bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modulation of neural activity in frontopolar cortex drives reward-based motor learning
Authors: Ruiz Maria Herrojo , Maudrich Tom , Kalloch Benjamin , Sammler Daniela , Kenville Rouven , Villringer Arno , Sehm Bernhard , Nikulin Vadim 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The frontopolar cortex (FPC) contributes to tracking the reward of alternative choices during decision making, as well as their reliability. Whether this FPC function extends to reward gradients associated with continuous movements during motor learning remains unknown. We used anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the right FPC to investigate its role in reward-based motor learning. Nineteen healthy human participants completed a motor sequence learning task using trialwise reward feedback to discover a hidden goal along a continuous dimension: timing. As additional conditions, we modulated the contralateral motor cortex (left M1) activity, and included a control sham stimulation. Right FPC-tDCS led to faster learning compared to lM1-tDCS and sham through regulation of motor variability. Computational modelling revealed that in all stimulation protocols, an increase in the trialwise expectation of reward was followed by greater exploitation, as shown previously. Yet, this association was weaker in lM1-tDCS suggesting a less efficient learning strategy. The effects of frontopolar stimulation were dissociated from those induced by lM1-tDCS and sham, as motor exploration was more sensitive to inferred changes in the reward tendency (volatility). The findings suggest that rFPC-tDCS increases the sensitivity of motor exploration to updates in reward volatility, accelerating reward-based motor learning.
Blue Light Directly Modulates the Quorum Network in the Human Pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Tuttobene Marisel Romina , Müller Gabriela Leticia , Blasco Lucía , Diacovich Lautaro , Cribb Pamela , Tomás María del Mar , Peñalver Carlos Nieto , Mussi María Alejandra 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Quorum sensing modulates bacterial collective behaviors including biofilm formation, motility and virulence in the important human pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii. Disruption of quorum sensing has emerged as a promising strategy with important therapeutic potential. In this work, we show that light modulates the production of secreted molecules that complement motility in the acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) synthase mutant, abaI, at environmental temperatures. Also, AHLs were produced in higher levels in the dark than under blue light at environmental temperatures, a response that depends on AbaI and on the photoreceptor BlsA. BlsA interacts with the transcriptional regulator AbaR in the dark at environmental temperatures, inducing abaI expression. Under blue light, BlsA does not interact with AbaR, but induces expression of the lactonase aidA and quorum quenching, consistently with lack of motility at this condition. At temperatures found in warm-blooded hosts, the production of AHLs, quorum quenching as well as abaI and aidA expression were also modulated by light in a BlsA-independent manner. Finally, AbaI reduces A. baumannii's ability to kill C. albicans only in the dark both at environmental as well as at temperatures found in warm-blooded hosts. The overall data indicate that light directly modulates quorum network in A. baumannii.
Affinibrenneria salicis gen. nov. sp. nov. isolated from Salix matsudana bark canker
Authors: Bian Dan-ran , Xue Han , Wang Guang-ming , Piao Chun-gen , Li Yong 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
L3-3HAT, a Gram-negative-staining, facultatively anaerobic, motile bacterial strain, was isolated from the symptomatic bark of Salix matsudana canker in China. 16S rRNA gene analysis revealed that the novel strain shares the highest sequence similarity with Brenneria goodwinii FRB141T (95.5 %). In phylogenetic trees based on four housekeeping genes (gyrB, rpoB, atpD and infB) and the 16S rRNA gene sequence, the novel strain formed a separate branch from the five genera of the family Pectobacteriaceae (Lonsdalea, Brenneria, Dickeya, Pectobacterium and Sodalis), suggesting that the novel strain should belong to a novel species of a novel genus within the family Pectobacteriaceae. The result was also supported by phylogenomics, amino acid identity and average nucleotide identity. The major fatty acids were C14:0, C16:0, C17:0 cyclo, and C19:0 cyclo ɷ8c. Genome analysis showed that the novel strain has a large genome (5.89 Mb) with 5,052 coding genes, including 181 virulence genes by searching the pathogen-host interactions database (PHI-base), indicating that the novel strain is a potential pathogen of plants and animals. Based on phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, the L3-3HAT strain represents a novel species of a novel genus in the Pectobacteriaceae family, for which the name Affinibrenneria salicis gen nov. sp. nov. is proposed. The strain type is L3-3HAT (= CFCC 15588T = LMG 31209T).
A Dosimetric and Radiobiological Evaluation of VMAT&nbsp;Following Mastectomy for Patients With Left-sided Breast Cancer
Authors: Zhang Yun , Huang Yuling , Ding Shenggou , Yuan Xingxing , Shu Yuxian , Liang Jinhui , Mao Qingfeng , Jiang Chunling , Li Jingao 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: To compare the dosimetric normal tissue complication probability (NTCP), secondary cancer complication probabilities (SCCP), and excess absolute risk (EAR) differences of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for left-sided breast cancer after mastectomy. Methods and materials: Thirty patients with left-sided breast cancer treated with post-mastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) were randomly enrolled in this study. Both IMRT and VMAT treatment plans were created for each patient. Planning target volume (PTV) doses for the chest wall and internal mammary nodes, PTV1, and PTV of the supraclavicular nodes, PTV2, of 50 Gy were prescribed in 25 fractions. The plans were evaluated based on PTV1 and PTV2 coverage, homogeneity index (HI), conformity index, conformity number (CN), dose to organs at risk, NTCP, SCCP, EAR, number of monitors units, and beam delivery time. Results: VMAT resulted in more homogeneous chest wall coverage than did IMRT. The percent volume of PTV1 that received the prescribed dose of VMRT and IMRT was 95.9 ± 1.2% and 94.5 ± 1.6%, respectively (p < 0.001). The HI was 0.11 ± 0.01 for VMAT and 0.12 ± 0.02 for IMRT, respectively (p = 0.001). The VMAT plan had better conformity (CN: 0.84 ± 0.02 vs. 0.78 ± 0.04, p < 0.001) in PTV compared with IMRT. As opposed to IMRT plans, VMAT delivered a lower mean dose to the ipsilateral lung (11.5 Gy vs 12.6 Gy) and heart (5.2 Gy vs 6.0 Gy) and significantly reduced the V5, V10, V20, V30, and V40 of the ipsilateral lung and heart; only the differences in V5 of the ipsilateral lung did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.409). Although the volume of the ipsilateral lung and heart encompassed by the 2.5 Gy isodose line (V2.5) was increased by 6.7% and 7.7% (p < 0.001, p = 0.002), the NTCP was decreased by 0.8% and 0.6%, and SCCP and EAR were decreased by 1.9% and 0.1% for the ipsilateral lung. No significant differences were observed in the contralateral lung/breast V2.5, V5, V10, V20, mean dose, SCCP, and EAR. Finally, VMAT reduced the number of monitor units by 31.5% and the treatment time by 71.4%, as compared with IMRT. Conclusions: Compared with IMRT, VMAT is the optimal technique for PMRT patients with left-sided breast cancer due to better target coverage, a lower dose delivered, NTCP, SCCP, and EAR to the ipsilateral lung and heart, similar doses delivered to the contralateral lung and breast, fewer monitor units and a shorter delivery time.
The effects of Rf5 and Rf6 on fertility restoration in Honglian-type cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) lines of japonica rice (Oryza sativa L. ssp. japonica)
Authors: Zhang Honggen , Wang Ruixuan , Xu Zuopeng , Zhao Xiangqiang , Gao Hailin , Liu Qiaoquan , Tang Shuzhu 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The Honglian (HL)-type cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) has only been used in the development of three-line indica rice hybrids, and the fertility of HL-type indica CMS lines can be restored by two nonallelic fertility-restorer (Rf) genes, Rf5 and Rf6. For the development of HL-type japonica hybrid combinations, it is therefore necessary to determine whether Rf5 and Rf6 can restore the fertility of HL-type japonica CMS lines. Here, we genetically characterized HL-type japonica CMS lines and the ability of Rf5 and Rf6 to restore fertility for breeding HL-type japonica hybrids. I2-KI pollen staining revealed that HL-type japonica CMS lines and their derived testcross F1 hybrids had stained abortive pollen grains, unlike HL-type indica CMS lines. Crossing experiments showed that Rf5 and Rf6 partially restored the fertility of HL-type japonica CMS lines, and Rf6 showed higher restorability than Rf5. Furthermore, we found that there were additive and dosage effects of Rf5 and Rf6 with respect to fertility restoration in HL-type japonica CMS lines. These results give critical insight into the breeding of HL-type japonica CMS lines and restorers, which will be helpful for the development of commercial HL-type japonica hybrids.
A first case report of nasopharyngeal mycobacterium abscessus ssp. massilliense infection
Authors: Oki Yamato , Hatakeyama Hiromitsu , Komatsu Masanori , Isono Yasuhiro , Ikemiyagi Hidetaka , Tsukiji Jun , Higa Ryoko , Oridate Nobuhiko 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
BackgroundMycobacterium abscessus ssp. massiliense is a non-tuberculous mycobacteriosis and was subdivided from Mycobacterium abscessus in 2006. There are no reports to date on nasopharyngitis caused by Mycobacterium abscessus ssp. massiliense.Case PresentationA 45-year old woman was referred to Yokohama City University Medical Center with an 18-month history of recurrent nasopharyngitis and presented with pain in the throat. Mycobacterial tissue culture and polymerase chain reaction testing revealed the presence of Mycobacterium abscessus ssp. massiliense in the nasopharyngeal tissue. This patient underwent surgery, followed by multiple rounds of chemotherapy with oral and intravenous antibiotic agents for four months. She has had no recurrence during the 8 months since treatment.ConclusionThere are few reports on Mycobacterium abscessus ssp. massiliense infection in the head and neck region, and none in the pharynx. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a patient with a nasopharyngeal Mycobacterium abscessus ssp. massiliense infection. It is difficult to prove the presence of Mycobacterium abscessus ssp. massiliense in a pharyngeal “swab,” and tissue culture from a biopsy specimen is mandatory for the identification of the species. Currently, no definite treatment policy is available and only empirical treatment is applied. Further reports are needed to accumulate supporting evidence.
Establishment and Application of Dual TaqMan Fluorescence Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for the Detection of Porcine Circovirus Types 2 and 3
Authors: Cao Fengyang , Luan Xiaoning , Wang Wenwen , Li Yuyan , Guo Longzong , Wang Yinxin , Li Jianliang 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
To establish a rapid method for the simultaneous differential detection of porcine circovirus types 2 (PCV2) and 3 (PCV3), two pairs of primers and two TaqMan probes were designed according to the gene sequences of PCV2 and PCV3, and a dual TaqMan fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for the simultaneous detection of two virus nucleic acids was established. The results showed that the correlation coefficients (R2) of the standard curves drawn using the recombinant plasmids of PCV2 and PCV3 were greater than 0.99 and had a good linear relationship. The specific detection results of PCV type 1, Porcine parvovirus, and Porcine pseudorabies virus were negative. The detection limits of this experimental method for PCV2 and PCV3 were 10 and 1 copies/μL, respectively, which were more sensitive than those of the common PCR detection methods. The established method was used to detect 76 samples from some pig farms in Shandong Province. 11 of the 76 samples were PCV3 positive (positive rate of 14.47%), 24 were PCV2 positive (positive rate of 34.58%), and PCV3 and PCV2 were mixed in six samples (positive rate of 7.89%). The whole-genome sequence of PCV3 was amplified and sequenced to further understand the molecular biological characteristics and genetic variation of PCV3 in Shandong Province. The genomes of 11 PCV3 strains were all 2000 bp long, and the whole-genome sequence homology between them ranged from 98.4% to 99.9%. There were mutation sites in the amino acid sequences of Cap and Rep proteins, and the strains isolated in this experiment were concentrated in the PCV3a and PCV3c subgroups. This study provides technical support and molecular biological basis for nucleic acid detection, epidemiological characteristics, genetic variation, and control of PCV3 in Shandong Province.
Uptake of phosphorus by epilithon in three oligo- to mesotrophic post-mining lakes
Authors: Konopáčová Eliška , Nedoma Jiří , Čapková Kateřina , Čapek Petr , Znachor Petr , Pouzar Miloslav , Říha Milan , Řeháková Klára 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Epilithon contributes to phosphorus (P) cycling in lakes, but its P uptake traits have been rarely studied. We measured the chemical composition of epilithon and its inorganic P uptake kinetics using isotope 33P in three deep oligo- to mesotrophic post-mining lakes in April, July, and October 2019. Over the sampling period, epilithon biomass doubled, while the P content in biomass dropped to 60% of the April values. High epilithic C:P molar ratios (677 on average) suggested strong P deficiency in all investigated lakes.
Regarding the kinetic parameters of phosphorus uptake, maximum uptake velocity (Vmax, seasonal range 0.9–101 mg P g OM–1 h–1) decreased by an order of magnitude from April to October, while half-saturation constant (KS, 1.6–103 mg P L–1) did not show any consistent temporal trend. We found a general decrease in the specific P uptake affinity (0.1–2.2 L g OM–1 h–1) and the estimated in-situ P uptake (0.04–2.3 µg P g OM–1 h–1) of epilithon over the season, which might have resulted from changes in epilithon community composition, a decreasing ratio of living biomass to extracellular polymers and detritus, rapid internal recycling, and/or thickening of the epilithic biofilm. Additionally, we observed a phenomenon of reversible abiotic P adsorption on epilithon.
Production of Aluminum Matrix Composite Material by Active Carbon Additive
Authors: EISAY Ayman M. S. , TÜRKYILMAZ AYDIN 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The effectiveness of composite materials with the addition of activated carbon produced from biomaterial with a new application on aluminum-based composite materials was investigated in this study.Activated carbon was produced from the peanut shells via the chemical activation method and the obtained activated carbon was mixed with aluminum and composite material. For the characterization of the composite material obtained, XRD and SEM-EDS optical photographs were assessed in the experimental process. According to Vickers Hardness and Dynamic Micro Hardness results, the sample with the hardness value of 2% AC added had the highest hardness value. The elastic modulus values was found to increase by 3.4 times (9.59GPa) compared to aluminum with the addition of 2% activated carbon. This increases with activated carbon quantity, and weakens the matrix structure due to weak van der waals interaction with aluminum, which reduces hardness; therefore, the best ratio of the activated carbon reinforcement to the aluminum matrix was obtained at 2% activated carbon addition.
Outcome Measures in Solid Organ Donor Management Research - a Systematic Review
Authors: Bera Kasia D , Shah Akshay , English  , Ploeg RJ 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
BackgroundTo systematically review published outcome measures across randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of donor management interventions. MethodsThe systematic review was conducted in accordance with recommendations by the Cochrane Handbook and PRISMA statement. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Web of Science as well as trial databases from 1980 to December 2019 for RCTs of donor management interventions. ResultsTwenty-two RCTs (n = 3432 donors) were included in our analysis. Fourteen RCTs (63.6%) reported a primary outcome relating to a single organ only. Eight RCTs primarily focused on aspects of donor optimisation in critical care. Thyroid hormones and methylprednisolone were the most commonly evaluated interventions (five and four studies, respectively). Only two studies, focusing on single organs (e.g. kidney), evaluated outcomes relating to other organs. The majority of studies evaluated physiological or biomarker-related outcomes. No study evaluated recipient health-related quality of life. Only one study sought consent from potential organ recipients. ConclusionsThe majority of RCTs evaluating donor management interventions only assessed single organ outcomes or effects on donor stability in critical care. There is a need for an evaluation of patient-centred recipient outcomes, and standardisation and reporting of outcome measures for future donor management RCTs. PROSPERO RegistrationCRD42018109487
Modified Formulas for Calculation of Encephalization Quotient in Dogs
Authors: Saganuwan Saganuwan Alhaji 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
ObjectiveDogs are a breed of animals that play important roles, ranging from security passing through companionship to models of research for application in humans. Intelligence is the key factor to success in life, most especially for dogs that are used for security purposes at the airports, seaports, public places, houses, schools and farms. However, it has been reported that there is correlation between intelligence, body weight, height and craniometry in human. In view of this, literatures on body weight, height and body surface areas of ten dogs were assessed with a view to determining their comparative level of intelligence.ResultsFindings revealed that dogs share brain common allometric relationships with human as shown by Encephalization Quotient (EQ)= Brain Mass/0.14 x Body weight0.528 as compared with Brain Mass /0.12 x Body Weight0.66 and Brain Mass (E)=kpβ, where p is the body weight,k=0.14 and β=0.528 which yielded better results as compared with the other formulas. Dogs with BSA, weight and height similar to that of human are the most intelligent. Doberman Pinscher is the most intelligent followed by German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, respectively.
The Comparison of Exosome RNA Concentration and its LMP-1 and p53 content Among Patients with Nasopharyngeal Cancer before and after Chemoradiation
Authors: Kadriyan Hamsu , Prasedya Eka Sunarwidhi , Anwar Khairil , Pieter Nova Audrey L , Gaffar Masyita , Punagi Abdul Qadar 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
ObjectiveNasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) remains the highest head and neck malignancy in Asia, especially in Southeast Asia. The exosome is a nanocarrier that has a role in inhibit or promote the progression of cancer as well as the marker to knows the response of therapy depending on its carrier inside. NPC-exosome carriers including LMP-1 and p53. LMP-1 is a main oncogene of Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) the predominant cause of NPC. Wild type p53 known as the main inhibitor of cancer growth. The study aims to compare the concentration of exosomes and the characteristic of LMP-1 and p53 inside exosomes among patients with NPCResultEight patients fulfilled the study criteria. The mean age was 37,5 years old (SD = 9,9), most of them were stage III. The mean exosome RNA concentration before and after chemoradiation was 14,39 and 3,61 ng/ml with a p-value of 0,04. LMP-1 expression was documented inside the exosome. Expression of p53 in exon 4-5 and 5-6 are express well, except on exon 7-8. Furthermore, there was a significant increase of p53 expression relative to the housekeeping gene in exon 4-5 and 5-6 after chemoradiation with a p-value of 0,001 and 0,002 consecutively.
Shortcomings of SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Metadata
Authors: Gozashti Landen , Corbett-Detig Russell 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
ObjectiveThe SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has prompted one of the most extensive and expeditious genomic sequencing efforts in history. Each viral genome is accompanied by a set of metadata which supplies important information such as the geographic origin of the sample, age of the host, and the lab at which the sample was sequenced, and is integral to epidemiological efforts and public health direction. Here, we interrogate some shortcomings of metadata within the GISAID database to raise awareness of common errors and inconsistencies that may affect data-driven analyses and provide some possible avenues for solutions.ResultsOur analysis reveals a startling prevalence of spelling errors and inconsistent naming conventions, which together occur in an estimated ~9.8% and ~11.6% of “originating labs” and “submitting labs” GISAID metadata categories respectively. We also find numerous ambiguous entries which provide very little information about the actual source of a sample and could easily associate with multiple sources worldwide. Importantly, all of these issues can impair the ability and accuracy of association studies by deceptively causing a group of samples to identify with multiple sources when they truly all identify with one source, or vice versa.
Effects of FUdR on gene expression in the C. elegans bacterial diet OP50
Authors: McIntyre Grace , Wright Justin , Wong Hoi Tong , Lamendella Regina , Chan Jason P 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Objective: Many C. elegans aging studies use the compound, 5-fluro-2’-deoxyuridine (FUdR), to produce a synchronous population of worms in aging studies. However, it is not fully clear what effects FUdR have on the bacterial gene expression in the E. coli strain OP50, the primary laboratory C. elegans food source. This is particularly relevant as studies indicate that intestinal microbes can affect C. elegans physiology. Here, we examine how exposure to FUdR can affect gene expression changes in OP50 E. coli. Results: RNAseq datasets were used to compare the expression patterns of E. coli genes in the strain OP50 seeded on either nematode growth media (NGM) plates or on FUdR (50µM) supplemented NGM plates. Analysis showed differential expression of genes involved in general transport, amino acid biosynthesis, transcription, iron transport, and antibiotic resistance. We specifically highlight metabolic enzymes in the L-histidine biosynthesis pathway may be regulated by FUdR exposed OP50. We conclude that OP50 exposed to FUdR results in many differentially expressed genes, including those in amino acid biosynthetic pathways.
Applicability of Human-specific STR systems, GlobalFiler™ PCR Amplification Kit, Investigator 24plex QS Kit, and PowerPlex® Fusion 6C in Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes)
Authors: Singh Abhishek , Sahajpal Vivek , Thakur Mukesh , Sharma Lalit Kumar , Chandra Kailash , Bhandari Deepika , Sharma Arun 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Objectives

The human identification systems based on STRs are widely used in human population genetics and forensic analysis. This study aimed to validate the cross-reactivity of three widely known Human-specific STR identification systems i.e. GlobalFiler™ PCR Amplification Kit, Investigator 24plex QS Kit, and PowerPlex® Fusion 6C in Chimpanzee.
Result

The present study revealed the successful amplification of 18 loci using GlobalFiler™ PCR Amplification Kit, 18 loci using Investigator 24plex QS Kit, and 20 loci using PowerPlex® Fusion 6C system. The marker Amelogenin (AMEL) showed differential allele size between male and female revealing the gender identity of Chimpanzees and thus validates their application concerning forensic examination, population estimation, and genetic analysis.