bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plasmonic Chiral Metasurface Absorber Based on Bilayer Fourfold Twisted Semicircle Nanostructure at Optical Frequency
Authors: Cheng Yongzhi , Chen Fu , Luo Hui 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIn this paper, we present a plasmonic chiral metasurface absorber (CMSA), which can achieve high selective absorption for right-handed and left-handed circular polarization (RCP, “+”, and LCP, “−”) lights at optical frequency. The CMSA is composed of a dielectric substrate sandwiched with bi-layer fourfold twisted semicircle metal nanostructure. The proposed CMSA has a strong selective absorption band, where absorption peaks for LCP and RCP lights occur at different resonance frequencies, reflecting the existence of a significant circular dichroism (CD) effect. It is shown that the absorbance of the CMSA can reach to 93.2% for LCP light and 91.6% for RCP light, and the maximum CD magnitude is up to 0.85 and 0.91 around 288.5 THz and 404 THz, respectively. The mechanism of the strong chiroptical response of the CMSA is illustrated by electric fields distributions of the unit-cell nanostructure. Furthermore, the influence of the geometry of the proposed CMSA on the circular polarization selective absorption characterization is studied systematically.
Genomic regions associated with stripe rust resistance against the Egyptian race revealed by genome-wide association study
Authors: Abou-Zeid Mohamed A. , Mourad Amira M. I. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Wheat stripe rust (caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. Tritici), is a major disease that causes huge yield damage. New pathogen races appeared in the last few years and caused a broke down in the resistant genotypes. In Egypt, some of the resistant genotypes began to be susceptible to stripe rust in recent years. This situation increases the need to produce new genotypes with durable resistance. Besides, looking for a new resistant source from the available wheat genotypes all over the world help in enhancing the breeding programs.

Results
In the recent study, a set of 103-spring wheat genotypes from different fourteen countries were evaluated to their field resistant to stripe rust for two years. These genotypes included 17 Egyptian genotypes from the old and new cultivars. The 103-spring wheat genotypes were reported to be well adapted to the Egyptian environmental conditions. Out of the tested genotypes, eight genotypes from four different countries were found to be resistant in both years. Genotyping was carried out using genotyping-by-sequencing and a set of 26,703 SNPs were used in the genome-wide association study. Five SNP markers, located on chromosomes 2A and 4A, were found to be significantly associated with the resistance in both years. Three gene models associated with disease resistance and underlying these significant SNPs were identified. One immune Iranian genotype, with the highest number of different alleles from the most resistant Egyptian genotypes, was detected.

Conclusion
the high variation among the tested genotypes in their resistance to the Egyptian stripe rust race confirming the possible improvement of stripe rust resistance in the Egyptian wheat genotypes. The identified five SNP markers are stable and could be used in marker-assisted selection after validation in different genetic backgrounds. Crossing between the immune Iranian genotype and the Egyptian genotypes will improve stripe rust resistance in Egypt.
Clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis of children with unilateral retinoblastoma and intracranial segment of Retrobulbar optic nerve invasion
Authors: Wang Yi-Zhuo , Zhang Yi , Huang Dong-Sheng , Shi Ji-Tong , Ma Jian-Min , Li Bin , Xu Xiao-Lin , Zhou Yan , Gu Hua-Li 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
To analyze the clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis of children with unilateral retinoblastoma (RB) and intracranial segment of retrobulbar optic nerve invasion.

Methods
A total of 14 children with unilateral RB and intracranial segment of retrobulbar optic nerve invasion were enrolled in this retrospective study from January 2009 to December 2018. Clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis were collected and analyzed. Survival curves were calculated by Kaplan-Meier method.

Results
Of 14 cases, there were 7 male and 7 female, ranging in age from 22.85 to 121.97 months (median, 41.03 months). Seventy-one percent of patients came from first-tier cities in China and effected in the left eye. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results indicated that all patients presented with thickened and enhanced optic nerve and intracranial segment of optic nerve invasion. Nine patients received comprehensive therapeutic regimen (chemotherapy, eye enucleation, radiotherapy and intrathecal therapy). The patients were followed up to December 2019, with a median follow-up of 20.6 months. The median disease specific survival was 48.99 ± 8.62 months, and the overall survival (OS) rate was 64.3%. Radiotherapy and comprehensive therapeutic regimen had significant impact on survival time (all p < 0.05).

Conclusions
The overall prognosis of unilateral RB patients with intracranial segment of retrobulbar optic nerve invasion was poor. Chemotherapy and surgical treatment were necessary, but more attention should be paid to radiotherapy and intrathecal therapy for improving prognosis.
Acute development of syringomyelia following TBM in a pediatric case
Authors: Wen Ningyuan , Zhao Fumin , Zhu Yu , Jia Fenglin , Wan Chaomin , Wen Yang 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Syringomyelia secondary to tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is rarely reported, and is usually a late complication. Acute development of syringomyelia following TBM is an exceedingly rare condition with only a few cases published in adults and no previous reports in children.

Case presentation
We present a case of syringomyelia as an acute complication of TBM in a 12-year-old boy despite appropriate chemotherapy. The patient developed spastic paraplegia of the lower limbs with fecal and urinary retention seventeen days after the initial symptoms of TBM. He was managed successfully with continued chemotherapy and high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).

Conclusions
This case reminds us that syrinx formation may be responsible for early neurological deterioration in children being managed for TBM. IVIG may be considered as an effective treatment option for this situation.
In the presence of TGF-β1, Asperosaponin VI promotes human mesenchymal stem cell differentiation into nucleus pulposus like- cells
Authors: Niu Yong-tao , Xie Lin , Deng Rong-Rong , Zhang Xiao-yu 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
The regeneration of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells is an effective method to prevent intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). In this study, we investigated the role of Asperosaponin VI (ASA VI), isolated from a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the root of Dipsacus asper Wall, in promoting human mesenchymal stem cell (HMSC) proliferation and differentiation into NP-like cells and explored the possible mechanism of action.

Methods
The effects of ASA VI on HMSC viability and proliferation were determined by the XTT method and EDU staining. Then, Real-time qPCR, immunocytochemistry and immunofluorescence assays were used to measure the effect of ASA VI on the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, such as COL2A1, aggrecan, SOX9, KRT19, PAX1, and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), in NP cells. In addition, Western blot assay was used to measure the expression of p-ERK1/2 and p-smad2/3.

Results
ASA VI was able to promote the proliferation and differentiation of HMSCs into NP-like cells, and the optimum concentration was 1 mg/L. Western blot assay indicated that the possible mechanism might be related to the activation of p-ERK1 / 2 and p-Smad2 / 3.

Conclusions
ASA VI can promote the proliferation and differentiation of HMSCs into NP-like cells, which can potentially be used as a treatment for IVDD.
The pro-apoptosis effects of Echinacea purpurea and Cannabis sativa extracts in human lung cancer cells through caspase-dependent pathway
Authors: Hosami Fatemeh , Manayi Azadeh , Salimi Vahid , Khodakhah Farshad , Nourbakhsh Mitra , Nakstad Britt , Tavakoli-Yaraki Masoumeh 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundConsidering the advantages of using medicinal herbs as supplementary treatments to sensitize conventional anti-cancer drugs, studying functional mechanisms and regulatory effects ofEchinacea purpurea(as a non-cannabinoid plant) andCannabis sativa(as a cannabinoid plant) are timely and required. The potential effects of such herbs on lung cancer cell growth, apoptosis, cell cycle distribution, cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, caspase activity and their cannabinomimetic properties on the CB2 receptor are addressed in the current study.MethodsThe cytotoxic effect of both herb extracts on the growth of lung cancer cells (A549) was assessed using the MTT assay. The annexin-V-FITC staining and propidium iodide (PI) staining methods were applied for the detection of apoptosis and cell cycle distribution using flow cytometry. The cellular level of ROS was measured using 7′-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA) as a fluorescent probe in flow cytometry. The caspase 3 activity was assessed using a colorimetric assay Kit.ResultsEchinacea purpurea(EP) root extract induced a considerable decrease in A549 viable cells, showing a time and dose-dependent response. The cell toxicity of EP was accompanied by induction of early apoptosis and cell accumulation at the sub G1 phase of the cell cycle. The elevation of cellular ROS level and caspase 3 activity indicate ROS-induced caspase-dependent apoptosis following the treatment of A549 cells by EP extract. The observed effects of EP extract on A549 growth and death were abrogated following blockage of CB2 using AM630, a specific antagonist of the CB2 receptor. Increasing concentrations ofCannabis sativa(CS) induced A549 cell death in a time-dependent manner, followed by induction of early apoptosis, cell cycle arrest at sub G1 phase, elevation of ROS level, and activation of caspase 3. The CB2 blockage caused attenuation of CS effects on A549 cell death which revealed consistency with the effects of EP extract on A549 cells.ConclusionsThe pro-apoptotic effects of EP and CS extracts on A549 cells and their possible regulatory role of CB2 activity might be attributed to metabolites of both herbs. These effects deserve receiving more attention as alternative anti-cancer agents.Graphical abstract
Knowledge, attitude, and practice of pharmacy and medical students regarding self-medication, a study in Zabol University of Medical Sciences; Sistan and Baluchestan province in south-east of Iran
Authors: Hashemzaei Mahmoud , Afshari Mahdi , Koohkan Zahra , Bazi Ali , Rezaee Ramin , Tabrizian Kaveh 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Self-medication is defined as using medicinal products to treat the disorders or symptoms diagnosed by oneself. Although informed self-medication is one of the ways to reduce health care costs, inappropriate self-treatment can pose various risks including drug side effects, recurrence of symptoms, drug resistance, etc. The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of pharmacy and medical students toward self-medication.

Methods
This study was conducted in Zabol University of Medical Sciences in 2018. Overall, 170 pharmacy and medical students were included. A three-part researcher-made questionnaire was designed to address the students’ knowledge, attitude, and practice. Statistical analysis was performed in SPSS 25 software.

Results
According to the results, 97 (57.1%) students had carried out self-medication within the past 6 months. Overall, the students self-medicated on average 4.2 ± 2.9 times per year. Self-medication was more common in male students (65.4%, P = 0.043). Cold was the most common ailment treated with self-medication (93.2%), and antibiotics (74.4%) were the most commonly used drugs. The primary information sources used by the students were their previous prescriptions (47.4%). Pharmacy students had a higher level of drug information (P < 0.001). There was a statistically significant association between the level of drug information and the tendency for self-medication (P = 0.005). Disease recurrence was the most common negative complication of self-medication.

Conclusion
There is a need to educate pharmacy and medical students regarding self-medication and its side effects. The high prevalence of self-medication and the overuse of antibiotics can pose a significant risk of drug resistance.
Prokaryotic virus host predictor: a Gaussian model for host prediction of prokaryotic viruses in metagenomics
Authors: Lu Congyu , Zhang Zheng , Cai Zena , Zhu Zhaozhong , Qiu Ye , Wu Aiping , Jiang Taijiao , Zheng Heping , Peng Yousong 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Viruses are ubiquitous biological entities, estimated to be the largest reservoirs of unexplored genetic diversity on Earth. Full functional characterization and annotation of newly discovered viruses requires tools to enable taxonomic assignment, the range of hosts, and biological properties of the virus. Here we focus on prokaryotic viruses, which include phages and archaeal viruses, and for which identifying the viral host is an essential step in characterizing the virus, as the virus relies on the host for survival. Currently, the method for determining the viral host is either to culture the virus, which is low-throughput, time-consuming, and expensive, or to computationally predict the viral hosts, which needs improvements at both accuracy and usability. Here we develop a Gaussian model to predict hosts for prokaryotic viruses with better performances than previous computational methods.

Results
We present here Prokaryotic virus Host Predictor (PHP), a software tool using a Gaussian model, to predict hosts for prokaryotic viruses using the differences of k-mer frequencies between viral and host genomic sequences as features. PHP gave a host prediction accuracy of 34% (genus level) on the VirHostMatcher benchmark dataset and a host prediction accuracy of 35% (genus level) on a new dataset containing 671 viruses and 60,105 prokaryotic genomes. The prediction accuracy exceeded that of two alignment-free methods (VirHostMatcher and WIsH, 28–34%, genus level). PHP also outperformed these two alignment-free methods much (24–38% vs 18–20%, genus level) when predicting hosts for prokaryotic viruses which cannot be predicted by the BLAST-based or the CRISPR-spacer-based methods alone. Requiring a minimal score for making predictions (thresholding) and taking the consensus of the top 30 predictions further improved the host prediction accuracy of PHP.

Conclusions
The Prokaryotic virus Host Predictor software tool provides an intuitive and user-friendly API for the Gaussian model described herein. This work will facilitate the rapid identification of hosts for newly identified prokaryotic viruses in metagenomic studies.
Horizontally acquired antibacterial genes associated with adaptive radiation of ladybird beetles
Authors: Li Hao-Sen , Tang Xue-Fei , Huang Yu-Hao , Xu Ze-Yu , Chen Mei-Lan , Du Xue-Yong , Qiu Bo-Yuan , Chen Pei-Tao , Zhang Wei , Ślipiński Adam , Escalona Hermes E. , Waterhouse Robert M. , Zwick Andreas , Pang Hong 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) has been documented in many herbivorous insects, conferring the ability to digest plant material and promoting their remarkable ecological diversification. Previous reports suggest HGT of antibacterial enzymes may have contributed to the insect immune response and limit bacterial growth. Carnivorous insects also display many evolutionary successful lineages, but in contrast to the plant feeders, the potential role of HGTs has been less well-studied.

Results
Using genomic and transcriptomic data from 38 species of ladybird beetles, we identified a set of bacterial cell wall hydrolase (cwh) genes acquired by this group of beetles. Infection with Bacillus subtilis led to upregulated expression of these ladybird cwh genes, and their recombinantly produced proteins limited bacterial proliferation. Moreover, RNAi-mediated cwh knockdown led to downregulation of other antibacterial genes, indicating a role in antibacterial immune defense. cwh genes are rare in eukaryotes, but have been maintained in all tested Coccinellinae species, suggesting that this putative immune-related HGT event played a role in the evolution of this speciose subfamily of predominant predatory ladybirds.

Conclusion
Our work demonstrates that, in a manner analogous to HGT-facilitated plant feeding, enhanced immunity through HGT might have played a key role in the prey adaptation and niche expansion that promoted the diversification of carnivorous beetle lineages. We believe that this represents the first example of immune-related HGT in carnivorous insects with an association with a subsequent successful species radiation.
Safety and feasibility of apheresis to harvest and concentrate parasites from subjects with induced blood stage Plasmodium vivax infection
Authors: Odedra Anand , Mudie Kari , Kennedy Glen , Watts Rebecca E. , Rossignol Emilie , Mitchell Hayley , Gower Jeremy , Rebelo Maria , Pava Zuleima , Pawliw Rebecca , Woolley Stephen , Lalloo David G. , Robinson Greg , Lynch Sean , Collins Katharine A. , Amante Fiona , McCarthy James 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
In the absence of a method to culture Plasmodium vivax, the only way to source parasites is ex vivo. This hampers many aspects of P. vivax research. This study aimed to assess the safety of apheresis, a method for selective removal of specific components of blood as a means of extracting and concentrating P. vivax parasites.

Methods
An iterative approach was employed across four non-immune healthy human subjects in single subject cohorts. All four subjects were inoculated with ~ 564 blood stage P. vivax (HMP013-Pv) and subjected to apheresis 10 to 11 days later. Blood samples collected during apheresis (haematocrit layers 0.5% to 11%) were tested for the presence and concentration of P. vivax by microscopy, flow cytometry, 18S rDNA qPCR for total parasites, and pvs25 qRT-PCR for female gametocyte transcripts. Safety was determined by monitoring adverse events. Malaria transmission to mosquitoes was assessed by membrane feeding assays.

Results
There were no serious adverse events and no significant safety concerns. Apheresis concentrated asexual parasites by up to 4.9-fold (range: 0.9–4.9-fold) and gametocytes by up to 1.45-fold (range: 0.38–1.45-fold) compared to pre-apheresis densities. No single haematocrit layer contained > 40% of all the recovered P. vivax asexual parasites. Ex vivo concentration of parasites by Percoll gradient centrifugation of whole blood achieved greater concentration of gametocytes than apheresis. Mosquito transmission was enhanced by up to fivefold in a single apheresis sample compared to pre-apheresis.

Conclusion
The modest level of parasite concentration suggests that the use of apheresis may not be an ideal method for harvesting P. vivax.
Trial Registration Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) Trial ID: ACTRN12617001502325 registered on 19th October 2017. https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=373812.
The importance of modeling the human cerebral vasculature in blunt trauma
Authors: Subramaniam Dhananjay Radhakrishnan , Unnikrishnan Ginu , Sundaramurthy Aravind , Rubio Jose E. , Kote Vivek Bhaskar , Reifman Jaques 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Multiple studies describing human head finite element (FE) models have established the importance of including the major cerebral vasculature to improve the accuracy of the model predictions. However, a more detailed network of cerebral vasculature, including the major veins and arteries as well as their branch vessels, can further enhance the model-predicted biomechanical responses and help identify correlates to observed blunt-induced brain injury.

Methods
We used an anatomically accurate three-dimensional geometry of a 50th percentile U.S. male head that included the skin, eyes, sinuses, spine, skull, brain, meninges, and a detailed network of cerebral vasculature to develop a high-fidelity model. We performed blunt trauma simulations and determined the intracranial pressure (ICP), the relative displacement (RD), the von Mises stress, and the maximum principal strain. We validated our detailed-vasculature model by comparing the model-predicted ICP and RD values with experimental measurements. To quantify the influence of including a more comprehensive network of brain vessels, we compared the biomechanical responses of our detailed-vasculature model with those of a reduced-vasculature model and a no-vasculature model.

Results
For an inclined frontal impact, the predicted ICP matched well with the experimental results in the fossa, frontal, parietal, and occipital lobes, with peak-pressure differences ranging from 2.4% to 9.4%. For a normal frontal impact, the predicted ICP matched the experimental results in the frontal lobe and lateral ventricle, with peak-pressure discrepancies equivalent to 1.9% and 22.3%, respectively. For an offset parietal impact, the model-predicted RD matched well with the experimental measurements, with peak RD differences of 27% and 24% in the right and left cerebral hemispheres, respectively. Incorporating the detailed cerebral vasculature did not influence the ICP but redistributed the brain-tissue stresses and strains by as much as 30%. In addition, our detailed-vasculature model predicted strain reductions by as much as 28% when compared to current reduced-vasculature FE models that only include the major cerebral vessels.

Conclusions
Our study highlights the importance of including a detailed representation of the cerebral vasculature in FE models to more accurately estimate the biomechanical responses of the human brain to blunt impact.
Placental pathology of the third trimester pregnant women from COVID-19
Authors: Gao Likun , Ren Jiacai , Xu Li , Ke Xiaokang , Xiong Lin , Tian Xiaoli , Fan Cuifang , Yan Honglin , Yuan Jingping 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Aims
To explore the clinical characteristics and placental pathological changes of pregnant women with 2019 novel coronavirus (CoV) disease (COVID-19) in the third trimester, and to assess the possibility of vertical transmission.

Methods and results
The placenta tissues were evaluated by using immunohistochemistry for inflammatory cells and Hofbauer cells, and using severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) CoV-2 RNA Fluorescence In-Situ Hybridization (FISH) and SARS-CoV-2 spike protein immunofluorescence (IF) double staining. All eight placentas from the third trimester pregnancy women were studied. All patients were cured, no clinical or serological evidence pointed to vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Features of maternal vascular malperfusion (MVM) such as increased syncytial knots were present in all 8 cases (8/8), and increased focal perivillous fibrin depositions were presented in 7 cases (7/8). No significate chronic histiocytic intervillositis was noted in the placenta. The number of macrophages and inflammatory cells such as T cells, B cells and plasma cells in the placental villous was not significantly increased in all cases. Moreover, all of eight cases demonstrated negative results by FISH using a SARS-CoV-2 virus RNA probe and by IF using a monoclonal antibody against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.

Conclusions
We found no evidence of vertical transmission and adverse maternal-fetal outcomes in the placentas of third trimester COVID-19 pregnancy women, which provided further information for the clinical management of those women in the third trimester. However, further studies are still needed for patients with infections in different stage of gestation, especially in first and second trimester.