bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Notch signaling via Hey1 and Id2b regulates Müller glia's regenerative response to retinal injury
Authors: Sahu Aresh , Devi Sulochana , Jui Jonathan , Goldman Daniel 
Published: August 2021

AbstractZebrafish Müller glia (MG) respond to retinal injury by suppressing Notch signaling and producing progenitors for retinal repair. A certain threshold of injury‐derived signal must be exceeded in order to engage MG in a regenerative response (MG's injury‐response threshold). Pan‐retinal Notch inhibition expands the zone of injury‐responsive MG at the site of focal injury, suggesting that Notch signaling regulates MG's injury‐response threshold. We found that Notch signaling enhanced chromatin accessibility and gene expression at a subset of regeneration‐associated genes in the uninjured retina. Two Notch effector genes, hey1 and id2b, were identified that reflect bifurcation of the Notch signaling pathway, and differentially regulate MG's injury‐response threshold and proliferation of MG‐derived progenitors. Furthermore, Notch signaling component gene repression in the injured retina suggests a role for Dll4, Dlb, and Notch3 in regulating Notch signaling in MG and epistasis experiments confirm that the Dll4/Dlb‐Notch3‐Hey1/Id2b signaling pathway regulates MG's injury‐response threshold and proliferation.
Neural mapping of prepulse‐induced startle reflex modulation as indices of sensory information processing in healthy and clinical populations: A systematic review
Authors: Naysmith Laura F. , Kumari Veena , Williams Steven C. R. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractStartle reflex is modulated when a weaker sensory stimulus (“prepulse”) precedes a startling stimulus (“pulse”). Prepulse Inhibition (PPI) is the attenuation of the startle reflex (prepulse precedes pulse by 30–500 ms), whereas Prepulse Facilitation (PPF) is the enhancement of the startle reflex (prepulse precedes pulse by 500–6000 ms). Here, we critically appraise human studies using functional neuroimaging to establish brain regions associated with PPI and PPF. Of 10 studies, nine studies revealed thalamic, striatal and frontal lobe activation during PPI in healthy groups, and activation deficits in the cortico‐striato‐pallido‐thalamic circuitry in schizophrenia (three studies) and Tourette Syndrome (two studies). One study revealed a shared network for PPI and PPF in frontal regions and cerebellum, with PPF networks recruiting superior medial gyrus and cingulate cortex. The main gaps in the literature are (i) limited PPF research and whether PPI and PPF operate on separate/shared networks, (ii) no data on sex differences in neural underpinnings of PPI and PPF, and (iii) no data on neural underpinnings of PPI and PPF in other clinical disorders.
Improving the well‐being for young people living with rheumatic heart disease: A peer support pilot program through Danila Dilba Health Service
Authors: Sivak Leda , O’Brien Margaret , Paolucci Onika , Wade Vicki , Lizama Catalina , Halkon Catherine , Enkel Stephanie , Noonan Katharine , Wyber Rosemary 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIssue addressedAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia have an inequitable burden of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD), concentrated among young people and necessitating ongoing medical care during adolescence. There is an unmet need for improved well‐being and support for these young people to complement current biomedical management.MethodsThis pilot program initiative aimed to determine the suitability and appropriate format of an ongoing peer support program to address the needs of young people living with RHD in urban Darwin.ResultsFive participants took part in three sessions. Findings demonstrated the peer‐support setting was conducive to offering support and enabled participants to share their experiences of living with RHD with facilitators and each other. Satisfaction rates for each session, including both educational components and support activities, were high.ConclusionsLearnings from the pilot program can inform the following elements of an ongoing peer‐support program: characteristics of co‐facilitators and external presenters; program format and session outlines; possible session locations; and resourcing.So what?Peer support programs for chronic conditions have demonstrated a wide range of benefits including high levels of satisfaction by participants, improved social and emotional well‐being and reductions in patient care time required by health professionals. This pilot program demonstrates the same benefits could result for young people living with RHD.
Infrared absorption spectra of phenoxide anions isolated in solid argon
Authors: Chou Sheng‐Lung , Lin Shu‐Yu , Chen Hui‐Fen , Wu Yu‐Jong 
Published: August 2021

AbstractPhenoxide anions (PhO−) and phenoxy radicals (PhO) were generated by the electron bombardment of a phenol/argon sample during matrix deposition. Further irradiation of the matrix sample at 365 nm led to the detachment of the electron from PhO− and afforded its neutral counterpart PhO in solid Ar. In a separate experiment, the photolysis of a phenol/Ar matrix at 160 nm mainly afforded PhO, phenyl (Ph) radicals, and various open‐chain ketenes, but no PhO−. The Infrared (IR) lines of PhO− were assigned on the basis of the observed photochemical behaviors and the prediction of the vibrational wavenumbers with the corresponding IR intensities predicted by the B3LYP/aug‐cc‐pVTZ theory.
Religious construction and interpretation of pain: Lived experiences of terminally ill hepatitis C Muslim patients
Authors: Ahmad Akhlaq , Sohail Malik M. , Safdar Muhammad R. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractPain is a complex, multidimensional phenomenon and integral component of illness but little is known about its religious construction and interpretation. This article discusses an important yet neglected component of terminal illness which is the religious construction of pain. Eleven hepatitis C Muslim patients admitted to the liver center were recruited for this study. In‐depth interviews helped the identification of dominant themes. The study found that terminal patients construct pain in a religious context and interpret it into religious realms. For them, pain helps to realize their debility and helplessness. They think pain has a transformatory potential and can help them turn to be very strong and brave. The participants also reported having a belief that pain in this world could be compensated in the life hereafter and they will be rewarded with good deeds and bestowed with the Jannah (paradise). The terminal patients strongly influenced by religion and spirituality believed to be experiencing pain as a punishment of their misdeeds. Thus, pain was helping them to normalize their end‐of‐life experiences and ease the terminal stage of their illness.
Correlation between a quantitative anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 IgG ELISA and neutralization activity
Authors: Dolscheid‐Pommerich Ramona , Bartok Eva , Renn Marcel , Kümmerer Beate M. , Schulte Bianca , Schmithausen Ricarda M. , Stoffel‐Wagner Birgit , Streeck Hendrik , Saschenbrecker Sandra , Steinhagen Katja , Hartmann Gunther 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIn the current COVID‐19 pandemic, a better understanding of the relationship between merely binding and functionally neutralizing antibodies is necessary to characterize protective antiviral immunity following infection or vaccination. This study analyzes the level of correlation between the novel quantitative EUROIMMUN Anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 QuantiVac ELISA (IgG) and a microneutralization assay. A panel of 123 plasma samples from a COVID‐19 outbreak study population, preselected by semiquantitative anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 IgG testing, was used to assess the relationship between the novel quantitative ELISA (IgG) and a microneutralization assay. Binding IgG targeting the S1 antigen was detected in 106 (86.2%) samples using the QuantiVac ELISA, while 89 (72.4%) samples showed neutralizing antibody activity. Spearman's correlation analysis demonstrated a strong positive relationship between anti‐S1 IgG levels and neutralizing antibody titers (rs = 0.819, p < 0.0001). High and low anti‐S1 IgG levels were associated with a positive predictive value of 72.0% for high‐titer neutralizing antibodies and a negative predictive value of 90.8% for low‐titer neutralizing antibodies, respectively. These results substantiate the implementation of the QuantiVac ELISA to assess protective immunity following infection or vaccination.
Future changes in the meteorological potential for winter haze over Beijing during periods of peak carbon emissions and carbon neutrality in China projected by Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 models
Authors: Wang Jing , Liu Yanju , Ding Yihui , Yang Yang , Xu Ying , Li Qiaoping , Zhang Yingxian , Gao Meng , Yang Jianbo , Wu Qingyuan , Li Chunhui , Li Mingcai 
Published: August 2021

AbstractHazy conditions have a significant impact on the environment and societal development. Their occurrence and persistence depend largely on climatological conditions, including the important role of climate change. Based on monthly data from 15 Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) models under three Tier 1 scenarios (SSP1–2.6, SSP2–4.5, and SSP5–8.5), the meteorological potential for winter haze pollution over Beijing was assessed during periods of peak carbon emissions (PCP; 2021–2030) and carbon neutrality (approximate net‐zero emissions) (PCN; 2051–2060) in China. The results show that a possible high‐emission strategy during PCP may not obviously enhance winter hazy conditions over Beijing in the near future. Rather, the high‐emission scenario in this period may decrease the meteorological potential that is favourable for the enhanced Beijing haze pollution by inducing a Northeast Asia cyclonic anomaly, compared to situations under SSP2–4.5, with medium emissions. Further analyses indicated that, under the continued sustainable pathway (SSP1–2.6 in PCN plus SSP1–2.6 in PCP; the better pathway simulating the effects of approximate net‐zero emissions during PCN through model results), atmospheric conditions such as the East Asian winter monsoon as well as decadal oceanic forcings of the mega‐El Niño and the warm Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, which are conducive to more frequent Beijing haze, are significantly suppressed in the farther future PCN. Under such circumstances, in situ haze pollution is highly repressed, suggesting a critical and positive role for the low‐carbon policy advocated by China during PCN in suppressing longer‐term hazy conditions over Beijing. In contrast, Beijing haze pollution during PCN is frequent under the discontinued sustainable pathway (SSP2–4.5/SSP5–8.5 in PCN plus SSP1–2.6 in PCP). Our findings demonstrate the possible insignificant impact of the high‐emission strategy of China during the near‐future PCP on Beijing haze exacerbation, and an important role for carbon neutrality advocated by China to suppress the haze potential in the farther future PCN, highlighting the significance of future pathway selections.
A spatiotemporal framework to calibrate high‐resolution global monthly precipitation products: An application to the Urmia Lake Watershed in Iran
Authors: Nasseri Mohsen , Schoups Gerrit , Taheri Mercedeh 
Published: August 2021

AbstractImproving precipitation accuracy over a watershed is one of the highest priorities in water resources studies and management. Several global precipitation datasets are available for estimating precipitation over any region in the world. However, local or regional application of these datasets should account for and correct potential errors in the original products. This article presents a novel spatiotemporal calibration framework to improve the accuracy (bias and correlation) of global precipitation datasets in regional applications. The proposed methodology consists of two steps. First, gridded global precipitation datasets are regressed pointwise against rain gauge data. This yields downscaled and bias‐corrected precipitation values at the point scale. Second, the resulting point‐scale regression parameters are used to build a geostatistical model that predicts the regression parameters across the region of interest, allowing for bias‐correcting the precipitation datasets at the regional scale. The framework is applied to the Urmia Lake Watershed in northwestern Iran. Eight global high‐resolution monthly precipitation datasets (CHIRPS, ERA‐5, IMERG, PERSIANN, PERSIANN‐CCS, PERSIANN‐CDR, TRMM and Terra) are evaluated and three downscaling approaches including linear, Q‐Q and Linear Scaling (LS) regression methods are used to calibrate the precipitation datasets based on a regional network of rain gauge observations. Ordinary kriging is subsequently used to predict the regression parameters at ungauged locations. Out of all combinations (i.e., eight datasets and three methods), downscaled IMERG using linear and Q‐Q regression methods showed the best performance in estimating the spatiotemporal variations of monthly precipitation across the watershed of interest. The original IMERG dataset overestimated the monthly precipitation by approximately 20% compared to the precipitation from rain gauges. After applying the proposed methodology in this article, the IMERG bias was reduced by 93%, with an additional 26% decrease in the RMSE.
Diagnosing COVID‐19 in human sera with detected immunoglobulins IgM and IgG by means of Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Goulart Ana Cristina Castro , Zângaro Renato Amaro , Carvalho Henrique Cunha , Silveira Landulfo 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe severe COVID‐19 pandemic requires the development of novel, rapid, accurate, and label‐free techniques that facilitate the detection and discrimination of SARS‐CoV‐2 infected subjects. Raman spectroscopy has been used to diagnose COVID‐19 in serum samples of suspected patients without clinical symptoms of COVID‐19 but presented positive immunoglobulins M and G (IgM and IgG) assays versus Control (negative IgM and IgG). A dispersive Raman spectrometer (830 nm, 350 mW) was employed, and triplicate spectra were obtained. A total of 278 spectra were used from 94 serum samples (54 Control and 40 COVID‐19). The main spectral differences between the positive IgM and IgG versus Control, evaluated by principal component analysis (PCA), were features assigned to proteins including albumin (lower in the group COVID‐19 and in the group IgM/IgG and IgG positive) and features assigned to lipids, phospholipids, and carotenoids (higher the group COVID‐19 and in the group IgM/IgG positive). Features referred to nucleic acids, tryptophan, and immunoglobulins were also seen (higher the group COVID‐19). A discriminant model based on partial least squares regression (PLS‐DA) found sensitivity of 84.0%, specificity of 95.0%, and accuracy of 90.3% for discriminating positive Ig groups versus Control. When considering individual Ig group versus Control, it was found sensitivity of 77.3%, specificity of 97.5%, and accuracy of 88.8%. The higher classification error was found for the IgM group (no success classification). Raman spectroscopy may become a technique of choice for rapid serological evaluation aiming COVID‐19 diagnosis, mainly detecting the presence of IgM/IgG and IgG after COVID‐19 infection.
Adjunct diagnostic strategies in improving diagnostic yields in image‐guided biopsies of musculoskeletal neoplasms—A cost‐effectiveness analysis
Authors: Ramkumar Dipak B. , Kelly Sean P. , Ramkumar Niveditta , Gyftopoulos Soterios , Raskin Kevin A. , Lozano‐Calderon Santiago A. , Chang Connie Y. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundRoutine use of adjunct intraprocedural fresh frozen biopsy (FFP) or point‐of‐care (POC) cytology at the time of image‐guided biopsy can improve diagnostic tissue yields for musculoskeletal neoplasms, but these are associated with increased costs.ObjectiveThis study aimed to ascertain the most cost‐effective adjunctive test for image‐guided biopsies of musculoskeletal neoplasms.MethodsThis expected value cost‐effectiveness microsimulation compared the payoffs of cost (2020 United States dollars) and effectiveness (quality‐adjusted life, in days) on each of the competing strategies. A literature review and institutional data were used to ascertain probabilities, diagnostic yields, utility values, and direct medical costs associated with each strategy. Payer and societal perspectives are presented. One‐ and two‐way sensitivity analyses evaluated model uncertainties.ResultsThe total cost and effectiveness for each of the strategies were $1248.98, $1414.09, $1980.53, and 80.31, 79.74, 79.69 days for the use of FFP, permanent pathology only, and POC cytology, respectively. The use of FFP dominated the competing strategies. Sensitivity analyses revealed FFP as the most cost‐effective across all clinically plausible values.ConclusionsAdjunct FFP is most cost‐effective in improving the diagnostic yield of image‐guided biopsies for musculoskeletal neoplasms. These findings are robust to sensitivity analyses using clinically plausible probabilities.
Combining computed tomography and biologically effective dose in radiomics and deep learning improves prediction of tumor response to robotic lung stereotactic body radiation therapy
Authors: Avanzo Michele , Gagliardi Vito , Stancanello Joseph , Blanck Oliver , Pirrone Giovanni , El Naqa Issam , Revelant Alberto , Sartor Giovanna 
Published: August 2021

AbstractPurposeThe aim of this study is to improve the performance of machine learning (ML) models in predicting response of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) by integrating image features from pre‐treatment computed tomography (CT) with features from the biologically effective dose (BED) distribution.Materials and methodsImage features, consisting of crafted radiomic features or machine‐learned features extracted using a convolutional neural network, were calculated from pre‐treatment CT data and from dose distributions converted into BED for 80 NSCLC lesions over 76 patients treated with robotic guided SBRT. ML models using different combinations of features were trained to predict complete or partial response according to response criteria in solid tumors, including radiomics CT (RadCT), radiomics CT and BED (RadCT,BED), deep learning (DL) CT (DLCT), and DL CT and BED (DLCT,BED). Training of ML included feature selection by neighborhood component analysis followed by ensemble ML using robust boosting. A model was considered as acceptable when the sum of average sensitivity and specificity on test data in repeated cross validations was at least 1.5.ResultsComplete or partial response occurred in 58 out of 80 lesions. The best models to predict the tumor response were those using BED variables, achieving significantly better area under curve (AUC) and accuracy than those using only features from CT, including a RadCT,BED model using three radiomic features from BED, which scored an accuracy of 0.799 (95% confidence intervals (0.75–0.85)) and AUC of 0.773 (0.688–0.846), and a DLCT,BED model also using three variables with an accuracy of 0.798 (0.649–0.829) and AUC of 0.812 (0.755–0.867).ConclusionAccording to our results, the inclusion of BED features improves the response prediction of ML models for lung cancer patients undergoing SBRT, regardless of the use of radiomic or DL features.
A survey on women’s awareness of iron and folic acid intake during preconception period and its associated factors in Manna District, Oromia region, Southwest Ethiopia
Authors: Teshome Firanbon , Kebede Yohannes , Girma Kasahun , Birhanu Zewdie 
Published: August 2021

AbstractAimThis study aimed to assess pregnant women's awareness of iron and folic acid intake during the preconception period and associated factors.DesignA cross‐sectional study.MethodsThis study was conducted on 636 pregnant women in Manna District, Oromia region, Southwest Ethiopia. Women's awareness of iron and folic acid intake during the preconception period was measured using a pre‐tested structured questionnaire. Descriptive, binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were carried out.ResultsOf the total of 623 participants, 6.7% of them had an awareness of iron and folic acid intake during preconception period. Women's husband who had formal education, women who had ≥four ANC visits and women who were at distance of <30 min from the nearest health facility were significant predictors of pregnant women's awareness iron and folic acid intake during the preconception period.ConclusionsWomen's awareness of iron and folic acid intake during the preconception period was very low. Husband educational status, frequency of ANC visits and distance from health facility were predictors of women's awareness of iron and folic acid intake during the preconception period.
Registration of Tx3483 through Tx3488 sorghum germplasm with waxy endosperm
Authors: Kent Mitchell A. , Rooney William L. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractSix sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] germplasm lines, Tx3483 through Tx3488 (Reg. no. PL‐313 to PL‐318, PI 698643 to PI 698648), are proposed for release by Texas A&M Agrilife Research. These lines were developed and tested by the Agrilife Research sorghum breeding and genetics program. Tx3483 through Tx3488 are pollinator parents that combine waxy endosperm with improved agronomic performance and grain functionality. In combination with a waxy endosperm seed parent, these lines produce waxy endosperm hybrids with consistently higher yield than the currently available waxy check hybrid. Additionally, some of these germplasms produce hybrids with improved grain composition and functional properties of the derived flour.
Local anesthetics transfer relies on pH differences and affinities toward lipophilic compartments
Authors: Kavčič Hana , Umek Nejc , Vintar Neli , Mavri Janez 
Published: August 2021

AbstractLocal anesthetics are weak bases and alter their properties in accordance with their protonation state, which depends on the environmental pH. We studied the transport dynamics of several local anesthetics from the extracellular fluid across biological membranes to the axoplasm, in order to understand the effect of pH on their pharmacodynamic properties. By using experimental pKa values and n‐octanol/water partition coefficients, we calculated pH‐dependent distribution coefficients and therewith associated relative populations and free energy profiles between extracellular fluid, membrane, and axoplasm. We estimated the local anesthetic capacity of neural tissue, using a simple 2D model. All values were calculated under physiological conditions and under the effect of local acidosis. Under physiological conditions, local anesthetics were most prevalent in the membrane. Change of free energy for transfer across biological membrane and the difference in relative population between extracellular fluid and axoplasm was dependent only on the difference of pH values between both environments, and not on pKa values. Estimated storage capacities for long‐lasting local anesthetics are higher by a factor of 10 or 100 than for short‐lasting local anesthetics. The membrane does not represent a barrier for local anesthetic diffusion. Local anesthetics move from the compartment with higher pH to the compartment with lower pH, due to favorable solvation free energy of protonated species. The rate of transfer across biological membrane is diffusion‐controlled and is similar for all local anesthetics. Neural tissue has a higher storage capacity for highly lipophilic local anesthetics, which can explain their longer duration of action.