bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Age-period-cohort analysis of stroke mortality attributable to high systolic blood pressure in China and Japan
Authors: Cao Jinhong , Eshak Ehab S. , Liu Keyang , Arafa Ahmed , Sheerah Haytham A. , Yu Chuanhua 
Published: September 2021

AbstractStroke is a principal cause of mortality in China and Japan. High systolic blood pressure (SBP) was considered a chief risk factor for stroke mortality. Herein, we evaluated temporal trends of high SBP-attributable stroke mortality in China and Japan between 1990 and 2017. Data on stroke mortality were retrieved from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 (GBD 2017). Using the age-period-cohort method, we computed overall net drifts, local drifts, longitudinal age curves, and cohort/period rate ratios (RRs) for high SBP-attributable stroke mortality. The age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs) displayed decreasing trends for high SBP-attributable stroke mortality. The annual net drift values were − 1.4% and − 3.5% in Chinese men and women versus − 3.1% and − 4.9% in Japanese men and women. The local drift values in both countries were < 0 among all age groups but were lower in women than in men. The longitudinal age curves showed a greater high SBP-attributable stroke mortality in men than in women across all age groups. Similar decreasing patterns were shown in the period and cohort RRs in both sexes with women having a quicker decline than men. In China and Japan, the ASMRs, as well as the period and cohort RRs of high SBP-attributable stroke mortality, decreased between 1990 and 2017 in both sexes and across all age groups. Yet, the prevalence of high SBP remained worrisome in both countries. Thus, SBP control should be encouraged to prevent stroke mortality.
Violet bioluminescent Polycirrus sp. (Annelida: Terebelliformia) discovered in the shallow coastal waters of the Noto Peninsula in Japan
Authors: Kanie Shusei , Miura Daisuke , Jimi Naoto , Hayashi Taro , Nakamura Koji , Sakata Masahiko , Ogoh Katsunori , Ohmiya Yoshihiro , Mitani Yasuo 
Published: September 2021

AbstractTerebellidae worms have large numbers of tentacles responsible for various biological functions. Some Terebellidae worms whose tentacles emit light are found around the world, including exceptional violet-light-emitting Polycirrus spp. found in Europe and North America. However, there is no video-recorded observation of the luminous behavior of such unique species in nature, and the genetic information related to their ecology are lacking. Here, for the first time, we video-recorded the violet-light-emitting behavior of an undescribed Japanese worm in its natural habitat. The worm was designated as Polycirrus sp. ISK based on morphological observations, and the luminescence spectrum showed a peak at 444 nm, which is an exceptionally short wavelength for bioluminescence in a shallow coastal water environment. An analysis of differentially expressing genes based on separate RNA-Seq analysis for the tentacles and the rest of body revealed the specific expression of genes that are probably involved in innate immunity in the tentacles exposed to predators. We also found a Renilla luciferase homologous gene, but coelenterazine was not detected in the worm extract by analyses using a liquid chromatography and a recombinant Renilla luciferase. These results will promote an understanding of the ecology and luminescence mechanisms of luminous Polycirrus spp.
Curcumin inhibited hepatitis B viral entry through NTCP binding
Authors: Thongsri Piyanoot , Pewkliang Yongyut , Borwornpinyo Suparerk , Wongkajornsilp Adisak , Hongeng Suradej , Sa-ngiamsuntorn Khanit 
Published: September 2021

AbstractHepatitis B virus (HBV) has been implicated in hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Current agents (nucleos(t)ide analogs and interferons) could only attenuate HBV infection. A combination of agents targeting different stages of viral life cycle (e.g., entry, replication, and cccDNA stability) was expected to eradicate the infection. Curcumin (CCM) was investigated for inhibitory action toward HBV attachment and internalization. Immortalized hepatocyte-like cells (imHCs), HepaRG and non-hepatic cells served as host cells for binding study with CCM. CCM decreased viral load, HBeAg, HBcAg (infectivity), intracellular HBV DNA, and cccDNA levels. The CCM-induced suppression of HBV entry was directly correlated with the density of sodium-taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP), a known host receptor for HBV entry. The site of action of CCM was confirmed using TCA uptake assay. The affinity between CCM and NTCP was measured using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). These results demonstrated that CCM interrupted HBV entry and would therefore suppress HBV re-infection.
Development of a highly efficient ion-ozone cavitation technology for accelerated bread production
Authors: Tursunbayeva Sholpan , Iztayev Auyelbek , Mynbayeva Aizhan , Alimardanova Mariam , Iztayev Baurzhan , Yakiyayeva Madina 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe bakery market is one of the most capacious in Kazakhstan. Manufacturers of bread products are in dire need of the introduction of intensive technologies for improving product quality and safety. This article presents the results of research to develop technology for accelerated production of bread with ion-ozone cavitation treatment. The influence of various modes of exposure to ion-ozone cavitation has been investigated. After baking, bread samples were examined for organoleptic, physicochemical, rheological and microbiological indicators. The optimal method is treatment with ion-ozone at a concentration of 0.0025 units/mg, at a pressure of 1.0 atm for 1 min. As a result, it was proved that this mode accelerates the process of obtaining dough and shortens the fermentation time, and baking bread increases the qualitative and quantitative indicators according to the control method. The results showed that the ion-ozone technology reduces the length of the process of making dough and bread by three times compared to traditional technologies. The developed products with existing analogues in the Kazakhstan market will differ due to their high taste and consumer properties, product safety, long shelf life and low cost.
Quantum-circuit black hole lasers
Authors: Katayama Haruna 
Published: September 2021

AbstractA black hole laser in analogues of gravity amplifies Hawking radiation, which is unlikely to be measured in real black holes, and makes it observable. There have been proposals to realize such black hole lasers in various systems. However, no progress has been made in electric circuits for a long time, despite their many advantages such as high-precision electromagnetic wave detection. Here we propose a black hole laser in Josephson transmission lines incorporating metamaterial elements capable of producing Hawking-pair propagation modes and a Kerr nonlinearity due to the Josephson nonlinear inductance. A single dark soliton obeying the nonlinear Schrödinger equation produces a black hole-white hole horizon pair that acts as a laser cavity through a change in the refractive index due to the Kerr effect. We show that the resulting laser is a squeezed-state laser characterized by squeezing parameters. We also evaluate the degree of quantum correlation between Hawking and its partner radiations using entanglement entropy which does not require simultaneous measurements between them. As a result, the obtained entanglement entropy depending on the soliton velocity provides strong evidence that the resulting laser is derived from Hawking radiation with quantum correlation generated by pair production from the vacuum.
Effect of solvents on bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of Padina tetrastromatica and Gracilaria tenuistipitata seaweeds collected from Bangladesh
Authors: Sobuj Mohammad Khairul Alam , Islam Md. Ariful , Islam Md. Shoebul , Islam Md. Mohidul , Mahmud Yahia , Rafiquzzaman S. M. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractSeaweeds are now recognized as a treasure of bioactive compounds. However, the bioactivity of seaweed originating in Bangladesh is still unexplored. So, this study was designed to explore the secondary metabolites and antioxidant activities of solvent extracts of Padina tetrastromatica and Gracilaria tenuistipitata. Phytochemical screening and FTIR spectra confirm the diverse type of bioactive compounds. Antioxidant activity of extracts were evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2, 2-Azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), reducing power (RP), phosphomolybdenum, hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide (NO) scavenging assays. Here, methanolic extract of P. tetrastromatica showed highest amount of total phenolic content (85.61 mg of GA/g), total flavonoid content (41.77 mg of quercetin/g), DPPH (77.07%), ABTS (77.65%), RP (53.24 mg AAE/g), phosphomolybdenum (31.58 mg AAE/g), hydrogen peroxide (67.89%) and NO (70.64%) assays compared to its methanolic extracts of G. tenuistipitata. This study concluded that methanol as a solvent extract of brown seaweed (P. tetrastromatica) exhibited bioactivity and antioxidant potentiality which will be useful for pharmacological as well as in functional food application.
Coupling electro-dewatering and low-temperature air-drying for efficient dewatering of sludge
Authors: Lv Hang , Xiong Qiao , Liu Daoguang , Wu Xu 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThis study investigated the effects of electro-dewatering on subsequent low-temperature drying at various potentials and the characteristics of low-temperature air-drying sludge were explored through experiments and multi-physical modeling. Experimental results showed that the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) content in the sludge was reduced during electro-dewatering process, even the species of organic matter was changed, as well as the dewatered cake tend to form many seepage channels, crack and a certain number of holes. These changes in the properties and structure were conducive to the subsequent low-temperature drying process. For air-drying process, the mass of the sludge cake variation was simulated and results were consistent with the experimental phenomenon. Firstly, the weight of the sludge cake was decreased approximately linearly with time, then tended to stable and reached the dewatering limitation finally. The applied higher electric field intensity (25 V cm−1) in the front-end electro-dewatering were conducive to promote water vapor diffusion activity in air-drying stage. Energy consumption and yield analysis results indicated that the combined technology has lower energy consumption and higher yield than that of directly low-temperature drying.
The localization of amyloid precursor protein to ependymal cilia in vertebrates and its role in ciliogenesis and brain development in zebrafish
Authors: Chebli Jasmine , Rahmati Maryam , Lashley Tammaryn , Edeman Brigitta , Oldfors Anders , Zetterberg Henrik , Abramsson Alexandra 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAmyloid precursor protein (APP) is expressed in many tissues in human, mice and in zebrafish. In zebrafish, there are two orthologues, Appa and Appb. Interestingly, some cellular processes associated with APP overlap with cilia-mediated functions. Whereas the localization of APP to primary cilia of in vitro-cultured cells has been reported, we addressed the presence of APP in motile and in non-motile sensory cilia and its potential implication for ciliogenesis using zebrafish, mouse, and human samples. We report that Appa and Appb are expressed by ciliated cells and become localized at the membrane of cilia in the olfactory epithelium, otic vesicle and in the brain ventricles of zebrafish embryos. App in ependymal cilia persisted in adult zebrafish and was also detected in mouse and human brain. Finally, we found morphologically abnormal ependymal cilia and smaller brain ventricles in appa−/−appb−/− mutant zebrafish. Our findings demonstrate an evolutionary conserved localisation of APP to cilia and suggest a role of App in ciliogenesis and cilia-related functions.
Lesion of the hippocampus selectively enhances LEC’s activity during recognition memory based on familiarity
Authors: Mahnke Liv , Atucha Erika , Pina-Fernàndez Eneko , Kitsukawa Takashi , Sauvage Magdalena M. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe sense of familiarity for events is crucial for successful recognition memory. However, the neural substrate and mechanisms supporting familiarity remain unclear. A major controversy in memory research is whether the parahippocampal areas, especially the lateral entorhinal (LEC) and the perirhinal (PER) cortices, support familiarity or whether the hippocampus (HIP) does. In addition, it is unclear if LEC, PER and HIP interact within this frame. Here, we especially investigate if LEC and PER's contribution to familiarity depends on hippocampal integrity. To do so, we compare LEC and PER neural activity between rats with intact hippocampus performing on a human to rat translational task relying on both recollection and familiarity and rats with hippocampal lesions that have been shown to then rely on familiarity to perform the same task. Using high resolution Immediate Early Gene imaging, we report that hippocampal lesions enhance activity in LEC during familiarity judgments but not PER’s. These findings suggest that different mechanisms support familiarity in LEC and PER and led to the hypothesis that HIP might exert a tonic inhibition on LEC during recognition memory that is released when HIP is compromised, possibly constituting a compensatory mechanism in aging and amnesic patients.
Increased burrow oxygen levels trigger defensive burrow-sealing behavior by plateau zokors
Authors: Chu Bin , Tian Yongliang , Zhou Jianwei , Tang Zhuangsheng , Dong Kechi , Hua Limin 
Published: September 2021

AbstractDefensive behaviors are a response to immediate and potential threats in the environment, including abiotic and biotic threats. Subterranean rodents exhibit morphological and physiological adaptions for life underground, and they will seal with mounds and additional plugs when their burrow opened. However, little is known about the factors driving this defensive behavior. In this study, we selected a subterranean rodent, plateau zokor (Myospalax fontanieri), as a species to investigate (both in the laboratory and in the field) the possible factors responsible for burrow-sealing behavior. Our results showed that: (1) In the laboratory, the burrow-sealing frequency of plateau zokor in response to five factors were as follows: oxygen (52.63%) > light (34.58%) > temperature (20.24%) > gas flow (6.48%) > sound/control (0%). Except for light, the burrow-sealing frequency in response to other factors was significantly lower than that in response to oxygen (P < 0.05). (2) Burrow-sealing behavior in response to each treatment did not differ significantly between males and females in the laboratory experiment. (3) In the field, during the animal’s active periods in both the cold and warm season, the burrow-sealing frequency under the oxygen treatment was higher than that under the light and temperature treatments. Plateau zokors were found not to be sensitive to these treatments during their inactive periods during both the cold and warm season. (4) The latency to reseal the burrow showed no obvious differences between each treatment both in the laboratory and in the field. In conclusion, the main factor that influences the burrow-sealing behavior of plateau zokors is the variation in oxygen concentration, and this defensive behavior is related to their activity rhythm.
Determination of thresholds of risk in women at average risk of breast cancer to personalize the organized screening program
Authors: Bonnet Emmanuel , Daures Jean-Pierre , Landais Paul 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIn France, more than 10 million women at ”average” risk of breast cancer (BC), are included in the organized BC screening. Existing predictive models of BC risk are not adapted to the French population. Thus, we set up a new score in the French Hérault region and looked for subgroups at a graded level of risk in women at ”average” risk. We recruited a retrospective cohort of women, aged 50 to 60, who underwent the organized BC screening, and included 2241 non-cancer women and 527 who developed a BC during a 12-year follow-up period (2006-2018). The risk factors identified were high breast density (ACR BI-RADS grading)(B vs A: HR = 1.41, 95%CI [1.05; 1.9], p = 0.023; C vs A: HR = 1.65 [1.2; 2.27], p = 0.02 ; D vs A: HR = 2.11 [1.25;3.58], p = 0.006), a history of maternal breast cancer (HR = 1.61 [1.24; 2.09], p < 0.001), and socioeconomic difficulties (HR 1.23 [1.09; 1.55], p = 0.003). While early menopause (HR = 0.36 [0.13; 0.99], p = 0.003) and an age at menarche after 12 years (HR = 0.77 [0.63; 0.95], p = 0.047) were protective factors. We identified 3 groups at risk: lower, average, and higher, respectively. A low threshold was characterized at 1.9% of 12-year risk and a high threshold at 4.5% 12-year risk. Mean 12-year risks in the 3 groups of risk were 1.37%, 2.68%, and 5.84%, respectively. Thus, 12% of women presented a level of risk different from the average risk group, corresponding to 600,000 women involved in the French organized BC screening, enabling to propose a new strategy to personalize the national BC screening. On one hand, for women at lower risk, we proposed to reduce the frequency of mammograms and on the other hand, for women at higher risk, we suggested intensifying surveillance.
Screening bioactive food compounds in honey bees suggests curcumin blocks alcohol-induced damage to longevity and DNA methylation
Authors: Rasmussen Erik M. K. , Seier Kristine L. , Pedersen Ingrid K. , Kreibich Claus , Amdam Gro V. , Münch Daniel , Dahl John Arne 
Published: September 2021

AbstractVarious bioactive food compounds may confer health and longevity benefits, possibly through altering or preserving the epigenome. While bioactive food compounds are widely being marketed for human consumption as ‘improving health and longevity’ by counteracting harmful effects of poor nutrition and lifestyle, claimed effects are often not adequately documented. Using the honey bee (Apis mellifera) as a model species, we here employed a multi-step screening approach to investigate seven compounds for effects on lifespan and DNA methylation using ELISA and whole genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS). A positive longevity effect was detected for valproic acid, isovaleric acid, and cyanocobalamin. For curcumin, we found that lifespan shortening caused by ethanol intake, was restored when curcumin and ethanol were co-administered. Furthermore, we identified region specific DNA methylation changes as a result of ethanol intake. Ethanol specific changes in DNA methylation were fully or partially blocked in honey bees receiving ethanol and curcumin together. Ethanol-affected and curcumin-blocked differentially methylated regions covered genes involved in fertility, temperature regulation and tubulin transport. Our results demonstrate fundamental negative effects of low dose ethanol consumption on lifespan and associated DNA methylation changes and present a proof-of-principle on how longevity and DNA methylation changes can be negated by the bioactive food component curcumin. Our findings provide a fundament for further studies of curcumin in invertebrates.
Effect of CYP3A4 metabolism on sex differences in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of zolpidem
Authors: Yoon Seonghae , Jeong Seongmee , Jung Eben , Kim Ki Soon , Jeon Inseung , Lee Yujin , Cho Joo-Youn , Oh Woo-Yong , Chung Jae-Yong 
Published: September 2021

AbstractTo investigate pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic differences of zolpidem between males and females and their causes, including CYP3A4 activity. A single oral dose of zolpidem (10 mg) was administered to 15 male and 15 female healthy subjects. Blood samples were collected up to 12 h post-dose to determine plasma zolpidem concentrations. Pharmacokinetic parameters were obtained using non-compartmental analysis. Digit symbol substitution test, choice reaction time, and visual analog scale of sleepiness were used to evaluate pharmacodynamics. We measured CYP3A4 activity using 4β-hydroxycholesterol, an endogenous metabolite. Mean maximum plasma concentration and area under the plasma concentration–time curve were higher for females than for males (9.9% and 32.5%, respectively); other pharmacokinetic parameters showed no significant differences. Pharmacodynamic scores for females showed delayed recovery compared with that for males. CYP3A4 activity was higher in females than in males (p = 0.030). There was no serious adverse event, and adverse event incidence was not different between the sexes. Zolpidem exposure was about 30% higher in females than in males. Delayed pharmacodynamic score recovery in females could be related to higher zolpidem concentrations. Although apparent clearance was lower in females, systemic clearance might not be the cause of the different exposures to zolpidem.
Effects of fertilisation on grass and forb gamic reproduction in semi-natural grasslands
Authors: Scotton Michele , Rossetti Valentina 
Published: September 2021

AbstractStudying the effects of fertilisation on the seed production of grassland species can help understand the vegetation changes and biodiversity losses due to soil eutrophication. The seed production of fifteen grasses and seventeen forbs from a temperate hay meadow was studied under three fertilisation treatments: 0-0-0, 0-54-108 and 192-108-216 kg N, P2O5 and K2O respectively, per year. Fertile shoots collected at the seed maturation stage were analysed for all main traits of the gamic reproduction. On average, forbs produced more ovules and viable seeds per shoot (199 and 65, respectively) than grasses (112 and 35, respectively). Fertilisation increased the number of inflorescences per shoot in both grasses and forbs and had a limited but variable effect on germinability and viability in the two functional groups: viability increased in grasses but often decreased in forbs. This pattern resulted in 55% and 11% increases in viable seed production in grasses and forbs, respectively. At the higher level of fertilisation, shoot density was positively related to the number of viable seeds per shoot in grasses and to the seed size in forbs. These results highlight that the traits of the gamic reproduction can contribute to explain the relationship between soil nutrient richness and grassland species composition and richness.
Coarsening behavior of bulk nanobubbles in water
Authors: Lee Jeong Il , Huh Han Sol , Park Joong Yull , Han Jung-Geun , Kim Jong-Min 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIn recent years, minuscule gas bubbles called bulk nanobubbles (BNBs) have drawn increasing attention due to their unique properties and broad applicability in various technological fields, such as biomedical engineering, water treatment, and nanomaterials. However, questions remain regarding the stability and behavior of BNBs. In the present work, BNBs were generated in water using a gas–liquid mixing method. NB analysis was performed using a nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) method to investigate the coarsening behavior of BNBs in water over time. The diameters of the BNBs increased, and their cubic radii increased linearly (r3 ~ t) over time. While the concentration of BNBs decreased, the total volume of BNBs remained the same. The size distribution of the BNBs broadened, and the concentration of larger BNBs increased over time. These results indicate that relatively small BNBs disappeared due to dissolution and larger BNBs grew through mass transfer between BNBs instead of coalescence. In other words, BNBs underwent Ostwald ripening: gas molecules from smaller BNBs diffused through the continuous phase to be absorbed into larger BNBs.