bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of the endocannabinoid system in a mouse model of Fragile X undergoing neuropathic pain
Authors: Ramírez‐López Angela , Pastor Antoni , de la Torre Rafael , La Porta Carmen , Ozaita Andrés , Cabañero David , Maldonado Rafael 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundNeuropathic pain is a complex condition characterized by sensory, cognitive and affective symptoms that magnify the perception of pain. The underlying pathogenic mechanisms are largely unknown and there is an urgent need for the development of novel medications. The endocannabinoid system modulates pain perception and drugs targeting the cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) devoid of psychoactive side effects could emerge as novel analgesics. An interesting model to evaluate the mechanisms underlying resistance to pain is the fragile X mental retardation protein knockout mouse (Fmr1KO), a model of fragile X syndrome that exhibits nociceptive deficits and fails to develop neuropathic pain.MethodsA partial sciatic nerve ligation was performed to wild‐type (WT) and Fmr1KO mice having (HzCB2 and Fmr1KO‐HzCB2, respectively) or not (WT and Fmr1KO mice) a partial deletion of CB2 to investigate the participation of the endocannabinoid system on the pain‐resistant phenotype of Fmr1KO mice.ResultsNerve injury induced canonical hypersensitivity in WT and HzCB2 mice, whereas this increased pain sensitivity was absent in Fmr1KO mice. Interestingly, Fmr1KO mice partially lacking CB2 lost this protection against neuropathic pain. Similarly, pain‐induced depressive‐like behaviour was observed in WT, HzCB2 and Fmr1KO‐HzCB2 mice, but not in Fmr1KO littermates. Nerve injury evoked different alterations in WT and Fmr1KO mice at spinal and supra‐spinal levels that correlated with these nociceptive and emotional alterations.ConclusionsThis work shows that CB2 is necessary for the protection against neuropathic pain observed in Fmr1KO mice, raising the interest in targeting this receptor for the treatment of neuropathic pain.SignificanceNeuropathic pain is a complex chronic pain condition and current treatments are limited by the lack of efficacy and the incidence of important side effects. Our findings show that the pain‐resistant phenotype of Fmr1KO mice against nociceptive and emotional manifestations triggered by persistent nerve damage requires the participation of the cannabinoid receptor CB2, raising the interest in targeting this receptor for neuropathic pain treatment. Additional multidisciplinary studies more closely related to human pain experience should be conducted to explore the potential use of cannabinoids as adequate analgesic tools.
Prevalence and characteristics of new‐onset pain in COVID‐19 survivours, a controlled study
Authors: Soares Felipe Henriques Carvalho , Kubota Gabriel Taricani , Fernandes Ana Mércia , Hojo Bruno , Couras Catarina , Costa Bárbara Venturoti , Lapa Jorge Dornellys da Silva , Braga Luíza Mansur , Almeida Matheus Merula de , Cunha Pedro Henrique Martins da , Pereira Vítor Hugo Honorato , Morais Adriano Donizeth Silva de , Teixeira Manoel Jacobsen , Ciampi de Andrade Daniel ,   “Pain in the Pandemic Initiative Collaborators”
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundWe assessed whether COVID‐19 is associated with de novo pain and de novo chronic pain (CP).MethodsThis controlled cross‐sectional study was based on phone interviews of patients discharged from hospital after COVID‐19 compared to the control group composed of individuals hospitalized during the same period due to non‐COVID‐19 causes. Patients were classified as having previous CP based on the ICD‐11/IASP criteria, de novo pain (i.e. any new type of pain, irrespective of the pain status before hospital stay), and de novo CP (i.e. persistent or recurring de novo pain, lasting more than 3 months) after COVID‐19. We assessed pain prevalence and its characteristics, including headache profile, pain location, intensity, interference, and its relationship with fatigue, and persistent anosmia. Forty‐six COVID‐19 and 73 control patients were included. Both groups had similar sociodemographic characteristics and past medical history.ResultsLength of in‐hospital‐stay and ICU admission rates were significantly higher amongst COVID‐19 survivours, while mechanical ventilation requirement was similar between groups. Pre‐hospitalisation pain was lower in COVID‐19 compared to control group (10.9% vs. 42.5%; p = 0.001). However, the COVID‐19 group had a significantly higher prevalence of de novo pain (65.2% vs. 11.0%, p = 0.001), as well as more de novo headache (39.1%) compared to controls (2.7%, p = 0.001). New‐onset CP was 19.6% in COVID‐19 patients and 1.4% (p = 0.002) in controls. These differences remained significant (p = 0.001) even after analysing exclusively (COVID: n = 40; controls: n = 34) patients who did not report previous pain before the hospital stay. No statistically significant differences were found for mean new‐onset pain intensity and interference with daily activities between both groups. COVID‐19 pain was more frequently located in the head/neck and lower limbs (p < 0.05). New‐onset fatigue was more common in COVID‐19 survivours necessitating inpatient hospital care (66.8%) compared to controls (2.5%, p = 0.001). COVID‐19 patients who reported anosmia had more new‐onset pain (83.3%) compared to those who did not (48.0%, p = 0.024).ConclusionCOVID‐19 was associated with a significantly higher prevalence of de novo CP, chronic daily headache, and new‐onset pain in general, which was associated with persistent anosmia.SignificanceThere exists de novo pain in a substantial number of COVID‐19 survivours, and some develop chronic pain. New‐onset pain after the infection was more common in patients who reported anosmia after hospital discharge.
N,S‐Codoped hollow carbon dodecahedron/sulfides composites enabling high‐performance lithium‐ion intercalation
Authors: Chen Lu , Chen Zhi , Liu Xudong , Ye Zhibin , Wang Xiaolei 
Published: February 2021

AbstractLithium‐ion batteries are the predominant energy storage devices for portable electronic devices and hold great promise for renewable energies and sustainability. High capacity and long‐life anode materials are highly desired for the next‐generation Li‐ion battery with high energy density. Herein, a high‐performance anode electrode constructed with cobalt and zinc sulfides nanocrystals embedded within a nitrogen and sulfur co‐doped porous carbon is successfully designed bimetal‐organic frameworks as the precursor. Benefiting from synergistic effects of bimetal sulfides, the unique rhombohedral dodecahedral nanostructure with rough surface area and N,S‐codoped carbon matrix, such an anode material presents superior initial reversible capacity of 938.2 mA h g−1 with a high‐capacity retention of 65.6% after 100 cycles at 150 mA/g. The effective nanostructure design is expected to open a venue to construct high‐performance materials for energy and environment applications.
Prediction of methane emission from landfills using machine learning models
Authors: Mehrdad Seyed Mostafa , Abbasi Maryam , Yeganeh Bijan , Kamalan Hamidreza 
Published: February 2021

AbstractModeling the methane emission is challenging due to the heterogeneity of solid waste characteristics and different chemical and physical reactions leading to methane generation. This study focused on monitoring the methane generation from landfills and modeling methane emission using machine learning techniques. Hence, two pilot landfills were constructed with a total capacity of 9327 tons of municipal solid waste. The temperature, methane, and leachate generation from the pilot landfills were measured for 3 years. The effect of leachate recirculation system on methane emission from landfill was evaluated, and the results showed that the methane emission was 35% lower when leachate recirculation system was not utilized in the landfilling process. Three machine learning models, including artificial neural networks, adaptive neuro‐fuzzy inference system, and support vector machine, were used for the first time to predict methane generation. Results demonstrated that the support vector machine model was superior to both the adaptive neuro‐fuzzy inference system and artificial neural network models for predicting methane generation. The support vector machine model was able to capture 90% and 82% of the variation in methane emission from landfills with and without leachate recirculation, respectively. In general, machine learning models showed considerable potential for forecasting methane generation.
Relation between palm and finger cortical representations in primary somatosensory cortex: A 7T fMRI study
Authors: Akselrod Michel , Martuzzi Roberto , van der Zwaag Wietske , Blanke Olaf , Serino Andrea 
Published: February 2021

AbstractMany studies focused on the cortical representations of fingers, while the palm is relatively neglected despite its importance for hand function. Here, we investigated palm representation (PR) and its relationship with finger representations (FRs) in primary somatosensory cortex (S1). Few studies in humans suggested that PR is located medially with respect to FRs in S1, yet to date, no study directly quantified the somatotopic organization of PR and the five FRs. Importantly, the link between the somatotopic organization of PR and FRs and their activation properties remains largely unexplored. Using 7T fMRI, we mapped PR and the five FRs at the single subject level. First, we analyzed the cortical distance between PR and FRs to determine their somatotopic organization. Results show that PR was located medially with respect to D5. Second, we tested whether the observed cortical distances would predict the relationship between PR and FRs activations. Using three complementary measures (cross‐activations, pattern similarity and resting‐state connectivity), we show that the relationship between PR and FRs activations were not determined by their somatotopic organization, that is, there was no gradient moving from D5 to D1, except for resting‐state connectivity, which was predicted by the somatotopy. Instead, we show that the representational geometry of PR and FRs activations reflected the physical structure of the hand. Collectively, our findings suggest that the spatial proximity between topographically organized neuronal populations do not necessarily predicts their functional properties, rather the structure of the sensory space (e.g., the hand shape) better describes the observed results.
Profile of calories and nutrients intake in a Brazilian multicenter study of nulliparous women
Authors: Miele Maria J. O. , Souza Renato T. , Calderon Iracema M. , Feitosa Francisco E. , Leite Débora F. , Rocha Filho Edilberto A. , Vettorazzi Janete , Mayrink Jussara , Vieira Matias C. , Pacagnella Rodolfo C. , Cecatti José G. ,   for the Preterm SAMBA study group
Published: February 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the calorie intake and nutritional content of the maternal diet in regions with different culinary traditions and typical foods, and to understand the nutritional profile so as to provide information about the consumption of this population and promote maternal and perinatal health.MethodsFrom a cohort of 1145 pregnant women with diverse socio‐backgrounds we analyzed the dietary characteristics profile according to three guidelines and compared the differences between regions of Brazil.ResultsWomen from the northeast had the lowest level of income, occupation, education, and age (P < 0.001). Intakes of unprocessed/minimally processed foods and processed foods were more prevalent in women from the northeast than in southern/southeastern women (P < 0.001). The consumption of dairy products and vegetables was less than the recommended intake, with lower intake in southern/southeastern women (P < 0.001). This study showed a lower consumption of dairy and vegetables, with a shortfall of vitamins K and D, iron, calcium, folate, magnesium, and chromium from natural and fortified foods. We observed a greater consumption of unprocessed or minimally processed food in women from the northeast of Brazil.ConclusionOur findings indicate the importance of differentiating the source of calorie intake between regional nutritional guidance and the diversity of local cuisine.
Hexagonal flakes as fused parallelograms: A determinantal formula for Zhang‐Zhang polynomials of the O(2, m, n) benzenoids
Authors: He Bing‐Hau , Langner Johanna , Witek Henryk A. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWe report a determinantal formula for the Zhang‐Zhang polynomial of the hexagonal flake O(2, m, n) applicable to arbitrary values of the structural parameters m and n. The reported equation has been discovered by extensive numerical experimentation and is given here without a proof. Our combinatorial analysis performed on a large collection of isostructural O(2, m, n) benzenoids yielded a ZZ polynomial formula corresponding to the determinant of a certain 2 × 2 matrix referred to by us as the generalized John–Sachs path matrix, because of the striking structural similarity with the original path matrices introduced by the John–Sachs theory of Kekulé structures. The presented conjecture hints at the existence of a generalization of the John–Sachs theory applicable to characterization and enumeration of Clar covers.
High rates of long‐term progression in HIV‐1‐positive elite controllers
Authors: Borrell Maria , Fernández Irene , Etcheverrry Flor , Ugarte Ainoa , Plana Montserrat , Leal Lorna , García Felipe 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIntroductionElite controllers (EC) are a rare group of HIV‐1‐positive individuals who suppress viral loads (VL) to undetectable levels with elevated CD4 T‐cell counts in the absence of ART. While rates of short‐ and mid‐term progression have been described in these patients, few studies have focused on their long‐term outcome This study aims to describe the virological and immunological behaviour in a cohort of elite controllers followed up for a median of 17 years in the University Hospital, and to identify factors that may be related to disease progression.MethodsWe conducted a descriptive, prospective and single‐centre study of all HIV‐positive adults recorded in the University Hospital database who met the definition criteria for EC. EC were defined as patients having two consecutive undetectable VL without ART for at least one year. Patients were followed from baseline up to December 2019, to the development of a progression event (loss of VL control, CD4+ T cell decline, AIDS or death) or to the censoring date (lost to follow‐up or initiation of ART). Predictive models of progression were calculated.ResultsFifty‐nine EC were identified with a median follow‐up of 17 years contributing 1033 PYFU. The median (95% CI) time duration from HIV‐1 diagnosis to disease progression was four (1.7 to 6.3) years. Forty‐nine (83%) presented progression to the composite end‐point, 44 (74.6%) lost viral control, 39 (66.1%) lost immunological control, two developed AIDS and two died. Only 10 patients (16.9%) did not show progression of any kind. Independent predictors of virological progression were sexual risk of HIV‐1 acquisition and VL blips during the first year of follow‐up (baseline). The only independent predictor detected for progression to a composite end‐point was VL blips during the first year of follow‐up (baseline).ConclusionsThe rate of long‐term progression in EC was very high. Only a minority of patients did not show clinical progression after a median of 17 years of follow‐up. These results should be taken in account when considering EC as a model of HIV‐1 remission.
Impact of improved rice varieties on household food security in Northern Ghana: A doubly robust analysis
Authors: Lu Wencong , Addai Kwabena Nyarko , Ng'ombe John N. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis study determines the impact of the adoption of improved rice varieties on household food security using farm‐level data from 900 households in Northern Ghana. We employed the doubly robust inverse probability weighted regression adjustment procedure complementary with a propensity score matching approach on two indicators of food security (household dietary diversity score and subjective food security). Across all the various estimation procedures, we observed consistent positive effects of the adoption of improved rice varieties on household food security. Policies that enhance diffusion and adoption of improved rice varieties should be encouraged to improve food security among farm households.
Reducing Contrast Agent Dose in Cardiovascular MR Angiography with Deep Learning
Authors: Montalt‐Tordera Javier , Quail Michael , Steeden Jennifer A , Muthurangu Vivek 
Published: February 2021

BackgroundContrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is used to assess various cardiovascular conditions. However, gadolinium‐based contrast agents (GBCAs) carry a risk of dose‐related adverse effects.PurposeTo develop a deep learning method to reduce GBCA dose by 80%.Study TypeRetrospective and prospective.PopulationA total of 1157 retrospective and 40 prospective congenital heart disease patients for training/validation and testing, respectively.Field Strength/SequenceA 1.5 T, T1‐weighted three‐dimensional (3D) gradient echo.AssessmentA neural network was trained to enhance low‐dose (LD) 3D MRA using retrospective synthetic data and tested with prospective LD data. Image quality for LD (LD‐MRA), enhanced LD (ELD‐MRA), and high‐dose (HD‐MRA) was assessed in terms of signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR), and a quantitative measure of edge sharpness and scored for perceptual sharpness and contrast on a 1–5 scale. Diagnostic confidence was assessed on a 1–3 scale. LD‐ and ELD‐MRA were assessed against HD‐MRA for sensitivity/specificity and agreement of vessel diameter measurements (aorta and pulmonary arteries).Statistical TestsSNR, CNR, edge sharpness, and vessel diameters were compared between LD‐, ELD‐, and HD‐MRA using one‐way repeated measures analysis of variance with post‐hoc t‐tests. Perceptual quality and diagnostic confidence were compared using Friedman's test with post‐hoc Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests. Sensitivity/specificity was compared using McNemar's test. Agreement of vessel diameters was assessed using Bland–Altman analysis.ResultsSNR, CNR, edge sharpness, perceptual sharpness, and perceptual contrast were lower (P < 0.05) for LD‐MRA compared to ELD‐MRA and HD‐MRA. SNR, CNR, edge sharpness, and perceptual contrast were comparable between ELD and HD‐MRA, but perceptual sharpness was significantly lower. Sensitivity/specificity was 0.824/0.921 for LD‐MRA and 0.882/0.960 for ELD‐MRA. Diagnostic confidence was 2.72, 2.85, and 2.92 for LD, ELD, and HD‐MRA, respectively (PLD‐ELD, PLD‐HD < 0.05). Vessel diameter measurements were comparable, with biases of 0.238 (LD‐MRA) and 0.278 mm (ELD‐MRA).Data ConclusionDeep learning can improve contrast in LD cardiovascular MRA.Level of Evidence Level2Technical EfficacyStage 2
Estimation of undetected symptomatic and asymptomatic cases of COVID‐19 infection and prediction of its spread in the USA
Authors: Mahajan Ashutosh , Solanki Ravi , Sivadas Namitha 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe reported COVID‐19 cases in the United States of America have crossed over 10 million and a large number of infected cases are undetected whose estimation can be done if country‐wide antibody testing is performed. In this study, we estimate this undetected fraction of the population by a modeling and simulation approach. We employ an epidemic model SIPHERD in which three categories of infection carriers, symptomatic, purely asymptomatic, and exposed are considered with different transmission rates that are taken dependent on the social distancing conditions, and the detection rate of the infected carriers is taken dependent on the tests done per day. The model is first validated for Germany and South Korea and then applied for prediction of the total number of confirmed, active and dead, and daily new positive cases in the United States. Our study predicts the possible outcomes of the infection if social distancing conditions are relaxed or kept stringent. We estimate that around 30.1 million people are already infected, and in the absence of any vaccine, 66.2 million (range: 64.3–68.0) people, or 20% (range: 19.4–20.5) of the population will be infected by mid‐February 21 if social distancing conditions are not made stringent. We find the infection‐to‐fatality ratio to be 0.65% (range: 0.63–0.67).
Entering a new era of quantifying glutamate clearance in health and disease
Authors: Brymer Kyle J. , Barnes Jocelyn R. , Parsons Matthew P. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractGlutamate transporter proteins, expressed on both neurons and glia, serve as the main gatekeepers that dictate the spatial and temporal actions of extracellular glutamate. Glutamate is essential to the function of the healthy brain yet paradoxically contributes to the toxicity associated with many neurodegenerative diseases. Rapid transporter‐mediated glutamate uptake, primarily occurring at astrocytic processes, tightens the efficiency of excitatory network activity and prevents toxic glutamate build‐up in the extracellular space. Glutamate transporter dysfunction is thought to underlie myriad central nervous system (CNS) diseases including Alzheimer and Huntington disease. Over the past few decades, techniques such as biochemical uptake assays and electrophysiological recordings of transporter currents from individual astrocytes have revealed the remarkable ability of the CNS to efficiently clear extracellular glutamate. In more recent years, the rapidly evolving glutamate‐sensing “sniffers” now allow researchers to visualize real‐time glutamate transients on a millisecond time scale with single synapse spatial resolution in defined cell populations. As we transition to an increased reliance on optical‐based methods of glutamate visualization and quantification, it is of utmost importance to understand not only the advantages that glutamate biosensors bring to the table but also the associated caveats and their implications for data interpretation. In this review, we summarize the strengths and limitations of the commonly used methods to quantify glutamate uptake. We then discuss what these techniques, when viewed as a complementary whole, have told us about the brain's ability to regulate glutamate levels, in both health and in the context of neurodegenerative disease.
A potential lattice damage scale in swift heavy ion irradiated InP
Authors: Hu Peipei , Zeng Jian , Zhang Shengxia , Zhai Pengfei , Xu Lijun , Ai Wensi , Maaz Khan , Xue Haizhou , Li Zongzhen , Sun Youmei , Liu Jie , He Yuan 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis article reports a comprehensive study on the damage evolution in InP crystal irradiated by swift heavy ions (SHIs, 129Xe and 209Bi). The damage effects were investigated by means of Raman spectroscopy. An analysis of the TO and LO phonon intensities ratio (ITO/ILO) for a given geometry will yield insights into the lattice quality. A direct comparison of the experimental and theoretical results of ITO/ILO has been discussed in detail. The experimental results show that the intensity ratio ITO/ILO increases with the increased ion fluences and electron energy loss (dE/dx)e. In addition, significant red‐shifts of the LO peak were observed that indicates tensile strain was induced during the energy deposition process. Theoretical analysis suggests that defects and disorders generated in the crystals strongly contribute to the intensity ratio ITO/ILO. By TEM observation, we obtained direct evidence that the proportion of disorders and amorphization is proportional to the (dE/dx)e of incident ions, which further confirms that the ITO/ILO ratio measured by Raman spectroscopy is function of irradiation‐induced damages. Therefore, the variation in the intensity ratio ITO/ILO can be used as a nondestructive tool to evaluate the lattice damages in zincblende‐type crystals.