bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genome-wide association study on blood pressure traits in the Iranian population suggests ZBED9 as a new locus for hypertension
Authors: Kolifarhood Goodarz , Sabour Siamak , Akbarzadeh Mahdi , Sedaghati-khayat Bahareh , Guity Kamran , Rasekhi Dehkordi Saeid , Amiri Roudbar Mahmoud , Hadaegh Farzad , Azizi Fereidoun , Daneshpour Maryam S. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractHigh blood pressure is the heritable risk factor for cardiovascular and kidney diseases. Genome-wide association studies(GWAS) on blood pressure traits increase our understanding of its underlying genetic basis. However, a large proportion of GWAS was conducted in Europeans, and some roadblocks deprive other populations to benefit from their results. Iranians population with a high degree of genomic specificity has not been represented in international databases to date, so to fill the gap, we explored the effects of 652,919 genomic variants on Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP), Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP), and Hypertension (HTN) in 7694 Iranian adults aged 18 and over from Tehran Cardiometabolic Genetic Study (TCGS). We identified consistent signals on ZBED9 associated with HTN in the genome-wide borderline threshold after adjusting for different sets of environmental predictors. Moreover, strong signals on ABHD17C and suggestive signals on FBN1 were detected for DBP and SBP, respectively, while these signals were not consistent in different GWA analysis. Our finding on ZBED9 was confirmed for all BP traits by linkage analysis in an independent sample. We found significant associations with similar direction of effects and allele frequency of genetic variants on ZBED9 with DBP (genome-wide threshold) and HTN (nominal threshold) in GWAS summary data of UK Biobank. Although there is no strong evidence to support the function of ZBED9 in blood pressure regulation, it provides new insight into the pleiotropic effects of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases.
The relationship between the plasma proinflammatory cytokine levels of depressed/anxious children and their parents
Authors: Mevorach Tomer , Taler Michal , Dar Shira , Lebow Maya , Sapir Irit Schorr , Rotkopf Ron , Apter Alan , Fennig Silvana , Chen Alon , Weizman Abraham , Amitai Maya 
Published: June 2021

AbstractRecent studies suggest immune function dysregulation in depression and anxiety disorders. Elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines may be a marker for immune system dysregulation. No study assessed the correlation between the levels of cytokines in children and adolescents with depression/anxiety disorders and their parents. In this study, 92 children and adolescents (mean age 13.90 ± 2.41 years) with depression and/or anxiety disorders were treated with fluoxetine. Blood samples were collected before initiation of treatment. One hundred and sixty-four of their parents (mean age 50.6 ± 6.2 years) and 25 parents of healthy children (mean age 38.5 ± 6.2 years) also gave blood samples. Plasma levels of three pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β) were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and compared between depressed/anxious children and their parents. We also compared cytokine levels between parents of children with depression/anxiety and control parents. Mothers of depressed children had higher TNF-α levels than mothers of controls. No significant difference was detected in the fathers. A positive correlation was found between the IL-1β levels of the depressed/anxious boys and their mothers. No such correlation was observed in the fathers. Our conclusions are that higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines may indicate immune system activation in mothers in response to the distress associated with having depressed/anxious offspring. The correlation between IL-1β levels in the mothers and their depressed/anxious children may indicate familial vulnerability to depression and anxiety. Our observation highlights the need for a better understanding of sexual dimorphism in inflammatory responses to stress.
Novel duck reovirus exhibits pathogenicity to specific pathogen-free chickens by the subcutaneous route
Authors: Yu Kexiang , Ti Jinfeng , Lu Xiao , Pan Li , Liu Liping , Gao Yuehua , Guo Xiaozhen , Hu Feng , Liu Cunxia , Ma Xiuli , Li Yufeng , Huang Bing , Song Minxun 
Published: June 2021

AbstractTo study the pathogenicity of new duck reovirus (NDRV) to chickens, eighty 3-day-old SPF chickens were equally divided into two groups. The experimental group was inoculated with a NDRV challenge strain of 100 μL (10–5.00 ELD50/0.1 mL) by the subcutaneous (s.c.) route, and the control group was inoculated with 100 μL of sterile phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) by the same route. In the experimental group, chickens exhibited introflexion of claws, performing of splits, stunting syndrome, weight loss and death. Gross lesions such as enlargement and yellowish-white focal necroses were observed in the liver and spleen. Microscopic changes were typical including varying degrees of hepatocyte steatosis and necrosis, splenic lymphocyte necrosis, interstitial pneumonia. Viral loads were detected in lung, liver, heart, spleen, duodenum, burse and kidney. The liver and spleen viral loads remained a much higher level and maintained for a longer time, suggesting that these tissues might be the target organs. In summary, NDRV can cause systemic infections and death in chickens, which indicated that chickens may be infected by NDRV in poultry production.
The impact of second-hand smoke on nitrogen oxides concentrations in a small interior
Authors: Braun Markus , Klingelhöfer Doris , Müller Ruth , Groneberg David A. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractNitrogen oxides (NOx), especially nitrogen dioxide (NO2), are among the most hazardous forms of air pollution. Tobacco smoke is a main indoor source of NOx, but little information is available about their concentrations in second-hand smoke (SHS), particularly in small indoors. This study presents data of NOx and its main components nitric oxide (NO) and NO2 in SHS emitted by ten different cigarette brands measured in a closed test chamber with a volume of 2.88 m3, similar to the volume of vehicle cabins. The results show substantial increases in NOx concentrations when smoking only one cigarette. The NO2 mean concentrations ranged between 105 and 293 µg/m3, the NO2 peak concentrations between 126 and 357 µg/m3. That means the one-hour mean guideline of 200 µg/m3 for NO2 of the World Health Organization was exceeded up to 47%, respectively 79%. The measured NO2 values show positive correlations with the values for tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide stated by the cigarette manufacturers. This study provides NO2 concentrations in SHS at health hazard levels. These data give rise to the necessity of health authorities’ measures to inform about and caution against NOx exposure by smoking in indoor rooms.
Ultra-wideband, wide angle, asymmetric transmission based chiral metasurface for C and X band applications
Authors: Bokhari Syed Hussain Ali , Cheema Hammad M. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractA multi-layered chiral device manifesting asymmetric transmission (AT) facilitating one-way channeling of electromagnetic (EM) waves, based on the inherent polarization is presented. The designed metasurface depicts a high transmission contrast with an efficiency above 80% for an ultra-wide operational range of 6.3–12.3 GHz, constituting a fractional bandwidth of 64%. As an additional feature, the reported metasurface yields robustness against oblique incidences up to 45$$^\circ $$

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while maintaining high transmission efficiency. This report also introduces a unique analogy of the AT based communication system with logic-gates by formulating its truth-table and logic circuit. Furthermore, new insights of AT magnitude’s dependence to oblique incidences are presented on the account of surface impedance mismatch due to TE and TM polarization with varying incidence angle. Moreover, avoidance of grating lobes and the associated transmission deterioration through utilization of electrically small periodic metasurface is presented. The results have been numerically and practically validated yielding state-of-the-art features. Operating within C and X band, the reported work is an ideal candidate for practical AT applications.
Establishment of an integrated automated embryonic manipulation system for producing genetically modified mice
Authors: Eto Tomoo , Ueda Hiroki , Ito Ryoji , Takahashi Tsukasa , Watanabe Toshiaki , Goto Motohito , Sotomaru Yusuke , Tanaka Nobuaki , Takahashi Riichi 
Published: June 2021

AbstractGenetically modified mice are commonly used in biologic, medical, and drug discovery research, but conventional microinjection methods used for genetic modification require extensive training and practical experience. Here we present a fully automated system for microinjection into the pronucleus to facilitate genetic modification. We first developed software that automatically controls the microinjection system hardware. The software permits automatic rotation of the zygote to move the pronucleus to the injection pipette insertion position. We also developed software that recognizes the pronucleus in 3-dimensional coordinates so that the injection pipette can be automatically inserted into the pronucleus, and achieved a 94% insertion rate by linking the 2 pieces of software. Next, we determined the optimal solution injection conditions (30 hPa, 0.8–2.0 s) by examining the survival rate of injected zygotes. Finally, we produced transgenic (traditional DNA injection and piggyBac Transposon system) and knock-in (genomic editing) mice using our newly developed Integrated Automated Embryo Manipulation System (IAEMS). We propose that the IAEMS will simplify highly reproducible pronuclear stage zygote microinjection procedures.
Role of insulin/glucagon ratio and cell redox state in the hyperglycaemia induced by exposure to a 60-Hz magnetic field in rats
Authors: Martiñón-Gutiérrez Gabriel , Luna-Castro María , Hernández-Muñoz Rolando 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) could adversely affect the endocrine system and cellular proliferative response. Nonetheless, the use of 60-Hz EMFs in the form of magneto-therapy exerts beneficial actions on human health but can also induce hyperglycaemia. Therefore, the present study was aimed to search for metabolic responses of fed or fasted male rats to a single EMF exposure. We performed a 15 min-single exposure to 60-Hz (3.8 mT, intensity) EMF, and determined serum levels of glucose, lipids, and indicators of cellular redox state and energy parameters. A single exposure to a 60-Hz EMF induced hyperglycaemia in both animal groups, and an attenuated second serum insulin peak. The 60-Hz EMF also decreased free fatty acids and lactate serum levels, oppositely increasing pyruvate and acetoacetate levels. Significant increases in blood glucose level and rat’s glucose metabolism were related to a more oxidized cellular redox state and variations in insulin and glucagon secretion. The 60-Hz EMF’s effects were not modified in animals previously subjected to chronic EMFs exposure (14 days). In conclusion, increased serum glucose levels and glucose metabolism induced by a single 60-Hz EMF exposure were closely related to the cellular redox state and the insulin/glucagon ratio.
Energy constraints on brain network formation
Authors: Takagi Kosuke 
Published: June 2021

AbstractEnergy constraints are a fundamental limitation of the brain, which is physically embedded in a restricted space. The collective dynamics of neurons through connections enable the brain to achieve rich functionality, but building connections and maintaining activity come at a high cost. The effects of reducing these costs can be found in the characteristic structures of the brain network. Nevertheless, the mechanism by which energy constraints affect the organization and formation of the neuronal network in the brain is unclear. Here, it is shown that a simple model based on cost minimization can reproduce structures characteristic of the brain network. With reference to the behavior of neurons in real brains, the cost function was introduced in an activity-dependent form correlating the activity cost and the wiring cost as a simple ratio. Cost reduction of this ratio resulted in strengthening connections, especially at highly activated nodes, and induced the formation of large clusters. Regarding these network features, statistical similarity was confirmed by comparison to connectome datasets from various real brains. The findings indicate that these networks share an efficient structure maintained with low costs, both for activity and for wiring. These results imply the crucial role of energy constraints in regulating the network activity and structure of the brain.
A randomized trial examining the effect of predictive analytics and tailored interventions on the cost of care
Authors: Nikolova-Simons Mariana , Golas Sara Bersche , den Buijs Jorn op , Palacholla Ramya S. , Garberg Gary , Orenstein Allison , Kvedar Joseph 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThis two-arm randomized controlled trial evaluated the impact of a Stepped-Care intervention (predictive analytics combined with tailored interventions) on the healthcare costs of older adults using a Personal Emergency Response System (PERS). A total of 370 patients aged 65 and over with healthcare costs in the middle segment of the cost pyramid for the fiscal year prior to their enrollment were enrolled for the study. During a 180-day intervention period, control group (CG) received standard care, while intervention group (IG) received the Stepped-Care intervention. The IG had 31% lower annualized inpatient cost per patient compared with the CG (3.7 K, $8.1 K vs. $11.8 K, p = 0.02). Both groups had similar annualized outpatient costs per patient ($6.1 K vs. $5.8 K, p = 0.10). The annualized total cost reduction per patient in the IG vs. CG was 20% (3.5 K, $17.7 K vs. $14.2 K, p = 0.04). Predictive analytics coupled with tailored interventions has great potential to reduce healthcare costs in older adults, thereby supporting population health management in home or community settings.
Patient-specific COVID-19 resource utilization prediction using fusion AI model
Authors: Tariq Amara , Celi Leo Anthony , Newsome Janice M. , Purkayastha Saptarshi , Bhatia Neal Kumar , Trivedi Hari , Gichoya Judy Wawira , Banerjee Imon 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe strain on healthcare resources brought forth by the recent COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for efficient resource planning and allocation through the prediction of future consumption. Machine learning can predict resource utilization such as the need for hospitalization based on past medical data stored in electronic medical records (EMR). We conducted this study on 3194 patients (46% male with mean age 56.7 (±16.8), 56% African American, 7% Hispanic) flagged as COVID-19 positive cases in 12 centers under Emory Healthcare network from February 2020 to September 2020, to assess whether a COVID-19 positive patient’s need for hospitalization can be predicted at the time of RT-PCR test using the EMR data prior to the test. Five main modalities of EMR, i.e., demographics, medication, past medical procedures, comorbidities, and laboratory results, were used as features for predictive modeling, both individually and fused together using late, middle, and early fusion. Models were evaluated in terms of precision, recall, F1-score (within 95% confidence interval). The early fusion model is the most effective predictor with 84% overall F1-score [CI 82.1–86.1]. The predictive performance of the model drops by 6 % when using recent clinical data while omitting the long-term medical history. Feature importance analysis indicates that history of cardiovascular disease, emergency room visits in the past year prior to testing, and demographic factors are predictive of the disease trajectory. We conclude that fusion modeling using medical history and current treatment data can forecast the need for hospitalization for patients infected with COVID-19 at the time of the RT-PCR test.
Evaluation of biases in remote photoplethysmography methods
Authors: Dasari Ananyananda , Prakash Sakthi Kumar Arul , Jeni László A. , Tucker Conrad S. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThis work investigates the estimation biases of remote photoplethysmography (rPPG) methods for pulse rate measurement across diverse demographics. Advances in photoplethysmography (PPG) and rPPG methods have enabled the development of contact and noncontact approaches for continuous monitoring and collection of patient health data. The contagious nature of viruses such as COVID-19 warrants noncontact methods for physiological signal estimation. However, these approaches are subject to estimation biases due to variations in environmental conditions and subject demographics. The performance of contact-based wearable sensors has been evaluated, using off-the-shelf devices across demographics. However, the measurement uncertainty of rPPG methods that estimate pulse rate has not been sufficiently tested across diverse demographic populations or environments. Quantifying the efficacy of rPPG methods in real-world conditions is critical in determining their potential viability as health monitoring solutions. Currently, publicly available face datasets accompanied by physiological measurements are typically captured in controlled laboratory settings, lacking diversity in subject skin tones, age, and cultural artifacts (e.g, bindi worn by Indian women). In this study, we collect pulse rate and facial video data from human subjects in India and Sierra Leone, in order to quantify the uncertainty in noncontact pulse rate estimation methods. The video data are used to estimate pulse rate using state-of-the-art rPPG camera-based methods, and compared against ground truth measurements captured using an FDA-approved contact-based pulse rate measurement device. Our study reveals that rPPG methods exhibit similar biases when compared with a contact-based device across demographic groups and environmental conditions. The mean difference between pulse rates measured by rPPG methods and the ground truth is found to be ~2% (1 beats per minute (b.p.m.)), signifying agreement of rPPG methods with the ground truth. We also find that rPPG methods show pulse rate variability of ~15% (11 b.p.m.), as compared to the ground truth. We investigate factors impacting rPPG methods and discuss solutions aimed at mitigating variance.
Comparative analysis of 1152 African-American and European-American men with prostate cancer identifies distinct genomic and immunological differences
Authors: Rayford Walter , Beksac Alp Tuna , Alger Jordan , Alshalalfa Mohammed , Ahmed Mohsen , Khan Irtaza , Falagario Ugo G. , Liu Yang , Davicioni Elai , Spratt Daniel E. , Schaeffer Edward M. , Feng Felix Y. , Mahal Brandon , Nguyen Paul L. , Den Robert B. , Greenberger Mark D. , Bradley Randy , Watson Justin M. , Beamer Matthew , Stamatakis Lambros , Carmen Darrell J. , Awasthi Shivanshu , Hwang Jonathan , Weil Rachel , Merisaari Harri , Mohamed Nihal , Deane Leslie A. , Chakravarty Dimple , Yadav Kamlesh K. , Yamoah Kosj , Nair Sujit S. , Tewari Ashutosh K. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractRacial disparities in prostate cancer have not been well characterized on a genomic level. Here we show the results of a multi-institutional retrospective analysis of 1,152 patients (596 African-American men (AAM) and 556 European-American men (EAM)) who underwent radical prostatectomy. Comparative analyses between the race groups were conducted at the clinical, genomic, pathway, molecular subtype, and prognostic levels. The EAM group had increased ERG (P < 0.001) and ETS (P = 0.02) expression, decreased SPINK1 expression (P < 0.001), and basal-like (P < 0.001) molecular subtypes. After adjusting for confounders, the AAM group was associated with higher expression of CRYBB2, GSTM3, and inflammation genes (IL33, IFNG, CCL4, CD3, ICOSLG), and lower expression of mismatch repair genes (MSH2, MSH6) (p < 0.001 for all). At the pathway level, the AAM group had higher expression of genes sets related to the immune response, apoptosis, hypoxia, and reactive oxygen species. EAM group was associated with higher levels of fatty acid metabolism, DNA repair, and WNT/beta-catenin signaling. Based on cell lines data, AAM were predicted to have higher potential response to DNA damage. In conclusion, biological characteristics of prostate tumor were substantially different in AAM when compared to EAM.
Wolfberry genomes and the evolution of Lycium (Solanaceae)
Authors: Cao You-Long , Li Yan-long , Fan Yun-Fang , Li Zhen , Yoshida Kouki , Wang Jie-Yu , Ma Xiao-Kai , Wang Ning , Mitsuda Nobutaka , Kotake Toshihisa , Ishimizu Takeshi , Tsai Kun-Chan , Niu Shan-Ce , Zhang Diyang , Sun Wei-Hong , Luo Qing , Zhao Jian-Hua , Yin Yue , Zhang Bo , Wang Jun-Yi , Qin Ken , An Wei , He Jun , Dai Guo-Li , Wang Ya-Jun , Shi Zhi-Gang , Jiao En-Ning , Wu Peng-Ju , Liu Xuedie , Liu Bin , Liao Xing-Yu , Jiang Yu-Ting , Yu Xia , Hao Yang , Xu Xin-Yu , Zou Shuang-Quan , Li Ming-He , Hsiao Yu-Yun , Lin Yu-Fu , Liang Chieh-Kai , Chen You-Yi , Wu Wan-Lin , Lu Hsiang-Chai , Lan Si-Ren , Wang Zhi-Wen , Zhao Xiang , Zhong Wen-Ying , Yeh Chuan-Ming , Tsai Wen-Chieh , Van de Peer Yves , Liu Zhong-Jian 
Published: June 2021

AbstractWolfberry Lycium, an economically important genus of the Solanaceae family, contains approximately 80 species and shows a fragmented distribution pattern among the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Although several herbaceous species of Solanaceae have been subjected to genome sequencing, thus far, no genome sequences of woody representatives have been available. Here, we sequenced the genomes of 13 perennial woody species of Lycium, with a focus on Lycium barbarum. Integration with other genomes provides clear evidence supporting a whole-genome triplication (WGT) event shared by all hitherto sequenced solanaceous plants, which occurred shortly after the divergence of Solanaceae and Convolvulaceae. We identified new gene families and gene family expansions and contractions that first appeared in Solanaceae. Based on the identification of self-incompatibility related-gene families, we inferred that hybridization hotspots are enriched for genes that might be functioning in gametophytic self-incompatibility pathways in wolfberry. Extremely low expression of LOCULE NUBER (LC) and COLORLESS NON-RIPENING (CNR) orthologous genes during Lycium fruit development and ripening processes suggests functional diversification of these two genes between Lycium and tomato. The existence of additional flowering locus C-like MADS-box genes might correlate with the perennial flowering cycle of Lycium. Differential gene expression involved in the lignin biosynthetic pathway between Lycium and tomato likely illustrates woody and herbaceous differentiation. We also provide evidence that Lycium migrated from Africa into Asia, and subsequently from Asia into North America. Our results provide functional insights into Solanaceae origins, evolution and diversification.