays little role in the oxidation of the mantle wedge. Fe3+ remains stable to depths of &gt;100 km but will transfer to the deeper mantle along with the subducting slab. The manganese reduction process provides a new explanation for high oxygen fugacity in the mantle wedge.
Prediction of S12-MKII rainfall simulator experimental runoff data sets using hybrid PSR-SVM-FFA approaches
Authors: Samantaray Sandeep , Ghose Dillip Kumar 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Effective prediction of runoff is a substantial feature for the successful management of hydrological phenomena in arid regions. The present research findings reveal that a rainfall simulator (RS) can be a valuable instrument to estimate runoff as the intensity of rainfall is modifiable in the course of an experimental process, which turns out to be of great advantage. The rainfall-runoff process is a complex physical phenomenon caused by the effect of various parameters. In this research, a new hybrid technique integrating PSR (phase space reconstruction) with FFA (firefly algorithm) and SVM (support vector machine) has gained recognition in various modelling investigations in contrast to the principle of empirical risk minimization through ANN practices. Outcomes of SVM are contrasted against SVM-FFA and PSR-SVM-FFA models. The improvements in NSE (Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency), RMSE (Root Mean Square Error), and WI (Willmott's Index) by PSR-SVM-FFA over SVM models specify that the prediction accuracy of the hybrid model is better. The established PSR-SVM-FFA model generates preeminent WI values that range from 0.97 to 0.98, while the SVM and SVM-FFA models encompass 0.93–0.95 and 0.96–0.97, respectively. The proposed PSR-SVM-FFA model gives more accurate results and error limiting up to 2–3%.