bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
MiR-124 and miR-506 are involved in the decline of protein C in children with extra-hepatic portal vein obstruction
Authors: Zhang Jin-Shan , Li Long 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe deficiency of protein C (PROC) can be partly rescued by Rex shunt through restoring portal blood flow in children with extra-hepatic portal venous obstruction (EHPVO). However, the decline of PROC is still found in some patients with a normal portal blood flow after Rex shunt. The aim of this study was to identify the candidate miRNAs involving in the decline of PROC and their mechanism. The protein level of PROC was detected by the ELISA assay, and was compared between sick and healthy groups. The expressions of miRNAs and PROC mRNA were measured using qRT-PCR, and were compared between sick and healthy groups. The correlation between PROC and candidate miRNAs was analysed by a Pearson correlation analysis to identify the most significant miRNAs. The expression of PROC mRNA was detected by qRT-PCR in HL-7702 and LX-2 cells tansfected with miRNAs mimics or inhibitors and negative control (NC) mimics, which was compared among the different groups. The rates of liver cells’ proliferation and apoptosis were detected in HL-7702 and LX-2 cells tansfected with miRNAs mimics or inhibitors or with overexpressing PROC and negative control mimics by CKK8 assay and flow cytometry, which were compared among the different groups. The expressions of COX-2 and VEGF were measured by qRT-PCR, and were compared between the miRNAs groups and NC group. Western blot was assayed for detecting the protein levels of PROC, COX-2, VEGF, Bcl-2 and Bax, which were compared between the miRNAs groups and NC group. The expression of PROC mRNA was lower, and the expressions of miR-506-3p and miR-124-3p were higher in children with EHPVO than healthy group. PROC mRNA was negatively correlated with the expression of miR-506-3p and miR-124-3p. Compared to the NC group, the transcription activity of PROC was lower after exposure of miR-506 and miR-124 mimics in HL-7702 and LX-2 cells, but this phenomenon was reversed after inhibiting miR-506 and miR-124. The rate of cell proliferation was lower after exposure of miR-506 and miR-124 than the NC group, which was increased after inhibiting miR-506 and miR-124 in HL-7702 cells and overexpressing PROC in LX-2 cells. The apoptotic rate was higher after exposure of miR-506 and miR-124 than the NC group, which was decreased after inhibiting miR-506 and miR-124 in HL-7702 cells and overexpressing PROC in LX-2 cells. The mRNA levels of COX-2 and VEGF were significantly higher after exposure of miR-506 and miR-124 mimics than those in the NC group. The protein levels of PROC and Bcl-2 were down-regulated, and the levels of COX-2, Bax and VEGF were up-regulated after exposure of miR-506 and miR-124 in HL-7702 cells, but this phenomenon was reversed after inhibiting miR-506 and miR-124. MiR-506-3p and miR-124-3p may involve in the decline of PROC in protein and transcriptional level, in which the anti-proliferation and pro-apoptosis role of miR-506-3p and miR-124-3p for liver cells may involve in this mechanism.
Brain training using cognitive apps can improve cognitive performance and processing speed in older adults
Authors: Bonnechère Bruno , Klass Malgorzata , Langley Christelle , Sahakian Barbara Jacquelyn 
Published: June 2021

AbstractManaging age-related decrease of cognitive function is an important public health challenge, especially in the context of the global aging of the population. Over the last years several Cognitive Mobile Games (CMG) have been developed to train and challenge the brain. However, currently the level of evidence supporting the benefits of using CMG in real-life use is limited in older adults, especially at a late age. In this study we analyzed game scores and the processing speed obtained over the course of 100 sessions in 12,000 subjects aged 60 to over 80 years. Users who trained with the games improved regardless of age in terms of scores and processing speed throughout the 100 sessions, suggesting that old and very old adults can improve their cognitive performance using CMG in real-life use.
Irradiation-induced sterility in an egg parasitoid and possible implications for the use of biological control in insect eradication
Authors: Horrocks Kiran Jonathan , Avila Gonzalo Andres , Holwell Gregory Ian , Suckling David Maxwell 
Published: June 2021

AbstractClassical biological control is a pest control tool involving the release of imported natural enemies. The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) comprises releasing sexually sterile insects of a pest into the wild population for suppression or eradication. Both these approaches are environmentally friendly and their combination can result in a synergistic impact on pest populations and improve eradication. However, stringent regulation surrounding the introduction of biological control agents limits their use in eradication owing to the perceived risk of effects on non-target organisms. We investigated the irradiation biology of the egg parasitoid Trissolcus basalis to ascertain whether sterile parasitoids could mitigate the risk of potential sustained non-target impacts. Mated female T. basalis were gamma-irradiated at doses between 120 and 150 Gy and exposed to egg masses of their host Nezara viridula throughout their lifespans. This resulted in host mortality, despite a substantial reduction in developing parasitoid offspring, which followed a negative dose–response. There was no emergence of parasitoid offspring at 140 Gy and above. Irradiation did not affect oviposition behaviour but caused an increase in longevity. Consequently, sterile parasitoids could possibly alleviate concerns regarding the irreversibility of biological control release, which promotes further investigation of their potential role in eradication.
Overcoming resistance to BRAFV600E inhibition in melanoma by deciphering and targeting personalized protein network alterations
Authors: Vasudevan S. , Flashner-Abramson E. , Alkhatib Heba , Roy Chowdhury Sangita , Adejumobi I. A. , Vilenski D. , Stefansky S. , Rubinstein A. M. , Kravchenko-Balasha N. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBRAFV600E melanoma patients, despite initially responding to the clinically prescribed anti-BRAFV600E therapy, often relapse, and their tumors develop drug resistance. While it is widely accepted that these tumors are originally driven by the BRAFV600E mutation, they often eventually diverge and become supported by various signaling networks. Therefore, patient-specific altered signaling signatures should be deciphered and treated individually. In this study, we design individualized melanoma combination treatments based on personalized network alterations. Using an information-theoretic approach, we compute high-resolution patient-specific altered signaling signatures. These altered signaling signatures each consist of several co-expressed subnetworks, which should all be targeted to optimally inhibit the entire altered signaling flux. Based on these data, we design smart, personalized drug combinations, often consisting of FDA-approved drugs. We validate our approach in vitro and in vivo showing that individualized drug combinations that are rationally based on patient-specific altered signaling signatures are more efficient than the clinically used anti-BRAFV600E or BRAFV600E/MEK targeted therapy. Furthermore, these drug combinations are highly selective, as a drug combination efficient for one BRAFV600E tumor is significantly less efficient for another, and vice versa. The approach presented herein can be broadly applicable to aid clinicians to rationally design patient-specific anti-melanoma drug combinations.
Predictive analytics and tailored interventions improve clinical outcomes in older adults: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Golas Sara Bersche , Nikolova-Simons Mariana , Palacholla Ramya , op den Buijs Jorn , Garberg Gary , Orenstein Allison , Kvedar Joseph 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThis study explored the potential to improve clinical outcomes in patients at risk of moving to the top segment of the cost acuity pyramid. This randomized controlled trial evaluated the impact of a Stepped-Care approach (predictive analytics + tailored nurse-driven interventions) on healthcare utilization among 370 older adult patients enrolled in a homecare management program and using a Personal Emergency Response System. The Control group (CG) received care as usual, while the Intervention group (IG) received Stepped-Care during a 180-day intervention period. The primary outcome, decrease in emergency encounters, was not statistically significant (15%, p = 0.291). However, compared to the CG, the IG had significant reductions in total 90-day readmissions (68%, p = 0.007), patients with 90-day readmissions (76%, p = 0.011), total 180-day readmissions (53%, p = 0.020), and EMS encounters (49%, p = 0.006). Predictive analytics combined with tailored interventions could potentially improve clinical outcomes in older adults, supporting population health management in home or community settings.
Long term fMRI adaptation depends on adapter response in face-selective cortex
Authors: Stam Daphne , Huang Yun-An , Vansteelandt Kristof , Sunaert Stefan , Peeters Ron , Sleurs Charlotte , Vrancken Leia , Emsell Louise , Vogels Rufin , Vandenbulcke Mathieu , Van den Stock Jan 
Published: June 2021

AbstractRepetition suppression (RS) reflects a neural attenuation during repeated stimulation. We used fMRI and the subsequent memory paradigm to test the predictive coding hypothesis for RS during visual memory processing by investigating the interaction between RS and differences due to memory in category-selective cortex (FFA, pSTS, PPA, and RSC). Fifty-six participants encoded face and house stimuli twice, followed by an immediate and delayed (48 h) recognition memory assessment. Linear Mixed Model analyses with repetition, subsequent recognition performance, and their interaction as fixed effects revealed that absolute RS during encoding interacts with probability of future remembrance in face-selective cortex. This effect was not observed for relative RS, i.e. when controlled for adapter-response. The findings also reveal an association between adapter response and RS, both for short and long term (48h) intervals, after controlling for the mathematical dependence between both measures. These combined findings are challenging for predictive coding models of visual memory and are more compatible with adapter-related and familiarity accounts.
A porcine brain-wide RNA editing landscape
Authors: Huang Jinrong , Lin Lin , Dong Zhanying , Yang Ling , Zheng Tianyu , Gu Weiwang , Zhang Yan , Yin Tailang , Sjöstedt Evelina , Mulder Jan , Uhlén Mathias , Kristiansen Karsten , Bolund Lars , Luo Yonglun 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAdenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing, catalyzed by ADAR enzymes, is an essential post-transcriptional modification. Although hundreds of thousands of RNA editing sites have been reported in mammals, brain-wide analysis of the RNA editing in the mammalian brain remains rare. Here, a genome-wide RNA-editing investigation is performed in 119 samples, representing 30 anatomically defined subregions in the pig brain. We identify a total of 682,037 A-to-I RNA editing sites of which 97% are not identified before. Within the pig brain, cerebellum and olfactory bulb are regions with most edited transcripts. The editing level of sites residing in protein-coding regions are similar across brain regions, whereas region-distinct editing is observed in repetitive sequences. Highly edited conserved recoding events in pig and human brain are found in neurotransmitter receptors, demonstrating the evolutionary importance of RNA editing in neurotransmission functions. Although potential data biases caused by age, sex or health status are not considered, this study provides a rich resource to better understand the evolutionary importance of post-transcriptional RNA editing.
High-frequency burst spiking in layer 5 thick-tufted pyramids of rat primary somatosensory cortex encodes exploratory touch
Authors: de Kock Christiaan P. J. , Pie Jean , Pieneman Anton W. , Mease Rebecca A. , Bast Arco , Guest Jason M. , Oberlaender Marcel , Mansvelder Huibert D. , Sakmann Bert 
Published: June 2021

AbstractDiversity of cell-types that collectively shape the cortical microcircuit ensures the necessary computational richness to orchestrate a wide variety of behaviors. The information content embedded in spiking activity of identified cell-types remain unclear to a large extent. Here, we recorded spike responses upon whisker touch of anatomically identified excitatory cell-types in primary somatosensory cortex in naive, untrained rats. We find major differences across layers and cell-types. The temporal structure of spontaneous spiking contains high-frequency bursts (≥100 Hz) in all morphological cell-types but a significant increase upon whisker touch is restricted to layer L5 thick-tufted pyramids (L5tts) and thus provides a distinct neurophysiological signature. We find that whisker touch can also be decoded from L5tt bursting, but not from other cell-types. We observed high-frequency bursts in L5tts projecting to different subcortical regions, including thalamus, midbrain and brainstem. We conclude that bursts in L5tts allow accurate coding and decoding of exploratory whisker touch.
Lentiviral vector induces high-quality memory T cells via dendritic cells transduction
Authors: Ku Min Wen , Authié Pierre , Nevo Fabien , Souque Philippe , Bourgine Maryline , Romano Marta , Charneau Pierre , Majlessi Laleh 
Published: June 2021

AbstractWe report a lentiviral vector harboring the human β2-microglobulin promoter, with predominant expression in immune cells and minimal proximal enhancers to improve vector safety. This lentiviral vector efficiently transduces major dendritic cell subsets in vivo. With a mycobacterial immunogen, we observed distinct functional signatures and memory phenotype in lentiviral vector- or Adenovirus type 5 (Ad5)-immunized mice, despite comparable antigen-specific CD8+ T cell magnitudes. Compared to Ad5, lentiviral vector immunization resulted in higher multifunctional and IL-2-producing CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, lentiviral vector immunization primed CD8+ T cells towards central memory phenotype, while Ad5 immunization favored effector memory phenotype. Studies using HIV antigens in outbred rats demonstrated additional clear-cut evidence for an immunogenic advantage of lentiviral vector over Ad5. Additionally, lentiviral vector provided enhance therapeutic anti-tumor protection than Ad5. In conclusion, coupling lentiviral vector with β2-microglobulin promoter represents a promising approach to produce long-lasting, high-quality cellular immunity for vaccinal purposes.
The beneficial effects of Lactobacillus brevis FZU0713-fermented Laminaria japonica on lipid metabolism and intestinal microbiota in hyperlipidemic rats fed with a high-fat diet
Authors: Zhang Qing , Fan Xiao-Yun , Cao Ying-Jia , Zheng Ting-Ting , Cheng Wen-Jian , Chen Li-Jiao , Lv Xu-Cong , Ni Li , Rao Ping-Fan , Liang Peng 
Published: June 2021

The beneficial effects of the oral administration of Lactobacillus brevis FZU0713-fermented Laminaria japonica (FLJ) on lipid metabolism and intestinal microbiota.
Correlation functions in 2D and 3D as descriptors of the cosmic web
Authors: Einasto J. , Hütsi G. , Einasto M. 
Published: June 2021

Aims. Our goal is to find the relation between the two-point correlation functions (CFs) of projected and spatial density fields of galaxies in the context of the cosmic web.
Methods. To investigate relations between spatial (3D) and projected (2D) CFs of galaxies we used density fields of two simulations: a Λ-dominated cold dark matter model with known particle data, and the Millennium simulation with know data on simulated galaxies. We compare 3D and 2D correlation functions. In the 2D case, we use samples of various thickness to find the dependence of 2D CFs on the thickness of samples. We also compare 3D CFs in real and redshift space.
Results. The dominant elements of the cosmic web are clusters and filaments, separated by voids filling most of the volume. In individual 2D sheets, the positions of clusters and filaments do not coincide. As a result, in projection, the clusters and filaments fill in 2D voids. This leads to a decrease in the amplitudes of CFs (and power spectra) in projection. For this reason, the amplitudes of 2D CFs are lower than the amplitudes of 3D correlation functions: the thicker the 2D sample, the greater the difference.
Conclusions. Spatial CFs of galaxies contain valuable information about the geometrical properties of the cosmic web that cannot be found from projected CFs.
GNSS positioning error forecasting in the Arctic: ROTI and Precise Point Positioning error forecasting from solar wind measurements
Authors: Fabbro Vincent , Jacobsen Knut Stanley , Andalsvik Yngvild Linnea , Rougerie Sebastien 
Published: June 2021

A model forecasting ionospheric disturbances and its impact on GNSS positioning is proposed, called HAPEE (High lAtitude disturbances Positioning Error Estimator). It allows predicting ROTI index and corresponding Precise Point Positioning (PPP) error in Arctic region (i.e. latitudes > 50°). The model is forecasting for the next hour a probability of a disturbance index or PPP error to exceed a given threshold, from solar wind conditions measured at L1 Lagrange point. Or alternatively, it is forecasting a disturbance index level that is exceeded during the next hour for a given percentage of the time. The ROTI model has been derived from NMA network measurements, considering a database covering the years 2007 up to 2019. It is demonstrated that the statistical variability of the ROTI index is mainly following a lognormal distribution. The proposed model has been tested favorably on measurements performed using measurements from stations of the NMA network that were not used for the model derivation. It is also shown that the statistics of PPP error conditioned by ROTI is following a Laplace distribution. Then a new compound model has been proposed, based on a conditional probability combining ROTI distribution conditioned by solar wind conditions and error distributions conditioned by ROTI index level.
Should We Perform Laboratory and Radiographic Evaluations for All Children with COVID-19?: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Karaci Mehmet , Güven Şirin , Boğa Aysun , Varol Fatih , Çalışkan Sümeyra , Sayman Ezgi Nafile , Ercan Gözde , Kara Beril , Çam Halit 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background The diagnostic and treatment strategies for children are limited because of the small number of children with COVID-19. A large proportion of infected children are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms. We report our experience regarding clinical characteristics, laboratory, radiologic findings, and outcomes of children with COVID-19.
Materials and Methods This retrospective single-center study was conducted on children with COVID-19. The data on epidemiologic characteristics, clinical features, laboratory, and radiologic findings of patients were extracted from the hospital information management system records, and patients' forms filled upon admission.
Results The median age of children was 121 months, 46.8% of the patients were females and 53.2% were males. Of the 581 children assessed, a total of 222 (38.2%) had positive test results; 69 of them (31.1%) were asymptomatic. The median absolute lymphocyte and eosinophil counts were statistically significantly lower in symptomatic children (p = 0.001; p = 0.02). Neutrophil lymphocyte ratio was statistically significantly higher in the symptomatic children (p = 0.001). Of 72 computed tomography scans, 35 (48.6%) were normal, and only 29 (40%) were consistent with classic/probable/indeterminate COVID-19 predominant pattern.
Conclusion Our results showed a few laboratory abnormalities in asymptomatic polymerase chain reaction positive children; therefore, unnecessary investigation might be avoided and clinicians should consider clinical symptoms.
Political science in exceptional times: Finnish scholars responding to three crises of the 2010s
Authors: Koikkalainen Petri 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThis article focuses on Finnish political scientists’ contributions to the public debate at a time when the relationship between academia and the government was tenser than usual. More specifically, it addresses the public roles and relevance of political scientists during three salient political crises of the 2010s: the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 and the war in Donbass, the so-called European migrant crisis beginning in 2015, and the failure of major Finnish governance reform in 2019. I examine scholars’ interventions into them in a corpus of eighty articles collected from the online journal Politiikasta and use qualitative content analysis to study the polarisation of their views and the style of interventions, including scholars’ relationship with the government. I discuss the visibility and impact of political science in the context of gender and seniority of researchers, the presence of political science in the Finnish media, in general, and against other social-scientific disciplines, and with the other countries studied in this Special Issue.
CL-20 based energetic thin films: Micro-spray molding and micro-detonation
Authors: Kong Sheng , Liao Dongjie , An Chongwei , Zhu Guohao , Liu Qian , Wang JieChao , Ye Baoyun , Wang Jingyu 
Published: June 2021

In order to solve the problem of low sample forming efficiency and uncontrollable crystal type in inkjet printing, a formula of explosive ink suitable for micro-spraying is designed by using hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20) as the main explosive, the compound of polyazide glycidyl ether and ethyl cellulose as the bonding system, ethyl acetate as the solvent, and the refined ε-CL-20 as the seed crystal in this paper. The optimal process conditions were determined, and under the optimal process conditions, the explosive ink is written on an aluminum substrate or a glass substrate by micro-spraying direct writing technology, and CL-20 based energetic thin film forming samples are characterized. The results show that the CL-20 crystal form in the sample is ε type and the molding effect is good. The optimum process conditions are as follows: the nozzle has an air pressure of 0.02 MPa, the height is 40 mm, the spraying rate is 0.4 ml min−1, and the substrate temperature is 50°C. The explosive particles in the energetic thin films are spherical. The particle size is about 10 µm, and the particle size distribution is relatively uniform. The density of the composite is 1.567 g cm−3, and the molding density can reach 80.2% of the theoretical density. The activation energy is 242.07 kJ mol−1. The characteristic drop height H50 is 38.5 cm. When the charge width is 0.8 mm, the critical size of the detonation is 0.8 × 0.03 mm2. The detonation wave formed after the shaped sample is detonated in a small groove with a cross-sectional dimension of 1.0 × 1.0 mm2 can successfully pass through multiple continuous 90° charging corners.