bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Functional and structural ophthalmic imaging using noncontact multimodal photoacoustic remote sensing microscopy and optical coherence tomography
Authors: Hosseinaee Zohreh , Nima Abbasi  , Pellegrino Nicholas , Khalili Layla , Mukhangaliyeva Lyazzat , Haji Reza Parsin 
Published: June 2021

AbstractEarly diagnosis of ocular diseases improves the understanding of pathophysiology and aids in accurate monitoring and effective treatment. Advanced, multimodal ocular imaging platforms play a crucial role in visualization of ocular components and provide clinicians with a valuable tool for evaluating various eye diseases. Here, for the first time we present a non-contact, multiwavelength photoacoustic remote sensing (PARS) microscopy and swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) for in-vivo functional and structural imaging of the eye. The system provides complementary imaging contrasts of optical absorption and optical scattering, and is used for simultaneous, non-contact, in-vivo imaging of murine eye. Results of vasculature and structural imaging as well as melanin content in the retinal pigment epithelium layer are presented. Multiwavelength PARS microscopy using Stimulated Raman scattering is applied to enable in-vivo, non-contact oxygen saturation estimation in the ocular tissue. The reported work may be a major step towards clinical translation of ophthalmic technologies and has the potential to advance the diagnosis and treatment of ocular diseases.
Relationship between gene regulation network structure and prediction accuracy in high dimensional regression
Authors: Okinaga Yuichi , Kyogoku Daisuke , Kondo Satoshi , Nagano Atsushi J. , Hirose Kei 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (lasso) and principal component regression (PCR) are popular methods of estimating traits from high-dimensional omics data, such as transcriptomes. The prediction accuracy of these estimation methods is highly dependent on the covariance structure, which is characterized by gene regulation networks. However, the manner in which the structure of a gene regulation network together with the sample size affects prediction accuracy has not yet been sufficiently investigated. In this study, Monte Carlo simulations are conducted to investigate the prediction accuracy for several network structures under various sample sizes. When the gene regulation network is a random graph, a sufficiently large number of observations are required to ensure good prediction accuracy with the lasso. The PCR provided poor prediction accuracy regardless of the sample size. However, a real gene regulation network is likely to exhibit a scale-free structure. In such cases, the simulation indicates that a relatively small number of observations, such as$$N=300$$N=300, is sufficient to allow the accurate prediction of traits from a transcriptome with the lasso.
KAUST Metagenomic Analysis Platform (KMAP), enabling access to massive analytics of re-annotated metagenomic data
Authors: Alam Intikhab , Kamau Allan Anthony , Ngugi David Kamanda , Gojobori Takashi , Duarte Carlos M. , Bajic Vladimir B. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractExponential rise of metagenomics sequencing is delivering massive functional environmental genomics data. However, this also generates a procedural bottleneck for on-going re-analysis as reference databases grow and methods improve, and analyses need be updated for consistency, which require access to increasingly demanding bioinformatic and computational resources. Here, we present the KAUST Metagenomic Analysis Platform (KMAP), a new integrated open web-based tool for the comprehensive exploration of shotgun metagenomic data. We illustrate the capacities KMAP provides through the re-assembly of ~ 27,000 public metagenomic samples captured in ~ 450 studies sampled across ~ 77 diverse habitats. A small subset of these metagenomic assemblies is used in this pilot study grouped into 36 new habitat-specific gene catalogs, all based on full-length (complete) genes. Extensive taxonomic and gene annotations are stored in Gene Information Tables (GITs), a simple tractable data integration format useful for analysis through command line or for database management. KMAP pilot study provides the exploration and comparison of microbial GITs across different habitats with over 275 million genes. KMAP access to data and analyses is available at https://www.cbrc.kaust.edu.sa/aamg/kmap.start.
Use of antimicrobials and antimicrobial resistance in Nepal: a nationwide survey
Authors: Rijal Komal Raj , Banjara Megha Raj , Dhungel Binod , Kafle Samarpan , Gautam Kedar , Ghimire Bindu , Ghimire Prabina , Dhungel Samriddh , Adhikari Nabaraj , Shrestha Upendra Thapa , Sunuwar Dev Ram , Adhikari Bipin , Ghimire Prakash 
Published: June 2021

AbstractNepal suffers from high burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) due to inappropriate use of antibiotics. The main objective of this study was to explore knowledge, attitude and practices of antibiotics uses among patients, healthcare workers, laboratories, drug sellers and farmers in eight districts of Nepal. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between April and July 2017. A total of 516 individuals participated in a face-to-face interview that included clinicians, private drug dispensers, patients, laboratories, public health centers/hospitals and, livestock and poultry farmers. Out of 516 respondents, 62.8% (324/516) were patients, 16.9% (87/516) were clinicians, 6.4% (33/516) were private drug dispensers. A significant proportion of patients (42.9%; 139/324) thought that fever could be treated with antibiotics. Majority (79%; 256/324) of the patients purchased antibiotics over the counter. The knowledge of antibiotics used among patients increased proportionately with the level of education: literate only [AOR = 1.4 (95% Cl = 0.6–4.4)], versus secondary education (8–10 grade) [AOR = 1.8 (95% Cl = 1.0–3.4)]. Adult patients were more aware of antibiotic resistance. Use of antibiotics over the counter was found high in this study. Knowledge, attitude and practice related to antibiotic among respondents showed significant gaps and need an urgent effort to mitigate such practice.
Mortality of surgically treated 80-year-old or older intracranial meningioma patients in comparison to matched general population
Authors: Rautalin Ilari , Schwartz Christoph , Niemelä Mika , Korja Miikka 
Published: June 2021

AbstractPopulation aging is likely increasing the number of surgically treated very old (≥ 80–year-old) intracranial meningioma (IM) patients. Since there is little data on mortality in this patient group, we studied whether survival of surgically treated very old IM patients differs from survival of a matched general population. We retrospectively identified 83 consecutive very old IM patients (median age 83 years; 69% women) operated between 2010 and 2018. During the first postoperative year, operated IM patients suffered 2.5 times higher mortality as compared to age- and sex-matched general population but no annual survival difference occurred thereafter. Regarding cumulative estimates, no excess mortality was detected after the second postoperative year. Of the patient who were and who were not able to live at home preoperatively, 78% and 42% lived at home within 3 months, respectively. Preoperative loss of capability to live at home associated with a less frequent return to home [odds ratio (95% confidence interval) 0.21 (0.06–0.67)]. Operated very old IM patients had short-term excess mortality but similar cumulative survival as the matched general population. Moreover, most patients returned home soon after surgery.
Synthesis, photocatalytic and antidiabetic properties of ZnO/PVA nanoparticles
Authors: EL-Dafrawy Shady M. , Tarek Mahmoud , Samra Salem , Hassan Shawky M. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractA series of ZnO and ZnO/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) catalysts were prepared using sol–gel method. An X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the existence of the wurtzite ZnO phase, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation revealed the formation of spherical ZnO and ZnO/PVA nanoparticles. The decomposition of methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) induced by the synthesized pure ZnO and ZnO/PVA nanoparticles was studied under ultraviolet–visible irradiation. Among the catalysts evaluated, ZnO/5PVA was the most active in the decomposition of MB, whereas ZnO/7PVA was the most active catalyst in the decomposition of MO. Moreover, an investigation of the biological activity of pure ZnO and ZnO/PVA indicated that ZnO/5PVA exhibited the best performance in lowering the glucose level in diabetic rats.
Analysis of the impact of three phthalates on the freshwater gastropod Physella acuta at the transcriptional level
Authors: Prieto-Amador Marina , Caballero Patricia , Martínez-Guitarte José-Luis 
Published: June 2021

AbstractPlastic pollution is one of the leading environmental problems. Phthalates are widely used plastic additives released into the environment. Although the effects of phthalates on vertebrates have been extensively studied, there is a knowledge gap regarding their effects on invertebrates. This work analyzes the impact of three phthalates, diethyl phthalate (DEP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), and bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), on the gastropod Physella acuta at the molecular level to establish the putative pathways involved in its response to them. By real-time PCR, we obtained the expression profile of 30 genes in animals exposed for 1 week to 0.1, 10, and 1000 μg/L of each phthalate. The genes cover DNA repair, detoxification, apoptosis, oxidative and stress responses, immunity, energy reserves, and lipid transport. The results show that while DEP and DEHP did not alter the mRNA levels, BBP modulated almost all the analyzed genes. It can be concluded that the impact of BBP is extensive at the molecular level. However, it cannot be dismissed that the increase in transcriptional activity is a general response due to this compound’s well-known role as an endocrine disruptor. Additional research is needed to elucidate the differences observed in the impact of these compounds on the gastropod P. acuta.
Portable rotating grating stimulation for anisometropic amblyopia with 6 months training
Authors: Yeh Wen-Hsiu , Lai Li-Ju , Chang Da-Wei , Lin Wei-Sin , Lin Guan-Ming , Shaw Fu-Zen 
Published: June 2021

AbstractTreatment of grating stimulation has been used in amblyopia for decades, but high dropout rate and inconvenience for daily practice occur in previous studies. We developed a home-based portable system with rotating grating stimulation on a tablet. Thirty anisometropic amblyopic children were randomly allocated into the control or Grating group. They drew contour of the picture under patch of a better eye for 6 months. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), grating acuity (GA), and contrast sensitivity (CS) were assessed at the baseline, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 6th months of training. All participants completed the 6-month training. Patched eyes of both groups exhibited no difference. Trained eyes of the control group had significantly slight improvement in BCVA and GA. In particular, the Grating group exhibited significantly higher BCVA, GA, and CS compared with those of the control group at the 3rd and 6th months of training. Moreover, percentage of the Grating group with great improvement (BCVA ≥ 0.3 or CS ≥ 0.3) was significantly larger than those of the control group at the 3rd or 6th months of training. The portable grating stimulation system demonstrates its trainability by no dropout and effectiveness by significant improvements in all assessments through a well experimental design.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04213066, registered 30/12/2019, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04213066.
An analysis of pre-season risk factors for low back injury in high-school baseball pitchers: a prospective study
Authors: Nakase Kurumi , Shitara Hitoshi , Tajika Tsuyoshi , Kuboi Takuro , Ichinose Tsuyoshi , Sasaki Tsuyoshi , Hamano Noritaka , Endo Fumitaka , Kamiyama Masataka , Miyamoto Ryosuke , Yamamoto Atsushi , Kobayashi Tsutomu , Takagishi Kenji , Chikuda Hirotaka 
Published: June 2021

AbstractPitching motion requires whole-body coordination; therefore, poor control of the lower extremities, pelvis and trunk may cause shoulder and elbow injuries. However, few studies have described the relationship between the shoulder joint function and low back injury in high-school baseball pitchers. A total of 128 healthy high school pitchers underwent pre-season medical checkups, where their shoulder range of motion and shoulder strength were measured. The participants completed a self-recorded daily questionnaire regarding the presence of low back pain. Pitchers were divided into injured and non-injured groups. Low back injury was observed in 13 participants (13.4%). In the injured group, horizontal adduction on the dominant shoulder was significantly less than in the non-injured group. A logistic regression analysis showed that horizontal adduction on the dominant side was a significant independent risk factor for low back injury during the season. It is important to recognize that restriction of the shoulder function not only causes shoulder and elbow injuries but can also risk low back injury.
Fine scale analysis of malaria incidence in under-5: hierarchical Bayesian spatio-temporal modelling of routinely collected malaria data between 2012–2018 in Cameroon
Authors: Danwang Celestin , Khalil Élie , Achu Dorothy , Ateba Marcelin , Abomabo Moïse , Souopgui Jacob , De Keukeleire Mathilde , Robert Annie 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe current study aims to provide a fine-scale spatiotemporal estimate of malaria incidence among Cameroonian under-5, and to determine its associated environmental factors, to set up preventive interventions that are adapted to each health district of Cameroon. Routine data on symptomatic malaria in children under-5 collected in health facilities, between 2012 and 2018 were used. The trend of malaria cases was assessed by the Mann–Kendall (M–K) test. A time series decomposition was applied to malaria incidence to extract the seasonal component. Malaria risk was estimated by the standardised incidence ratio (SIR) and smoothed by a hierarchical Bayesian spatiotemporal model. In total, 4,052,216 cases of malaria were diagnosed between 2012 and 2018. There was a gradual increase per year, from 369,178 in 2012 to 652,661 in 2018. After adjusting the data for completeness, the national incidence ranged from 489‰ in 2012 to 603‰ in 2018, with an upward trend (M–K test p-value < 0.001). At the regional level, an upward trend was observed in Adamaoua, Centre without Yaoundé, East, and South regions. There was a positive spatial autocorrelation of the number of malaria incident-cases per district per year as suggested by the Moran’s I test (statistic range between 0.11 and 0.53). The crude SIR showed a heterogeneous malaria risk with values ranging from 0.00 to 8.90, meaning that some health districts have a risk 8.9 times higher than the national annual level. The incidence and risk of malaria among under-5 in Cameroon are heterogeneous and vary significantly across health districts and seasons. It is crucial to adapt malaria prevention measures to the specificities of each health district, in order to reduce its burden in health districts where the trend is upward.
Exposure to air pollution and renal function
Authors: Kuźma Łukasz , Małyszko Jolanta , Bachórzewska-Gajewska Hanna , Kralisz Paweł , Dobrzycki Sławomir 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAir pollution contributes to the premature death of approximately 428,000 citizens of Europe every year. The adverse effects of air pollution can be observed in respiratory, circulatory systems but also in renal function. We decide to investigate the hypothesis indicating that we can observe not only long- but also short-term impact of air pollution on kidney function. We used linear, log-linear, and logistic regression models to assess the association between renal function and NO2, SO2, and PMs. Results are reported as beta (β) coefficients and odds ratios (OR) for an increase in interquartile range (IQR) concentration. 3554 patients (median age 66, men 53.2%) were included into final analysis. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) was diagnosed in 21.5%. The odds of CKD increased with increase in annual concentration of PM2.5 (OR for IQR increase = 1.07; 95% CI 1.01–1.15, P = 0.037) and NO2 (OR for IQR increase = 1.05; 95% CI 1.01–1.10, P = 0.047). The IQR increase in weekly PM2.5 concentration was associated with 2% reduction in expected eGFR (β = 0.02, 95% CI − 0.03; − 0.01). Medium- and short-term exposure to elevated air pollution levels was associated with a decrease in eGFR and development CKD. The main pollutants affecting the kidneys were PM2.5 and NO2.
Dynamic patterns of DNA methylation in the normal prostate epithelial differentiation program are targets of aberrant methylation in prostate cancer
Authors: Long Mark D. , Dhiman Vineet K. , Affronti Hayley C. , Hu Qiang , Liu Song , Smiraglia Dominic J. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractUnderstanding the epigenetic control of normal differentiation programs might yield principal information about critical regulatory states that are disturbed in cancer. We utilized the established non-malignant HPr1-AR prostate epithelial cell model that upon androgen exposure commits to a luminal cell differentiation trajectory from that of a basal-like state. We profile the dynamic transcriptome associated with this transition at multiple time points (0 h, 1 h, 24 h, 96 h), and confirm that expression patterns are strongly indicative of a progressive basal to luminal cell differentiation program based on human expression signatures. Furthermore, we establish dynamic patterns of DNA methylation associated with this program by use of whole genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS). Expression patterns associated with androgen induced luminal cell differentiation were found to have significantly elevated DNA methylation dynamics. Shifts in methylation profiles were strongly associated with Polycomb repressed regions and to promoters associated with bivalency, and strongly enriched for binding motifs of AR and MYC. Importantly, we found that dynamic DNA methylation patterns observed in the normal luminal cell differentiation program were significant targets of aberrant methylation in prostate cancer. These findings suggest that the normal dynamics of DNA methylation in luminal differentiation contribute to the aberrant methylation patterns in prostate cancer.
Biosorption of Cu2+, Pb2+, Cd2+ and their mixture from aqueous solutions by Michelia figo sawdust
Authors: Long Mingzhong , Jiang Hong , Li Xiaona 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe study aimed at investigating copper, lead, and cadmium removal from both single and mixed metal solutions byMichelia figo(Lour.) Spreng. wood sawdust treated with 0.5 mol l−1NaOH for four hours. In order to evaluate the effects of each factor and interactions between factors on metal ion biosorption, a 23factorial experimental design was applied. FTIR results showed that the metal ions would bind to the hydroxyl and carboxyl groups ofM. figowood sawdust biomass. The main effects and interactions of three factors pH (3 and 5), initial metal ion concentration (C0, 0.157 and 1.574 mmol L−1), and dosage of biomass (D, 4 and 10 g L−1) at two levels were analyzed. The most significant variable regarding Cu2+and Pb2+biosorption was initial metal iron concentration. For Cd2+, pH was found to be the most significant factor. The maximum removal efficiencies were 94.12 and 100% for Cu2+and Cd2+, respectively, at conditions of (+ 1, − 1, + 1): pH 5, initial metal concentration 0.157 mmol L−1and dosage of biomass 10 g L−1, while 96.39% for Pb2+at conditions of (− 1, − 1, + 1): pH 3, initial metal concentration 0.157 mmol L−1and dosage of biomass 10 g L−1. There were some interactions between factors: pH*C0andC0*Dfor Cu2+, pH*C0, pH*DandC0*Dfor Pb2+, pH*C0andC0*Dfor Cd2+. Biosorption from a multi metal system showed that the presence of Cu2+and Cd2+had no significant influence on the Pb2+removal, while Pb2+in solution significantly decreased the removal efficiencies of the other two metals.
Risk factors for the severity of Guillain-Barré syndrome and predictors of short-term prognosis of severe Guillain-Barré syndrome
Authors: Wen Puyuan , Wang Lisha , Liu Hong , Gong Li , Ji Han , Wu Hongliang , Chu Wenzheng 
Published: June 2021

AbstractGuillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a neurological disorder characterized by paralysis. Identifying the severity, appropriate therapeutic method, and prognosis of GBS at an early stage is highly important. This study aimed to investigate the modifiable risk factors for the severity of GBS and consequent need for mechanical ventilation (MV) and to identify clinical predictive factors for poor short-term outcomes of severe GBS. 155 GBS patients who were admitted to the Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University during 2014–2020 were enrolled. Demographic, clinical, therapeutic and evolutionary data were collected and were then analyzed using univariate and multivariate regression analyses. Our analytic data demonstrated that the significant clinical predictors of severe GBS were recent history of surgery, older age, cranial nerve impairment, and elevated levels of liver enzymes (p < 0.05). Furthermore, autonomic dysfunction, lower Medical Research Council (MRC) score at nadir, and elevated levels of liver enzymes were significantly associated with MV for severe GBS (p < 0.05), and lower MRC score at nadir and autonomic dysfunction remained significant predictors of MV in severe GBS (p < 0.05). Lastly, recent history of surgery, lower MRC score at admission and at nadir, requirement for MV, and pneumonia during hospitalization were significantly associated with the short-term outcome of severe GBS and that lower MRC score at admission and need for MV were confirmed to be predictors of poor short-term prognosis (p < 0.05). Of note, this study suggested that recent history of surgery is a predictor of severity in GBS patients and is associated with the poor short-term prognosis of severe GBS.
Development of anti-thrombotic vaccine against human S100A9 in rhesus monkey
Authors: Shimamura Munehisa , Kaikita Koichi , Nakagami Hironori , Kawano Tomohiro , Ju Nan , Hayashi Hiroki , Nakamaru Ryo , Yoshida Shota , Sasaki Tsutomu , Mochizuki Hideki , Tsujita Kenichi , Morishita Ryuichi 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIn post-stroke patients, a decreased adherence to antiplatelet drugs is a major challenge in the prevention of recurrent stroke. Previously, we reported an antiplatelet vaccine against S100A9 in mice, but the use of Freund’s adjuvant and the difference in amino acid sequences in epitopes between mice and humans were problematic for clinical use. Here, we redesigned the S100A9 vaccine for the common sequence in both humans and monkeys and examined its effects in cynomolgus monkeys with Alum adjuvant. First, we assessed several candidate epitopes and selected 102 to 112 amino acids as the suitable epitope, which could produce antibodies. When this peptide vaccine was intradermally injected into 4 cynomolgus monkeys with Alum, the antibody against human S100A9 was successfully produced. Anti-thrombotic effects were shown in two monkeys in a mixture of vaccinated serum and fresh whole blood from another cynomolgus monkey. Additionally, the anti-thrombotic effects were partially inhibited by the epitope peptide, indicating the feasibility of neutralizing anti-thrombotic effects of produced antibodies. Prolongation of bleeding time was not observed in vaccinated monkeys. Although further studies on increasing the effect of vaccine and safety are necessary, this vaccine will be a promising approach to improve adherence to antiplatelet drugs in clinical settings.