bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prediction of non-responsiveness to pre-dialysis care program in patients with chronic kidney disease: a retrospective cohort analysis
Authors: King Emily K. , Hsieh Ming-Han , Chang David R. , Lu Cheng-Ting , Ting I-Wen , Wang Charles C. N. , Chen Pei-Shan , Yeh Hung-Chieh , Chiang Hsiu-Yin , Kuo Chin-Chi 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe responsiveness of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) to nephrologists’ care is unpredictable. We defined the longitudinal stages (LSs) 1–5 of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) by group-based trajectory modeling for repeated eGFR measurements of 7135 patients with CKD aged 20–90 years from a 13-year pre-end-stage renal disease (ESRD) care registry. Patients were considered nonresponsive to the pre-dialysis care if they had a more advanced eGFR LS compared with the baseline. Conversely, those with improved or stable eGFR LS were considered responsive. The proportion of patients with CKD stage progression increased with the increase in the baseline CKD stage (stages 1–2: 29.2%; stage 4: 45.8%). The adjusted times to ESRD and all-cause mortality in patients with eGFR LS-5 were 92% (95% confidence interval [CI] 86–96%) and 57% (95% CI 48–65%) shorter, respectively, than in patients with eGFR LS-3A. Among patients with baseline CKD stages 3 and 4, the adjusted times to ESRD and all-cause death in the nonresponsive patients were 39% (95% CI 33–44%) and 20% (95% CI 14–26%) shorter, respectively, than in the responsive patients. Our proposed Renal Care Responsiveness Prediction (RCRP) model performed significantly better than the conventional Kidney Failure Risk Equation in discrimination, calibration, and net benefit according to decision curve analysis. Non-responsiveness to nephrologists’ care is associated with rapid progression to ESRD and all-cause mortality. The RCRP model improves early identification of responsiveness based on variables collected during enrollment in a pre-ESRD program. Urgent attention should be given to characterize the underlying heterogeneous responsiveness to pre-dialysis care.
Inversely polarized thermo-electrochemical power generation via the reaction of an organic redox couple on a TiO2/Ti mesh electrode
Authors: Eguchi Hiroto , Kobayashi Takashi , Yamada Teppei , Rocabado David S. Rivera , Ishimoto Takayoshi , Yamauchi Miho 
Published: July 2021

AbstractWe demonstrate thermo-electrochemical (TEC) conversion using a biocompatible redox couple of lactic acid and pyruvic acid on earth-abundant TiO2. The TEC cell exhibited a positive Seebeck coefficient of 1.40 mV K−1. DFT calculations figured out that the adsorption of intermediate species and protons on TiO2 controls both the redox reaction and current polarity.
Association of peripheral anterior synechiae with anterior segment parameters in eyes with primary angle closure glaucoma
Authors: Loo Yunhua , Tun Tin A. , Vithana Eranga N. , Perera Shamira A. , Husain Rahat , Wong Tina T. , Aung Tin , Nongpiur Monisha E. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractTo investigate the association of peripheral anterior synechiae (PAS) with intraocular pressure (IOP) and anterior-segment parameters in subjects with primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG). A total of 267 subjects with PACG were recruited and underwent gonioscopy and anterior-segment optical coherence tomography (ASOCT). Customized software was used to measure ASOCT parameters, including angle opening distance (AOD750) and trabecular-iris-space-area (TISA750) at 750 µm from the scleral spur, anterior chamber depth, width, area and volume (ACD, ACW, ACA, ACV), iris thickness (IT750), iris area (IAREA), and lens vault (LV). Presenting IOP was defined as the first IOP reading before the initiation of IOP-lowering treatment. The mean age of the 267 subjects was 67.0 ± 8.9 years, 140 (52.4%) were male, and 246 (92.1%) were of Chinese ethnicity. PAS was present in 122 (45.7%) subjects, and was most frequently found in the superior quadrant (79.5%). Subjects with PAS had greater presenting IOP (28.7 ± 12.9 vs 22.4 ± 9.7 mmHg, p < 0.001), narrower AOD750 (p < 0.001), smaller TISA750 (p < 0.001), ACD (p = 0.04), ACA (p = 0.02), ACV (p = 0.01) and larger LV (p = 0.01) compared to PACG eyes without PAS. No significant differences were noted for iris parameters. A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that higher presenting IOP (β = 0.20, p < 0.001), worse visual field mean deviation (β = − 0.20, p = 0.01) and narrower AOD750 (β = − 0.25, p = 0.03) were the only parameters that significantly correlated with the extent of PAS in clock hours. Almost one-half of the subjects with PACG demonstrated PAS; these eyes were associated with higher presenting IOP, smaller anterior segment dimensions and more severe disease.
Information capacity and robustness of encoding in the medial prefrontal cortex are modulated by the bioavailability of serotonin and the time elapsed from the cue during a reward-driven task
Authors: Pereyra A. Ezequiel , Mininni Camilo J. , Zanutto B. Silvano 
Published: July 2021

AbstractSerotonin (5-HT) is a key neuromodulator of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) functions. Pharmacological manipulation of systemic 5-HT bioavailability alters the electrical activity of mPFC neurons. However, 5-HT modulation at the population level is not well characterized. In the present study, we made single neuron extracellular recordings in the mPFC of rats performing an operant conditioning task, and analyzed the effect of systemic administration of fluoxetine (a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) on the information encoded in the firing activity of the neural population. Chronic (longer than 15 days), but not acute (less than 15 days), fluoxetine administration reduced the firing rate of mPFC neurons. Moreover, fluoxetine treatment enhanced pairwise entropy but diminished noise correlation and redundancy in the information encoded, thus showing how mPFC differentially encodes information as a function of 5-HT bioavailability. Information about the occurrence of the reward-predictive stimulus was maximized during reward consumption, around 3 to 4 s after the presentation of the cue, and it was higher under chronic fluoxetine treatment. However, the encoded information was less robust to noise corruption when compared to control conditions.
Characterization of functional protein complexes from Alzheimer’s disease and healthy brain by mass spectrometry-based proteome analysis
Authors: Hasan Beena , Khan Ayesha , Lenz Christof , Asif Abdul R. , Ahmed Nikhat 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder with impaired protein activities. Proteins in the form of complexes have a ubiquitous role in diverse range of cellular functions. The key challenge is to identify novel disease associated protein complexes and their potential role in the progression of AD pathology. Protein complexes were obtained from AD brain prefrontal cortex and age matched controls by Blue Native-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis. A proteomic analysis was performed using second dimension SDS-PAGE followed by nano LC–MS/MS. Differentially expressed proteins were mapped to existing biological networks by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). A total of 13 protein complexes with their interacting proteins were resolved on SDS-PAGE. We identified 34 protein spots and found significant abundance difference between the two experimental samples. IPA analysis revealed degeneration of neurons and cell death as a major consequence of protein dysregulation. Furthermore, focused network analysis suggested an integrated regulation of the identified proteins through APP and MAPT dependent mechanisms. The interacting differentially expressed proteins in AD were found to be part of concomitant signaling cascades terminating in neuronal cell death. The identified protein networks and pathways warrant further research to study their actual contribution to AD pathology.
Transcriptomic analysis of the black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) reveals insights into immune development in their early life stages
Authors: Angthong Pacharaporn , Uengwetwanit Tanaporn , Arayamethakorn Sopacha , Rungrassamee Wanilada 
Published: July 2021

AbstractWith the rapid growth in the global demand, the shrimp industry needs integrated approaches for sustainable production. A high-quality shrimp larva is one of the crucial key requirements to maximize shrimp production. Survival and growth rates during larval development are often criteria to evaluate larval quality, however many aspects of gene regulation during shrimp larval development have not yet been identified. To further our understanding of biological processes in their early life, transcriptomic analysis of larval developmental stages (nauplius, zoea, mysis, and postlarva) were determined in the black tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon using next-generation RNA sequencing. Gene clustering and gene enrichment analyses revealed that most of the transcripts were mainly related to metabolic processes, cell and growth development, and immune system. Interestingly, Spätzle and Toll receptors were found in nauplius stage, providing evidence that Toll pathway was a baseline immune system established in early larval stages. Genes encoding pathogen pattern-recognition proteins (LGBP, PL5-2 and c-type lectin), prophenoloxidase system (PPAE2, PPAF2 and serpin), antimicrobial peptides (crustin and antiviral protein), blood clotting system (hemolymph clottable protein) and heat shock protein (HSP70) were expressed as they developed further, suggesting that these immune defense mechanisms were established in later larval stages.
Bioengineered 3D nanocomposite based on gold nanoparticles and gelatin nanofibers for bone regeneration: in vitro and in vivo study
Authors: Samadian Hadi , Khastar Hossein , Ehterami Arian , Salehi Majid 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe main aim of the present study was to fabricate 3D scaffold based on poly (l-lactic acid) (PLLA)/Polycaprolactone (PCL) matrix polymer containing gelatin nanofibers (GNFs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as the scaffold for bone tissue engineering application. AuNPs were synthesized via the Turkevich method as the osteogenic factor. GNFs were fabricated by the electrospinning methods and implemented into the scaffold as the extracellular matrix mimicry structure. The prepared AuNPs and Gel nanofibers were composited by PLLA/PCL matrix polymer and converted to a 3D scaffold using thermal-induced phase separation. SEM imaging illustrated the scaffold's porous structure with a porosity range of 80–90% and a pore size range of 80 to 130 µm. The in vitro studies showed that the highest concentration of AuNPs (160 ppm) induced toxicity and 80 ppm AuNPs exhibited the highest cell proliferation. The in vivo studies showed that PCL/PLLA/Gel/80ppmAuNPs induced the highest neo-bone formation, osteocyte in lacuna woven bone formation, and angiogenesis in the defect site. In conclusion, this study showed that the prepared scaffold exhibited suitable properties for bone tissue engineering in terms of porosity, pore size, mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and osteoconduction activities.
Nigella sativa callus treated with sodium azide exhibit augmented antioxidant activity and DNA damage inhibition
Authors: Iqbal Mohammed Shariq , Iqbal Zahra , Hashem Abeer , Al-Arjani Al-Bandari Fahad , Abd-Allah Elsayed Fathi , Jafri Asif , Ansari Shamim Akhtar , Ansari Mohammad Israil 
Published: July 2021

AbstractNigella sativa L. (NS) is an herbaceous plant, possessing phytochemicals of therapeutic importance. Thymoquinone is one of the active phytochemicals of NS that confers noteworthy antioxidant properties. Sodium azide, an agent of abiotic stress, can modulates antioxidant system in plants. In the present investigation, sodium azide (0, 5 µM, 10 µM, 20 µM, 50 µM, 100 µM and 200 µM) doses administered to the in vitro NS callus cultures for production/modification of secondary metabolites with augmented activity. 200 µM sodium azide treated NS callus exhibited maximum peroxidase activity (1.286 ± 0.101 nanokatal mg−1 protein) and polyphenol oxidase activity (1.590 ± 0.110 nanokatal mg−1 protein), while 100 µM sodium azide treated NS callus for optimum catalase activity (1.250 ± 0.105 nanokatal mg−1 protein). Further, 200 µM sodium azide treated NS callus obtained significantly the highest phenolics (3.666 ± 0.475 mg g−1 callus fresh weight), 20 µM sodium azide treated NS callus, the highest flavonoids (1.308 ± 0.082 mg g−1 callus fresh weight) and 100 µM sodium azide treated NS callus, the highest carotenes (1.273 ± 0.066 mg g−1 callus fresh weight). However, NS callus exhibited a decrease in thymoquinone yield/content vis-à-vis possible emergence of its analog with 5.3 min retention time and an increase in antioxidant property. Treatment with 200 µM sodium azide registered significantly the lowest percent yield of callus extract (4.6 ± 0.36 mg g−1 callus fresh weight) and thymoquinone yield (16.65 ± 2.52 µg g−1 callus fresh weight) and content (0.36 ± 0.07 mg g−1 callus dry weight) and the highest antioxidant activity (3.873 ± 0.402%), signifying a negative correlation of the former with the latter. DNA damage inhibition (24.3 ± 1.7%) was recorded significantly maximum at 200 µM sodium azide treatment. Sodium azide treated callus also recorded emergence of a new peak at 5.3 min retention time (possibly an analog of thymoquinone with augmented antioxidant activity) whose area exhibits significantly negative correlation with callus extract yield and thymoquinone yield/content and positive correlation with antioxidant activity and in vitro DNA damage inhibition. Thus, sodium azide treatment to NS callus confers possible production of secondary metabolites or thymoquinone analog (s) responsible for elevated antioxidant property and inhibition to DNA damage. The formation of potent antioxidants through sodium azide treatment to NS could be worthy for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries.
Apixaban concentration variability and relation to clinical outcomes in real-life patients with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Mavri Alenka , Vene Nina , Božič-Mijovski Mojca , Miklič Marko , Söderblom Lisbeth , Pohanka Anton , Malmström Rickard E. , Antovic Jovan 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIn some clinical situations, measurements of anticoagulant effect of apixaban may be needed. We investigated the inter- and intra-individual apixaban variability in patients with atrial fibrillation and correlated these results with clinical outcome. We included 62 patients receiving either 5 mg (A5, n = 32) or 2.5 mg (A2.5, n = 30) apixaban twice-daily. We collected three trough and three peak blood samples 6–8 weeks apart. Apixaban concentration was measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass-spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) and by anti-Xa. Patients on A2.5 were older, had lower creatinine clearance, higher CHA2DS2VASc (4.7 ± 1.0 vs. 3.4 ± 1.7) and lower trough (85 ± 39 vs. 117 ± 53 ng/mL) and peak (170 ± 56 vs. 256 ± 91 ng/mL) apixaban concentrations than patients on A5 (all p < 0.01). In patients on A5, LC–MS/MS showed a significant difference between through levels and between peak levels (p < 0.01). During apixaban treatment, 21 patients suffered bleeding (2 major). There was no association between bleeding and apixaban concentrations or variability. Four patients who suffered thromboembolic event had lower peak apixaban concentrations than patients without it (159 ± 13 vs. 238 ± 88 ng/mL, p = 0.05). We concluded, that there was a significant intra- and inter-individual variability in apixaban trough and peak concentrations. Neither variability nor apixaban concentrations were associated with clinical outcomes.
Identification and comparative expression analysis of odorant-binding proteins in the reproductive system and antennae of Athetis dissimilis
Authors: Song Yue-Qin , Song Zhi-Yu , Dong Jun-Feng , Lv Qi-Hui , Chen Qing-Xiao , Sun Hui-Zhong 
Published: July 2021

AbstractOdorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are prevalent in the antennal transcriptomes of different orders of insects. Studies on OBPs have focused on their role in the insect chemosensory system, but knowledge of their functions in the insect testis is limited. We sequenced the transcriptomes of the Athetis dissimilis reproductive organs and analyzed the expression of AdisOBP genes in different tissues. We identified 23 OBPs in the testis and ovaries and 31 OBPs in antennal transcriptomes. The results of real-time quantitative PCR revealed that 23 of the 54 OBP genes were highly expressed in both female and male antennae, including three that exhibited male-biased expression and 15 that exhibited female-biased expression. A total of 24 OBPs were highly expressed in the testis of A. dissimilis, while expression of OBPs in the ovaries was very low. These findings highlight the functional diversity of OBPs in insects and can facilitate further studies on the OBPs in A. dissimilis and lepidopteran species.
Acetylcholinesterase and monoamine oxidase-B inhibitory activities by ellagic acid derivatives isolated from Castanopsis cuspidata var. sieboldii
Authors: Oh Jong Min , Jang Hyun-Jae , Kang Myung-Gyun , Song Soobin , Kim Doo-Young , Kim Jung‑Hee , Noh Ji-In , Park Jong Eun , Park Daeui , Yee Sung-Tae , Kim Hoon 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAmong 276 herbal extracts, a methanol extract ofCastanopsis cuspidatavar.sieboldiistems was selected as an experimental source for novel acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors. Five compounds were isolated from the extract by activity-guided screening, and their inhibitory activities against butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), monoamine oxidases (MAOs), and β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE-1) were also evaluated. Of these compounds, 4′-O-(α-l-rhamnopyranosyl)-3,3′,4-tri-O-methylellagic acid (3) and 3,3′,4-tri-O-methylellagic acid (4) effectively inhibited AChE with IC50values of 10.1 and 10.7 µM, respectively. Ellagic acid (5) inhibited AChE (IC50 = 41.7 µM) less than3and4. In addition,3effectively inhibited MAO-B (IC50 = 7.27 µM) followed by5(IC50 = 9.21 µM). All five compounds weakly inhibited BChE and BACE-1. Compounds3,4, and5reversibly and competitively inhibited AChE, and were slightly or non-toxic to MDCK cells. The binding energies of3and4(− 8.5 and − 9.2 kcal/mol, respectively) for AChE were greater than that of5(− 8.3 kcal/mol), and3and4formed a hydrogen bond with Tyr124 in AChE. These results suggest3is a dual-targeting inhibitor of AChE and MAO-B, and that these compounds should be viewed as potential therapeutics for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
An improved novel quantum image representation and its experimental test on IBM quantum experience
Authors: Su Jie , Guo Xuchao , Liu Chengqi , Lu Shuhan , Li Lin 
Published: July 2021

AbstractQuantum image representation (QIR) is a necessary part of quantum image processing (QIP) and plays an important role in quantum information processing. To address the problems that NCQI cannot handle images with inconsistent horizontal and vertical position sizes and multi-channel image processing, an improved color digital image quantum representation (INCQI) model based on NCQI is proposed in this paper. The INCQI model can process color images and facilitate multi-channel quantum image transformations and transparency information processing of images using auxiliary quantum bits. In addition, the quantum image control circuit was designed based on INCQI. And quantum image preparation experiments were conducted on IBM Quantum Experience (IBMQ) to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of INCQI quantum image preparation. The prepared image information was obtained by quantum measurement in the experiment, and the visualization of quantum information was successfully realized. The research in this paper has some reference value for the research related to QIP.
Genome-wide association mapping of lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) prebiotic carbohydrates toward improved human health and crop stress tolerance
Authors: Johnson Nathan , Boatwright J. Lucas , Bridges William , Thavarajah Pushparajah , Kumar Shiv , Shipe Emerson , Thavarajah Dil 
Published: July 2021

AbstractLentil, a cool-season food legume, is rich in protein and micronutrients with a range of prebiotic carbohydrates, such as raffinose-family oligosaccharides (RFOs), fructooligosaccharides (FOSs), sugar alcohols (SAs), and resistant starch (RS), which contribute to lentil's health benefits. Beneficial microorganisms ferment prebiotic carbohydrates in the colon, which impart health benefits to the consumer. In addition, these carbohydrates are vital to lentil plant health associated with carbon transport, storage, and abiotic stress tolerance. Thus, lentil prebiotic carbohydrates are a potential nutritional breeding target for increasing crop resilience to climate change with increased global nutritional security. This study phenotyped a total of 143 accessions for prebiotic carbohydrates. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was then performed to identify associated variants and neighboring candidate genes. All carbohydrates analyzed had broad-sense heritability estimates (H2) ranging from 0.22 to 0.44, comparable to those reported in the literature. Concentration ranges corresponded to percent recommended daily allowances of 2–9% SAs, 7–31% RFOs, 51–111% RS, and 57–116% total prebiotic carbohydrates. Significant SNPs and associated genes were identified for numerous traits, including a galactosyltransferase (Lcu.2RBY.1g019390) known to aid in RFO synthesis. Further studies in multiple field locations are necessary. Yet, these findings suggest the potential for molecular-assisted breeding for prebiotic carbohydrates in lentil to support human health and crop resilience to increase global food security.
Single-side functionalized graphene as promising cathode catalysts in nonaqueous lithium–oxygen batteries
Authors: Dong Huilong , Ning Cai , Yang Gang , Ji Hongmei , Li Youyong 
Published: July 2021

Single-side functionalization is considered as the practical way to promote the catalytic capability of graphene in nonaqueous Li–O2 batteries by computational studies, and the C6F exhibits the highest potential for applications.
Importance of drivetrain optimisation to maximise electrical power from wave energy converters
Authors: Sergiienko Nataliia Y. , da Silva Leandro Souza Pinheiro , Ding Boyin , Cazzolato Benjamin S. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThis article demonstrates the benefits of optimising the drivetrain to improve the level and quality of electrical power output from a wave energy converter. The study considers a spherical buoy connected to a permanent magnet synchronous generator through a mechanical drive. The wave energy converter is equipped with a model predictive control system that maximises electrical power from the generator. Three different scenarios are compared: (i) when the drivetrain is not optimised, (ii) when only the gear ratio is optimised, (iii) and when both gear ratio and flywheel inertia are optimised. The performance of all three configurations is compared in terms of their effect on the generator operating range, the natural frequency of the system, the amount of generated electrical power, and control forces. The results demonstrate that the drivetrain optimisation leads to a significant increase in the electrical power output while shifting the generator's operating range to areas with the highest efficiency. Moreover, drivetrain designs that utilise a flywheel reduce the power take‐off loads and facilitate smoother power production.