bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Listening to speech with a guinea pig-to-human brain-to-brain interface
Authors: Richter Claus-Peter , La Faire Petrina , Tan Xiaodong , Fiebig Pamela , Landsberger David M. , Micco Alan G. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractNicolelis wrote in his 2003 review on brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) that the design of a successful BMI relies on general physiological principles describing how neuronal signals are encoded. Our study explored whether neural information exchanged between brains of different species is possible, similar to the information exchange between computers. We show for the first time that single words processed by the guinea pig auditory system are intelligible to humans who receive the processed information via a cochlear implant. We recorded the neural response patterns to single-spoken words with multi-channel electrodes from the guinea inferior colliculus. The recordings served as a blueprint for trains of biphasic, charge-balanced electrical pulses, which a cochlear implant delivered to the cochlear implant user’s ear. Study participants completed a four-word forced-choice test and identified the correct word in 34.8% of trials. The participants' recognition, defined by the ability to choose the same word twice, whether right or wrong, was 53.6%. For all sessions, the participants received no training and no feedback. The results show that lexical information can be transmitted from an animal to a human auditory system. In the discussion, we will contemplate how learning from the animals might help developing novel coding strategies.
Social Network Research contribution to evaluating process in a feasibility study of a peer-led and school-based sexual health intervention
Authors: Broccatelli Chiara , Wang Peng , McDaid Lisa , McCann Mark , Simpson Sharon Anne , Elliott Lawrie , Moore Laurence , Mitchell Kirstin 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThere is growing interest in social network-based programmes to improve health, but rigorous methods using Social Network research to evaluate the process of these interventions is less well developed. Using data from the “STis And Sexual Health” (STASH) feasibility trial of a school-based, peer-led intervention on sexual health prevention, we illustrate how network data analysis results can address key components of process evaluations for complex interventions—implementation, mechanisms of impacts, and context. STASH trained students as Peer Supporters (PS) to diffuse sexual health messages though face-to-face interactions and online Facebook (FB) groups. We applied a Multilevel Exponential Random Graph modelling approach to analyse the interdependence between offline friendship relationships and online FB ties and how these different relationships align. Our results suggest that the creation of online FB communities mirrored offline adolescent groups, demonstrating fidelity of intervention delivery. Data on informal friendship networks related to student’s individual characteristics (i.e., demographics, sexual health knowledge and adherence to norms, which were included for STASH), contributed to an understanding of the social relational ‘building’ mechanisms that sustain tie-formation. This knowledge could assist the selection of opinion leaders, improving identification of influential peers situated in optimal network positions. This work provides a novel contribution to understanding how to integrate network research with the process evaluation of a network intervention.
Global historic pandemics caused by the FAM-1 genotype of Phytophthora infestans on six continents
Authors: Saville Amanda C. , Ristaino Jean B. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe FAM-1 genotype of Phytophthora infestans caused late blight in the 1840s in the US and Europe and was responsible for the Irish famine. We sampled 140 herbarium specimens collected between 1845 and 1991 from six continents and used 12-plex microsatellite genotyping (SSR) to identify FAM-1 and the mtDNA lineage (Herb-1/Ia) present in historic samples. FAM-1 was detected in approximately 73% of the historic specimens and was found on six continents. The US-1 genotype was found later than FAM-1 on all continents except Australia/Oceania and in only 27% of the samples. FAM-1 was the first genotype detected in almost all the former British colonies from which samples were available. The data from historic outbreak samples suggest the FAM-1 genotype was widespread, diverse, and spread to Asia and Africa from European sources. The famine lineage spread to six continents over 144 years, remained widespread and likely spread during global colonization from Europe. In contrast, modern lineages of P. infestans are rapidly displaced and sexual recombination occurs in some regions.
Dispersion of metallic/ceramic matrix nanocomposite material through porous surfaces in magnetized hybrid nanofluids flow with shape and size effects
Authors: Qureshi M. Zubair Akbar , Bilal S. , Malik M. Y. , Raza Qadeer , Sherif El-Sayed M. , Li Yong-Min 
Published: June 2021

AbstractMatrix nanocomposites are high performance materials possessing unusual features along with unique design possibilities. Due to extraordinary thermophysical characteristic contained by these matrix nanocomposites materials they are useful in several areas ranging from packaging to biomedical applications. Being an environment friendly, utilization of nanocomposites offer new technological opportunities for several sectors of aerospace, automotive, electronics and biotechnology. In this regards, current pagination is devoted to analyze thermal features of viscous fluid flow between orthogonally rotating disks with inclusion of metallic matrix nanocomposite (MMNC) and ceramic matrix nanocomposites (CMNC) materials. Morphological aspects of these nanomaterials on flow and heat transfer characteristics has been investigated on hybrid viscous fluid flow. Mathematical structuring of problem along with empirical relations for nanocomposites materials are formulated in the form of partial differential equations and later on converted into ordinary differential expressions by using suitable variables. Solution of constructed coupled differential system is found by collaboration of Runge–Kutta and shooting methods. Variation in skin friction coefficient at lower and upper walls of disks along with measurement about heat transfer rate are calculated against governing physical parameters. Impact of flow concerning variables on axial, radial components of velocity and temperature distribution are also evaluated. Contour plots are also drawn to explore heat and thermal profiles. Comparison and critical analysis of MMNc and CMNc have been presented at lower and upper porous disks. Our computed analysis indicates that hybrid nanofluids show significant influence as compared to simple nanofluids with the permutation of the different shape factors.
Dinosaur senescence: a hadrosauroid with age-related diseases brings a new perspective of “old” dinosaurs
Authors: Słowiak Justyna , Szczygielski Tomasz , Rothschild Bruce M. , Surmik Dawid 
Published: June 2021

AbstractSenile vertebrates are extremely rare in the fossil record, making their recognition difficult. Here we present the largest known representative of the Late Cretaceous hadrosauriformGobihadros mongoliensisshowing features of cessation of growth indicating attainment of the terminal size. Moreover, this is the first non-avian dinosaur with an age-related pathology recognized as primary calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease indicating its advanced age. Because senile dinosaurs are so rare and thus “senescence” in dinosaurs is unclear, we also propose a new unified definition of a senile dinosaur: an individual which achieved the terminal size as revealed by the presence of the external fundamental system and closed transcortical channels, has completely secondary remodeled weight-bearing bones and possesses non-traumatic, non-contagious bone pathologies correlated with advanced age.
Anthropometric﻿ accuracy of three-dimensional average faces compared to conventional facial measurements
Authors: Shan Zhiyi , Hsung Richard Tai-Chiu , Zhang Congyi , Ji Juanjuan , Choi Wing Shan , Wang Wenping , Yang Yanqi , Gu Min , Khambay Balvinder S. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate and compare the accuracy of average faces constructed by different methods. Original three-dimensional facial images of 26 adults in Chinese ethnicity were imported into Di3DView and MorphAnalyser for image processing. Six average faces (Ave_D15, Ave_D24, Ave_MG15, Ave_MG24, Ave_MO15, Ave_MO24) were constructed using “surface-based registration” method with different number of landmarks and template meshes. Topographic analysis was performed, and the accuracy of six average faces was assessed by linear and angular parameters in correspondence with arithmetic means calculated from individual original images. Among the six average faces constructed by the two systems, Ave_MG15 had the highest accuracy in comparison with the conventional method, while Ave_D15 had the least accuracy. Other average faces were comparable regarding the number of discrepant parameters with clinical significance. However, marginal and non-registered areas were the most inaccurate regions using Di3DView. For MorphAnalyser, the type of template mesh had an effect on the accuracy of the final 3D average face, but additional landmarks did not improve the accuracy. This study highlights the importance of validating software packages and determining the degree of accuracy, as well as the variables which may affect the result.
Structure-based redesigning of pentoxifylline analogs against selective phosphodiesterases to modulate sperm functional competence for assisted reproductive technologies
Authors: Satish Mutyala , Kumari Sandhya , Deeksha Waghela , Abhishek Suman , Nitin Kulhar , Adiga Satish Kumar , Hegde Padmaraj , Dasappa Jagadeesh Prasad , Kalthur Guruprasad , Rajakumara Eerappa 
Published: June 2021

AbstractPhosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors, such as pentoxifylline (PTX), are used as pharmacological agents to enhance sperm motility in assisted reproductive technology (ART), mainly to aid the selection of viable sperm in asthenozoospermic ejaculates and testicular spermatozoa, prior to intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). However, PTX is reported to induce premature acrosome reaction (AR) and, exert toxic effects on oocyte function and early embryo development. Additionally, in vitro binding studies as well as computational binding free energy (ΔGbind) suggest that PTX exhibits weak binding to sperm PDEs, indicating room for improvement. Aiming to reduce the adverse effects and to enhance the sperm motility, we designed and studied PTX analogues. Using structure-guided in silico approach and by considering the physico-chemical properties of the binding pocket of the PDEs, designed analogues of PTX. In silico assessments indicated that PTX analogues bind more tightly to PDEs and form stable complexes. Particularly, ex vivo evaluation of sperm treated with one of the PTX analogues (PTXm-1), showed comparable beneficial effect at much lower concentration—slower AR, higher DNA integrity and extended longevity of spermatozoa and superior embryo quality. PTXm-1 is proposed to be a better pharmacological agent for ART than PTX for sperm function enhancement.
Delayed elimination communication on the prevalence of children's bladder and bowel dysfunction
Authors: Xu Peng Chao , Wang Yi He , Meng Qing Jun , Wen Yi Bo , Yang Jing , Wang Xi Zheng , Chen Yan , He Yu Lin , Wang Qing Wei , Wang Yan , Cui Lin Gang , Sihoe Jennifer D. , Franco Israel , Lang Jing He , Wen Jian Guo 
Published: June 2021

AbstractTo determine the prevalence of bladder and bowel dysfunction (BBD) and its relationship with delayed elimination communication (EC) in children. A cross-sectional study was carried out in kindergartens and primary schools in mainland China. A total of 10,166 children ranging from 4 to 10 years old were included. A total of 10,166 valid questionnaires were collected, and 409 children were diagnosed with BBD. The overall prevalence was 4.02% (409/10,166) and decreased with age, from 6.19% at age 4 to 1.96% at age 10. With the prolonged use of disposable diapers (DDs), the commencement of usage of EC in a child was significantly put off or delayed by parents, and the prevalence of BBD amongst these children increased (P < 0.001). The prevalence of BBD among children who stopped using DDs within the first 12 months and after more than 24 months was 2.79% and 4.38% respectively. Additionally, the prevalence among children who started EC within 12 months after birth and those who never engaged in EC was 1.36% and 15.71% respectively. Early introduction of EC and weaning of DD usage has a positive correlation with lower prevalence of BBD in children in China.
Dendritic spines are lost in clusters in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Mijalkov Mite , Volpe Giovanni , Fernaud-Espinosa Isabel , DeFelipe Javier , Pereira Joana B. , Merino-Serrais Paula 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a deterioration of neuronal connectivity. The pathological accumulation of tau in neurons is one of the hallmarks of AD and has been connected to the loss of dendritic spines of pyramidal cells, which are the major targets of cortical excitatory synapses and key elements in memory storage. However, the detailed mechanisms underlying the loss of dendritic spines in individuals with AD are still unclear. Here, we used graph-theory approaches to compare the distribution of dendritic spines from neurons with and without tau pathology of AD individuals. We found that the presence of tau pathology determines the loss of dendritic spines in clusters, ruling out alternative models where spine loss occurs at random locations. Since memory storage has been associated with synaptic clusters, the present results provide a new insight into the mechanisms by which tau drives synaptic damage in AD, paving the way to memory deficits through alterations of spine organization.
High-performance dialyzers and mortality in maintenance hemodialysis patients
Authors: Abe Masanori , Masakane Ikuto , Wada Atsushi , Nakai Shigeru , Kanda Eiichiro , Nitta Kosaku , Nakamoto Hidetomo 
Published: June 2021

AbstractFew data are available regarding the association of dialyzer type with prognosis. In Japan, dialyzers are classified as types I, II, III, IV, and V based on β2-microglobulin clearance rates of < 10, < 30, < 50, < 70, and ≥ 70 mL/min, respectively. We investigated the relationship of the 5 dialyzer types with 1-year mortality. This nationwide cohort study used data collected at the end of 2008 and 2009 by the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy Renal Data Registry. We enrolled 203,008 patients on maintenance hemodialysis who underwent hemodialysis for at least 1 year and were managed with any of the 5 dialyzer types. To evaluate the association of dialyzer type with 1-year all-cause mortality, Cox proportional hazards models and propensity score-matched analyses were performed. After adjustment of the data with clinicodemographic factors, the type I, II, and III groups showed significantly higher hazard ratios (HRs) than the type IV dialyzers (reference). After adjustment for Kt/V and β2-microglobulin levels, the HRs were significantly higher in the type I and II groups. After further adjustment for nutrition- and inflammation-related factors, the HRs were not significantly different between the type IV and type I and II groups. However, type V dialyzers consistently showed a significantly lower HR. With propensity score matching, the HR for the type V dialyzer group was significantly lower than that for the type IV dialyzer group. Additional long-term trials are required to determine whether type V dialyzers, which are high-performance dialyzers, can improve prognosis.
The impact of socio-demographic factors on the survival of cancer patients in Zimbabwe
Authors: Okorie Idika E. , Moyo Ricardo , Nadarajah Saralees 
Published: June 2021

AbstractWe provide a survival analysis of cancer patients in Zimbabwe. Our results show that young cancer patients have lower but not significant hazard rate compared to old cancer patients. Male cancer patients have lower but not significant hazard rate compared to female cancer patients. Race and marital status are significant risk factors for cancer patients in Zimbabwe.
Antibody-dependent enhancement representing in vitro infective progeny virus titer correlates with the viremia level in dengue patients
Authors: Yamanaka Atsushi , Imad Hisham Ahmed , Phumratanaprapin Weerapong , Phadungsombat Juthamas , Konishi Eiji , Shioda Tatsuo 
Published: June 2021

AbstractDengue virus (DENV) causes dengue fever (DF) and dengue hemorrhagic fever in humans. Some DF patients suddenly develop severe symptoms around the defervescent period. Although the pathogenic mechanism of the severe symptoms has not been fully elucidated, the viremia level in the early phase has been shown to correlate with the disease severity. One of the hypotheses is that a phenomenon called antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of infection leads to high level of viremia. To examine the plausibility of this hypothesis, we examined the relationship between in vitro ADE activity and in vivo viral load quantity in six patients with dengue diseases. Blood samples were collected at multiple time points between the acute and defervescent phases, and the balance between neutralizing and enhancing activities against the autologous and prototype viruses was examined. As the antibody levels against DENV were rapidly increased, ADE activity was decreased over time or partially maintained against some viruses at low serum dilution. In addition, positive correlations were observed between ADE activity representing in vitro progeny virus production and viremia levels in patient plasma samples. The measurement of ADE activity in dengue-seropositive samples may help to predict the level of viral load in the subsequent DENV infection.
The role of pattern electroretinograms and optical coherence tomography angiography in the diagnosis of normal-tension glaucoma
Authors: Lee Sang Yeop , Son Nak-Hoon , Bae Hyoung Won , Seong Gong Je , Kim Chan Yun 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIn this study, we investigated the correlation between pattern electroretinogram (PERG) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) parameters for diagnosis in patients with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG). Forty-nine normal individuals (49 eyes) and 60 patients with NTG (60 eyes) were enrolled. OCTA and PERG parameters, such as macular vessel density (VD) and the amplitude of N35–P50 and P50–N95, were measured. Correlation analyses were performed between the parameters, and the area under the curve (AUC) was used to identify their diagnostic ability for NTG. Macular VD and the amplitude of N35–P50 and P50–N95 showed significant differences between the normal individuals and patients with NTG. Correlation between P50 and N95 amplitude and macular VD was significant in the normal and early glaucoma groups. Macular VD showed a higher AUC value (0.730) than that of P50–N95 amplitude (0.645) in the early glaucoma group. In the moderate to severe glaucoma group, the AUC value of the amplitude of P50–N95 (0.907) was higher than that of macular VD (0.876). The results indicate that PERG and OCTA parameters may identify glaucoma in its early stage, based on the severity of glaucomatous damage in patients with NTG.
Early-phase 18F-FP-CIT and 18F-flutemetamol PET were significantly correlated
Authors: An Young-Sil , Yoon Jung Han , Son Sang Joon , Hong Chang Hyung , Lee Su Jin , Yoon Joon-Kee 
Published: June 2021

AbstractLittle is known about whether early-phase PET images of 18F-FP-CIT match those of amyloid PET. Here, we compared early-phase 18F-FP-CIT and 18F-flutemetamol PET images in patients who underwent both within a 1-month interval. The SUVR on early-phase 18F-FP-CIT PET (median, 0.86) was significantly lower than that of 18F-flutemetamol PET (median, 0.91, p < 0.001) for total brain regions including all cerebral lobes and central structures. This significant difference persisted for each brain region except central structures (p = 0.232). The SUVR of total brain regions obtained from early 18F-FP-CIT PET showed a very strong correlation with that of 18F-flutemetamol PET (rho = 0.80, p < 0.001). Among the kinetic parameters, only R1 showed a statistically significant correlation between the two techniques for all brain regions (rho = 0.89, p < 0.001). R1 from 18F-FP-CIT (median, 0.77) was significantly lower in all areas of the brain compared to R1 from 18F-flutemetamol PET (median, 0.81, p < 0.001).18F-FP-CIT demonstrated lower uptake in cortical brain regions than 18F-flutemetamol on early-phase PET. However, both early-phase PETs demonstrated significant correlation of uptake.
Expression of purinergic receptors on microglia in the animal model of choroidal neovascularisation
Authors: Li Lu , Liu Juejun , Xu Amin , Heiduschka Peter , Eter Nicole , Chen Changzheng 
Published: June 2021

AbstractTo investigate the effect of P2 receptor on microglia and its inhibitor PPADS on choroidal neovascularization. Forty CX3CR1GFP/+mice were randomly divided into 8 groups. In addition to the normal group, the rest of groups were receiving laser treatment. The retina and choroid from the second, third, fourth and fifth group of mice were taken in the 1, 4, 7, 14 days after laser treatment. The mice in the sixth and seventh group received intravitreal injection of 2 µl PPADS or PBS respectively immediately after laser treatment. The mice in the eighth group received topical application of PPADS once per day of three days. The mice in sixth, seventh and eighth group received AF and FFA examination on the fourth day after laser treatment. Immunofluorescence histochemical staining and real-time quantitative PCR were used to evaluate P2 expression and its effect on choroidal neovascularization. After laser treatment, activated microglia can express P2 receptors (P2X4, P2X7, P2Y2 and P2Y12). The expression of P2 increased on the first day after laser damage, peaked on the fourth day (tP2X4 = 6.05, tP2X7 = 2.95, tP2Y2 = 3.67, tP2Y12 = 5.98, all P < 0.01), and then decreased. After PPADS inhibition, compared with the PBS injection group, the mRNA of P2X4, P2X7, P2Y2 and P2Y12 were decreased significantly in the PPADS injection group (tP2X4 = 5.54, tP2X7 = 9.82, tP2Y2 = 3.86, tP2Y12 = 7.91, all P < 0.01) and the PPADS topical application group (tP2X4 = 3.24, tP2X7 = 5.89, tP2Y2 = 6.75, tP2Y12 = 4.97, all P < 0.01). Compared with the PBS injection group, not only the activity of microglia cells but also the leakage of CNV decreased significantly (P < 0.01) in the PPADS injection group and the PPADS topical application group. But between two PPADS groups, the leakage of CNV had no difference (P = 0.864). After laser induced CNV, activated microglia can express P2 receptors. The P2 receptor inhibitor, PPADS, can significantly affect the function of microglia and inhibit the formation of choroidal neovascularization.