bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Both frontal and temporal cortex exhibit phonological and semantic specialization during spoken language processing in 7‐ to 8‐year‐old children
Authors: Wang Jin , Yamasaki Brianna L. , Weiss Yael , Booth James R. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractA previous functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study by Weiss et al. (Weiss et al., Human Brain Mapping, 2018, 39, 4334–4348) examined brain specialization for phonological and semantic processing of spoken words in young children who were 5 to 6 years old and found evidence for specialization in the temporal but not the frontal lobe. According to a prominent neurocognitive model of language development (Skeide & Friederici, Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 2016, 17, 323–332), the frontal lobe matures later than the temporal lobe. Thus, the current study aimed to examine if brain specialization in the frontal lobe can be observed in a slightly older cohort of children aged 7 to 8 years old using the same experimental and analytical approach as in Weiss et al. (Weiss et al., Human Brain Mapping, 2018, 39, 4334–4348). One hundred and ten typically developing children were recruited and were asked to perform a sound judgment task, tapping into phonological processing, and a meaning judgment task, tapping into semantic processing, while in the MRI scanner. Direct task comparisons showed that these children exhibited language specialization in both the temporal and the frontal lobes, with the left posterior dorsal inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) showing greater activation for the sound than the meaning judgment task, and the left anterior ventral IFG and the left posterior middle temporal gyrus (MTG) showing greater activation for the meaning than the sound judgment task. These findings demonstrate that 7‐ to 8‐year‐old children have already begun to develop a language‐related specialization in the frontal lobe, suggesting that early elementary schoolers rely on both specialized linguistic manipulation and representation mechanisms to perform language tasks.
Adding value to tumor staging in head and neck cancer: The role of metabolic parameters as prognostic factors
Authors: Rijo‐Cedeño Jefferson , Mucientes Jorge , Seijas Marcos Sara , Romero Jesús , Royuela Ana , Carbonell Sandra , Benlloch Raquel , García‐Berrocal José Ramón 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundValidated biomarkers in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are scarce.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 62 patients with HNSCC treated with radiotherapy +/− concurrent chemotherapy. Pretreatment metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) were measured in a 18F‐FDG positron emission tomography using a liver dependent standardized uptake value threshold. Cox regression analyses were performed to find associations with disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).ResultsHigh values of MTV (>37 ml) were independently associated with a worse DFS (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.52–7.84) and OS (HR = 3.27; 95% CI, 1.41–7.57). Similar results were found for high values of TLG (>247 g) for DFS (HR = 3.32; 95% CI, 1.44–7.65) and OS (HR = 3.42; 95% CI, 1.45–8.07).ConclusionsMTV and TLG can be considered as independent prognostic factors for DFS and OS in patients with HNSCC. Considering how easily obtainable they are, they may be useful for predicting clinical outcomes in these patients.
Examining health sector application and utility of program‐based budgeting: County level experiences in Kenya
Authors: Tsofa Benjamin , Musotsi Protus , Kagwanja Nancy , Waithaka Dennis , Molyneux Sassy , Barasa Edwine , Maina Thomas , Chuma Jane 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIntroductionIn 2012, Kenya enacted a new Public Finance Management Act to guide the public‐sector planning and budgeting process. This new law replaced the previous line item budgeting, with a new program‐based budgeting (PBB) process. This study examined the experience of health sector PBB implementation at the county level in Kenya.MethodsWe carried out a review of the literature documenting the health sector application and utility of PBB in low‐ and middle‐income countries. We then collected empirical data to examine the experience of health sector application of PBB at County Level in Kenya.ResultsIn the financial year 2017/18, counties utilised the PBB approach for health sector planning. The PBB approach was perceived by key stakeholders; to have improved the alignment of technical priorities with budgetary allocation, and to have increased transparency, accountability and openness of the process. Its challenges included lack of clear tools and guidelines to support implementation, low capacity at county level, political interference and the organisation of the public sector electronic financial management system around line item budgeting system.ConclusionPBB is potentially a useful tool for aligning health sector planning and budgeting and ensuring the Annual Work Plan is more result oriented. However, realisation of this goal would be enhanced by the developing clear tools and guidelines to support its implementation, building capacity for county health sector managers to better understand the PBB application, and reforming the public‐sector budgetary management system to align it with the PBB approach.
The effects of secreted aspartyl proteinase inhibitor ritonavir on azoles‐resistant strains of Candida albicans as well as regulatory role of SAP2 and ERG11
Authors: Feng Wenli , Yang Jing , Ma Yan , Xi Zhiqin , Zhao Xiaoqin , Zhao Xiaoxia , Zhao Min 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackground
Candida albicans, the main human fungal pathogen, can cause fungal infection and seriously affect people's health and life. This study aimed to investigate the effects of ritonavir (RIT) on C. albicans and the correlation between SAP2 as well as ERG11 and drug resistance.ResultsSecreted aspartyl proteinases (Saps) activities and pathogenicity of C. albicans with different drug resistance were measured. M27‐A4 broth microdilution method was used to analyze the drug sensitivity of RIT combined with fluconazole (FCA) on C. albicans. After that, SAP2 and ERG11 mutations were examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing, and quantitative real‐time PCR was utilized to determine the expression of the two genes. By analyzing pz values, the Saps activity of cross‐resistant strains was the highest, followed by voriconazole (VRC)‐resistant strains, FCA‐resistant strains, itraconazole (ITR)‐resistant strains, and sensitive strains. The pathogenicity of C. albicans in descending order was as follows: cross‐resistant strains, VRC‐resistant strains, ITR‐resistant strains, FCA‐resistant strains, and sensitive strains. With the increase of RIT concentrations, the Saps activity was gradually inhibited. Drug sensitivity results showed that there was no synergistic effect between RIT and FCA. Additionally, no gene mutation sites were found in SAP2 sequencing, and 17 synonymous mutations and 6 missense mutations occurred in ERG11 sequencing. Finally, the expression of SAP2 and ERG11 was significantly higher in the resistant strains compared with the sensitive strains, and there was a positive liner correlation between SAP2 and ERG11 messenger RNA expression (r = .6655, p < .001).ConclusionThese findings may help to improve our understanding of azole‐resistant mechanisms of C. albicans and provide a novel direction for clinical therapeutics of C. albicans infection.
Optimal weighted hybrid pattern for content based medical image retrieval using modified spider monkey optimization
Authors: Darapureddy Nagadevi , Karatapu Nagaprakash , Battula Tirumula Krishna 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe current approaches for image retrieval are more concentrating on numerous image features. Texture, shape, spatial information, and color are the fundamental features to deal with flexible image datasets. This paper aims to develop new Content‐Based Image Retrieval System based on Optimal Weighted Hybrid Pattern. Two relevant patters like Local Vector Pattern and Local Derivative Pattern are intended to develop a novel Content‐Based Image Retrieval system. The optimal weighted hybrid pattern is implemented to derive a new feature vector, so that the weight is optimized by a modified optimization algorithm called Improved Local Leader‐based Spider Monkey Optimization to maximize the precision and recall of the retrieved images. The retrieval of the image is done by measuring the similarity based on Mean Square Distance between the features of query image as well as training image. Finally, the performance comparison of the proposed and the traditional patterns shows its reliable performance.
A Prospective Open‐Label Observational Study of a Buffered Soluble 70 mg Alendronate Effervescent Tablet on Upper Gastrointestinal Safety and Medication Errors: The GastroPASS Study
Authors: Minisola Salvatore , Vargas Antonio P , Letizia Mauro Giulia , Bonet Madurga Fernando , Adami Giovanni , Black Dennis M , Qizilbash Nawab , Blanch‐Rubió Josep 
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACTUpper gastrointestinal (GI) side effects are a main reason for discontinuing bisphosphonate treatment, an important therapeutic option for osteoporosis patients. Consequently, the development of novel formulations with improved tolerability is warranted. In this multicenter prospective, observational, postauthorization safety study conducted in Italy and Spain, postmenopausal women (PMW) with osteoporosis (naïve to bisphosphonates) were treated weekly with a buffered soluble alendronate 70 mg effervescent (ALN‐EFF) tablet (Binosto®) and followed for 12 ± 3 months. Information was collected on adverse events (AEs), medication errors, persistence, and compliance using the Morisky‐Green questionnaire. Patients (N = 1028) aged 67 ± 9 years (mean ± SD) received ALN‐EFF weekly. The cumulative incidence of upper GI AEs (oesophageal toxicity, gastritis, gastric ulcers, and duodenitis) related to ALN‐EFF (primary endpoint) was 9.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 7.9–11.6%), the vast majority being of mild intensity. The most frequently occurring upper GI AEs related to ALN‐EFF were dyspepsia (2.7%), gastroesophageal reflux disease (2.4%), and nausea (2.2%). None of the relevant upper GI AEs listed in the primary endpoint and no serious AEs were reported. At least one medication error occurred in 29.9% (95% CI 27.1–32.8%) of patients. However, the majority of medication errors were associated with administration instructions applicable to any oral bisphosphonate and only seven medication errors were associated with the ALN‐EFF formulation. ALN‐EFF was discontinued in 209 of 1028 (20.3%) patients. The most frequent reasons for discontinuation were AEs related to ALN‐EFF (46.9%) and patients' decision (42.6%). Compliance with ALN‐EFF was high, reflected by a mean Morisky‐Green score of 92.8 ± 18.6. PMW with osteoporosis treated with ALN‐EFF in a real‐world setting experienced few upper GI AEs. In addition, they had a low discontinuation and high compliance compared with other formulations, suggesting that ALN‐EFF may increase patient satisfaction and therefore long‐term adherence and efficacy. © 2021 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Cautions on the laboratory indicators of COVID‐19 patients on and during admission
Authors: Liu Haiting , Shang Xueling , Chen Sai , Li Tie , Zhang Junhua 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundDifferent disease severities of COVID‐19 patients could be reflected on clinical laboratory findings.MethodsIn this single‐centered retrospective study, demographic, clinical, and laboratory indicators on and during admission were compared among 74 participants with mild, moderate, critical severe, or severe classification. Risk factors associated with disease severity were analyzed by multivariate analyses. The AUC and 95% CI of the ROC curve were calculated.ResultsThe most common manifestations of these patients were fever and cough. Critical severe or severe group owned the longest length of stay (23 (19,31), p < 0.001). After multivariate logistic regression, independent influence factors on admission for severity of disease were CK‐MB (OR 0.674; 95% CI 0.489–0.928; p = 0.016), LDH (OR 1.111 or 1.107; 95% CI 1.026–1.204 or 1.022–1.199; p = 0.009 or 0.013), normal T‐BIL (OR 4.58 × 10−8; 95% CI 3.05 × 10−9–6.88 × 10−7; p < 0.001), LYM% (OR 0.008; 95% CI 0–0.602; p = 0.029), and normal ESR (OR 0.016; 95% CI 0–0.498; p = 0.019). Factors during hospitalization were normal T‐BIL (OR 8.56 × 10−9; 95% CI 8.30 × 10−10–8.83 × 10−8; p < 0.001), LYM (OR 0.068; 95% CI 0.005–0.934; p = 0.044), albumin (OR 0.565; 95% CI 0.327–0.977; p = 0.041), and normal NEU% (OR 0.013; 95% CI 0.000–0.967; p = 0.048). Combined indicators of AUC were 0.860 (LYM, LDH, and normal ESR on admission, p < 0.001) and 0.750 (CK‐MB, LDH, and normal T‐BIL during hospitalization, p = 0.020) when predicting for severe or critical severe patients.ConclusionTo pay close attention to the progression of COVID‐19 and take measures promptly, we should be cautious of the laboratory indicators when patients on admission especially CK‐MB, LDH, LYM%, T‐BIL as well as ESR; and T‐BIL, LYM, albumin, NEU% with the process of disease.
Transcriptomic meta‐analysis of disuse muscle atrophy vs. resistance exercise‐induced hypertrophy in young and older humans
Authors: Deane Colleen S. , Willis Craig R.G. , Phillips Bethan E. , Atherton Philip J. , Harries Lorna W. , Ames Ryan M. , Szewczyk Nathaniel J. , Etheridge Timothy 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundSkeletal muscle atrophy manifests across numerous diseases; however, the extent of similarities/differences in causal mechanisms between atrophying conditions in unclear. Ageing and disuse represent two of the most prevalent and costly atrophic conditions, with resistance exercise training (RET) being the most effective lifestyle countermeasure. We employed gene‐level and network‐level meta‐analyses to contrast transcriptomic signatures of disuse and RET, plus young and older RET to establish a consensus on the molecular features of, and therapeutic targets against, muscle atrophy in conditions of high socio‐economic relevance.MethodsIntegrated gene‐level and network‐level meta‐analysis was performed on publicly available microarray data sets generated from young (18–35 years)m. vastus lateralismuscle subjected to disuse (unilateral limb immobilization or bed rest) lasting ≥7 days or RET lasting ≥3 weeks, and resistance‐trained older (≥60 years) muscle.ResultsDisuse and RET displayed predominantly separate transcriptional responses, and transcripts altered across conditions were mostly unidirectional. However, disuse and RET induced directly inverted expression profiles for mitochondrial function and translation regulation genes, withCOX4I1,ENDOG,GOT2,MRPL12, andNDUFV2, the central hub components of altered mitochondrial networks, andZMYND11, a hub gene of altered translation regulation. A substantial number of genes (n = 140) up‐regulated post‐RET in younger muscle were not similarly up‐regulated in older muscle, with young muscle displaying a more pronounced extracellular matrix (ECM) and immune/inflammatory gene expression response. Both young and older muscle exhibited similar RET‐induced ubiquitination/RNA processing gene signatures with associatedPWP1,PSMB1, andRAF1hub genes.ConclusionsDespite limited opposing gene profiles, transcriptional signatures of disuse are not simply the converse of RET. Thus, the mechanisms of unloading cannot be derived from studying muscle loading alone and provides a molecular basis for understanding why RET fails to target all transcriptional features of disuse. Loss of RET‐induced ECM mechanotransduction and inflammatory profiles might also contribute to suboptimal ageing muscle adaptations to RET. Disuse and age‐dependent molecular candidates further establish a framework for understanding and treating disuse/ageing atrophy.
Preliminary report on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) Spike mutation T478K
Authors: Di Giacomo Simone , Mercatelli Daniele , Rakhimov Amir , Giorgi Federico M. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractSeveral severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) variants have emerged, posing a renewed threat to coronavirus disease 2019 containment and to vaccine and drug efficacy. In this study, we analyzed more than 1,000,000 SARS‐CoV‐2 genomic sequences deposited up to April 27, 2021, on the GISAID public repository, and identified a novel T478K mutation located on the SARS‐CoV‐2 Spike protein. The mutation is structurally located in the region of interaction with human receptor ACE2 and was detected in 11,435 distinct cases. We show that T478K has appeared and risen in frequency since January 2021, predominantly in Mexico and the United States, but we could also detect it in several European countries.
The surveillance of spike protein for patients with COVID‐19 detected in Hong Kong in 2020
Authors: Mak Gannon C. K. , Lau Angela W. L. , Chan Andy M. Y. , Lam Edman T. K. , Chan Rickjason C. W. , Tsang Dominic N. C. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIn 2020, numerous fast‐spreading severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) variants have been reported. These variants had unusually high genetic changes in the spike (S) protein. In an attempt to understand the genetic background of SARS‐CoV‐2 viruses in Hong Kong, especially before vaccination, the purpose of this study is to summarize the S protein mutations detected among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) patients in Hong Kong in 2020. COVID‐19 cases were selected every month in 2020. One virus from each case was analyzed. The full encoding region of the S proteins was sequenced. From January 2020 to December 2020, a total of 340 COVID‐19 viruses were sequenced. The amino acids of the S protein for 44 (12.9%) were identical to the reference sequence, WIV04 (GenBank accession MN996528). For the remaining 296 sequences (87.1%), a total of 43 nonsynonymous substitution patterns were found. Of the nonsynonymous substitutions found, some of them were only detected at specific time intervals and then they disappeared. The ongoing genetic surveillance system is important. It would facilitate early detection of mutations that can increase infectivity as well as mutations that are selected for the virus to escape immunological restraint.
Maternal selenium status plays a crucial role on clinical outcomes of pregnant women with COVID‐19 infection
Authors: Erol Seyit Ahmet , Polat Naci , Akdas Sevginur , Aribal Ayral Pelin , Anuk Ali Taner , Ozden Tokalioglu Eda , Goncu Ayhan Şule , Kesikli Burcu , Ceylan Merve Nur , Tanacan Atakan , Moraloglu Tekin Özlem , Yazihan Nuray , Sahin Dilek 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAdequate maternal selenium level is essential for immune response and healthy pregnancy. This study aimed to shed light on the selenium status of pregnant women with COVID‐19 and the effects of potential deficiency in serum selenium levels. Totally 141 pregnant women, 71 of them were COVID‐19 patients, in different trimesters were included in the study. Maternal serum selenium levels, demographic and clinical parameters were determined. Serum selenium levels of pregnant women in the second (p: .0003) and third (p: .001) trimesters with COVID‐19 were significantly lower than in the healthy group. Maternal selenium level was found to be negatively correlated with gestational week (p < .0001, r: −.541), D‐dimer (p: .0002, r: −.363) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) level (p: .02, r: −.243). In the second trimester, serum selenium level positively correlated with white blood cell (p: .002, r: .424), neutrophil (p: .006, r: .39), lymphocyte (p: .004, r: .410) count and hemoglobin (p: .02, r: .323), hematocrit (p: .008, r: .38) status. In the third trimester, it was found that maternal selenium level positively correlated with monocyte (p: .04, r: .353) and negatively correlated with C‐reactive protein level (p: .03, r: −.384). Serum selenium level was gradually decreased during the pregnancy period, however, this natural decrease was enhanced together with COVID‐19 infection. The reason might be increased selenium needs depended on the immune response against infection. The decrease in maternal selenium level was found to be related to IL‐6 and D‐dimer levels, which indicate selenium's role in disease progression.
Sex differences in gut microbiota modulation of aversive conditioning, open field activity, and basolateral amygdala dendritic spine density
Authors: Geary Caroline Grace , Wilk Victoria Christina , Barton Katherine Louise , Jefferson Parvaneh Ottavia , Binder Tea , Bhutani Vasvi , Baker Claire Luisa , Fernando‐Peiris Achal James , Mousley Alexa Lee , Rozental Stefano Freitas Andrade , Thompson Hannah Mae , Touchon Justin Charles , Esteban David Justin , Bergstrom Hadley Creighton 
Published: May 2021

AbstractGut microbiota influence numerous aspects of host biology, including brain structure and function. Growing evidence implicates gut microbiota in aversive conditioning and anxiety‐related behaviors, but research has focused almost exclusively on males. To investigate whether effects of gut dysbiosis on aversive learning and memory differ by sex, adult female and male C57BL/6N mice were orally administered a moderate dose of nonabsorbable antimicrobial medications (ATMs: neomycin, bacitracin, and pimaricin) or a control over 10 days. Changes in gut microbiome composition were analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing. Open field behavior, cued aversive learning, context recall, and cued recall were assessed. Following behavioral testing, the morphology of basolateral amygdala (BLA) principal neuron dendrites and spines was characterized. Results revealed that ATMs induced gut dysbiosis in both sexes, with stronger effects in females. ATMs also exerted sex‐specific effects on behavior and neuroanatomy. Males were more susceptible than females to microbial modulation of locomotor activity and anxiety‐like behavior. Females were more susceptible than males to ATM‐induced impairments in aversive learning and cued recall. Context recall remained intact, as did dendritic structure of BLA principal neurons. However, ATMs exerted a sex‐specific effect on spine density. A second experiment was conducted to isolate the effects of gut perturbation to cued recall. Extinction was also examined. Results revealed no effect of ATMs on cued recall or extinction, suggesting that gut dysbiosis preferentially impacts aversive learning. These data shed new light on how gut microbiota interact with sex to influence aversive conditioning, open field behavior, and BLA dendritic spine architecture.
Short distance uniformity and BlackMURA measurements
Authors: Rotscholl Ingo , Krüger Udo 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe increasing display sizes and changing form factors of displays, including automotive displays, lead to impractical measurement distances for lateral uniformity measurements. This contribution suggests and exemplarily applies two alternative and combinable methods to allow lateral uniformity measurements at low distances and describes an adjusted BlackMURA compliant validation procedure. The proposed methods are validated with a high‐quality display device and are compared to results using the standard long‐distance measurement procedure.