bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fungal community remediate quartz tailings soil under plant combined with urban sludge treatments
Authors: Dong Fabao , Zhu Yujia , Zhu Xunmei , Zhang Chengzhi , Tao Yingying , Shao Taotao , Wang Yue , Luo Xia 
Published: April 2023

IntroductionTailings can cause extensive damage to soil structure and microbial community. Phytoremediation is an effective strategy for remedied tailings soil due to its environmentally friendly and low-cost advantage. Fungi play a crucial role in nutrient cycling, stress resistance, stabilizing soil structure, and promoting plant growth. However, the fungal community variation in phytoremediation remains largely unexplored.MethodsWe analyzed soil fungal community based on high-throughput sequencing during three plant species combined with urban sludge to remediate quartz tailings soil.ResultsThe results indicated that the fungal diversity was significantly increased with plant diversity, and the highest fungal diversity was in the three plant species combination treatments. Moreover, the fungal diversity was significantly decreased with the addition of urban sludge compared with plant treatments, while the abundance of potential beneficial fungi such as Cutaneotrichosporon, Apiotrichum, and Alternaria were increased. Notably, the fungal community composition in different plant species combination treatments were significant difference at the genus level. The addition of urban sludge increased pH, available phosphorus (AP), and available nitrogen (AN) content that were the main drivers for fungal community composition. Furthermore, the fungal networks of the plant treatments had more nodes and edges, higher connectedness, and lower modularity than plant combined with urban sludge treatments.ConclusionOur results showed that three plant species combined with urban sludge treatments improved fungal community and soil properties. Our results provide insights for quartz tailings soil remediation using plant-fungi- urban sludge.
neuroAIx-Framework: design of future neuroscience simulation systems exhibiting execution of the cortical microcircuit model 20× faster than biological real-time
Authors: Kauth Kevin , Stadtmann Tim , Sobhani Vida , Gemmeke Tobias 
Published: April 2023

IntroductionResearch in the field of computational neuroscience relies on highly capable simulation platforms. With real-time capabilities surpassed for established models like the cortical microcircuit, it is time to conceive next-generation systems: neuroscience simulators providing significant acceleration, even for larger networks with natural density, biologically plausible multi-compartment models and the modeling of long-term and structural plasticity.MethodsStressing the need for agility to adapt to new concepts or findings in the domain of neuroscience, we have developed the neuroAIx-Framework consisting of an empirical modeling tool, a virtual prototype, and a cluster of FPGA boards. This framework is designed to support and accelerate the continuous development of such platforms driven by new insights in neuroscience.ResultsBased on design space explorations using this framework, we devised and realized an FPGA cluster consisting of 35 NetFPGA SUME boards.DiscussionThis system functions as an evaluation platform for our framework. At the same time, it resulted in a fully deterministic neuroscience simulation system surpassing the state of the art in both performance and energy efficiency. It is capable of simulating the microcircuit with 20× acceleration compared to biological real-time and achieves an energy efficiency of 48nJ per synaptic event.
Functionality and quality of life in Brazilian patients 6 months post-stroke
Authors: Oliveira-Kumakura Ana Railka de Souza , Batista Larissa Mariana Oliveira Santos , Spagnol Gabriela Salim , Valler Lenise 
Published: April 2023

BackgroundSurviving a stroke poses a social and economic impact that requires the care system to be reformulated and the patient to be addressed in a comprehensive approach.PurposeThis study aims to investigate if there is a relationship between functional activities performed before the stroke, patients' clinical and hospitalization data, and functionality and quality of life measures in the first 6 months after the stroke.MethodsThis study used a prospective cohort of 92 patients. We investigated sociodemographic and clinical data, the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and the Frenchay Activities Index (FAI) during hospitalization. The Barthel Index (BI) and EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) were applied at the following time points: 30 days (T1), 90 days (T2), and 180 days (T3) following postictal state. Statistical analysis was conducted using Spearman's coefficient, Friedman's non-parametric test, and multiple linear regression models.ResultsNo correlation was found between FAI, BI, and EQ-5D average scores. Severe patients, patients with comorbidities, and patients with extended hospital stays showed lower BI and EQ-5D scores □in the follow-up. BI and EQ-5D scores increased.ConclusionThis research found no relationship between activities performed before the stroke and functionalities and quality of life after the stroke, but comorbidities and extended hospital stay were associated with worse outcomes.
Novel tumor necrosis factor-related long non-coding RNAs signature for risk stratification and prognosis in glioblastoma
Authors: Long Shengrong , Wu Bingbing , Yang Liu , Wang Lesheng , Wang Bo , Yan Yu , Jiang Jiazhi , Yang Bin , Zhou Qiangqiang , Shi Min , Liang Wu , Wei Wei , Li Xiang 
Published: April 2023

BackgroundTumor necrosis factor (TNF) is an inflammatory cytokine that can coordinate tissue homeostasis by co-regulating the production of cytokines, cell survival, or death. It widely expresses in various tumor tissues and correlates with the malignant clinical features of patients. As an important inflammatory factor, the role of TNFα is involved in all steps of tumorigenesis and development, including cell transformation, survival, proliferation, invasion and metastasis. Recent research has showed that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), defined as RNA transcripts &gt;200 nucleotides that do not encode a protein, influence numerous cellular processes. However, little is known about the genomic profile of TNF pathway related-lncRNAs in GBM. This study investigated the molecular mechanism of TNF related-lncRNAs and their immune characteristics in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients.MethodsTo identify TNF associations in GBM patients, we performed bioinformatics analysis of public databases - The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA). The ConsensusClusterPlus, CIBERSORT, Estimate, GSVA and TIDE and first-order bias correlation and so on approaches were conducted to comprehensively characterize and compare differences among TNF-related subtypes.ResultsBased on the comprehensive analysis of TNF-related lncRNAs expression profiles, we constructed six TNF-related lncRNAs (C1RL-AS1, LINC00968, MIR155HG, CPB2-AS1, LINC00906, and WDR11-AS1) risk signature to determine the role of TNF-related lncRNAs in GBM. This signature could divide GBM patients into subtypes with distinct clinical and immune characteristics and prognoses. We identified three molecular subtypes (C1, C2, and C3), with C2 showing the best prognosis; otherwise, C3 showing the worst prognosis. Moreover, we assessed the prognostic value, immune infiltration, immune checkpoints, chemokines cytokines and enrichment analysis of this signature in GBM. The TNF-related lncRNA signature was tightly associated with the regulation of tumor immune therapy and could serve as an independent prognostic biomarker in GBM.ConclusionThis analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of the role of TNF-related characters, which may improve the clinical outcome of GBM patients.
Safety and efficacy of peripheral nerve blocks to treat refractory headaches after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage – A pilot observational study
Authors: Rajagopalan Swarna , Siva Nanda , Novak Andrew , Garavaglia Jeffrey , Jelsema Casey 
Published: April 2023

ObjectivesHeadache after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (HASH) is common, severe, and often refractory to conventional treatments. Current treatment standards include medications including opioids, until the pain is mitigated. Peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs) may be an effective therapeutic option for HASH. We conducted a small before-and-after study of PNBs to determine safety, feasibility, and efficacy in treatment of HASH.MethodsWe conducted a pilot before-and-after observational study and collected data for 5 patients in a retrospective control group and 5 patients in a prospective intervention PNB group over a 12-month period. All patients received a standard treatment of medications including acetaminophen, magnesium, gabapentin, dexamethasone and anti-spasmodics or anti-emetics as needed. Patients in the intervention group received bilateral greater occipital, lesser occipital, and supraorbital PNBs in addition to medications. The primary outcome was pain severity, measured by Numeric pain rating scale (NPRS). All patients were followed for 1 week following enrollment.ResultsThe mean ages in the PNB group and control group were 58.6 and 57.4, respectively. One patient in the control group developed radiographic vasospasm. Three patients in both groups had radiographic hydrocephalus and IVH, requiring external ventricular drain (EVD) placement. The PNB group had an average reduction in mean raw pain score of 2.76 (4.68, 1.92 p = 0.024), and relative pain score by 0.26 (0.48, 0.22 p = 0.026), compared to the control group. The reduction occurred immediately after PNB administration.ConclusionPNB can be a safe, feasible and effective treatment modality for HASH. Further investigations with a larger sample size are warranted.
Clinical characteristics and short-term outcomes of Japanese encephalitis in pediatric and adult patients: a retrospective study in Northern China
Authors: Zhang Fangyuan , Xu Guangyin , Zhang Xiaoyu , Li Yue , Li Dong , Wang Chunjuan , Guo Shougang 
Published: April 2023

ObjectiveThe study aimed to compare the clinical characteristics and short-term outcomes of pediatric and adult Japanese encephalitis (JE) patients in order to find out the differences.MethodsFrom August 2006 to October 2019, 107 patients (62 pediatric patients and 45 adult patients) with JE were enrolled. Clinical characteristics and short-term outcomes were analyzed. The short-term outcome of each patient was defined as a good outcome or poor outcome according to their Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores (GCS &gt; 8 vs. GCS ≤ 8) at discharge.ResultsAs for acute complications, the incidence of pulmonary infection was higher in 25 adults (25/45, 55.6%) than in 19 children (19/62, 30.6%; P = 0.01). Upper gastrointestinal bleeding was more common in patients with pulmonary infection, with 10 of these patients experiencing the symptom (10/44, 22.7%) compared to only one patient without pulmonary infection (1/63, 1.6%; P = 0.001). The proportion of mechanical ventilation and admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) for supportive care was higher in patients with pulmonary infection than in patients without infection (P &lt; 0.001, P = 0.008, respectively). The GCS scores at discharge in patients with pulmonary infection (7, 4–12.75) were lower than in patients without pulmonary infection (14, 10-14; P &lt; 0.001). Although the GCS scores at the admission of children (9.5, 7–13) were similar to that of adults (7, 6–13), the GCS scores at the discharge of adults (7, 3.5–13) were lower than that of children (13, 10.75–14; P &lt; 0.001).ConclusionThe short-term outcome of JE was worse in adults. Pulmonary infection was correlated with a high incidence of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, mechanical ventilation, and ICU hospitalization in JE. Pulmonary infection is a prognostic predictor of short-term outcomes in patients with JE. Vaccination for adults should be initiated.
Validity of an inertial sensor-based system for the assessment of spatio-temporal parameters in people with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Zahn Annalena , Koch Veronika , Schreff Lucas , Oschmann Patrick , Winkler Jürgen , Gaßner Heiko , Müller Roy 
Published: April 2023

BackgroundGait variability in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) reflects disease progression or may be used to evaluate treatment response. To date, marker-based camera systems are considered as gold standard to analyze gait impairment in PwMS. These systems might provide reliable data but are limited to a restricted laboratory setting and require knowledge, time, and cost to correctly interpret gait parameters. Inertial mobile sensors might be a user-friendly, environment- and examiner-independent alternative. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity of an inertial sensor-based gait analysis system in PwMS compared to a marker-based camera system.MethodsA sample N = 39 PwMS and N = 19 healthy participants were requested to repeatedly walk a defined distance at three different self-selected walking speeds (normal, fast, slow). To measure spatio-temporal gait parameters (i.e., walking speed, stride time, stride length, the duration of the stance and swing phase as well as max toe clearance), an inertial sensor system as well as a marker-based camera system were used simultaneously.ResultsAll gait parameters highly correlated between both systems (r &gt; 0.84) with low errors. No bias was detected for stride time. Stance time was marginally overestimated (bias = −0.02 ± 0.03 s) and gait speed (bias = 0.03 ± 0.05 m/s), swing time (bias = 0.02 ± 0.02 s), stride length (0.04 ± 0.06 m), and max toe clearance (bias = 1.88 ± 2.35 cm) were slightly underestimated by the inertial sensors.DiscussionThe inertial sensor-based system captured appropriately all examined gait parameters in comparison to a gold standard marker-based camera system. Stride time presented an excellent agreement. Furthermore, stride length and velocity presented also low errors. Whereas for stance and swing time, marginally worse results were observed.
Etiological study of superficial radial nerve neuropathy: series of 34 patients
Authors: Shields Lisa B. E. , Iyer Vasudeva G. , Zhang Yi Ping , Shields Christopher B. 
Published: April 2023

ObjectivesSuperficial radial nerve (SRN) neuropathy is a rare focal neuropathy leading to pain and paresthesia of the dorsolateral aspect of the hand. Reported causes include trauma, extrinsic compression, or it may be idiopathic. We describe the clinical and electrodiagnostic (EDX) features of 34 patients with SRN neuropathy of varied etiology.MethodsThis is a retrospective study of patients with upper limb neuropathy referred for EDX studies who were found to have SRN neuropathy based on clinical and EDX findings. Twelve patients also had ultrasound (US) evaluations.ResultsDecreased pinprick sensation was noted in the distribution of the SRN in 31 (91%) patients, and a positive Tinel’s sign was observed in 9 (26%). Sensory nerve action potentials (SNAPs) were not recordable in 11 (32%) patients. Of the patients who had a recordable SNAP, the latency was delayed, and the amplitude was decreased in all cases. Of the 12 patients who underwent US studies, 6 (50%) had an increased cross-sectional area of the SRN at or immediately proximal to the site of injury/compression. A cyst was located adjacent to the SRN in 2 patients. The most common cause of SRN neuropathy was trauma in 19 (56%) patients, of which 15 were iatrogenic. A compressive etiology was identified in 6 patients (18%). No specific etiology was detected in 10 patients (29%).ConclusionThis study is aimed at raising the awareness among surgeons about the clinical features and varied causes of SRN neuropathy; such knowledge may potentially lessen iatrogenic causes of injury.
Antisaccadic eye movements in middle-aged individuals with a family history of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Peng Anjiao , Lai Wanlin , Liu Zhu , Wang Mingda , Chen Shujuan , Zhao Xia , Zhu Yuanfeng , Chen Lei 
Published: April 2023

BackgroundAntisaccade is closely associated with cognitive ability in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, studies regarding antisaccade in the early stages of AD are scarce. Considering that first-degree family history is a well-established risk factor for AD, we explored the influence of family history on the performance of antisaccade tasks in individuals with normal cognition.MethodsIn total, 44 participants (aged 50–66 years) with a family history of AD (FH+) and 44 age-, gender-, and educational level-matched controls (FH-) were enrolled in our study. After cognitive assessment using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Mini-mental State Examination, participants underwent antisaccade trials, and all parameters were recorded using an eye tracker.ResultsWhile the average velocity was relatively lower in FH+ individuals than in FH− individuals (107.9 ± 14.3°/s vs. 132.9 ± 23.7°/s, p &lt; 0.001), FH+ individuals surprisingly showed relatively fewer uninhibited reflexive saccades (44.7 ± 26.0% vs. 56.2 ± 24.7%, p = 0.037) than the control group. They also required a relatively shorter time to detect and correct false saccades (121.6 ± 40.7 ms vs. 143.9 ± 37.0 ms, p = 0.023).ConclusionsThis study showed that family history is associated with alterations in antisaccadic parameters, suggesting that eye tracking can be used to assess oculomotor control and executive function in individuals at risk of developing dementia.
Altered interaction of physiological activity and behavior affects risky decision-making in ADHD
Authors: Halbe Eva , Kolf Fabian , Heger Alina Sophie , Hüpen Philippa , Bergmann Moritz , Aslan Behrem , Harrison Ben J. , Davey Christopher G. , Philipsen Alexandra , Lux Silke 
Published: April 2023

BackgroundAdult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often associated with risky decision-making behavior. However, current research studies are often limited by the ability to adequately reflect daily behavior in a laboratory setting. Over the lifespan impairments in cognitive functions appear to improve, whereas affective functions become more severe. We assume that risk behavior in ADHD arises predominantly from deficits in affective processes. This study will therefore aim to investigate whether a dysfunction in affective pathways causes an abnormal risky decision-making (DM) behavior in adult ADHD.MethodsTwenty-eight participants with ADHD and twenty-eight healthy controls completed a battery of questionnaires regarding clinical symptoms, self-assessment of behavior and emotional competence. Furthermore, skin conductance responses were measured during the performance in a modified version of the Balloon Analogue Risk Task. A linear mixed-effects model analysis was used to analyze emotional arousal prior to a decision and after feedback display.ResultsResults showed higher emotional arousal in ADHD participants before decision-making (β = −0.12, SE = 0.05, t = −2.63, p &lt; 0.001) and after feedback display (β = −0.14, SE = 0.05, t = −2.66, p = 0.008). Although risky behavior was greater in HC than in ADHD, we found a significant interaction effect of group and anticipatory skin conductance responses regarding the response behavior (β = 107.17, SE = 41.91, t = 2.56, p = 0.011). Post hoc analyses revealed a positive correlation between anticipatory skin conductance responses and reaction time in HC, whereas this correlation was negative in ADHD. Self-assessment results were in line with the objective measurements.ConclusionWe found altered changes in physiological activity during a risky decision-making task. The results confirm the assumption of an aberrant relationship between bodily response and risky behavior in adult ADHD. However, further research is needed with respect to age and gender when considering physiological activities.
The increased functional connectivity between the locus coeruleus and supramarginal gyrus in insomnia disorder with acupuncture modulation
Authors: Chen Zhaoyi , Jiang Tongfei , Yin Xuejiao , Li Bin , Tan Zhongjian , Guo Jing 
Published: April 2023

BackgroundInsomnia disorder (ID) seriously affects the quality of people’s daily life, and acupuncture is an effective therapy for it. As an essential component of the upward activation system, the locus coeruleus (LC) plays a crucial role in sleep–wake regulation, its aberrant functional connectivity (FC) is found to be involved in ID. The purpose of this study was to explore the modulation effect of acupuncture on the resting state FC of LC in ID patients.Methods60 ID patients were recruited and randomly assigned to real acupuncture (RA) or sham acupuncture (SA) treatment. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data were collected before and after the treatment. With LC as the region of interest, the FC method was adopted to examine acupuncture-related modulation of intrinsic connectivity in ID patients. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Hyperarousal Scale (HAS), and actigraphy were used to assess sleep quality and cortical hyperarousal states. Associations between clinical outcomes and FC features were calculated using Pearson’s correlation analysis.ResultsThe improvement in sleep quality and hyperarousal in the RA group was greater than that in the SA group. After treatment, the FC between the LC and left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) decreased in the RA group. The FC between the LC and left insula and supramarginal gyrus (SMG) was higher in the RA group. The change of LC FC values with the SMG was negatively associated with the change in PSQI scores.ConclusionAcupuncture can modulate FC between the LC and IFG, insular gyrus, and SMG. This may imply the potential mechanism of acupuncture treatment for insomnia.
cFOS expression in the prefrontal cortex correlates with altered cerebral metabolism in developing germ-free mice
Authors: Pate Trinity , Anthony Daniel C. , Radford-Smith Daniel E. 
Published: April 2023

IntroductionThe microbiota plays a critical role in modulating various aspects of host physiology, particularly through the microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) axis. However, the mechanisms that transduce and affect gut-to-brain communication are still not well understood. Recent studies have demonstrated that dysbiosis of the microbiome is associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms, which are common complications of metabolic syndrome. Germ-free (GF) animal models offer a valuable tool for studying the causal effects of microbiota on the host.MethodsWe employed gene expression and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomic techniques to investigate the relationships between brain plasticity and immune gene expression, peripheral immunity, and cerebral and liver metabolism in GF and specific pathogen-free (SPF) mice.ResultsOur principal findings revealed that brain acetate (p = 0.012) was significantly reduced in GF relative to SPF mice, whereas glutamate (p = 0.0013), glutamine (p = 0.0006), and N-acetyl aspartate (p = 0.0046) metabolites were increased. Notably, cFOS mRNA expression, which was significantly decreased in the prefrontal cortex of GF mice relative to SPF mice (p = 0.044), correlated with the abundance of a number of key brain metabolites altered by the GF phenotype, including glutamate and glutamine.DiscussionThese results highlight the connection between the GF phenotype, altered brain metabolism, and immediate-early gene expression. The study provides insight into potential mechanisms by which microbiota can regulate neurotransmission through modulation of the host’s brain and liver metabolome, which may have implications for stress-related psychiatric disorders such as anxiety.
A Clinical Trial of the Effects of a Dietary Pattern on Health Metrics and Fecal Metabolites in Volunteers With Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Han Kunchen , Ma Jinke , Dou Junxia , Hao Dan , Zhu Wenjun , Yu Xiaohan , Zheng Wenxuan , Song Yao , Shi Fengcui , Li Quanyang 
Published: April 2023

Graphical AbstractSchematic diagram of the study design (2 weeks dietary intervention, single arm intervention).