bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of TGFB1 and CTLA4 polymorphisms on calcineurin inhibitors dose and risk of acute rejection in renal transplantation
Authors: Bogacz Anna , Wolek Marlena , Sieńko Jerzy , Czerny Bogusław , Machaliński Bogusław , Olbromski Piotr , Kotowski Maciej 
Published: September 2021

AbstractOrgan transplant is often the treatment of choice as it extends and improves patient life. Immunosuppressive treatment, which prevents acute rejection of the organ, is used in transplant patients to prevent the loss of transplant. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of the CTLA4 (+49A>G, rs231775) and the TGF-β1 (−800G>A, rs1800468) polymorphisms on the therapeutic effect of immunosuppressive drugs (cyclosporine—CsA, tacrolimus—TAC) and the risk of acute rejection in renal transplant patients. The analysis of the CTLA4 +49A>G and the TGF-β1 −800G>A polymorphisms was carried out in 392 patients after kidney transplant using real-time PCR. The CTLA4 +49A>G polymorphism did not affect CsA or TAC dose, ratio of drug concentration to dose (C/D), and blood concentrations. As for the TGF-β1 -800G>A polymorphism, patients with the GA genotype required lower TAC doses compared to the GG genotype (TAC 12 h: 3.63 mg vs 5.3 mg, TAC 24 h: 2.38 mg vs 3.29 mg). Comparing the C/D ratio in both groups (TAC 12 h and TAC 24 h), higher C/D ratio was observed in patients with the GA genotype. These results indicate that patients with the A allele require slightly lower doses of TAC. The results suggest that the TGF-β1 −800 G>A polymorphism may influence the TAC dose, while the +49A>G polymorphism of the CTLA4 gene does not correlate with the dose of CsA or TAC. The analysis of the biochemical parameters of the renal profile showed no impact of the CTLA4 and the TGF-β1 polymorphisms on the risk of organ rejection.
Low-grade albuminuria in adult and elderly individuals with diabetes mellitus and arterial hypertension accompanied by Primary Health Care
Authors: de Resende Matheus Augusto Soares , Ferreira Emily de Souza , Dias Heloísa Helena , Santos Daniel Souza , Batistelli Clara Regina Santos , Borges Luiza Delazari , Comini Luma de Oliveira , Moreira Tiago Ricardo , da Costa Glauce Dias , da Silva Eunice Ferreira , da Silva Rodrigo Gomes , Cotta Rosângela Minardi Mitre 
Published: September 2021

AbstractDiabetes mellitus (DM) and arterial hypertension (AH) are the two main clinical conditions related to Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD); disease also identify by the levels of low-grade albuminuria (LGA). Few studies have simultaneously investigated the associations of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) with LGA. Our study aimed to investigate and compare the association of HbA1c and FPG with the probability of LGA in adult and elderly individuals with DM and AH, within the scope of Primary Health Care (PHC). Cross-sectional study involving 737 Brazilians individuals previously diagnosed with hypertension and/or diabetes. Tests for HbA1c, FPG and LGA were performed. LGA was defined as the highest quartile of albumin urinary (≥ 13 mg/g) among individuals with urinary LGA < 30 mg / g. A significant increase in the prevalence of LGA was found with increasing levels of HbA1c (p < 0.001). There was a significant association of HbA1c with LGA (p < 0.001) and increased probability of LGA for participants with HbA1c ≥ 6.5% compared to those with Hba1c < 5.7% (OR [95% CI]: 2.43 [1.32–4.46], p < 0.05), after adjusting for confounding factors, except when adjusted for FPG (p = 0.379 and p = 0.359, respectively). HbA1c and FPG were significantly associated in a collinear manner with an increased probability of LGA in adult and elderly individuals with DM and AH.
Extreme rainfall deficits were not the cause of recurring colonial era famines of southern Indian semi-arid regions
Authors: Ray Ranjini , Bhattacharya Atreyee , Arora Gaurav , Bajaj Kushank , Horton Keyle , Chen Shi , Chakraborty Supriyo , Bazaz Amir 
Published: September 2021

AbstractUsing information contained in the eighteenth to twentieth century British administrative documents, preserved in the National Archives of India (NAI), we present a 218-year (1729–1947 AD) record of socioeconomic disruptions and human impacts (famines) associated with ‘rain failures’ that affected the semi-arid regions (SARs) of southern India. By mapping the southern Indian famine record onto long-term spatiotemporal measures of regional rainfall variability, we demonstrate that the SARs of southern India repeatedly experienced famines when annual rainfall reduced by ~ one standard deviation (1 SD), or more, from long-term averages. In other words, ‘rain failures’ listed in the colonial documents as causes of extreme socioeconomic disruptions, food shortages and human distress (famines) in the southern Indian SARs were fluctuations in precipitation well within the normal range of regional rainfall variability and not extreme rainfall deficits (≥ 3 SD). Our study demonstrates that extreme climate events were not necessary conditions for extreme socioeconomic disruptions and human impacts rendered by the colonial era famines in peninsular India. Based on our findings, we suggest that climate change risk assessement should consider the potential impacts of more frequent low-level anomalies (e.g. 1 SD) in drought prone semi-arid regions.
Increased vulnerability to SARS-CoV-2 infection among indigenous people living in the urban area of Manaus
Authors: Pontes Gemilson Soares , de Melo Silva Jean , Pinheiro-Silva Renato , Barbosa Anderson Nogueira , Santos Luciano Cardenes , de Pádua Quirino Ramalho Antônio , de Castro Alves Carlos Eduardo , da Silva Danielle Furtado , de Oliveira Leonardo Calheiros , da Costa Allyson Guimarães , Bruno Ana Carla 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic threatens indigenous peoples living in suburban areas of large Brazilian cities and has thus far intensified their pre-existing socio-economic inequalities. We evaluated the epidemiological situation of SARS-CoV-2 infection among residents of the biggest urban multiethnic indigenous community of the Amazonas state, Brazil. Blood samples of 280 indigenous people living in the surrounding area of Manaus were tested for the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgA or IgG antibodies. The risk factors and sociodemographic information were assessed through an epidemiological questionnaire. We found a total positivity rate of 64.64% (95% CI 59.01–70.28) for SARS-CoV-2 infection. IgA and IgG were detected in 55.71% (95% CI 49.89–61.54) and 60.71% (95% CI 54.98–66.45) of the individuals, respectively. Over 80% of positive individuals were positive for both IgA and IgG.No significant difference in positivity rates between genders or age groups was observed. Moreover, the age group ≥ 60 years old showed the highest antibody ratios (IgA mean ratio = 3.080 ± 1.623; IgG mean ratio = 4.221 ± 1.832), while the age groups 13–19 and 20–29 showed the lowest IgA (mean ratio = 2.268 ± 0.919) and IgG ratios (mean ratio = 2.207 ± 1.246), respectively. Individuals leaving the home more frequently were at higher risk of infection (Odds ratio (OD) 2.61; 95% CI 1.00–1.49; p = 0.048). Five or more individuals per household increased fivefold the risk of virus transmission (OR 2.56; 95% CI 1.09–6.01; p = 0.019). The disproportionate dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 infection observed among the study population might be driven by typical cultural behavior and socioeconomic inequalities. Despite the pandemic threat, this population is not being targeted by public policies and appears to be chronically invisible to the Brazilian authorities.
Screening and predicting progression from high-risk mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Ge Xiao-Yan , Cui Kai , Liu Long , Qin Yao , Cui Jing , Han Hong-Juan , Luo Yan-Hong , Yu Hong-Mei 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIndividuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are clinically heterogeneous, with different risks of progression to Alzheimer’s disease. Regular follow-up and examination may be time-consuming and costly, especially for MRI and PET. Therefore, it is necessary to identify a more precise MRI population. In this study, a two-stage screening frame was proposed for evaluating the predictive utility of additional MRI measurements among high-risk MCI subjects. In the first stage, the K-means cluster was performed for trajectory-template based on two clinical assessments. In the second stage, high-risk individuals were filtered out and imputed into prognosis models with varying strategies. As a result, the ADAS-13 was more sensitive for filtering out high-risk individuals among patients with MCI. The optimal model included a change rate of clinical assessments and three neuroimaging measurements and was significantly associated with a net reclassification improvement (NRI) of 0.246 (95% CI 0.021, 0.848) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) of 0.090 (95% CI − 0.062, 0.170). The ADAS-13 longitudinal models had the best discrimination performance (Optimism-corrected concordance index = 0.830), as validated by the bootstrap method. Considering the limited medical and financial resources, our findings recommend follow-up MRI examination 1 year after identification for high-risk individuals, while regular clinical assessments for low-risk individuals.
Simulation and estimation of future ecological risk on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
Authors: Wang Shengzhen , Liu Fenggui , Zhou Qiang , Chen Qiong , Liu Fei 
Published: September 2021

AbstractOver the past 50 years, temperatures on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) have risen roughly twice as fast as the global average, making it the most unpredictable region of environmental change due to global warming. In this paper, an Environmental Area Index model was developed using data from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project to assess the ecological risk faced by QTP ecosystems under the influence of climate factors. The results show that ecological risk gradually decreases from northwest to the southeast, and there are different trends in ecological risk for each class in areas with different elevation gradients. As elevation increased, the proportion of potential risk areas gradually decreased, and the proportion of high- and higher-risk areas gradually increased. We predict that in the period 2021–2100, the overall ecological risk change trend on the QTP will not be obvious, but there will be a more obvious change on the vertical gradient. In general, under the existing global climate change scenario, the ecological risk faced by the QTP show a decreasing trend under the influence of climate factors, and the decrease in ecological risks is much higher at higher elevations than at lower elevations.
Understanding physical drivers of the 2015/16 marine heatwaves in the Northwest Atlantic
Authors: Perez E. , Ryan S. , Andres M. , Gawarkiewicz G. , Ummenhofer C. C. , Bane J. , Haines S. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe Northwest Atlantic, which has exhibited evidence of accelerated warming compared to the global ocean, also experienced several notable marine heatwaves (MHWs) over the last decade. We analyze spatiotemporal patterns of surface and subsurface temperature structure across the Northwest Atlantic continental shelf and slope to assess the influences of atmospheric and oceanic processes on ocean temperatures. Here we focus on MHWs from 2015/16 and examine their physical drivers using observational and reanalysis products. We find that a combination of jet stream latitudinal position and ocean advection, mainly due to warm core rings shed by the Gulf Stream, plays a role in MHW development. While both atmospheric and oceanic drivers can lead to MHWs they have different temperature signatures with each affecting the vertical structure differently and horizontal spatial patterns of a MHW. Northwest Atlantic MHWs have significant socio-economic impacts and affect commercially important species such as squid and lobster.
Serum inflammatory profiles in cystic fibrosis mice with and without Bordetella pseudohinzii infection
Authors: Litman Paul M. , Day Alexander , Kelley Thomas J. , Darrah Rebecca J. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractCystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by dysfunctional cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein, and is marked by an accumulation of mucus in affected airways resulting in persistent infection and chronic inflammation. Quantitative differences in inflammatory markers have been observed in CF patient serum, tracheal cells, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, in the absence of detectable infection, implying that absent CFTR function alone may result in dysregulated immune responses. To examine the relationship between absent CFTR and systemic inflammation, 22 analytes were measured in CF mice (F508del/F508del) sera using the MSD multiplex platform. Pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-2, TNF-α, IL-17α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, and MIP-3α are significantly elevated in infection-naïve CF mice (p < 0.050). Anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and IL-4 are also significantly increased (p = 0.00003, p = 0.004). Additionally, six general markers of inflammation are significantly different from non-CF controls (p < 0.050). To elucidate the effects of chronic infection on the CF inflammatory profile, we examined CF mice exposed to spontaneous Bordetella pseudohinzii infections. There are no statistical differences in nearly all inflammatory markers when compared to their infection-naïve CF counterparts, except in the Th2-derived IL-4 and IL-5 which demonstrate significant decreases following exposure (p = 0.046, p = 0.045). Lastly, following acute infection, CF mice demonstrate elevations in nearly all inflammatory markers, but exhibit a shortened return to uninfected levels over time, and suppression of Th1-derived IL-2 and IL-5 (p = 0.043, p = 0.011). These results imply that CF mice have a persistent inflammatory profile often indistinguishable from chronic infection, and a dysregulated humoral response during and following active infection.
Fear-specific leftward bias in gaze direction judgment
Authors: Zhang Yue , Hu Qiqi , Lai Xinwei , Hu Zhonghua , Gao Shan 
Published: September 2021

AbstractPrevious studies have shown that humans have a left spatial attention bias in cognition and behaviour. However, whether there exists a leftward perception bias of gaze direction has not been investigated. To address this gap, we conducted three behavioural experiments using a forced-choice gaze direction judgment task. The point of subjective equality (PSE) was employed to measure whether there was a leftward perception bias of gaze direction, and if there was, whether this bias was modulated by face emotion. The results of experiment 1 showed that the PSE of fearful faces was significantly positive as compared to zero and this effect was not found in angry, happy, and neutral faces, indicating that participants were more likely to judge the gaze direction of fearful faces as directed to their left-side space, namely a leftward perception bias. With the response keys counterbalanced between participants, experiment 2a replicated the findings in experiment 1. To further investigate whether the gaze direction perception variation was contributed by emotional or low-level features of faces, experiment 2b and 3 used inverted faces and inverted eyes, respectively. The results revealed similar leftward perception biases of gaze direction in all types of faces, indicating that gaze direction perception was biased by emotional information in faces rather than low-level facial features. Overall, our study demonstrates that there a fear-specific leftward perception bias in processing gaze direction. These findings shed new light on the cerebral lateralization in humans.
A prelude to the proximity interaction mapping of CXXC5
Authors: Ayaz Gamze , Turan Gizem , Olgun Çağla Ece , Kars Gizem , Karakaya Burcu , Yavuz Kerim , Demiralay Öykü Deniz , Can Tolga , Muyan Mesut , Yaşar Pelin 
Published: September 2021

AbstractCXXC5 is a member of the zinc-finger CXXC family proteins that interact with unmodified CpG dinucleotides through a conserved ZF-CXXC domain. CXXC5 is involved in the modulation of gene expressions that lead to alterations in diverse cellular events. However, the underlying mechanism of CXXC5-modulated gene expressions remains unclear. Proteins perform their functions in a network of proteins whose identities and amounts change spatiotemporally in response to various stimuli in a lineage-specific manner. Since CXXC5 lacks an intrinsic transcription regulatory function or enzymatic activity but is a DNA binder, CXXC5 by interacting with proteins could act as a scaffold to establish a chromatin state restrictive or permissive for transcription. To initially address this, we utilized the proximity-dependent biotinylation approach. Proximity interaction partners of CXXC5 include DNA and chromatin modifiers, transcription factors/co-regulators, and RNA processors. Of these, CXXC5 through its CXXC domain interacted with EMD, MAZ, and MeCP2. Furthermore, an interplay between CXXC5 and MeCP2 was critical for a subset of CXXC5 target gene expressions. It appears that CXXC5 may act as a nucleation factor in modulating gene expressions. Providing a prelude for CXXC5 actions, our results could also contribute to a better understanding of CXXC5-mediated cellular processes in physiology and pathophysiology.
New nematogenic conical-shaped supramolecular H-bonded complexes for solar energy investigations
Authors: Gomha Sobhi M. , Ahmed Hoda A. , Shaban Mohamed , Abolibda Tariq Z. , Alharbi Khalid Abdulaziz , Alalawy Hafsa H. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractNew conical-shaped geometrical supramolecular H-bonded liquid crystal complexes were formed through 1:2 intermolecular interactions of H-bonding between flexible core (adipic acid,A) and lateral chloro-substituted azopyridines (Bn). The chains of the terminally alkoxy substituted base (n) were changed between 8 and 16 carbons. Mesomorphic and optical examinations of the prepared complexes were measured via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarizing optical microscopy (POM). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was used to confirm the Fermi bands of the H- bonding interactions. Induced nematogenic mesophases that cover the whole lengths of alkoxy-chains were detected. The non-linear geometries of the designed supramolecular complexes were also confirmed via Density functional theory (DFT) calculations. It was found that the length of terminal alkoxy chain of the base moiety highly affects the geometrical structure of the investigated complexes. Moreover, it increases the thermodynamic energy and influences the geometrical parameters. The electrical properties of each of the acid component (A), the base (B16) and their 1:2 complex (A/2B16) were evaluated using the Keithley measurement-source unit. The optical properties studies showed that the influences in the optical absorption and the reduction of the energy gap of the complex compared to its individual components made the resulted supramolecular H-bonded complex soft material suitable for solar energy investigations.
Overexpression of wild-type human amyloid precursor protein alters GABAergic transmission
Authors: Kreis Anna , Desloovere Jana , Suelves Nuria , Pierrot Nathalie , Yerna Xavier , Issa Farah , Schakman Olivier , Gualdani Roberta , de Clippele Marie , Tajeddine Nicolas , Kienlen-Campard Pascal , Raedt Robrecht , Octave Jean-Noël , Gailly Philippe 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe function of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) is not fully understood, but its cleavage product amyloid beta (Aβ) together with neurofibrillary tangles constitute the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Yet, imbalance of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission accompanied by loss of synaptic functions, has been reported much earlier and independent of any detectable pathological markers. Recently, soluble APP fragments have been shown to bind to presynaptic GABAB receptors (GABABRs), subsequently decreasing the probability of neurotransmitter release. In this body of work, we were able to show that overexpression of wild-type human APP in mice (hAPPwt) causes early cognitive impairment, neuronal loss, and electrophysiological abnormalities in the absence of amyloid plaques and at very low levels of Aβ. hAPPwt mice exhibited neuronal overexcitation that was evident in EEG and increased long-term potentiation (LTP). Overexpression of hAPPwt did not alter GABAergic/glutamatergic receptor components or GABA production ability. Nonetheless, we detected a decrease of GABA but not glutamate that could be linked to soluble APP fragments, acting on presynaptic GABABRs and subsequently reducing GABA release. By using a specific presynaptic GABABR antagonist, we were able to rescue hyperexcitation in hAPPwt animals. Our results provide evidence that APP plays a crucial role in regulating inhibitory neurotransmission.
The emerging vertebrate model species for neurophysiological studies is Danionella cerebrum, new species (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)
Authors: Britz Ralf , Conway Kevin W. , Rüber Lukas 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe four described species of Danionella are tiny, transparent fishes that mature at sizes between 10–15 mm, and represent some of the most extreme cases of vertebrate progenesis known to date. The miniature adult size and larval appearance of Danionella, combined with a diverse behavioral repertoire linked to sound production by males, have established Danionella as an important model for neurophysiological studies. The external similarity between the different species of Danionella has offered an important challenge to taxonomic identification using traditional external characters, leading to confusion over the identity of the model species. Using combined morphological and molecular taxonomic approaches, we show here that the most extensively studied species of Danionella is not D. translucida, but represents an undescribed species, D. cerebrum n. sp. that is externally almost identical to D. translucida, but differs trenchantly in several internal characters. Molecular analyses confirm the distinctiveness of D. cerebrum and D. translucida and suggest that the two species are not even sister taxa. Analysis of the evolution of sexual dimorphisms associated with the Weberian apparatus reveals significant increases in complexity from the simpler condition found in D. dracula, to most complex conditions in D. cerebrum, D. mirifica and D. translucida.