bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The association between RGS4 and choline in cardiac fibrosis
Authors: Guo Jing , Hang Pengzhou , Yu Jie , Li Wen , Zhao Xiuye , Sun Yue , Fan Ziyi , Du Zhimin 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
Myocardial fibrosis is caused by the adverse and powerful remodeling of the heart secondary to the death of cardiomyocytes after myocardial infarction. Regulators of G protein Signaling (RGS) 4 is involved in cardiac diseases through regulating G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs).

Methods
Cardiac fibrosis models were established through cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) treatment with transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in vitro and mice subjected to myocardial infarction in vivo. The mRNA expression of RGS4, collagen I/III and α-SMA detected by qRT-PCR. Protein level of RGS4, collagen I, CTGF and α-SMA detected by Western blot. The ejection fraction (EF%) and fractional shortening (FS%) of mice were measured by echocardiography. Collagen deposition of mice was tested by Masson staining.

Results
The expression of RGS4 increased in CFs treatment with TGF-β1 and in MI mice. The model of cardiac fibrosis detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot. It was demonstrated that inhibition of RGS4 expression improved cardiac fibrosis by transfection with small interfering RNA in CFs and injection with lentivirus shRNA in mice. The protective effect of choline against cardiac fibrosis was counteracted by overexpression of RGS4 in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, choline inhibited the protein level of TGF-β1, p-Smad2/3, p-p38 and p-ERK1/2 in CFs treated with TGF-β1, which were restored by RGS4 overexpression.

Conclusion
This study demonstrated that RGS4 promoted cardiac fibrosis and attenuated the anti-cardiac fibrosis of choline. RGS4 may weaken anti-cardiac fibrosis of choline through TGF-β1/Smad and MAPK signaling pathways.
Commentary: mobile laboratories for SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics: what Europe could learn from the East African Community to assure trade in times of border closures
Authors: Gehre Florian , Lagu Hakim , Achol Emmanuel , Katende Michael , May Jürgen , Affara Muna 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 mutants might lead to European border closures, which impact on trade and result in serious economic losses. In April 2020, similar border closures were observed during the first SARS-CoV-2 wave in East Africa.

Main body
Since 2017 the East African Community EAC together with the Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine BNITM established a mobile laboratory network integrated into the National Public Health Laboratories of the six Partner States for molecular diagnosis of viral haemorrhagic fevers and SARS-CoV-2. Since May 2020, the National Public Health Laboratories of Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and South Sudan deployed these mobile laboratories to their respective borders, issuing a newly developed “Electronic EAC COVID-19 Digital Certificate” to SARS-CoV-2 PCR-negative truck drivers, thus assuring regional trade.

Conclusion
Considering the large financial damages of border closures, such a mobile laboratory network as demonstrated in East Africa is cost-effective, easy to implement and feasible. The East African Community mobile laboratory network could serve as a blueprint for Europe and other countries around the globe.
Early real-time detection algorithm of tomato diseases and pests in the natural environment
Authors: Wang Xuewei , Liu Jun , Zhu Xiaoning 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundResearch on early object detection methods of crop diseases and pests in the natural environment has been an important research direction in the fields of computer vision, complex image processing and machine learning. Because of the complexity of the early images of tomato diseases and pests in the natural environment, the traditional methods can not achieve real-time and accurate detection.ResultsAiming at the complex background of early period of tomato diseases and pests image objects in the natural environment, an improved object detection algorithm based on YOLOv3 for early real-time detection of tomato diseases and pests was proposed. Firstly, aiming at the complex background of tomato diseases and pests images under natural conditions, dilated convolution layer is used to replace convolution layer in backbone network to maintain high resolution and receptive field and improve the ability of small object detection. Secondly, in the detection network, according to the size of candidate box intersection ratio (IOU) and linear attenuation confidence score predicted by multiple grids, the obscured objects of tomato diseases and pests are retained, and the detection problem of mutual obscure objects of tomato diseases and pests is solved. Thirdly, to reduce the model volume and reduce the model parameters, the network is lightweight by using the idea of convolution factorization. Finally, by introducing a balance factor, the small object weight in the loss function is optimized. The test results of nine common tomato diseases and pests under six different background conditions are statistically analyzed. The proposed method has a F1 value of 94.77%, an AP value of 91.81%, a false detection rate of only 2.1%, and a detection time of only 55 Ms. The test results show that the method is suitable for early detection of tomato diseases and pests using large-scale video images collected by the agricultural Internet of Things.ConclusionsAt present, most of the object detection of diseases and pests based on computer vision needs to be carried out in a specific environment (such as picking the leaves of diseases and pests and placing them in the environment with light supplement equipment, so as to achieve the best environment). For the images taken by the Internet of things monitoring camera in the field, due to various factors such as light intensity, weather change, etc., the images are very different, the existing methods cannot work reliably. The proposed method has been applied to the actual tomato production scenarios, showing good detection performance. The experimental results show that the method in this study improves the detection effect of small objects and leaves occlusion, and the recognition effect under different background conditions is better than the existing object detection algorithms. The results show that the method is feasible to detect tomato diseases and pests in the natural environment.
Short-term outcomes of acute coronary involvement in type A aortic dissection without myocardial ischemia: a multiple center retrospective cohort study
Authors: Wang Maozhou , Fan Ruixin , Gu Tianxiang , Zou Chengwei , Zhang Zonggang , Liu Zhonghong , Qiao Chenhui , Sun Lizhong , Gong Ming , Li Haiyang , Zhang Hongjia 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
To evaluate the early prognosis and management of acute coronary involvement (ACI) in type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) patients without myocardial ischemia (MI).

Methods
We conducted a retrospective cohort study on a multicenter database. A total of 931 ATAAD patients without MI underwent thoracic aortic surgery between 2018 and 2019 in the Acute Aortic Syndrome Cooperation Network (AASCN) and were enrolled in our study. Patients were divided into two groups: ACI group and non-ACI group.

Results
There were 139 ACI patients (14.9%) and 792 non-ACI patients (85.1%) in our cohort. ACI group had higher 30-day mortality after surgery than non-ACI group (log-rank test: P = 0.028,Cox regression: hazard ratio [HR], 2.3; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.1–5.39; P = 0.047), especially in sub-group of advanced age (53–80 years; HR, 4.0; 95% CI, 1.3–12.8; P = 0.017), low diastolic blood pressure (29-69 mmHg, HR, 3.8; 95% CI, 1.3–11.2; P = 0.018), low systolic blood pressure (51–119 mmHg, HR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.1–12.4; P = 0.040), high body mass index (BMI;27.25–47.52 kg/m2; HR, 3.7; 95% CI, 1.3–10.7; P = 0.015) and high hemoglobin (>145 g/L; HR, 4.3; 95% CI, 1.2–16.0; P = 0.030). Acute renal failure was significant more in ACI group than non-ACI group (24.5% vs. 15.9%; P = 0.014).

Conclusions
ACI increases the short-term postoperative mortality and acute renal failure in ATAAD patients without MI. ATAAD patients with ACI may need a narrower control range of blood pressure even if without myocardial ischemia.

Trial registration
ChiCTR1900022637. Retrospectively registered 19 April 2019.
Preoperative anemia and transfusion in cardiac surgery: a single-centre retrospective study
Authors: Nguyen Quynh , Meng Eric , Berube Joel , Bergstrom Richard , Lam Wing 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
Preoperative anemia and transfusion are associated with worse outcomes. This study aims to identify the prevalence of preoperative anemia, transfusion rates on surgery day, and predictors of transfusion in elective cardiac surgery patients at our centre. We also aim to evaluate our preoperative intervention program, and examine the intervention window for anemia before surgery.

Methods
This study included 797 adult patients who underwent elective cardiac surgery at a tertiary hospital. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of transfusion on surgery day.

Results
Preoperative anemia was present in 15% of patients. Anemic patients had a significantly higher transfusion rate at 53% compared to 10% in non-anemic patients. Hemoglobin concentration, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), body surface area (BSA), and total cardiopulmonary bypass time were predictive of transfusion on surgery day. Patients had a median of 7 days between initial visit and surgery day, however, referral to the blood conservation clinic was only done for 8% of anemic patients and treatment was initiated in 3% of anemic patients. Among the 3 anemic patients who received treatment, 2 did not require blood transfusion on surgery day.

Conclusions
Preoperative anemia is present in 15% of patients at our centre and these patients have 53% transfusion rates on surgery day. Hemoglobin concentration, eGFR, BSA, and total cardiopulmonary bypass time were predictors of transfusion on surgery day. Patients had a median of 7 days between initial visit and surgery day. Referral and anemia treatment were infrequently initiated in preoperative anemic patient.
Lay-delivered talk therapies for adults affected by humanitarian crises in low- and middle-income countries
Authors: Ryan Grace K. , Bauer Andreas , Endale Tarik , Qureshi Onaiza , Doukani Asmae , Cerga-Pashoja Arlinda , Brar Savvy K. , Eaton Julian , Bass Judith K. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundPublished by the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 2015, the mental health Gap Action Programme Humanitarian Intervention Guide (mhGAP-HIG) recommends brief versions of structured psychological interventions for people experiencing symptoms of common mental disorders (CMDs). mhGAP-HIG acknowledges a growing body of evidence suggesting these interventions can be delivered by lay workers to people affected by humanitarian crises in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, there has not yet been a systematic review and synthesis of this evidence. This paper reports the results of a systematic review of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies assessing the implementation and/or effectiveness of talk therapies for CMDs when provided by lay workers in LMICs to adults who have survived or are currently living in humanitarian situations.MethodsSeven electronic databases were searched: MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, PsycEXTRA, Global Health, Cochrane Library, andClinicalTrials.gov. We also hand-searched the contents pages of three academic journals, reference lists of 30 systematic reviews, and online resource directories of two mental health networks. A preliminary list of included studies was circulated to topical experts for review, and all included studies were backward and forward searched. All titles, abstracts, and full-texts were independently double-screened. Quality appraisal and data extraction were carried out by a single reviewer and checked by a second reviewer, using standardised tools. Any disagreements were discussed and referred to a third reviewer as needed.ResultsWe identified 23 unique studies and carried out a narrative synthesis of patient and implementation outcome data. Every evaluation of the effectiveness of lay-delivered talk therapies for adults affected by humanitarian crises in LMICs showed some treatment effect for at least one CMD, and often multiple CMDs. Implementation research generally found these interventions to be acceptable, appropriate and feasible to implement, with good fidelity to manualised therapies.ConclusionAlthough results are promising, particularly for individually-delivered talk therapies based on cognitive behavioural therapy techniques, there is a high degree of heterogeneity in this literature. We make several recommendations on how to improve the quality and generalisability of research on this topic, to facilitate further evidence synthesis.Trial registrationPROSPERO registration number:CRD42017058287.
Conducting research on building psychosocial support for Syrian refugee families in a humanitarian emergency
Authors: Weine Stevan Merill , Arënliu Aliriza , Görmez Vahdet , Lagenecker Scott , Demirtas Hakan 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundThis case study describes research, which is located in Turkey, where more than 750,000 Syrian refugees reside autonomously in Istanbul. The research developed and pilot tested a novel model for helping urban refugee families with limited to no access to evidence-based mental health services, by delivering a transdiagnostic family intervention for common mental disorders in health and non-health sector settings using a task-sharing approach. This case study addresses the following question: What challenges were encountered in developing and piloting a low intensity trans-diagnostic family support intervention in a humanitarian emergency setting?DiscussionThe rapidly growing scale of humanitarian crises requires new response capabilities geared towards addressing populations with prolonged high vulnerability to mental health consequences and limited to no access to mental health, health, and social resources.The research team faced multiple challenges in conducting this research in a humanitarian emergency setting including: 1) Non-existent or weak partnerships geared towards mental health research in a humanitarian emergency; 2) Lack of familiarity with task-sharing; 3).Insufficient language and cultural competency; 3) Fit with families’ values and demands; 4) Hardships of urban refugees. Through the research process, the research team learned lessons concerning: 1) building a coalition of academic and humanitarian organization partners; 2) investing in the research capacity building of local researchers and partners; 3) working in a community-collaborative and multi-disciplinary approach.ConclusionConducting research in humanitarian emergency settings calls for innovative collaborative and multidisciplinary approaches to understanding and addressing many sociocultural, contextual, practical and scientific challenge.
Drosophila Graf regulates mushroom body β-axon extension and olfactory long-term memory
Authors: Kim Sungdae , Kim Joohyung , Park Sunyoung , Park Joong-Jean , Lee Seungbok 
Published: April 2021

AbstractLoss-of-function mutations in the human oligophrenin-1 (OPHN1) gene cause intellectual disability, a prevailing neurodevelopmental condition. However, the role OPHN1 plays during neuronal development is not well understood. We investigated the role of the Drosophila OPHN1 ortholog Graf in the development of the mushroom body (MB), a key brain structure for learning and memory in insects. We show that loss of Graf causes abnormal crossing of the MB β lobe over the brain midline during metamorphosis. This defect in Graf mutants is rescued by MB-specific expression of Graf and OPHN1. Furthermore, MB α/β neuron-specific RNA interference experiments and mosaic analyses indicate that Graf acts via a cell-autonomous mechanism. Consistent with the negative regulation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling by Graf, activation of this pathway is required for the β-lobe midline-crossing phenotype of Graf mutants. Finally, Graf mutants have impaired olfactory long-term memory. Our findings reveal a role for Graf in MB axon development and suggest potential neurodevelopmental functions of human OPHN1.
Drosophila primary microRNA-8 encodes a microRNA-encoded peptide acting in parallel of miR-8
Authors: Montigny Audrey , Tavormina Patrizia , Duboe Carine , San Clémente Hélène , Aguilar Marielle , Valenti Philippe , Lauressergues Dominique , Combier Jean-Philippe , Plaza Serge 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
Recent genome-wide studies of many species reveal the existence of a myriad of RNAs differing in size, coding potential and function. Among these are the long non-coding RNAs, some of them producing functional small peptides via the translation of short ORFs. It now appears that any kind of RNA presumably has a potential to encode small peptides. Accordingly, our team recently discovered that plant primary transcripts of microRNAs (pri-miRs) produce small regulatory peptides (miPEPs) involved in auto-regulatory feedback loops enhancing their cognate microRNA expression which in turn controls plant development. Here we investigate whether this regulatory feedback loop is present in Drosophila melanogaster.

Results
We perform a survey of ribosome profiling data and reveal that many pri-miRNAs exhibit ribosome translation marks. Focusing on miR-8, we show that pri-miR-8 can produce a miPEP-8. Functional assays performed in Drosophila reveal that miPEP-8 affects development when overexpressed or knocked down. Combining genetic and molecular approaches as well as genome-wide transcriptomic analyses, we show that miR-8 expression is independent of miPEP-8 activity and that miPEP-8 acts in parallel to miR-8 to regulate the expression of hundreds of genes.

Conclusion
Taken together, these results reveal that several Drosophila pri-miRs exhibit translation potential. Contrasting with the mechanism described in plants, these data shed light on the function of yet undescribed primary-microRNA-encoded peptides in Drosophila and their regulatory potential on genome expression.
Cotton pan-genome retrieves the lost sequences and genes during domestication and selection
Authors: Li Jianying , Yuan Daojun , Wang Pengcheng , Wang Qiongqiong , Sun Mengling , Liu Zhenping , Si Huan , Xu Zhongping , Ma Yizan , Zhang Boyang , Pei Liuling , Tu Lili , Zhu Longfu , Chen Ling-Ling , Lindsey Keith , Zhang Xianlong , Jin Shuangxia , Wang Maojun 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundMillennia of directional human selection has reshaped the genomic architecture of cultivated cotton relative to wild counterparts, but we have limited understanding of the selective retention and fractionation of genomic components.ResultsWe construct a comprehensive genomic variome based on 1961 cottons and identify 456 Mb and 357 Mb of sequence with domestication and improvement selection signals and 162 loci, 84 of which are novel, including 47 loci associated with 16 agronomic traits. Using pan-genome analyses, we identify 32,569 and 8851 non-reference genes lost fromGossypium hirsutumandGossypium barbadensereference genomes respectively, of which 38.2% (39,278) and 14.2% (11,359) of genes exhibit presence/absence variation (PAV). We document the landscape of PAV selection accompanied by asymmetric gene gain and loss and identify 124 PAVs linked to favorable fiber quality and yield loci.ConclusionsThis variation repertoire points to genomic divergence during cotton domestication and improvement, which informs the characterization of favorable gene alleles for improved breeding practice using a pan-genome-based approach.
MDLSD: study protocol for a randomised, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial of repeated microdoses of LSD in healthy volunteers
Authors: Murphy Robin J. , Sumner Rachael L. , Evans William , Menkes David , Lambrecht Ingo , Ponton Rhys , Sundram Frederick , Hoeh Nicholas , Ram Sanya , Reynolds Lisa , Muthukumaraswamy Suresh 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
Regular ingestion of sub-hallucinogenic doses of psychedelics, referred to as “microdosing”, has gained increasing popularity and attention in the press and in online forums, with reported benefits across multiple cognitive and emotional domains. Rigorously controlled studies to date, however, have been limited in scope and have failed to produce results comparable to those reported in the grey literature.

Methods
Eighty healthy male participants will receive 14 doses of placebo or 10 μg lysergic acid diethylamide orally every 3rd day over a 6-week treatment protocol. A battery of personality, creativity, mood, cognition, and EEG plasticity measures, as well as resting-state fMRI imaging, will be administered at baseline and at the end of the protocol. Creativity, mood, and plasticity measures will additionally be assessed in the acute phase of the first dose. Daily functioning will be monitored with questionnaires and a wearable sleep and activity tracker.

Discussion
This study will rigorously examine the claims presented in the microdosing grey literature by pairing a comparable dosing protocol with objective measures. Potential therapeutic implications include future clinical trials to investigate microdosed psychedelics as a standalone treatment or as an augmentation of psychotherapy in the treatment of depression, addiction, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and palliative care.

Trial registration
ACTRN12621000436875. Registered on 19 February 2021
Recent advances in the valorization of plant biomass
Authors: Ning Peng , Yang Guofeng , Hu Lihong , Sun Jingxin , Shi Lina , Zhou Yonghong , Wang Zhaobao , Yang Jianming 
Published: April 2021

AbstractPlant biomass is a highly abundant renewable resource that can be converted into several types of high-value-added products, including chemicals, biofuels and advanced materials. In the last few decades, an increasing number of biomass species and processing techniques have been developed to enhance the application of plant biomass followed by the industrial application of some of the products, during which varied technologies have been successfully developed. In this review, we summarize the different sources of plant biomass, the evolving technologies for treating it, and the various products derived from plant biomass. Moreover, the challenges inherent in the valorization of plant biomass used in high-value-added products are also discussed. Overall, with the increased use of plant biomass, the development of treatment technologies, and the solution of the challenges raised during plant biomass valorization, the value-added products derived from plant biomass will become greater in number and more valuable.