bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Amyloid β protein negatively regulates the human platelet activation induced by thrombin receptor-activating protein
Authors: Mizutani Daisuke , Tokuda Haruhiko , Onuma Takashi , Uematsu Kodai , Nakashima Daiki , Ueda Kyohei , Doi Tomoaki , Enomoto Yukiko , Matsushima-Nishiwaki Rie , Ogura Shinji , Iida Hiroki , Kozawa Osamu , Iwama Toru 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Amyloid β protein (Aβ) is the main product derived from amyloid precursor protein (APP) by sequential enzymatic actions. Deposition of Aβ in the brain parenchyma or cerebral vessels is a primary morphological feature of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In addition, abnormal accumulation of Aβ in the cerebral vessels is known as cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), which is considered a risk factor for intracerebral hemorrhage, particularly in the elderly. CAA reportedly contributes to the development of vascular cognitive decline in addition to AD. On the other hand, human platelets are recognized as the principal components affecting the onset and progression of AD. Although there are several studies showing that Aβ directly modulates human platelet functions, the exact mechanism underlying the Aβ effects on human platelets remains to be elucidated.Methods: The present study investigated the effects of Aβ on human platelet activation using a platelet aggregometer with laser scattering, followed by western blot analysis and ELISA.Results: Aβ at doses up to 7 µM alone failed to affect platelet aggregation or platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AB secretion. On the other hand, Aβ decreased the platelet aggregation induced by thrombin receptor-activating protein (TRAP), but not collagen or ADP. Aβ also suppressed platelet aggregation induced by SCP0237, a selective protease-activated receptor (PAR)-1 agonist, and A3227, a selective PAR-4 agonist. The PDGF-AB secretion and the phosphorylated-heat shock protein (HSP)27 release by TRAP were inhibited by Aβ. In addition, the TRAP-induced phosphorylation of JNK and the phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase followed by phosphorylation of HSP27 were reduced by Aβ.Conclusion: The results of the present study strongly suggest that Aβ negatively regulates PAR-elicited human platelet activation. These findings may indicate one of the causes of intracerebral hemorrhage due to CAA.
Response of soil bacterial community to bioorganic fertilizer application as a weed management strategy in rice paddy
Authors: Li Zuren , Jian Huidang , Liu Ducai , Liu Xueduan , Bai Lianyang 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: The growth of weed is common problem in rice cropping, leading to the application of herbicidal substances to suppress weed growth. Weed biocontrol through novel bioorganic fertilizer (BIO) has been established in rice cultivation, however, its main herbicidal components and influence on soil bacterial community are unknown.Results: We identified three herbicidal components, hexadecanoic, isovaleric, and 2-methylbutyric acids, in BIO extract. We conducted 16S rRNA sequencing to identify changes in soil bacterial community in response to BIO treatments and performed a RDA analysis with soil chemical properties and weed-control effect. The OTU, Chao1 and Shannon indices did not differ substantially among the BIO treatments, and the bacterial diversity was not significantly affected by BIO. As result from PCA analysis, we discovered that soil bacterial community was not significantly influenced by BIO. We identified six dominant phyla (Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi, Nitrospirae, and Verrucomicrobia) in BIO-treated paddies. The five most abundant genera were Anaeromyxobacter, Candidatus Nitrosotalea, Clostridum sensustricto1, Haliangium and Candidatus Nitrotoga. From the RDA analysis, the highest correlations were obtained for soil pH, total K, and Pseudomonas. The weed-control effect mostly correlated with the abundance of Candidatus Koribacter, Clostridium sebsustricto 9, and Nonomuraea. Rice yield had a distinct relationship with Nonomuraea, Nitrospira, and Candidatus Koribacter.Conclusions: With the changes in soil pH and total K, BIO could impact bacterial communities and weed control, and in turn affect rice yield. This foundation can be helpful that application BIO is a “not harmful” and feasibility weed biocontrol strategy.
The Predominance of Bacillus Species and non-Culturable Microaerophilic/Anaerobic Microflora in the Aerobically Operated Predigester of Nisargruna Biogas Plant
Authors: Nayak Shubhada , Kale Sharad 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
In an attempt to convert biodegradable solid wastes into methane gas, the Nisargruna biogas technology is developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Center, Mumbai and is functioning at more than 300 places in India. This plant is uniquely designed to allow microbiological degradation in a two-step process, where breakdown of waste material is facilitated under aerobic conditions prior to anaerobic digestion. Introduction of aerobic predigestion helps to overcome the drawbacks of solely anaerobic degradation like scum formation and high retention time of waste material. The aim of the present study was to identify the culturable as well as non-culturable microorganisms from the predigester of two phase Nisargruna biogas plant. Surprisingly, only Bacillus sp. were prevalent in the predigester and, among them, B. subtilis and B. pumilus were predominated. The spores, parasporal bodies and TEM micrographs of Bacillus sp. were also studied. Molecular techniques like PCR and RFLP analysis identified non culturable bacteria like Citrobacter, Klebsiella, Cytophaga, Erwinia, Pediococcus, Geobacter, Brucella and Vibrio sp. and clones of 14 different genera of anaerobic bacteria in the predigester slurry. The current study introduces the relatively unique microflora of two-phase Nisargruna biogas plant as compared to other anaerobic digesters, and relates its efficiency to diverse metabolic activity of Bacillus sp.
Climate Change and Hydropower Development in the Eastern Himalaya: Emerging Conflicts in the Upper Tista Catchment of Sikkim, India
Authors: Rai Navin , Khawas Vimal 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
This paper assess the controversies and tensions being created by the target of ambitious hydropower development plans in the name of climate mitigating energy in the Upper Tista River Basin of Sikkim (India) which is a part of Eastern Himalayan region. However, in the face of climate change, hydropower projects have become a contested developmental paradigm in the Easter Himalayan region of Sikkim. The paper highlights potential issues and conflicts between climate mitigation approaches through hydropower projects and anti hydropower forces of local people. The paper critically examines pre and post hydropower development conflicts and cooperation along Upper Tista river basin. In fact, the region has witnessed that the Hydro Power Project have been undermining environmental and social security over the past years. The study also analyse the different roles of dam affected people, local politicians, NGOs and dam developers in advocating and protesting of the hydropower dam projects in the region. Using an environmental security framework the study critically analyse the environmental risks and impacts being aggravated by combined forces of climate change and hydropower development in upper Tista catchment of Sikkim Himalaya (India).
Deep Learning Analysis of in Vivo Hyperspectral Images for Automated Intraoperative Nerves Detection
Authors: Barberio Manuel , Collins Toby , Bencteux Valentin , Nkusi Richard , Felli Eric , Viola Massimo , Marescaux Jacques , Hostettler Alexandre , Diana Michele 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Nerves are difficult to recognize during surgery and inadvertent injuries may occur, bringing catastrophic consequences for the patient. Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) is a non-invasive technique combining photography with spectroscopy, allowing biological tissue property quantification. We show for the first time that HSI combined with deep learning allows nerves and other tissue types to be automatically recognized in-vivo at the pixel level. An animal model is used comprising eight anesthetized pigs with a neck midline incision, exposing several structures (nerve, artery, vein, muscle, fat, skin). State-of-the-art machine learning models have been trained to recognize these tissue types in HSI data. The best model is a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), achieving an overall average sensitivity of 0.91 and specificity of 0.99, validated with leave-one-patient-out cross-validation. For the nerve, the CNN achieves an average sensitivity of 0.76 and specificity of 1.0. In conclusion, HSI combined with a CNN model is suitable for in vivo nerve recognition.
Terahertz Image Enhancing Based on the Physical Model and Multiscale Retinex Algorithm
Authors: mao qi , zhu yunlong , liu jingbo , lv cixing , lu yao , wei dongshan , yan shihan 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
To settle the THz image degradation problem, we propose an effective enhancement method based on the physical model and multiscale retinex (MSR) algorithm. The overall enhancing process involves two parts: reconstruction and enhancement. Firstly, the original THz images are reconstructed by a mathematical model, which is built and considered the THz absorption variate and Gaussian distribution of the beam. Then, the original images are processed by the proposed algorithm, which is combined the atmospheric scattering model and optimized MSR algorithm. The proposed algorithm not only recover the image scene radiance and remove haze, but also can make a compromise of the dynamic range of grayscale and edge enhancement of image. Results on a variety of THz images demonstrate our method can effectively improve the quality of THz images and retain sufficient image details.
Disrupted dynamic functional connectivity in distinguishing subjective cognitive decline and amnestic mild cognitive impairment based on the triple-network model
Authors: Xue Chen , Qi Wenzhang , Yuan Qianqian , Hu Guanjie , Ge Honglin , Rao Jiang , Xiao Chaoyong , Chen Jiu 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background

Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) were wildly thought to be preclinical AD spectrum, who characterized by aberrant functional connectivity (FC) within the triple networks involving the default mode network (DMN), the salience network (SN), and the executive control network (ECN). Dynamic FC (DFC) analysis can capture the temporal fluctuation of brain FC during the scan that static FC analysis cannot provide. The purpose of the current study was to explore the changes of dynamic FC within the triple networks of preclinical AD spectrum, and further reveal its potential diagnostic value in the preclinical AD spectrum.
Methods

We collected resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data from 44 SCD, 49 aMCI, and 58 controls (HC). DFC analysis based on the sliding time-window correlation method were used to analyze the DFC variability within the triple networks among three groups. Then the correlation analysis was conducted to reveal the relationship between the altered DFC variability within the triple networks and the declined cognitive function. Furthermore, the logistic regression analysis was used to assess the diagnostic accuracy of altered DFC variability within the triple networks in SCD and aMCI.
Results

Compared to HC, SCD and aMCI both showed altered DFC variability within the triple networks. The DFC variability in the right middle temporal gyrus and left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) within ECN were significantly different between SCD and aMCI. Moreover, the altered DFC variability in the left IFG within ECN was obviously associated with the decline in episodic memory and executive function. Last but not least, the logistic regression analysis showed multivariable analysis had high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of SCD and aMCI.
Conclusions

SCD and aMCI showed similar and distinct trends in the DFC variability within the triple networks and the altered DFC variability within ECN involved episodic memory and executive function. More importantly, the altered DFC variability and triple-network model proved to be an important biomarker to diagnosis and identification of preclinical AD spectrum.
A Metallomic Approach to Assess the Associations between Plasma Metal Levels with Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease: A Cross-sectional and Longitudinal Study
Authors: Lin Yu-Kai , Liang Chih-Sung , Tsai Chia-Kuang , Tsai Chia-Lin , Lee Jiunn-Tay , Sung Yueh-Feng , Chou Chung-Hsing , Shang Hung-Sheng , Yang Bing-Heng , Lin Guan-Yu , Su Ming-Wei , Yang Fu-Chi 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
BACKGROUND

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) involves the abnormal activity of transition metals and metal ion dyshomeostasis. The present study aimed to assess the potential of 36 trace elements in predicting cognitive decline in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) or AD.
METHODS

All participants (controls, aMCI, and AD) underwent baseline cognitive tests, which included the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and plasma biomarker examinations. We conducted a trend analysis for the cognitive tests and plasma trace elements and examined the correlations between the latter and annual MMSE changes during follow-up.
RESULTS

An increase in the disease severity was linked to lowered boron (B), bismuth (Bi), thorium (Th), and uranium (U) plasma concentrations (adjusted P < 0.05). “B”, mercury (Hg) and “Th” levels could detect different cognitive stages. “B” displayed high area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) for aMCI and AD versus controls (97.6%, cut-off value: ≤73.1 ug/l and 100%, cut-off value: ≤47.1 ug/l, respectively). “Hg” displayed the highest AUC result to differentiate AD from aMCI (79.9%, cut-off value: ≤1.02 ug/l). Higher baseline levels of calcium (r = 0.50, p = 0.026) were associated with less annual cognitive decline. While higher baseline levels of “B” (r=-0.70, p = 0.001), zirconium (r=-0.58, p = 0.007), “Th” (r=-0.52, p = 0.020) were associated with rapid annual cognitive decline in the aMCI group, those of manganese (r=-0.91, p = 0.035) were associated with rapid annual cognitive decline in the AD group.
CONCLUSION

Plasma metal level biomarkers can be used as an in vivo tool to study and identify patients with aMCI and AD.
Distinct generation of subjective vividness and confidence during naturalistic memory retrieval in the angular gyrus
Authors: Zou Futing , Kwok Sze Chai 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Subjective experience of remembering is a hallmark of episodic memory, which is deemed crucial for effective behavior. A fundamental and enduring puzzle is the origin of confidence in memory; for example, does the confidence during episodic retrieval depend upon the subjective sensed vividness? The angular gyrus (AnG) exhibits a sensitivity to the subjective experience of remembering, but its direct contribution to the monitoring of subjective mnemonic experience has hitherto been lacking. Here, using a naturalistic video-watching paradigm combined with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging, we found that pre-retrieval rTMS targeting the left AnG selectively alters the vividness efficiency compared to control stimulation while keeping metacognitive efficiency and objective memory accuracy unaffected. Using trial-wise data, we showed that AnG stimulation altered the mediating role of vividness in confidence in the accuracy of memory judgment. Furthermore, resting-state functional connectivity of hippocampus and AnG was specifically associated with vividness efficiency, while the connectivity of hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex was associated with metacognitive efficiency across individuals. These findings identify the causal involvement of AnG in gauging the vividness, but not the confidence, of memory, thereby providing evidence for a differentiation account of conscious assessment of memory retrieval.
Quick Looks Into the Acute Abdomen- Findings from A 1 Year Audit of Asian Emergency Department Ct Scans
Authors: Goh Siang Hiong , Goh Calvin Yit-Kun , Oh Hong Choon , Venkataraman Narayan , Tiah Ling 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
BackgroundMuch of the literature regarding Emergency Department CT scan usage for abdominal pain has been in American and European settings, and less so in the rest of the world. We performed an audit for this in our Southeast Asian hospital to see how we compare with international data, also to glean some insights into optimising its use locally.Results – An anonymised de-identified electronic database of all ED patients had been set up since 2020 with the aim of capturing 10 years of ED retrospective data for audit of our clinical performance. From this master database, a subset of all CTAPs done in 2020 was created and then extracted for analysis. Costs, length of stay in the ED and wards, CT reports, disposal from ED, and other data were captured for study. A description was made of the common conditions found, with a subgroup analysis of the elderly, and disposal outcomes from the ED. Specific analysis was done for appendicitis using Mann-Whitney U tests. For 2020, 1860 patients (56% male, and ages 14 to 99 years) had ED CTAPs done. Top indications included right upper and lower quadrant pains, flank pains, persistent abdominal pain despite analgesia, and suspicion for intestinal obstruction. Acute appendicitis, biliary tract disease, renal stones, ovarian disease, and bowel disease were the common diagnoses. 16.2% of CTAPs revealed no abnormality. Malignancies were uncommon diagnoses. For the patients that were discharged from the ED after a negative CTAP, no patient returned within 72 hours nor were there any adverse outcomes. When analysed using Mann-Whitney U tests, patients who had ED CTAPs done for appendicitis had significantly faster time to CT and surgery than those with inpatient imaging, with lower inpatient costs and lengths of stay.Conclusion – CT scans in the ED for appendicitis patients reduces costs, time to surgery, and lengths of stay. Generally, ED CTAPs allows better siting and disposition of patients. Presence of RLQ pain increases the likelihood of a positive scan. Our negative scan rate of 16.2% is comparable to other studies. Protocols and senior inputs can improve accuracy of this important ED resource.
Bioinformatics analysis of aberrantly methylated- differentially expressed genes in gastric cancer
Authors: Siyuan Song , Peng Shu 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: This study was carried out to identify the aberrantly methylated-differentially expressed genes in gastric cancer (GC). Methods: We downloaded data of gene expression microarrays GSE118916 and gene methylation microarrays GSE25869 from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The DEGs and DMGs were analyzed by the limma software package and Venn diagram. The PPI network was mapped and the enrichment analysis was conducted by the DAVID database. GEPIA online tool, Oncomine database, HPA, and cBioPortal tool were used to verify hub genes. Result: We obtained 110 Hypo-HGs, 9 high-regulation hypomethylation oncogenes, 23 Hyper-LGs, and 2 low-regulation hypermethylation tumor suppressor genes. Hypo-HGs biological process mainly involves cell adhesion and extracellular matrix organization, Hyper-LGs biological process mainly involves response to nicotine and xenobiotic metabolic process. KEGG analysis showed that Hypo-HGs significantly enriched in Focal adhesion, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and ECM-receptor interaction. Hyper-LGs significantly enriched in Drug metabolism-cytochrome P450, Chemical carcinogenesis, and Metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450. The database identified the hub genes were COL1A1, THBS1, COL5A2, COL12A1, and CXCR. Conclusion: COL1A1, THBS1, COL5A2, COL12A1, and CXCR4 can be used as a target for precise diagnosis and treatment of GC. Focal adhesion, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and ECM-receptor interaction are important mechanisms of GC.
Implementing Standard Antenatal Care Interventions: Health System Cost at Primary Health Facilities in Tanzania.
Authors: Chamani Amisa Tindamanyile , Mori Amani Thomas , Robberstad Bjarne 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
Since 2002, Tanzania has been implementing the focused Antenatal Care (ANC) model that recommended four antenatal care visits. In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) reintroduced the standard ANC model with more interventions including a minimum of eight contacts. However, cost-implications of these changes to the health system is unknown, particulary in countries like Tanzania, that failed to optimally implement the simpler focused ANC model. We compared the health system cost of providing ANC under the focused and the standard models at primary health facilities in Tanzania.
Methods
We used a micro-costing approach to identify and quantify resources used to implement the focused ANC model at six primary health facilities in Tanzania from July 2018 to June 2019. We also used the standard ANC implementation manual to identify and quantify additional resources required. We used basic salary and allowances to value personnel time while the Medical Store Department price catalogue and local market prices were used for other resources. Cost were collected in Tanzanian shillings and converted to 2018 US$.
Results
The health system cost of providing ANC services was US$185,282 under the focused model and the cost increased by about 90% at health centres and 97% at dispensaries to US$358,290 for the standard model. Personnel cost accounted for more than one third of the total cost for both models. With the standard model, costs per pregnancy increased from about US$33 to US$63 at health centres and from about US$37 to US$72 at dispensaries
Conclusion
Introduction of a standard ANC model at primary healthcare facilities in Tanzania will double resources use compared to current practice. While resources availability has been one of the challenge to effective implementation of the focused ANC model, more research is required, to consider whether these costs are reasonable compared to the additional value for maternal and child health.
Post-Partum Hemorrhage is still killing mothers in Bangladesh: Inhaled oxytocin (IHO) can help
Authors: Rahman Aminur , Austin Anne , Begum Tahmina , Anwar Iqbal 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The main cause of maternal death in Bangladesh is postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). PPH accounts for 31%of maternal deaths. Proven interventions to prevent maternal mortality are active management of third stage of labour (AMTSL) and the availability of comprehensive emergency obstetric care (CEmOC); both include the administration of oxytocin. Traditional parenteral oxytocin administration requires a consistent cold chain and for a skilled attendant to administer the injection. Inhaled oxytocin (IHO), which does not require a cold chain, has been shown to have similar efficacy to parenteral oxytocin, in preventing PPH. In Bangladesh there are non-functioning institutionalized guidelines from the Director General of Health Services on the storage of parenteral oxytocin, which may impact the potency of oxytocin used during labour. To reduce preventable PPH morbidity and mortality, Bangladesh needs to consider replacing parenteral oxytocin with IHO, as the cold chain capacity in Bangladesh is strained, and institutional guidelines for injectable oxytocin are not used. In parallel, Bangladesh should also continue efforts to ensure universal access to quality AMSTL and CEmOC services.