bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differential prioritization of intramaze cue and boundary information during spatial navigation across the human lifespan
Authors: Glöckner Franka , Schuck Nicolas W. , Li Shu-Chen 
Published: July 2021

AbstractSpatial learning can be based on intramaze cues and environmental boundaries. These processes are predominantly subserved by striatal- and hippocampal-dependent circuitries, respectively. Maturation and aging processes in these brain regions may affect lifespan differences in their contributions to spatial learning. We independently manipulated an intramaze cue or the environment’s boundary in a navigation task in 27 younger children (6–8 years), 30 older children (10–13 years), 29 adolescents (15–17 years), 29 younger adults (20–35 years) and 26 older adults (65–80 years) to investigate lifespan age differences in the relative prioritization of either information. Whereas learning based on an intramaze cue showed earlier maturation during the progression from younger to later childhood and remained relatively stable across adulthood, maturation of boundary-based learning was more protracted towards peri-adolescence and showed strong aging-related decline. Furthermore, individual differences in prioritizing intramaze cue- over computationally more demanding boundary-based learning was positively associated with cognitive processing fluctuations and this association was partially mediated by spatial working memory capacity during adult, but not during child development. This evidence reveals different age gradients of two modes of spatial learning across the lifespan, which seem further influenced by individual differences in cognitive processing fluctuations and working memory, particularly during aging.
Biocementation mediated by native microbes from Brahmaputra riverbank for mitigation of soil erodibility
Authors: Dubey Anant Aishwarya , Ravi K. , Mukherjee Abhijit , Sahoo Lingaraj , Abiala Moses Akindele , Dhami Navdeep K. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractRiverbank erosion is a global problem with significant socio-economic impacts. Microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) has recently emerged as a promising technology for improving the mechanical properties of soils. The present study investigates the potential of selectively enriched native calcifying bacterial community and its supplementation into the riverbank soil of the Brahmaputra river for reducing the erodibility of the soil. The ureolytic and calcium carbonate cementation abilities of the enriched cultures were investigated with reference to the standard calcifying culture of Sporosarcina pasteurii (ATCC 11859). 16S rRNA analysis revealed Firmicutes to be the most predominant calcifying class with Sporosarcina pasteurii and Pseudogracilibacillus auburnensis as the prevalent strains. The morphological and mineralogical characterization of carbonate crystals confirmed the calcite precipitation potential of these communities. The erodibility of soil treated with native calcifying communities was examined via needle penetration and lab-scale hydraulic flume test. We found a substantial reduction in soil erosion in the biocemented sample with a calcite content of 7.3% and needle penetration index of 16 N/mm. We report the cementation potential of biostimulated ureolytic cultures for minimum intervention to riparian biodiversity for an environmentally conscious alternative to current erosion mitigation practices.
Country transition index based on hierarchical clustering to predict next COVID-19 waves
Authors: Rios Ricardo A. , Nogueira Tatiane , Coimbra Danilo B. , Lopes Tiago J. S. , Abraham Ajith , Mello Rodrigo F. de 
Published: July 2021

AbstractCOVID-19 has widely spread around the world, impacting the health systems of several countries in addition to the collateral damage that societies will face in the next years. Although the comparison between countries is essential for controlling this disease, the main challenge is the fact of countries are not simultaneously affected by the virus. Therefore, from the COVID-19 dataset by the Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering, we present a temporal analysis on the number of new cases and deaths among countries using artificial intelligence. Our approach incrementally models the cases using a hierarchical clustering that emphasizes country transitions between infection groups over time. Then, one can compare the current situation of a country against others that have already faced previous waves. By using our approach, we designed a transition index to estimate the most probable countries’ movements between infectious groups to predict next wave trends. We draw two important conclusions: (1) we show the historical infection path taken by specific countries and emphasize changing points that occur when countries move between clusters with small, medium, or large number of cases; (2) we estimate new waves for specific countries using the transition index.
Shotgun lipidomics of liver and brain tissue of Alzheimer’s disease model mice treated with acitretin
Authors: Lauer Anna A. , Janitschke Daniel , dos Santos Guilherme Malena , Nguyen Vu Thu Thuy , Bachmann Cornel M. , Qiao Sen , Schrul Bianca , Boehm Ulrich , Grimm Heike S. , Hartmann Tobias , Endres Kristina , Grimm Marcus O. W. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a very frequent neurodegenerative disorder characterized by an accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ). Acitretin, a retinoid-derivative and approved treatment for Psoriasis vulgaris,
increases non-amyloidogenic Amyloid-Precursor-Protein-(APP)-processing, prevents Aβ-production and elicits cognitive improvement in AD mouse models. As an unintended side effect, acitretin could result in hyperlipidemia. Here, we analyzed the impact of acitretin on the lipidome in brain and liver tissue in the 5xFAD mouse-model. In line with literature, triglycerides were increased in liver accompanied by increased PCaa, plasmalogens and acyl-carnitines, whereas SM-species were decreased. In brain, these effects were partially enhanced or similar but also inverted. While for SM and plasmalogens similar effects were found, PCaa, TAG and acyl-carnitines showed an inverse effect in both tissues. Our findings emphasize, that potential pharmaceuticals to treat AD should be carefully monitored with respect to lipid-homeostasis because APP-processing itself modulates lipid-metabolism and medication might result in further and unexpected changes. Moreover, deducing effects of brain lipid-homeostasis from results obtained for other tissues should be considered cautiously. With respect to acitretin, the increase in brain plasmalogens might display a further positive probability in AD-treatment, while other results, such as decreased SM, indicate the need of medical surveillance for treated patients.
Elevated plasma miR-133b and miR-221-3p as biomarkers for early Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Chen Qihua , Deng Na , Lu Ke , Liao Qiao , Long Xiaoyan , Gou Deming , Bi Fangfang , Zhou Jinxia 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBlood circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are proposed to be promising biomarkers for many neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, there is a lack of identified differentially expressed miRNAs in PD from different studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate miRNAs expression in PD. We measured plasma circulating miRNA expression in three independent sets with a total of 151 PD patients, 21 multiple system atrophy (MSA) patients and 138 healthy controls using high-throughput RT-PCR. We identified that elevated miR-133b and miR-221-3p discriminated early-stage PD from controls with 94.4% sensitivity and 91.1% specificity. Elevated miR-133b and miR-221-3p distinguished PD from controls with 84.8% sensitivity and 88.9% specificity. In addition, miR-4454 distinguished PD from MSA with 57.1% sensitivity and 82.6% specificity. Hence, elevated miR-133b and miR-221-3p potentially represent good biomarkers for early PD, and a combination of miR-133b, miR-221-3p and miR-4454 has the potential to serve as a non-invasive biomarker for PD diagnosis.
Impacts of treatments on recurrence and 28-year survival of ischemic stroke patients
Authors: Wang Ting-Ann , Wu Tzy-Haw , Pan Shin-Liang , Chen Hsiu-Hsi , Chiu Sherry Yueh-Hsia 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAspirin and nicametate are well-established therapies for preventing recurrence and mortality from stroke in patients diagnosed as ischemic stroke. However, their respective effects on the recurrence, making allowance for the duration of recurrence and death without the occurrence of recurrence, and long-term survival have not been well elucidated. We aimed to evaluate long-term effect of two kinds of treatment on cerebrovascular death among ischemic stroke patients with or without the recurrence of stroke. Data used in this study were derived from the cohort based on a multicenter randomized double-blind controlled trial during 1992 to 1995 with the enrollment of a total of 466 patients with first-time non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke who were randomly allocated to receive aspirin (n = 222) or nicametate (n = 244). The trial cohort was followed up over time to ascertain the date of recurrence within trial period and death until Sep of 2019. The time-dependent Cox regression model was used to estimate the long-term effects of two treatments on death from cerebrovascular disease with and without recurrence. A total of 49 patients experienced stroke recurrence and 89 cerebrovascular deaths was confirmed. Patients treated with nicametate were more likely, but non statistically significantly, to have recurrence (aHR: 1.73, 95% CI 0.96–3.13) as compared with those treated by aspirin. Nicametate reduced the risk of cerebrovascular death about 37% (aHR: 0.63, 95% CI 0.41–0.97) compared with aspirin. The aspirin group had a lower recurrence rate than the nicametate group even with recurrence after 1–2 years of follow-up of first stroke but the latter had significantly reduced death from cerebrovascular disease for nicametate group, which requires more research to verify.
Association between statin use and Alzheimer’s disease with dose response relationship
Authors: Jeong Su-Min , Shin Dong Wook , Yoo Tae Gon , Cho Mi Hee , Jang Wooyoung , Lee Jinkook , Kim SangYun 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThis study aimed to determine the dose–response relationship between the levels of statin exposure and the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We included 119,013 Korean adults (≥ 60 years old) using a database from the Korean National Health Insurance Service (2002–2013). Statin exposure was treated as a time-varying variable. Incidence of AD was defined by the first claim code for AD with anti-Alzheimer drugs. AD occurred in 9467 cases during a median 7.2 years of follow-up. Overall, statin use was not associated with an increased risk of AD incidence [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 1.04; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.99–1.10]. When examined by level of statin exposure, statin prescription < 540 days during a 2-year window time was associated with a higher risk for incidence of AD compared to statin non-use. However, days of prescription ≥ 540 and cumulative defined daily dose ≥ 540 of statin were associated with decreased risk of AD [aHR (95% CI) = 0.87 (0.80–0.95) and 0.79 (0.68–0.92), respectively]. Our findings indicate that less persistent statin use is associated with increased risk of AD, whereas persistent and adherent statin use is associated with decreased risk of AD.
Calcium functional imaging with high-resolution CT in the inner ear
Authors: Tanioka Hisaya , Tanioka Sayaka 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAlthough the otolith and otolith organs correlate with vertigo and instability, there is no method to investigate them without harmful procedures. We will create the technique for 3D microanatomical images of them, and investigate the in vivo internal state and metabolisms. The otolith and otolith organs images were reconstructed from a texture synthesis algorithm under the skull volume rendering algorithm using a cutting-plane method. The utricular macula was elongated pea-shaped. The saccular macula was almost bud-shaped. The changes in the amount of CaCO3 in the maculae and the endolymphatic sac showed various morphologies, reflecting the balance status of each subject. Both shapes and volumes were not always constant depending on time. In Meniere’s disease (MD), the saccular macula was larger and the utricular macula was smaller. In benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), the otolith increased in the utricular macula but did not change much in the saccular macula. The saccule, utricle, and endolymphatic sac were not constantly shaped according to their conditions. These created 3D microanatomical images can allow detailed observations of changes in physiological and biological information. This imaging technique will contribute to our understanding of pathology and calcium metabolism in the in vivo vestibulum.
Impact of endoscopic submucosal dissection and epithelial cell sheet engraftment on systemic cytokine dynamics in patients with oesophageal cancer
Authors: Yoshida Akira , Takata Tomoaki , Kanda Tsutomu , Yamaguchi Naoyuki , Minami Hitomi , Nakao Kazuhiko , Kobayashi Shinichiro , Eguchi Susumu , Isomoto Hajime 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe tumour microenvironment (TME) plays an important role in cancer development, progression, and metastasis. Various cytokines are present in the TME in oesophageal cancer. Oesophageal stricture is a major complication of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for oesophageal cancer, and inflammatory cytokines are closely related to its pathogenesis. However, the cytokine crosstalk involved in the oesophageal cancer TME and post-ESD stricture has not been fully elucidated. This study investigated the comprehensive cytokine dynamics following ESD in patients with oesophageal cancer. In addition, the effect of a novel preventive technique for post-ESD stricture, autologous cell sheet engraftment, on cytokine levels was evaluated. Various pro-inflammatory and anti-tumorigenic cytokines were elevated in patients with oesophageal cancer, and ESD transiently influenced cytokine concentrations. IL-1β and TNF-α, two major pro-inflammatory cytokines that induce oesophageal stricture, were significantly suppressed by cell sheet engraftment. In conclusion, this study revealed the distinct cytokine dynamics after ESD in patients with oesophageal cancer, together with the effect of autologous cell sheet engraftment on cytokine fluctuation. These results can accelerate research on the TME and therapeutic strategies for oesophageal cancer.
Inter-eye genomic heterogeneity in bilateral retinoblastoma via aqueous humor liquid biopsy
Authors: Wong Elyssa Y. , Xu Liya , Shen Lishuang , Kim Mary E. , Polski Ashley , Prabakar Rishvanth K. , Shah Rachana , Jubran Rima , Kim Jonathan W. , Biegel Jaclyn A. , Gai Xiaowu , Kuhn Peter , Hicks James , Berry Jesse L. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractGermline alterations in the RB1 tumor suppressor gene predispose patients to develop retinoblastoma (RB) in both eyes. While similar treatment is given for each eye, there is often a variable therapeutic response between the eyes. Herein, we use the aqueous humor (AH) liquid biopsy to evaluate the cell-free tumor DNA (ctDNA) from each eye in a patient with bilateral RB. Despite the same predisposing germline RB1 mutation, AH analysis identified a different somatic RB1 mutation as well as separate and distinct chromosomal alterations in each eye. The longitudinal alterations in tumor fraction (TFx) corresponded to therapeutic responses in each eye. This case demonstrates that bilateral RB tumors develop separate genomic alterations, which may play a role in tumorigenesis and prognosis for eye salvage. Identifying these inter-eye differences without the need for enucleated tumor tissue may help direct active management of RB, with particular usefulness in bilateral cases.
Multicomponent and multisensory communicative acts in orang-utans may serve different functions
Authors: Fröhlich Marlen , Bartolotta Natasha , Fryns Caroline , Wagner Colin , Momon Laurene , Jaffrezic Marvin , Mitra Setia Tatang , van Noordwijk Maria A. , van Schaik Carel P. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractFrom early infancy, human face-to-face communication is multimodal, comprising a plethora of interlinked communicative and sensory modalities. Although there is also growing evidence for this in nonhuman primates, previous research rarely disentangled production from perception of signals. Consequently, the functions of integrating articulators (i.e. production organs involved in multicomponent acts) and sensory channels (i.e. modalities involved in multisensory acts) remain poorly understood. Here, we studied close-range social interactions within and beyond mother-infant pairs of Bornean and Sumatran orang-utans living in wild and captive settings, to examine use of and responses to multicomponent and multisensory communication. From the perspective of production, results showed that multicomponent acts were used more than the respective unicomponent acts when the presumed goal did not match the dominant outcome for a specific communicative act, and were more common among non-mother-infant dyads and Sumatran orang-utans. From the perception perspective, we found that multisensory acts were more effective than the respective unisensory acts, and were used more in wild compared to captive populations. We argue that multisensory acts primarily facilitate effectiveness, whereas multicomponent acts become relevant when interaction outcomes are less predictable. These different functions underscore the importance of distinguishing between production and perception in studies of communication.
Enhancement of photoluminescence and the stability of CsPbX3(X = Cl, Br, and I) perovskite nanocrystals with phthalimide passivation
Authors: Dutt V. G. Vasavi , Akhil Syed , Mishra Nimai 
Published: July 2021

Dramatic improvement of photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) and the stability of phthalimide passivated CsPbCl3, CsPbBr3, and CsPbI3 NCs under ambient light and UV light.
The dual effect of “inorganic fullerene” {Mo132} doped with SnO2for efficient perovskite-based photodetectors
Authors: Xu Xueying , Zhang Liming , Wang Ting , Li Yunjiang , Ji Tuo , Chen Weilin , Wang Chunlei , Lin Chunxia 
Published: July 2021

A simple doping method was used to modify SnO2 with polyoxometalate {Mo132}. The doped composite material not only has a more matched energy level and improves conductivity, but can also improve the quality of the perovskite film grown on it.
A lipidomic view of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Ebrahimi Kourosh H. , McCullagh James S.O. 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
The global pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which started in late 2019, has caused huge social and economic losses. A growing number of investigators are focusing on understanding the interaction of SARS-CoV-2 with host cellular processes to find therapeutic approaches. New data suggest that lipid metabolism may play a significant role in regulating the response of immune cells like macrophages to viral infection, thereby affecting the outcome of the disease. Therefore, understanding the role of lipid metabolism could help develop new therapeutic approaches to mitigate the social and economic cost of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Unravelling the impact of intrauterine growth restriction on heart development: insights into mitochondria and sexual dimorphism from a non-hominoid primate
Authors: Booz George W. , Massoud Gaelle P. , Altara Raffaele , Zouein Fouad A. 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Fetal exposure to an unfavorable intrauterine environment programs an individual to have a greater susceptibility later in life to non-communicable diseases, such as coronary heart disease, but the molecular processes are poorly understood. An article in Clinical Science recently reported novel details on the effects of maternal nutrient reduction (MNR) on fetal heart development using a primate model that is about 94% genetically similar to humans and is also mostly monotocous. MNR adversely impacted fetal left ventricular (LV) mitochondria in a sex-dependent fashion with a greater effect on male fetuses, although mitochondrial transcripts increased more so in females. Increased expression for several respiratory chain and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase proteins were observed. However, fetal LV mitochondrial complex I and complex II/III activities were significantly decreased, likely contributing to a 73% decreased LV ATP content and increased LV lipid peroxidation. Moreover, MNR fetal LV mitochondria showed sparse and disarranged cristae. This study indicates that mitochondria are targets of the remodeling and imprinting processes in a sex-dependent manner. Mitochondrial ROS production and inadequate energy production add another layer of complexity. Altogether these observations raise the possibility that dysfunctional mitochondria in the fetus may contribute in turn to epigenetic memory of in utero stress in the adult. The role of mitoepigenetics and involvement of mitochondrial and genomic non-coding RNAs in mitochondrial functions and nuclei–mitochondria crosstalk with in utero stress awaits further investigation.
Use of a Smartphone App for Cochlear Implant Patients With Tinnitus
Authors: Perreau Ann E. , Tyler Richard S. , Frank Victoria , Watts Alexandra , Mancini Patricia C. 
Published: July 2021

PurposeSmartphone apps for tinnitus relief are now emerging; however, research supporting their use and effectiveness is lacking. Research has shown that Tinnitus Therapy sounds intended for individuals with acoustic hearing provide relief to some patients using cochlear implants (CIs) with tinnitus. Here, we evaluated the use and acceptability of a smartphone app to help CI patients with tinnitus.MethodParticipants completed a laboratory trial (n= 19) and an at-home trial (n= 14) using the ReSound Tinnitus Relief app to evaluate its acceptability and effectiveness in reducing their tinnitus. During the laboratory trial, participants selected a sound that was most acceptable in managing their tinnitus (termedchosen sound). Word recognition scores in quiet were obtained before and after sound therapy. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups for the at-home trial, that is, AB or BA, using (A) the chosen sound for 2 weeks and (B) the study sound (i.e., broadband noise at hearing threshold) for another 2 weeks. Ratings were collected weekly to determine acceptability and effectiveness of the app in reducing tinnitus loudness and annoyance.ResultsResults indicated that some, but not all, participants found their chosen sound to be acceptable and/or effective in reducing their tinnitus. A majority of the participants rated the chosen sound or the study sound to be acceptable in reducing their tinnitus. Word recognition scores for most participants were not adversely affected using the chosen sound; however, a significant decrease was observed for three participants. All 14 participants had a positive experience with the app during the at-home trial on tests of sound therapy acceptability, effectiveness, and word recognition.ConclusionsSound therapy using a smartphone app can be effective for many tinnitus patients using CIs. Audiologists should recommend a sound and a level for tinnitus masking that do not interfere with speech perception.