bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Whole-Exome Sequencing and hiPSC Cardiomyocyte Models Identify MYRIP, TRAPPC11, and SLC27A6 of Potential Importance to Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in an African Ancestry Population
Authors: Irvin Marguerite R. , Aggarwal Praful , Claas Steven A. , de las Fuentes Lisa , Do Anh N. , Gu C. Charles , Matter Andrea , Olson Benjamin S. , Patki Amit , Schwander Karen , Smith Joshua D. , Srinivasasainagendra Vinodh , Tiwari Hemant K. , Turner Amy J. , Nickerson Deborah A. , Rao Dabeeru C. , Broeckel Ulrich , Arnett Donna K. 
Published: February 2021

Background: Indices of left ventricular (LV) structure and geometry represent useful intermediate phenotypes related to LV hypertrophy (LVH), a predictor of cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD) outcomes.Methods and Results: We conducted an exome-wide association study of LV mass (LVM) adjusted to height2.7, LV internal diastolic dimension (LVIDD), and relative wall thickness (RWT) among 1,364 participants of African ancestry (AAs) in the Hypertension Genetic Epidemiology Network (HyperGEN). Both single-variant and gene-based sequence kernel association tests were performed to examine whether common and rare coding variants contribute to variation in echocardiographic traits in AAs. We then used a data-driven procedure to prioritize and select genes for functional validation using a human induced pluripotent stem cell cardiomyocyte (hiPSC-CM) model. Three genes [myosin VIIA and Rab interacting protein (MYRIP), trafficking protein particle complex 11 (TRAPPC11), and solute carrier family 27 member 6 (SLC27A6)] were prioritized based on statistical significance, variant functional annotations, gene expression in the hiPSC-CM model, and prior biological evidence and were subsequently knocked down in the hiPSC-CM model. Expression profiling of hypertrophic gene markers in the knockdowns suggested a decrease in hypertrophic expression profiles. MYRIP knockdowns showed a significant decrease in atrial natriuretic factor (NPPA) and brain natriuretic peptide (NPPB) expression. Knockdowns of the heart long chain fatty acid (FA) transporter SLC27A6 resulted in downregulated caveolin 3 (CAV3) expression, which has been linked to hypertrophic phenotypes in animal models. Finally, TRAPPC11 knockdown was linked to deficient calcium handling.Conclusions: The three genes are biologically plausible candidates that provide new insight to hypertrophic pathways.
Assessment of Immunotoxicity and Oxidative Stress Induced by Zinc Selenium/Zinc Sulphide Quantum Dots
Authors: Reshma V. G. , Mohanan P. V. 
Published: February 2021

Although ZnSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) have emerged as apparently less hazardous substitute to cadmium-based QDs, their toxicity has not been fully understood. Huge levels of ROS production and associated difficulties comprise the underlying reason for nanomaterial toxicity in cells. This will cause both immunotoxicity and genotoxicity. In the current work, Zinc Selenium/Zinc Sulphide (ZnSe/ZnS) QDs was synthesized, characterized and analyzed for its role in oxidative stress induction in two cell lines (HepG2 and HEK) and Swiss Albino mice. ROS production and influence of catalase activity in ROS production measured by DCFHDA assay in both HepG2 and HEK cells after exposure to ZnSe/ZnS QDs. Assessment of nitrile radical formation carried out by griess reagent. Level of GSH is assessed as a marker for oxidative stress induced by QDs. Cell death induced after exposure to ZnSe/ZnS QDs investigated by Calcein AM-PI live dead assay. Apoptotic DNA ladder assay carried out for studying the potential of ZnSe/ZnS QDs to induce DNA fragmentation. In vivo bio-nano interaction was studied by exposing Swiss Albino mice to ZnSe/ZnS QDs via i.v. and i.p. injection. Antioxidant assays were carried out in brain and liver homogenates to study the oxidative stress. LPO, GSH, GPx, GR and SOD are considered as biomarkers for the stress analysis. Blood brain barrier (BBB) integrity also studied. Spleenocytes proliferation assay was carried out to study the immunotoxicity response. ZnSe/ZnS QDs do not induce visible oxidative stress upto a concentration of 50 μg/ml. Cell death occurs at higher concentration (100 μg/ml) caused by ROS production. Overall study apparently provide attentive information that ZnSe/ZnS QDs is not capable of eliciting any serious damages to liver and brain tissues which in turn substantiates its applicability in biomedical applications.
Neurological Disorders Associated With COVID-19 Hospital Admissions: Experience of a Single Tertiary Healthcare Center
Authors: Dhillon Permesh Singh , Dineen Robert A. , Morris Haley , Tanasescu Radu , Nikfekr Esmaeil , Evans Jonathan , Constantinescu Cris S. , Hosseini Akram A. 
Published: February 2021

Background: Early reports have detailed a range of neurological symptoms in patients with the SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, there is a lack of detailed description and incidence of the neurological disorders amongst hospitalized COVID-19 patients. We describe a range of neurological disorders (other than non-specific neurological symptoms), including their clinical, radiological, and laboratory findings, encountered in our cohort of COVID-19 patients admitted to a large tertiary institution.Methods: We reviewed our prospectively collated database of all adult Neurology referrals, Neurology and Stroke admissions and Neurological multi-disciplinary team meetings for all hospitalized patients with suspected or proven COVID-19 from 17 March 2020 to 31 August 2020.Results: Twenty-nine of 1,243 COVID-19 inpatients (2.3%) presented with COVID-19-related neurological disorders. The mean age was 68.9 ± 13.5(SD) years, age range of 34–97 years, and there were 16 males. Twenty two patients had confirmed, five were probable and two had suspected COVID-19 infection according to the WHO case classification. Eight patients (27%) required critical care admission. Neurological symptoms at presentation included acute confusion and delirium, seizures, and new focal neurological deficits. Based on the pre-defined neurological phenotype, COVID-19 patients were grouped into four main categories. Sixteen patients had cerebrovascular events (13 with acute ischemic stroke and three had hemorrhagic features), seven patients were found to have inflammatory, non-inflammatory and autoimmune encephalopathy (including two with known Multiple Sclerosis), whilst disorders of movement and peripheral nervous system were diagnosed in three patients each.Conclusion: Although the exact prevalence and etiology remain unclear, new onset of neurological disorders, in addition to anosmia, is non-sporadic during the acute COVID-19-infection. Longitudinal follow-up of these patients is required to determine the clinical and functional outcome, treatment response and long-term effects of the SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Tumor Immune Microenvironment Characterization in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Identifies Four Prognostic and Immunotherapeutically Relevant Subclasses
Authors: Gao Xingxing , Huang Hechen , Wang Yubo , Pan Caixu , Yin Shengyong , Zhou Lin , Zheng Shusen 
Published: February 2021

PurposeThe tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, underlying compositions and functions that drive the establishment and maintenance of the TME classifications are less-well understood.MethodsA total of 766 HCC patients from three public cohorts were clustered into four immune-related subclasses based on 13 TME signatures (11 immune-related cells and 2 immune-related pathways) calculated by MCP-counter. After analyzing the landscapes of functional annotation, methylation, somatic mutation, and clinical characteristics, we built a TME-based Support Vector Machine of 365 patients (discovery phase) and 401 patients (validation phase). We applied this SVM model on another two independent cohorts of patients who received sorafenib/pembrolizumab treatment.ResultsAbout 33% of patients displayed an immune desert pattern. The other subclasses were different in abundance of tumor infiltrating cells. The Immunogenic subclass (17%) associated with the best prognosis presented a massive T cell infiltration and an activation of immune checkpoint pathway. The 13 TME signatures showed a good potential to predict the TME classification (average AUC = 88%). Molecular characteristics of immunohistochemistry from Zhejiang cohort supported our SVM classification. The optimum response to pembrolizumab (78%) and sorafenib (81%) was observed in patients belonging to the Immunogenic subclass.ConclusionsThe HCC patients from distinct immune subclass showed significant differences in clinical prognosis and response to personalized treatment. Based on tumor transcriptome data, our workflow can help to predict the clinical outcomes and to find appropriate treatment strategies for HCC patients.
Standard Liver Volume-Predicting Formulae Derived From Normal Liver Volume in Children Under 18 Years of Age
Authors: Yang Xintian , Wang Han , Dong Bingzi , Hu Bin , Hao Xiwei , Chen Xin , Zhao Jing , Dong Qian , Zhu Chengzhan 
Published: February 2021

Background: Standard liver volume (SLV) is important in risk assessment for major hepatectomy. We aimed to investigate the growth patterns of normal liver volume with age and body weight (BW) and summarize formulae for calculating SLV in children.Methods: Overall, 792 Chinese children (&lt;18 years of age) with normal liver were enrolled. Liver volumes were measured using computed tomography. Correlations between liver volume and BW, body height (BH), and body surface area (BSA) were analyzed. New SLV formulae were selected from different regression models; they were assessed by multicentral validations and were compared.Results: The growth patterns of liver volume with age (1 day−18 years) and BW (2–78 kg) were summarized. The volume grows from a median of 139 ml (111.5–153.6 in newborn) to 1180.5 ml (1043–1303.1 at 16–18 years). Liver volume was significantly correlated with BW (r = 0.95, P &lt; 0.001), BH (r = 0.92, P &lt; 0.001), and BSA (r = 0.96, P &lt; 0.001). The effect of sex on liver volume increases with BW, and BW of 20 kg was identified as the optimal cutoff value. The recommended SLV formulae were BW≤20 kg: SLV = 707.12 × BSA1.09; BW&gt;20 kg, males: SLV = 691.90 × BSA1.06; females: SLV = 663.19 × BSA1.04.Conclusions: We summarized the growth patterns of liver volume and provided formulae predicting SLV in Chinese children, which is useful in assessing the safety of major hepatectomies.
Ion Acoustic Peregrine Soliton Under Enhanced Dissipation
Authors: Pathak Pallabi 
Published: February 2021

The effect of enhanced Landau damping on the evolution of ion acoustic Peregrine soliton in multicomponent plasma with negative ions has been investigated. The experiment is performed in a multidipole double plasma device. To enhance the ion Landau damping, the temperature of the ions is increased by applying a continuous sinusoidal signal of frequency close to the ion plasma frequency ∼1 MHz to the separation grid. The spatial damping rate of the ion acoustic wave is measured by interferometry. The damping rate of ion acoustic wave increases with the increase in voltage of the applied signal. At a higher damping rate, the Peregrine soliton ceases to show its characteristics leaving behind a continuous envelope.
Assessing Children’s Executive Function: BADS-C Validity
Authors: Fish Jessica , Wilson F. Colin 
Published: February 2021

ObjectivesTo investigate the external and ecological validity of a standardized test of children’s executive functioning (EF), the Behavioral Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome for Children (BADS-C).BackgroundThere are few standardized measures for assessing executive functions in children, and the evidence for the validity of most measures is currently limited.MethodA normative sample of 256 children and adolescents from age 8–16 years completed the BADS-C, and a parent or teacher completed rating scales of the child’s everyday problems related to EF (Children’s version of the Dysexecutive Questionnaire; DEX-C) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), a commonly used measure of emotional, social, cognitive, and behavioral problems.ResultsExploratory factor analyses yielded a two-factor structure to the BADS-C, indicative of monitoring and abstract reasoning processes, and a three-factor structure to the DEX-C, reflecting behavioral, and cognitive components of the dysexecutive syndrome as well as emotional responsiveness. Regression analyses showed significant relationships between BADS-C scores and everyday functioning as reported on the DEX and SDQ. Furthermore, there were significant differences in BADS-C scores between those children in the upper and lower quartiles on the SDQ.ConclusionResults provide tentative evidence of BADS-C and DEX-C construct, convergent and predictive validity.
Unconventional exhibition spaces as an example of the synergy of architecture and art
Authors: Gawlak Agata , Kowalczyk Paulina , Stefańska Joanna 
Published: February 2021

The article pertains to the relationship between an artwork (painting) and architectural space, as well as the issue of adapting unconventional architectural spaces for an exhibition function in relation to the author's exhibitions presenting the paintings from the same painting series. Different exhibition concepts of each of the exhibitions emphasize the role of a painting in shaping the architectural space and the quality of this space. An artwork becomes a tool that organizes space and influences its quality. At the Faculty of Architecture of Poznań University of Technology, as part of the research project of Professor A.M. Łubowski and J. Stefańska, D.Sc., titled "Artwork in Architecture", there has been research conducted on the correlation of architecture and art. The author was invited to participate in three exhibitions carried out as part of this project. The experiences connected with the project have been described in this article. The problem of using the interiors of buildings whose original purpose was different from exhibiting art , became a part of the author's research carried out in the form of individual and collective exhibitions. Two of them, which took place between 2017 and 2018, showcased paintings from the same series, entitled " I Have Been to Hel(l) and Back. And: Let me Tell you, It Was Wonderful ”, highlighted the importance of the dialogue between architecture and art and created awareness how much this interdependence influences the transformation of the perception of both art and architecture. Appropriate compositional solutions and an appropriate selection of artworks contribute to the complete visual satisfaction of the recipient. Ill-considered combinations cause visual discomfort, which detracts from the potential of both works of art and architectural space. Therefore, it is a need to perform an in-depth analysis of the relationship between the artwork and architectural space, and to avoid conventional, schematic exhibition solutions. The same works placed in various spaces affect the viewer in a different way. The change of the environment influences the change of perception, which creates new interpretative possibilities for the painting’s narrative, while the architectural space gains a wider context of reception through its individualization and increased accessibility. The emotional and intellectual aspect of painting enriches the space with new meanings.
Assessment of air pollution tolerance levels of some plant species of Jammu
Authors: Kour Barneet , K. Raina Anil 
Published: February 2021

The air pollution tolerance indices (APTI) of four plant species: Ficus religiosa, Polyalthia longifolia, Pterospernum acerifolium and Thevetia peruviana growing along roadsides at polluted site (Satwari-Bikram Chowk road) in Jammu city has been worked out and compared with the plants growing at the reference location (New University Campus) to categorize plants as sensitive or resistant. The plants were analysed for leaf relative water content (RWC), ascorbic acid content (AA), total leaf chlorophyll (T Ch) and leaf extract pH to compute the APTI values which indicated that all plants belong to sensitive category as per the index range given by Gaikwad et al. (2006). The values of all the studied biochemical parameters and APTI has been observed to decline in the plants growing at polluted sites in comparison to plants growing at reference site. However, among the plant species growing at polluted site, Ficus religiosa has been observed to be comparatively more tolerant against air pollutants with a maximum APTI value (4.76±0.16) whereas Pterospernum acerifolium is more sensitive to air pollutants with minimum APTI value (1.65±0.19). The order of tolerance among these plants has been observed to be: Ficus religiosa> Polyalthia longifolia> Thevetia peruviana> Pterospernum acerifolium. The result also indicated that combining variety of these parameters gave a more reliable result than those of individual parameter.
Sediment texture and nutrients of Muttukadu, sand bar built backwaters, Tamilnadu, India
Authors: Kalpana G. , Natesan Usha 
Published: February 2021

Muttukadu backwater form a complex system of shallow estuarine network spread over an area of 0.87 km2 meant for fishing and boating activities. The study area is connected to the sea by a bar mouth, the width of which is variable from a few meters to 200 m in different months. Mouth closes due to sandbar formation from March to September. A combination of reduced river discharge, the build-up of an oceanic bar as a result of onshore sediment transport by long-period swell wave action during summer, cause the formation of sand bar. Sediments are the major sink for chemical components of water bodies and sediment chemical analyses afford methods for measurements of the quality of overlying water and the levels of potential pollutants. Station 1(0.5 km away from the mouth) and 9 which is in the sea is always sand dominated as they are influenced by the nearshore dynamics. The saline sea water, which enters the estuary, resuspends the flocculated sediments at the mouth and transports the fine floccules to the water column during the open condition. pH (7.7) of the sediment is high during monsoon season. The total nitrogen (4.7µg/L) of sediments is higher during summer season due to the oxidation of dead plant organic matter, which has settled on the top layer. Total Phosphate shows a positive correlation with silt. Phosphorus load is high in the stations 5, 6, 7 and 8 is 2.3, 2.1, 4 and 2.5 (µg/L) which is located in the upstream of the backwater and in Buckingham canal compared with the mouth region, indicating that the environment is substantially influenced by local sources of sewage, industrial effluent etc.
Evaluation of physico-chemical quality of groundwater in the surroundings of Valiathura sewage farm in Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala, South India
Authors: Varghese Jainy , Jaya D.S. 
Published: February 2021

The present study was conducted to determine the changes in the physico-chemical characteristics of the groundwater in the surroundings of the sewage farm in Valiathura, Thiruvananthpuram district, Kerala. For this, 42 groundwater samples (29 dug wells and 13 bore wells) were collected bimonthly from the study area during the period January to December 2010 covering pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon seasons and the major physico-chemical parameters were analysed. The values recorded for parameters such as total alkalinity (330 mg/l), potassium (63.40 mg/l), magnesium (52.39 mg/l) and phosphates (4.71 mg/l in dug wells at some stations exceeded the desirable limits for drinking water quality prescribed by WHO and BIS standards. The Sodium Adsorption Ratio (0.20 - 6.33), Percent sodium (8.54 - 71.83) and Permeability Index values (48.07 - 119.35) showed that all the groundwater samples in the study area were suitable for irrigation purposes. The study revealed that about 31% of the dug wells adjacent to the sewage farm and Parvathy Puthen Ar canal were moderately contaminated and consumption of water from these wells may lead to various health problems in residents. As nutrients like phosphates, sodium, potassium, magnesium were high in well water samples and prolonged consumption of nutrients enriched well water may cause health problems such as high blood pressure, bowel cancer (due to phosphates), cardiovascular diseases (due to sodium and magnesium), renal diseases (due to sodium and potassium).Therefore effective management measures should be taken to protect the groundwater sources in Valiathura area.
Equilibrium isotherm studies for the sorption of Nickel ions onto coal fly ash
Authors: Agarwal Ajay K. , Kadu Mahendra S. , Pandhurnekar Chandrashekhar P. , Muthreja Ishwardas L. 
Published: February 2021

The objective of the present study was to study equilibrium isotherm for the sorption of Nickel ions onto coal fly ash. In this study, BET adsorption isotherm was found to be best fitted among Langmuir, Freundlich, BET, Temkin and Harkins Jura adsorption isotherms using lest square fit method. The best fit adsorption isotherm is assessed by the linear coefficient of determination (R2) and non-linear Chi-square test. The theoretical value of qe calculated from the best fit linear equation of each adsorption isotherm and the experimental values of qe (0.08) are plotted against Ce, to compare the experimental and Theoretical value of qe.
A preliminary study on lichen diversity of Kailash and its environs, Bhaderwah, J&K
Authors: Sharma Sachin , K. Raina Anil , Upreti D.K. 
Published: February 2021

A preliminary survey of lichen diversity in the sub-alpine and alpine ecosystem of Kailash and its environs in upper Bhaderwah region of J&K state has revealed the occurrence of 17 species belonging to 11 families and 15 genera. Parmaliaceae has been recorded as the largest family with 4 species and 4 genera and is followed by Verrucariaceae and Cladoniaceae, each with 2 species and 1 genus. Foliose lichens are dominating the area and are represented by 8 species while crustose are represented by 4 species only. Both, corticolous and saxicolous lichen are represented by 8 species each while 1 species belonged to terricolous group of lichen.