bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hyaluronan-CD44 Interaction Regulates Mouse Retinal Progenitor Cells Migration, Proliferation and Neuronal Differentiation
Authors: Ma Jian , Fang Xiaoyun , Chen Min , Wang Yao , Zhang Li 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background: Therapeutic applications of retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) are hindered by their limited proliferation and differentiation capacity and poor ability to migrate into damaged retinal tissue. Our study aimed to explore the effects of HA-CD44 interactions on the regulation of RPCs migration, proliferation and differentiation, and to investigate the underlying regulation mechanisms.Methods: Mouse RPCs were isolated and amplified. Western blot and flow cytometry analyses were used to investigate the expression of CD44 in RPCs. The effects of HA-CD44 interactions on the RPCs behaviors, including migration, proliferation and differentiation, were investigated by MTT assay, CCK8 assay, vertical collagen gel invasion assay, time-lapse imaging, immunocytochemistry, RT-PCR and western blot assay. Furthermore, the downstream signals of HA-CD44 interactions were investigated.Results: CD44 was expressed in RPCs, and HA-CD44 interaction markedly improved RPCs adhesion and migration. The stimulation of miR-21 expression by HA-CD44 interaction was PKC/Nanog-dependent in RPCs. Treatment of RPCs with PKC- or Nanog-specific ASODN or miR-21 antagomir effectively blocked HA-mediated RPCs adhesion and migration. Moreover, ROK/Gab-1 associated PI3K/AKT signaling activation was required in the HA-CD44 interaction mediated RPCs proliferation and neuronal differentiation.Conclusions: Our findings demonstrated new roles for HA-CD44 interaction in regulating both migration, proliferation and neuronal differentiation of RPCs. HA-CD44 signaling could comprise a novel approach to control RPC fates, which may be instructive for the application of RPCs for future therapeutic application.
The Effects of youth rural-urban migration on the socio-economic aspects of migrant-sending rural households; the case of Yaya Gulale woreda
Authors: Dadi Jambo 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Youth migration is becoming a world-wide pandemic. In developing countries like Ethiopia rural-urban migration is continuing to occur at high levels as people seek new opportunities in the city to escape from rural poverty. Young people leave their villages and even their countries because of the limited potential for development inside their community. The effects of this exodus of youth can simultaneously affects development in both urban and rural areas. To this end, this study was conducted to assess the effects of youth rural-urban migration on the socio-economic aspects of migrant sending rural households. In order to generate extensive data, the study was employed cross-sectional qualitative research design. Study participants were selected via purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Both primary and secondary data were employed; in-depth interview, key informant interview and focus group discussion were used to collect the first hand information from study participants. Data generated through different data collection instruments triangulated for their reliability and validity purpose and analyzed by using thematic analysis. Finding from this study reveals that youth rural-urban migration is a burden as well as opportunity for migrant sending rural households. Hence, the out flows of economically active people from rural agricultural sector reduce the availability labor force migrant households are experiencing shortage of labor which adversely affects their productivity. Moreover, rural youth migration put the life of rural elderly parents at risky as much as it takes away the care givers thereby exposes them for loneliness and depression. On the other side, youth rural outmigration is an opportunity for migrant sending households as much as the money sent back from migrants helped family left behind in improving their livelihood. It is recommended that in order to minimize the rate of rural youth migration social amenities should be provided by government and awareness should be given for migrant households on the best use of remittance to maximize its long-term benefits.
An explainable model of host genetic interactions linked to COVID-19 severity
Authors: Onoja Anthony , Picchiotti Nicola , Fallerini Chiara , Baldassarri Margherita , Fava Francesca , Colombo Francesca , Chiaromonte Francesca , Renieri Alessandra , Furini Simone , Raimondi Francesco 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
We employed a multifaceted computational strategy to identify the genetic factors contributing to increased risk of severe COVID-19 infection from a Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) dataset of a cohort of 2000 Italian patients. We coupled a stratified k-fold screening, to rank variants more associated with severity, with training of multiple supervised classifiers, to predict severity on the basis of screened features. Feature importance analysis from decision-tree models allowed to identify a handful of 16 variants with highest support which, together with age and gender covariates, were found to be most predictive of COVID-19 severity. When tested on a follow-up cohort, our ensemble of models predicted severity with good accuracy (ACC=81.88%; ROC_AUC=96%; MCC=61.55%). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and clustering of patients on important variants orthogonally identified two groups of individuals with a higher fraction of severe cases.
Our model recapitulated a vast literature of emerging molecular mechanisms and genetic factors linked to COVID-19 response and extends previous landmark Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS). It revealed a network of interplaying genetic signatures converging on established immune system and inflammatory processes linked to viral infection response, such as JAK-STAT, Cytokine, Interleukin, and C-type lectin receptor signaling. It also identified additional processes cross-talking with immune pathways, such as GPCR signalling, which might offer additional opportunities for therapeutic intervention and patient stratification. Publicly available PheWAS datasets revealed that several variants were significantly associated with phenotypic traits (e.g. “Respiratory or thoracic disease”), confirming their link with COVID-19 severity outcome.
Taken together, our analysis suggests that curated genetic information can be effectively integrated along with other patient clinical covariates to forecast COVID-19 disease severity and dissect the underlying host genetic mechanisms for personalized medicine treatments.
Predicting the impacts of land management for sustainable development on depression risk in a Ugandan case study
Authors: Pienkowski Thomas , Keane Aidan , Kinyanda Eugene , Asiimwe Caroline , Milner-Gulland E.J. 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Agricultural intensification and expanding protected areas are proposed sustainable development approaches. But, their consequences for mental health – a global priority – are poorly understood. We predict how forest conservation and contract farming may alter resource access and depression risk in rural Uganda. We asked 695 residents in 11 communities about their expectations under land management scenarios, household characteristics, and depression symptoms. Over 80% of respondents presented with a ‘business-as-usual forest-access’ scenario expected reduced forest income and food over the next decade. This number climbed to over 90% among respondents presented with a ‘restricted forest access’ scenario. Over 80% said losing forest access would increase food insecurity and poverty among forest-dependent households. Furthermore, over 99% of those presented with two land access scenarios (‘business-as-usual land access’ and ‘sugarcane expansion land access’) expected wealthy households to gain land but poorer families to lose it. This land redistribution was expected to increase poverty and food insecurity among small-scale farmers. Bayesian structural equation suggested that depression severity was positively associated with food insecurity (estimate = 0.20, 95% CI = 0.12-0.28) and economic poverty (estimate = 0.11, 95% CI 0.02-0.19). Conservation and agricultural approaches that restrict access to livelihood resources may threaten vulnerable groups’ mental health.
Ascertaining the Prevalence of Heart Malformations in Neonates: A Novel Clinically Approved Solution
Authors: Bordbar Arash , Kashaki Mandana , Vafapour Maryam , Sepehri Amir A. , Partovi Elaheh 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background: It is vital to screen all critical congenital heart defects as early as possible. Screening for congenital heart diseases in neonates is essential for saving children's lives and reducing undetected adult congenital heart diseases. Unfortunately, over 50% of neonates with heart malformations are unrecognized at birth. Accurate screening for congenital heart malformations can be accomplished using the certified and internationally patented digital intelligent phonocardiography machine. The objective of this study is 2-fold: assess the actual prevalence of newborn heart defects in our well-baby nursery and evaluate the digital intelligent phonocardiogram screening for critical congenital heart diseases. Methods: In this study, we have accomplished "The Neonates Cardiac Monitoring Research Project" (ethics approval IR-IUMS-FMD. REC.1398.098) at Shahid Akbarabadi Maternity Hospital. Eight hundred forty neonates from our well-baby nursery have undergone both the standard clinical examinations at birth and the digital intelligent phonocardiogram examination in a double-blinded format. The median age of the neonates was 30,85 hours, and the median weight was 3.12 Kg. In addition, the pediatric cardiologist has performed echocardiography diagnosis for each neonate classified as abnormal either by the intelligent machine or by the standard medical examinations of a neonate. Detailed dataset of the eight hundred neonates’ examinations and printouts of the intelligent machine are available online.Results: We have found that the prevalence of heart malformations in our well-baby nursery is 5%. 44% of the heart malformations are unrecognized at birth through the standard medical examination of the hospital, including neonates with CCHD, Whereas the intelligent phonocardiogram has recognized 100% of neonates with heart malformations.Conclusions: We have accomplished screening for congenital heart malformations in all neonates accurately and cost-effectively in our hospital using the digital intelligent phonocardiogram. The intelligent machine has detected CCHD, where we have not detected it through the hospital's standard medical examinations, including pulse oximetry and the heart sound auscultation. In addition, the intelligent machine interprets innocent murmurs as healthy heart sounds.
The role of Plasmonic metal-oxides core-shell nanoparticles on the optical absorption of Perovskite solar cells
Authors: Ullah Ihsan , Saghaei Hamed , Shah Said Karim 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Among all the different methods to enhance the optical absorption of photovoltaic devices. The plasmonic effect is one the most prominent and effective ways to capture more incident light and also provide good carrier dynamic management. Here, we systematically introduce spherical gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) with different radii in the absorber layer of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The overall enhanced optical absorption around 14.20% and 20.02% is achieved for incorporated monolayer and bilayer Au NPs, respectively, in the active layer compared to the pure perovskite layer. Moreover, we employ the metal (Au)-dielectric (TiO2 and SiO2) nanoparticles in the absorber layer. The optical absorption increases as the core-shell size decreases. The optical absorption elevates in both Au@TiO2 core-shell and Au@SiO2 core-shell 17.5% and 3.5%, respectively. These results support superior separation and transfer of charge in the existence of plasmonic NPs. In addition, this study presents a very sophisticated approach in the optical enhancement of PSCs and thus helps to boost the overall photovoltaic device performance.
Effect of levamisole on gastrointestinal nematodes and weight gain of grazing livestock in the municipality of San Jose Chiltepec, Oaxaca, Mexico
Authors: Libreros-Osorio Ulises , Vázquez-Arrieta Daniela Donaji , Limón Ilhuicamina Daniel , Patricio-Martínez Aleidy , Patricio-Martínez Felipe 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
The aim of the present work was to study the effect of administration of levamisole on parasitic load of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) and the percentage of weight gain of grazing cattle. The animals were randomly distributed to form three experimental groups, levamisole, ivermectin and control. The collection of feces samples was carried out one day before and 15 days’ post-treatment and subsequently it was quantifying the eggs number per gram of feces. The body weight of the animals was recorded at days 0, 15, 30 and 45 after treatments to evaluate its gain. The results observed up to the final day (45 days’ post-treatment) showed the group treated with Ivermectin had a 10.1% increase in body weight, while the group under Levamisole treatment had an increase of 14.3%. The groups under ivermectin and levamisole showed a decrease in the number of eggs per grams of feces (EPG), which were measured 15 days after their treatment (22.5 EPG in ivermectin) and (55.0 EPG in levamisole) compared to the vehicle group (377.5 EPG) and pre-treatment (486.5 EPG). In the present work, it was possible to show that with two subcutaneous administrations of levamisole in grazing calves in the municipality of Chiltepec, Oaxaca, it’s possible to increase the weight in cattle while decreasing its parasite load of GIN. However, it is necessary to determine the anthelmintic resistance in farms that report the use of levamisole with different treatment and repeated doses of levamisole.
The Analysis of the Spatiotemporal Variations and Mechanisms for the Near-Surface Wind Speed Over China in the Last 40 Years
Authors: Li Xia , Pan Yongjie , Jiang Yingsha 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Near-surface wind speed is of great significance in many aspects of the human production and living. This study analyses the spatiotemporal characteristics of the near-surface wind speed and wind speed percentiles with meteorological station observations in China from 1979 to 2019. Furthermore, the mechanisms of the wind speed variations are also investigated with ERA-Interim reanalysis dataset. Spatially, the wind speeds in the northern and eastern regions of China are larger than that in the central and southern regions. Seasonally, the wind speed in spring is significantly larger than that in the other seasons. The dispersion degree of wind speed in spring is larger than that in the other seasons both spatially and temporally. The near-surface wind speed in China shows significantly decreasing trends during 1979–2019, particularly in 1979–1999, but the wind speed trend reversed after 2000. After dividing the wind speed into different percentiles, it recognizes that the decreasing trend of stronger winds are more significant than that of weaker winds. The weaker the wind speed, the more significant increasing trend after 2000. Therefore, the decreasing wind speed trend before 2000 is mainly caused by the significant reduction of strong wind, while the reversal trend after 2000 results from the increase of weak wind. The variations of the wind speed over China attributed to both the U and V wind components, and the variations of zonal wind is closely related to the weakened upper westerly wind field and the uneven warming between high and low latitudes.
Junctionless Accumulation Mode Ferroelectric FET (JAM-FE-FET) for High Frequency Digital and Analog applications
Authors: Yadav Snehlata , Rewari Sonam , Pandey Rajeshwari 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
In this paper, a Junctionless Accumulation Mode Ferroelectric Field Effect Transistor (JAM-FE-FET) has been proposed and assessed in terms of RF/analog specifications for varied channel lengths through simulations using TCAD Silvaco ATLAS simulator, using the Shockley-Read-Hall (SRH) recombination, ferro, Lombardi CVT, fermi and LK models. Major analog metrics like transconductance (gm), intrinsic gain (AV), output conductance (gd), and early voltage (VEA) are obtained for the JAM-FE-FET arrangement. The proposed structure shows an improvement in parameters like gm, Ion/Ioff, Av, TGF by 6.82%, 27.95%, 5.2%, 38.83% respectively. Further, frequency analysis of the proposed device is performed and several critical RF parameters like fT, TFP, GFP, and GTFP have been observed to be enhanced by 6.89%, 11.38%, 13.65%, 12.01% respectively. Thus, the Junctionless accumulation mode ferroelectric FET (JAM-FE-FET) arrangement has been found to have superior analog and RF performance when compared to Junctionless ferroelectric FET(JL-FE-FET). As a result, the JAM-FE-FET device presented here can be contemplated a good contender for applications in high-frequency systems.
Correlated Stochastic Epidemic Model for the Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 with Vaccination
Authors: Khan Tahir , Ullah Roman , Zaman Gul , Khatib Youssef 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
We formulate a mathematical model has been proposed to describe the stochastic influence of SARS-CoV-2 virus with various sources of randomness and vaccination. We assume the various sources of ran-domness in each population groups by different Brownian motion. We develop the correlated stochastic model by taking into account the various sources of randomness by different Brownian motions and distributed the total human population in three groups of susceptible, infected and recovered with reservoir class. Because reservoir play a significant role in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus spreading. Moreover, the vaccination of susceptible are also accorded. Once we formulate the correlated stochastic model, the existence and uniqueness of positive solution will be discussed to show the problem feasibility. The SARS-CoV-2 extinction as well as persistency will be also discussed and we will obtain the sufficient conditions for it. At the last all the theoretical results will be supported via numerical/graphical findings.
Assessment of Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratios in Patients with Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration
Authors: SANNAN NAIF , RAMADHAN MAJED , ELSAYID MOHIELDIN , ALGHAMDI HANAN , ALGHAMDI LAMIS , ALQAHTANI MAHA 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Purpose: To assess the significance of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as an inflammatory indicator in patients with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Study design: A retrospective case-control study.Methods: Clinical diagnosis along with complete blood count (CBC) results were extracted from hospital and laboratory information systems for patients with dry-AMD and age/gender-matched controls attending the ophthalmology clinic at King Abdulaziz medical city, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between 2018-2020. NLR was calculated by dividing the neutrophil by the lymphocyte count. Results: This study captured 90 patients diagnosed with dry-AMD and 270 control subjects without AMD. The mean of ages 70 and 71 years old for cases and controls, respectively. In univariate analysis, there were no significant differences in CBC results between cases and control. In NLR, dry-AMD patients have a slightly higher mean than the control group; however, this increase was not statistically significant (P-value 0.8). In the NLR model, age and gender were statistically significant factors affecting the NLR values in dry-AMD (P-value 0.03, 0.01 respectively). Conclusion: as a systemic inflammatory biomarker, NLR alone could not predict dry-AMD. However, the slight increase in the NLR values may be helpful if augmented with other laboratory measurements to aid in early disease prediction.
Shielding Effect of Melatonin Improves Seminal Quality and Oxidative Stress Indices During Chilled Storage of Ram Semen
Authors: Kumar Tapendra , Kumar Pramod , Saini Nirmala , Bhalotia Shivendra Kumar , prakash Chandan , Mahala Ajit Kumar , Kumar Ashok 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Supplementation of antioxidant to semen extender maintains seminal quality by reducing oxidative stress during preservation time period. The main aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different concentration of melatonin supplementation on liquid storage of Magra ram semen. This study was performed on adult Magra ram (n=8) and seminal ejaculates (48) were collected and evaluated for various macroscopic and microscopic seminal quality parameters for further processing. After preliminary evaluation, ejaculates of each collection session were mixed and divided into four equal aliquots. All the aliquots were diluted (1:10) with Tris-citric fructose egg yolk extender contained sans melatonin served as control whereas the other three aliquots were supplemented with 0.5, 1 and 2 mM MLT were grouped as MLT0.5, MLT1 and MLT2, respectively. Thereafter, the samples were stored at 4ºC for 72 h and various seminal parameters (individual sperm progressive motility, viability, abnormalities, plasma membrane functionality) along with oxidative stress parameters (total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA) were evaluated at 0, 24, 48 and 72 h of preservation. The results indicated that the mean percent values for progressive sperm motility, viability, plasma membrane functionality and TAC were significantly higher (p<0.05) in treated groups with the highest values in MLT1 group. Significantly lower (p<0.05) percentage of total sperm abnormalities and MDA level were observed in treatment groups compared to control group. The results report that supplementation of 1mM melatonin efficiently maintain the seminal quality and ameliorate oxidative stress during preservation up at 4ºC to 72h.
METTL3 Depletion Contributes to HR+/HER2- Breast Cancer Progression and Drug Resistance via m6A Modification of Constituents of the CDKN1A/EMT and BAX/caspase-9/-3/-8 Signalling Pathways
Authors: Ouyang Dengjie , Hong Tao , Fu Mengdie , Li Yitong , Zeng Liyun , Chen Qitong , He Hongye , Wen Ying , Cheng Yan , Zhou Meirong , Zou Qiongyan , Yi Wen-jun 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Chemotherapy is an important strategy for the treatment of hormone receptor positive / human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HR+/HER2-) breast cancer (BC), but this subtype has a low response to chemotherapy. Growing evidence indicates that N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most common RNA modification in eukaryotic cells and that methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) participates in tumour progression in several cancer types. Therefore, exploring the function of METTL3 in HR+HER2- BC initiation and development is still significant.
Methods
mRNA and protein expression levels were analysed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting, respectively. Cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assays, cell migration was analysed by wound healing assays, and apoptosis was analysed by TUNEL assays. Finally, m6A modification was analysed by methylated RNA immunoprecipitation (MeRIP).
Results
Chemotherapy-induced downregulation of the m6A modification is regulated by METTL3 in HR+/HER2- BC. METTL3 knockdown in MCF-7/T47D cells weakened the drug sensitivity of HR+/HER2- BC cells by promoting tumour proliferation and metastasis and inhibiting apoptosis. Mechanistically, CDKN1A was subsequently recognized as a downstream target of METTL3 that activates the AKT pathway and promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT). Moreover, the RNA level of BAX was decreased due to a lower level of m6A modification mediated by METTL3, and apoptosis was inhibited by inactivation of caspase 3/9/8.
Conclusion
METTL3 regulates the proliferation, migration, and drug sensitivity of HR+/HER2- BC via activation of the CDKN1A/EMT and m6A-BAX/caspase 9/3/8 signalling pathways, which suggests its role as a potential biomarker for predicting the prognosis of patients with HR+/HER2- BC.