bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
PM2.5 Mediated Alterations In The In Vitro Human Granuloma Resulting In Reactivation Of Mycobacteria
Authors: Punniyamurthy Athisankaran , Sharma Sumedha , Kaur Khushpreet , Saikia Uma Nahar , Khaiwal Ravindra , Sharma Sadhna , Verma Indu 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Exposure to pollutants diminishes the immune response to mycobacterial antigens relevant to contain the infection in the granuloma, thus leading to reactivation of latent bacilli. Present study was therefore designed based on the hypothesis that exposure to particulate matter pollutant PM2.5 affects the granuloma formation and reactivation of latent mycobacterial bacilli contained in the granuloma. For the extraction of PM2.5, based on initial standardizations, teflon filter was selected over the quartz filter. Two different approaches were used to study the effect of PM2.5 on the human PBMCs granuloma formed by Mycobacterium bovis BCG at MOI 0.1. In the first approach, granuloma formed in the presence of PM2.5 was loosely packed and ill-defined with significant downregulation of dormancy associated mycobacterial genes, upregulation of reactivation associated rpfB gene along with a significant increase in TNFα level without any change in the bacterial load in terms of CFUs. In the second approach, PM2.5 treatment of already established human PBMCs granuloma formed with M. bovis BCG also led to its disruption. Although, in these conditions, downregulation of dormancy associated genes was observed but there was also a decrease in the expression of reactivation associated rpfB gene without any change in the cytokine levels. Therefore, it can be inferred that in the presence of PM2.5, there is poor granuloma formation along with a change in mycobacterial gene expression characteristics of active bacilli and alteration in host immune response without any significant changes following treatment of already established granuloma with the pollutant.
Growth and Nutrient Distribution in Young Plants of Virola Surinamensis Exposed to Cadmium
Authors: JÚNIOR WV. ANDRADE , Neto Cândido Oliveira , Filho Benedito , Okumura Ricardo , Cruz Eniel , Amarante Cristine , Barbosa Vinicius , Nogueira Glauco , Nascimento Vitor , Sousa Diana , Teixeira Jessica 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
The contamination of soils and water as a result of human actions has been increasingly frequent in the world, the cadmium element the as a promising contaminant of these environments. This element affects the growth and development of vegetables.The objective of the study was to evaluate the growth and concentration of macro and micronutrients in the different organs young plants of Virola surinamensis exposed to Cd. The Cd significantly affected the growth of V. surinamensis reducing the height, stem diameter and biomass production. The Cd influenced negatively Fe, Mg, Ca, N, P and K, especially in the root. The Zn increased in the roots and leaves, while Mn reduced in the root and increased in the leaves of the plants on exposure to Cd. The increase of Zn and Mn in the leaves may have been a strategy to maintain the stability and protection of the photosynthetic apparatus of the plant. the research concluded that cadmium affects the nutritional relationship of this vegetable, however, we could observe that the influence of metal depends on the species being studied, the time of exposure to the metal and the amount of this metal.
Concentration and Speciation of Mercury in Atmospheric Particulates in the Wuda Coal Fire Area, Inner Mongolia, China
Authors: Qian Yahui , Liang Yanci , Cao Qingyi , Wang Zhe , Shi Yunyun , Liang Handong 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Coal-seam fire is a source of atmospheric mercury that is difficult to control. The Wuda Coalfield in Inner Mongolia, China, is one of the most severe coal fire disaster areas in the world and has been burning for more than 50 years. To investigate atmospheric mercury pollution from the Wuda coal fire, gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) concentrations and atmospheric particulate mercury (PHg) speciation were measured using a RA-915 + mercury analyzer and the temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) method. Near-surface GEM concentrations in the Wuda Coalfield and adjacent urban area were 80 ng m− 3 (65–90 ng m− 3) and 52 ng m− 3 (25–95 ng m− 3), respectively, which are far higher than the local background value (22 ng m− 3). PHg concentrations in the coalfield and urban area also reached significantly high levels, at 33 ng m− 3 (25–45 ng m− 3) and 22 ng m− 3 (14–29 ng m− 3), respectively. There is no clear evidence that PHg combines with organic carbon (OC) or elemental carbon (EC), but PHg concentration appears to be controlled by air acidity. PHg mainly exists in inorganic forms, such as HgCl2, HgS, HgO, and Hg(NO3)2·H2O. This work can provide references for the speciation analysis of atmospheric PHg and the safety assessment of environmental mercury.
Biological Monitoring and Health Assessment of 21 Metal(loid)s in Children and Adolescents in Liuzhou City, Southwest China
Authors: Li Yaping , Zhang Yu , Yu Meng , Hu Liqin , Zeng Ting , Liu Ling , Wang Limei , Deng Liangqiong , Li Xiang , Liu Ping , Zeng Dingyuan , Mei Surong 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
The concentrations of 21 metal(loid)s were analyzed in 2,050 children and adolescents aged 6–18 years from Liuzhou City, Southwest China. The detection rates of elements were all above 99%. The potential contribution of demographic and dietary habits to urinary metal(loid) levels was analyzed. We found that age was an important predictor for most elements, and that children exhibited higher metal(loid) exposure levels than adolescents, expect for Sr (P < 0.05). Urinary metal(loid) levels were higher in girls for 13 elements. Multiple regression models also showed that dietary habits may affect the distributions of metal(loid)s. This raised health concerns that the hazard quotient (HQ) of cadmium was > 1 at the P95 value and that the risk of the mixed effect of Cd, Hg and Tl was not negligible. The results of this study provide basic data on the reference values of urinary metal(loid) levels and health risk assessments of children and adolescents in industrial areas.
Aneurysmal Degeneration of Fluoropolymer-Coated Paclitaxel-Eluting Stent in the Superficial Femoral Artery. A Rising Concern
Authors: Tsujimura Takuya , Iida Osamu , Asai Mitsutoshi , Masuda Masaharu , Okamoto Shin , Ishihara Takayuki , Nanto Kiyonori , Kanda Takashi , Matsuda Yasuhiro , Hata Yosuke , Uematsu Hiroyuki , Toyoshima Taku , Higashino Naoko , Mano Toshiaki 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Although several clinical reports demonstrated a durable patency rate after a novel fluoropolymer-coated paclitaxel-eluting stent (Eluvia™; Boston Scientific, Marlborough, MA, USA) implantation, aneurysmal degeneration after implanting Eluvia™ has raised clinical concerns. Here, we report a case with exacerbated aneurysmal degeneration on serial angiography and intravascular ultrasound 50 months after Eluvia™ implantation for a superficial femoral artery lesion.Case presentation: A 79-year-old woman with claudication in the right lower extremity decreasing her quality of life was referred to our hospital. Pre-procedural angiography showed severe stenosis from the middle-to-distal part of the right superficial femoral artery, and Eluvia™ was implanted with optimal expansion. However, the patient had a recurrence of intermittent claudication in the right lower extremity 25 months thereafter. Angiography revealed de novo stenosis in the distal part of the popliteal artery and proximal stent edge restenosis at the Eluvia™ implantation site. Subsequently, the patient underwent endovascular therapy for these lesions. In addition, intravascular ultrasound at the time of endovascular therapy revealed vessel enlargement with a mean vessel diameter of 7.2-9.9 mm at the distal edge of the Eluvia™ implantation site. However, intermittent claudication on the right side recurred again 50 months after Eluvia™ implantation. Angiography demonstrated de novo severe stenosis from the distal part of the superficial femoral artery to the middle part of the popliteal artery. Furthermore, peri-stent contrast staining was found at the distal part of the Eluvia™ implantation site. Intravascular ultrasound showed a further enlargement of mean vessel diameter to 11.9 mm at the distal edge of the Eluvia™ stent. Moreover, enlargement of the lumen and stent malapposition were also found, suggesting exacerbated aneurysmal degeneration 50 months after Eluvia™ implantation.Conclusions: We report a case with exacerbated aneurysmal degeneration on serial angiography and intravascular ultrasound 50 months after Eluvia™ implantation for an SFA lesion. Long-term follow-up should be mandatory for patients receiving Eluvia™ implants.
Influence of climatic Parameters on The Two-spotted Spider Mite population based on Remote Sensing in Southeast of the Caspian Sea
Authors: Jokar Mahmoud 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) is a serious pest in cotton fields worldwide. Monitoring of T. urticae with time-series of vegetation index and climatic factors based satellite data was applied to near real-time assessing. The current study aimed to determine correlations between T. urticae population dynamic and effects of Aerosol index of Sentinel-5, Sentinal-2-NDVI (10m), The Land Surface Temperature (LST), MODIS-Evapotranspiration (ET) and CHIRPS-precipitation. Spider mite out-breaking has coincided with the wheat harvesting and where experienced several dusty days with high aerosol index 0.167. Rainfall had a significant negative correlation with T. urticae population (R2 = 0.378) and a threshold precipitation level was estimated at least 2 mm to clean up the canopy. We could not find a significant pattern between temperature and T. urticae population until August 2020 and then the significant positive relationships were observed during August 2020, R² = 0.3519, 0.1283, 0.1675 and 0.178, weekly. Evapotranspiration depicted a statistically synchronous relationship R2 = 0.637 with T. urticae dynamism. There was a positive correlation between increasing NDVI and T. urticae population until August 2020 and then was shifted to negative pattern R2 = 0.273 and 0.139. These findings, aerosol index of sentinel-5 and MODIS-evapotranspiration have potential to forecast spider mite population with high temporal resolution.
CCBE1 is a Prognostic Biomarker and Contributes to Prostate Cancer Cell Progression.
Authors: Li Peizhang , Xu Huan , Zhan Ming , Chen Yanbo , Zheng Dachao , Gu Meng , Wei Ziwei , Tao Yucheng , Chen Qi , Guo Miaomiao , Wang Zhong 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Subject: Collagen And Calcium Binding EGF Domains 1 (CCBE1) is a coding protein which plays a significant role in extracellular matrix remodeling and migration and is involved in the development of Hennekam syndrome and lymphangiogenesis. Here, we investigate its prognostic value in prostate cancer based on TCGA database and its antioncogenic role in prostate cancer.Methods: Wilcoxon rank sum test, Pearson χ2 test, and logistic regression analysis were utilized to evaluate the correlation between CCBE1 and clinicopathological variables. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis were used to reveal the relation between CCBE1 and survival rates. The role of CCBE1 in prostate cancer was investigated using CCK-8 assay, EdU assay, and transwell experiments, respectively.Results: Here, we found that CCBE1 expression is down-regulated in prostate cancer tissue dramatically in TCGA database. Furthermore, high CCBE1 expression predicted a good prognosis in patients with prostate cancer. High expression level of CCBE1 in PRAD cohort was prominently correlated with T classification (OR =0.49 for T3&T4 vs T2, P<0.001), Gleason score (OR = 0.42 for8&9&10 vs. 6&7, P<0.001). Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis showed that prostate cancer patients with high CCBE1 expression had a better progression-free interval (hazard ratio [HR]:0.50; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.33-0.77; P = 0.002) and overall survival (hazard ratio [HR]:0.38; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.15-0.92; P = 0.032). In vitro experiments indicated that overexpressed CCBE1 inhibited prostate cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.Conclusion: CCBE1 plays a pivotal role in the progression of prostate cancer and up-regulated CCBE1 expression inhibits prostate cancer tumorgenicity.
Predicting Upper-Extremity Function Recovery From Kinematics in Stroke Patients Following Goal-Oriented Computer-Based Training
Authors: Antenucci Fabrizio , Ballester Belén Rubio , Maier Martina , Coolen Anthony C.C. , Verschure Paul F. M. J. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: After a stroke, a wide range of deficits can occur with varying onset latencies. As a result, predicting impairment and recovery are enormous challenges in neurorehabilitation. Body function and structure, as well as activities, are assessed using clinical scales. For functional deficits of the upper extremities these include the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for the Upper Extremity (FM-UE), the Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory (CAHAI) and Barthel Index (BI), administered by clinicians. Although these scales are generally accepted for the evaluation of the motor and functional impairment of the upper-limbs, they are time-consuming, show high inter-rater variability, have low ecological validity, and are vulnerable to biases introduced by compensatory movements and action modifications. For these reasons, alternative methods need to be developed for efficient and objective assessment. Computer-based motion capture and classification tools have the potential to collect and process kinematic data to estimate impairment, function and recovery while overcoming these limitations.Methods: We present a method for estimating clinical scores from movement parameters that are entirely extracted from kinematic data recorded during unsupervised rehabilitation sessions performed with the Rehabilitation Gaming System (RGS). RGS is a rehabilitation technology that uses image-based motion capture, goal-oriented individualised training, virtual reality content delivery, and restricts compensatory trunk movements through feedback. The main protocol considered in this study asks patients to use their upper limbs to intercept spheres that are presented in a 3 dimensional virtual reality display. RGS maps the planar physical arm movements onto matching movements by an avatar presented in a first-person perspective. In this analysis, we performed a multivariate regression using clinical data from 98 stroke patients who completed a total of 191 sessions with RGS.Results: Our multivariate regression model reaches an accuracy of R2 : 0.38, with an error (σ : 12.8), in predicting FM-UE scores. We analyse our model by assessing reliability (r = 0:89 for test-retest), sensitivity to clinical improvements (95% true positive rate) and generalisation to other tasks that involve planar reaching movements (R2 : 0.39). The model achieves comparable accuracy also for the CAHAI (R2 : 0.40) and BI scales (R2 : 0.35).Conclusions: Our results highlight the clinically relevant predictive power of kinematic data collected during unsupervised goal-oriented motor training combined with automated inference techniques and provide new insight into factors underlying recovery and its biomarkers.
A Human-Robot Cooperative and Personalized Compliant Joint Controller for Upper-Limb Rehabilitation Robots: The Elbow Joint Validation
Authors: Gasperina Stefano Dalla , Longatelli Valeria , Braghin Francesco , Pedrocchi Alessandra Laura Giulia , Gandolla Marta 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Appropriate training modalities for post-stroke upper-limb rehabilitation are key features for effective recovery after the acute event. This work presents a novel human-robot cooperative control framework that promotes compliant motion and renders different high-level human-robot interaction rehabilitation modalities under a unified low-level control scheme. Methods: The presented control law is based on a loadcell-based impedance controller provided with positive-feedback compensation terms for disturbances rejection and dynamics compensation. We developed an elbow flexion-extension experimental setup, and we conducted experiments to evaluate the controller performances. Seven high-level modalities, characterized by different levels of (i) impedance-based corrective assistance, (ii) weight counterbalance assistance, and (iii) resistance, have been defined and tested with 14 healthy volunteers.Results: The unified controller demonstrated suitability to promote good transparency and render compliant and high-impedance behavior at the joint. Superficial electromyography results showed different muscular activation patterns according to the rehabilitation modalities. Results suggested to avoid weight counterbalance assistance, since it could induce different motor relearning with respect to purely impedance-based corrective strategies. Conclusion: We proved that the proposed control framework could implement different physical human-robot interaction modalities and promote the assist-as-needed paradigm, helping the user to accomplish the task, while maintaining physiological muscular activation patterns. Future insights involve the extension to multiple degrees of freedom robots and the investigation of an adaptation control law that makes the controller learn and adapt in a therapist-like manner.
Mining of Simple Sequence Repeats Loci, Genetic Relationship And Population Structure of Bottle Gourd (Lagenaria Siceraria (Molina) Standl.) Accessions With Different Geographical Origin Using Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNPs) Markers
Authors: Contreras-Soto Rodrigo Iván , Salvatierra Ariel , Maldonado Carlos , Mashilo Jacob 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl. (2n = 2x = 22) is an important horticultural and medicinal crop grown worldwide serving for food and pharmaceutical industries. The crop exhibit extensive phenotypic and genetic variation useful for cultivar obtention targeting economic traits, however limited genomic resources are available for effective germplasm characterization into breeding and conservation strategies. This study determined the genetic relationships and population structure in a collection of different accessions of bottle gourd prevenient from Chile, Asia, and South Africa by using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) markers and mining of simple sequence repeats (SSR) loci derived from genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) data. The GBS resulted in 12,766 SNPs molecular markers classified as moderate to highly informative with mean polymorphic information content of 0.29. The mean gene diversity of 0.16, indicated low genetic differentiation of the accessions. Analysis of molecular variance revealed lower differentiation between (36%) than within (48%) bottle gourd accessions suggesting that random mating system dominates inbreeding. Population structure revealed two genetically differentiated groups comprising of South Africa accessions and an admixed group with genotypes of Asian and Chilean origin. The results of SSR loci mining from GBS data should be developed and validated before being used in diverse bottle gourd accessions. The SNPs markers developed in the present study are useful genomic resources in bottle gourd breeding programs for assessing the extent of genetic diversity for effective parental selection and breeding.
Repeated Sevoflurane Exposures in Neonatal Rats Increased the Brain Vulnerability to Future Stress Exposure and Resulted in Fear-extinction Deficit
Authors: Chen Ben-zhen , Jiang Li-hua , Zhang Ming-qiang , Zhou Wen-qin , Shang Yu-chao , Li Fang , Liu Bin 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Sevoflurane anesthesia during neonatal period was reported to sensitize the rodent animals to stress later in life. The authors tested the hypothesis that repeated sevoflurane exposures in neonatal rats increased the brain vulnerability to future stress exposure and resulted in fear-extinction deficit, and investigated whether the neonatal brain depolarizing γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor (GABAAR) is involved in mediating these abnormalities. Neonatal Sprague-Dawley male rats, pretreated with vehicle or the NKCC1 inhibitor, bumetanide, received sequential exposures to 3% sevoflurane for 2 hours on postnatal days (P) 5, 6, 7 and then were exposed to electric foot shock stress in fear conditioning training at P14. Juvenile rats at different developmental brain stage receiving identical sevoflurane exposures on P25, 26, 27 were also studied. The results showed repeated sevoflurane exposures in neonatal rats increased the cation-chloride cotransporters NKCC1/KCC2 ratio in the PFC at P14. Repeated exposures to sevoflurane in neonatal rather than juvenile rats enhanced the stress response and exacerbated neuroapoptosis in the PFC after exposed to electric foot shock in fear conditioning training. Neonatal rather than juvenile sevoflurane-exposed rats exhibited deficits in fear extinction training and recall. Pretreatment of neonatal rats prior to sevoflurane exposures with bumetanide reduced the NKCC1/KCC2 ratio at P14 and ameliorated most of the subsequent adverse effects. Our study indicates that repeated sevoflurane exposures in neonatal rats might increase the brain vulnerability to future stress exposure and resulted in fear-extinction deficit, which might be associated with the neonatal enhanced brain depolarizing GABAAR activity.
Intraoperative Radiation Therapy Induces Immune Response Activity after Pancreatic Surgery
Authors: Lee Yun Sun , Kim Hyung Sun , Cho Yeona , Lee Ik Jae , Kim Hyo Jung , Lee Da Eun , Kang Hyeon Woong , Park Joon Seong 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Pancreatic cancer has highly aggressive features, such as local recurrence that leads to significantly high morbidity and mortality and recurrence after successful tumour resection. Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT), which delivers targeted radiation to a tumour bed, is known to reduce local recurrence by directly killing tumour cells and modifying the tumour microenvironment. Methods: Among 30 patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, 17 patients received IORT immediately after surgical resection. We investigated changes in the immune response induced by IORT by analysing the peritoneal fluid (PF) and blood of patients with and without IORT treatment after pancreatic cancer surgery. Further, we treated three pancreatic cell lines with PF to observe proliferation and activity changes. Results: Levels of cytokines involved in the PI3K/SMAD pathway were increased in the PF of IORT-treated patients. Moreover, IORT-treated PF inhibited the growth, migration, and invasiveness of pancreatic cancer cells. Changes in lymphocyte phenotype populations in the blood of IORT-treated patients indicated an increased immune response.Conclusions: Based on the characterisation and quantification of immune cells in the blood and cytokine levels in the PF, IORT induced an anti-tumour effect by activating the immune response, which may prevent pancreatic cancer recurrence.Clinical Trial Registration: NCT03273374