bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Detection of reproducible QTL associated with bioenergy traits in sorghum across several growing environments
Authors: Teingtham Kanokwan , Braun David M. , Benjamin Babst , Dweikat Ismail M 
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is a promising bioenergy crop. To increase the productivity of this crop, marker-assisted breeding will be important to advance its genetic improvement. The objective of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with several bioenergy-related traits in sweet sorghum that include flowering time, plant height, total biomass, stem diameter, stem moisture percentage, and brix. We used 188 F7 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between a sweet sorghum (Wray) and a grain sorghum (Macia). The RILs and their parental lines were grown at two locations. Genotyping-by-sequencing analysis of the RILs allowed for the construction of a map with 979 single nucleotide polymorphisms. Using the inclusive composite interval mapping of additive QTL, a major QTL for flowering time was detected on chromosome 6, and explained 29.45% of the phenotypic variances (PVE). Major QTL for plant height (29.51% PVE) and total biomass yield (16.46% PVE) were detected on chromosome 7, and QTL for stem diameter (9.43% PVE) were detected on chromosome 1. Several QTL for brix were associated with sugar transporter genes, providing candidate genes for further study. For example, a major QTL for brix (39.92% PVE) was detected on chromosome 3 consistently across four environments. In total, 21 QTL for five traits were detected across four environments using ICIM-ADD. The identified QTL in this study should aid in the development of lines and hybrids of sorghum that are suitable for the production of bioenergy.
Perfluorooctanoic acid exposure and its neurodegenerative consequences
Authors: Khosravi Azadeh , Mousavi Mahboobeh Kafi , Soltani Masoud , Aliomrani Mehdi 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background: Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a member of Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), an industrial pollutant that has been produced for decades and widely used in various industries. Accumulation of this compound in the environment and body of organisms led to increased concerns about this compound. The toxic effects of PFOA on the nervous system are unknown, yet. We aimed to assess the myelination and neurogenesis in brain tissue.
Method and Materials: In this study, PFOA at doses of 1, 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg were injected intraperitoneally into C57BL/6J mice for 14 days, and the myelin content, CD4 + and CD8 + cell infiltration to brain regions were evaluated. Also, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling was performed to compare neurogenesis among the groups.
Results: The LFB stating revealed a significant decrease in myelin content in both gender at high concentrations (p<0.001). The impaired neurogenesis was observed in both genders especially females which was highly related to the dose and region of the brain. The infiltration rates of CD4+ and CD8+ cells to the brain were shown to be decreased meanwhile the lymphocyte count was not significantly changed among groups over time and vice versa for the monocyte and neutrophils.
Conclusion: Our results showed that PFOA had a negative impact on neurogenesis and the myelination process through the specific region of the brain depending on the dose and gender. Also, PFOA could disturb the number of CD4+ and CD8+ cells infiltrating the brain, which plays a crucial role in neurogenesis, leading to toxicity and neurological abnormalities. It seems that more research is needed to determine the exact mechanisms of PFOA neurotoxicity and its long-term behavioral consequences.
A novel approach to subtypes of developmental dyscalculia
Authors: Pedemonte Bettina , Watson Christa , Borghesani Valentina , Ebbert Morgan , Allen Isabel , Pinheiro-Chagas Pedro , De Leon Jessica , Miller Zac , Tee Boon Lead , Tempini Maria Luisa Gorno 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Developmental dyscalculia (DD) is an heterogenous neurodevelopmental learning disability that manifests as persistent difficulties in learning mathematics. DD can occur in isolation but is often diagnosed as a co-occurring difficulty in children with language-based learning disabilities. Basic cognitive and neuroimaging findings suggest different subtypes of dyscalculia exist. However, a comprehensive theoretical framework that provides accepted terminology and clinical criteria to design appropriate interventions is still lacking.
We developed a comprehensive battery of cognitive tests, the UCSF Dyscalculia Subtyping Battery (DSB), aiming at identifying deficits in four distinct mathematical domains: number processing, arithmetical procedures, arithmetic facts retrieval, and geometrical abilities.
The mathematical abilities of a cohort of 75 children aged 7 to 16, referred to the UCSF Dyslexia Center for a language-based neurodevelopmental disorder, were initially evaluated using a behavioral neurology approach. A team of professional clinicians classified children with difficulties in mathematics in four groups, depending on their parents’ and teachers’ reported symptoms and clinical history, in one of the following domains: number processing, arithmetical procedures, arithmetic facts retrieval and geometrical abilities. The 75 children and 18 typically developing control children were then evaluated with the DSB to identify which subtests of the battery better represented each group. We describe the detailed profiles of four cases, each of them representative of deficits in one of the four domains, and report the pattern of impairment in the overall cohort.
Our results show that a neuroscience-based DD evaluation battery enables identification of subtypes acknowledging the multidimensional nature of the disorder. If corroborated in large samples, these findings can pave the way for novel diagnostic approaches, consistent subtype classification, and ultimately personalized interventions.
Study on spatio-temporal variation and hydrological connectivity of tidal creeks evolution in Yancheng coastal wetlands
Authors: Zhou Shiwei , Wang Cheng , Li Yufeng , Huang Wanchun , Jia Yue , Wang Yuqing , Xu Wei , Qiu Chunqi , Liu Hongyu 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Tidal creek is an important natural carrier of hydrological connectivity in coastal wetlands, and an important channel for material exchange between sea and land. Based on the remote sensing image data from 1987 to 2020, the spatio-temporal divergence patterns of tidal creek network and its hydrological connectivity were revealed. The results showed that: (1) The morphology of tidal creeks was similar to the “tree-shaped” development, and the tidal creeks at all grades tended to be “short, fragmented and parallelized” during 1987–2020. and the number, density of the tidal creeks showed an increasing trend year by year. (2) The development degree of tidal creek networks showed a trend of gradually increasing from north to south, with the tidal creek development in areas II and V showing the good network development characteristics. (3) The spatial heterogeneity of hydrological connectivity levels of tidal creeks in the study area was obvious, which gradually increased from the north to south, with the best in the southern Area V and the worst in the northern Area I. The results of this study revealed the development process and evolution mechanism of the tidal creek networks in coastal wetlands.
RBM15 suppresses hepatic insulin sensitivity of offspring of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Mice via m6A-mediated regulation of CLDN4
Authors: Fang Jie , Wu Xiafei , He Jie , Zhang Hanwen , Chen Xuyang , Zhang Hua , Novakovic Boris , QI Hongbo , Yu Xinyang 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background: Gestational diabetes Mellitus (GDM)is a common pregnancy-specific disease with high morbidity, which is linked to a high risk of obesity and diabetes in offspring. N6-methyladenosine modification of RNA is emerging as an important epigenetic mechanism that is widely manifested in many diseases. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of m6A methylation in metabolic syndrome in offspring result from intrauterine hyperglycemia.
Methods: GDM mice were established by feeding a high-fat diet 2 weeks before pregnancy. The m6A RNA methylation quantification kit was used to detect liver tissue methylation levels. PCR array was used to determine the expression of the m6A methylation modification enzyme. Immunohistochemistry, qRT-PCR, and western blot were used to examine the expression of RBM15, METTL13, IGF2BP1, and IGF2BP2. Subsequently, methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing combined with mRNA sequencing, followed by dot blot and glucose uptake tests, were performed.
Results: In this study, we found that offspring from a GDM mother were more vulnerable to glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. GC-MS revealed significant metabolic changes including saturated fatty acids and unsaturated fatty acids in liver of GDM offspring. We also demonstrated that global mRNA m6A methylation level was significantly increased in the fetal liver of GDM mice, indicating epigenetic change may have a strong relationship with the mechanism of metabolism syndrome. Concordantly, RBM15, the RNA binding methyltransferase, was upregulated in the liver. In vitro, RBM15 suppressed insulin sensitivity and increased insulin resistance through m6A-regulated epigenetic inhabitation of CLDN4. Moreover, MeRIP-sequencing and mRNA-sequencing revealed that differently regulated genes with differential m6A peaks were enriched in metabolic pathways.
Conclusion: Our study revealed the essential role of RBM15 in insulin resistance and the effect of RBM15-regulated m6A modification in the metabolic syndrome of offspring of GDM mice.
CDX-2 expression correlates with clinical outcomes in MSI-H metastatic colorectal cancer patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors
Authors: Ziranu Pina , Pretta Andrea , Pozzari Marta , Maccioni Antonio , Badiali Manuela , Fanni Daniela , Lai Eleonora , Donisi Clelia , Persano Mara , Gerosa Clara , Puzzoni Marco , Bardanzellu Fabio , Ambu Rossano , Pusceddu Valeria , Dubois Marco , Cerrone Giulia , Migliari Marco , Murgia Sara , Spanu Dario , Pretta Gianluca , Aimola Valentina , Balconi Francesca , Murru Stefania , Faa Gavino , Scartozzi Mario 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) showed efficacy in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) with mismatch-repair deficiency or high microsatellite instability (dMMR-MSI-H). Unfortunately, a patient’s subgroup did not benefit from immunotherapy. CDX-2 would seem to influence immunotherapy’s sensitivity, potentially being a biomarker of ICIs efficacy. Therefore, we investigated its role as a prognostic-predictive marker in patients with mCRC MSI-H.
Materials and Methods
We retrospectively collected data from 14 MSI-H mCRC patients treated with ICIs between 2018 and 2021. The primary endpoint was the Progression-Free-Survival (PFS) rate at 12 months. The secondary endpoints were Overall Survival (OS), PFS, objective response rate (ORR), and disease control rate (DCR).
Results
The PFS rate at 12 months was 80% in CDX-2-positive patients vs 0% in CDX-2-negative patients (p = 0.003). The median PFS was not reached (NR) in the CDX-2-positive group versus 2.07 months (95%CI 2.07to10.8) in CDX-2-negative patients (p = 0.0003). Median OS was NR in CDX-2-positive patients versus 2.17 months (95%CI 2.17to18.7) in CDX2-negative patients (p = 0.0262). All CDX-2-positive patients achieved a disease response, one of them a complete response. Among CDX-2-negative patients, one achieved stable disease, while the other progressed rapidly (ORR:100%v0%, p = 0.0005; DCR: 100%vs50%, p = 0.02). Pembrolizumab in the first-line did not reach the median PFS, and it achieved a median PFS of 10.8 months (95%CI 10,8to12,1; p = 0.04) in third-line treatment.
Conclusion
Our analysis confirms the prognostic role of CDX-2 in CRC and suggests a promising predictive role in defining the immuno-sensitive population. Modulating the CDX-2/CXCL14 axis in CDX-2-negative patients could be useful in overcoming primary resistance to immunotherapy.
Object detection and size determination of pineapple fruit input to a juicing factory in Eastern Cape, South Africa: A deep learning approach
Authors: Harris Jessica , Er Şebnem 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
This research presents a deep learning approach to determine pineapple size from images, to identify the instances of pineapples, and subsequently to extract fruit dimensions using the OpenCV library. This was achieved by first detecting pineapples in each image using Mask Region-based Convolutional Neural Network (Mask R-CNN) and then extracting the pixel diameter and length measurements, and the projected areas from the detected mask outputs. Various Mask R-CNNs were considered for the task of pineapple detection. The best-performing detector (Model 4: COCO Fliplr Res50) made use of MS COCO starting weights, a ResNet50 CNN backbone, and horizontal flipping data augmentation during the training process. This model achieved a validation AP@[0.5:0.05:0.95] of 0.914 and a test AP@[0.5:0.05:0.95] of 0.901, and was used to predict masks for an unseen dataset containing images of pre-measured pineapples. The distributions of measurements extracted from the detected masks were compared to those of the manual measurements using two-sample Z-tests and Kolmogorov–Smirnov (KS) tests. There was sufficient similarity between the distributions, and it was therefore established that the reported method is appropriate for pineapple size determination in this context.
Temperature and leaching effects of Zeolite-X derived from Kaolin
Authors: Mgbemere Henry E. , Ovri Henry , Sargent Anna-Lisa 
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Zeolites are microporous materials that find a lot of applications in today’s world due to their different properties. In this research, the effect of different calcination temperatures (700oC and 900oC) and acid leaching (7% and 15% dilution) on zeolite-X crystals has been investigated using the hydrothermal method. The results from the different sample characterization show that the SiO2/Al2O3ratio is approximately 5.6 while the Infrared spectra indicate that Zeolite-X was produced with slight shifts in the wavenumbers. The diffraction patterns show that in addition to the formation of zeolite-X crystals, other phases were also obtained. The thermal analysis indicates that the zeolite is stable below 500oC. Thermogravimetric study shows that after about 200oC, only about 13% of the mass was lost. The differential thermal analyzer indicates that the samples followed the same trend until a temperature of 300oC where the samples calcined at 700oC had a positive heat loss while the samples calcined at 900oC had a negative heat loss. The BET analyses show that the zeolite from samples calcined at 700oC had lower adsorption-desorption isotherms compared to those at 900oC. The pore volume and sizes of the former were also lower than those of the latter. These results have shown that leached kaolin is effective in producing zeolite-X samples.
Individual consistency in the learning abilities of honey bees: Cognitive specialization within sensory and reinforcement modalities
Authors: Finke Valerie , Scheiner Ricarda , Giurfa Martin , Avarguès-Weber Aurore 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThe question of whether individuals perform consistently across a variety of cognitive tasks is relevant for studies of comparative cognition. The honey bee (Apis mellifera) is an appropriate model to study cognitive consistency as its learning can be studied in multiple elemental and non-elemental learning tasks. We took advantage of this possibility and studied if the ability of honey bees to learn a simple discrimination correlates with their ability to solve two tasks of higher complexity, reversal learning and negative patterning. We performed four experiments in which we varied the sensory modality of the stimuli (visual or olfactory) and the type (Pavlovian or operant) and complexity (elemental or non-elemental) of conditioning to examine if stable correlated performances could be observed across experiments. Across all experiments, the individual’s proficiency to learn the simple discrimination task was positively correlated with the performance in both reversal learning and negative patterning, while the performances in reversal learning and negative patterning were not correlated. These results suggest that this pattern of correlated and independent performances across the learning paradigms tested represent a distinct cognitive characteristic of bees. Further research is necessary to examine if this pattern of individual cognitive consistency can be found in other insect species as a common characteristic of insect brains.
Effects of Food on the Pharmacokinetics and Bioequivalence of Oseltamivir Phosphate for Suspension and TAMIFLU® in Healthy Chinese Subjects：A randomized, open-label Clinical Trial.
Authors: Wang Ying , Tang Zhongbang , Xie Jing , Wang Xiaoqin , Ren Peng , Wu Guangmei , He Cuixia , Zhu Minhui , Su Yue , Ding Jiaxiang , Xu Yuanyuan , Fan Ling , Ge Qin , Ding Yuzhou , Zhu Juan , Liu Bingyan , Shan Rongfang , Zhou Huan 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Purpose Oseltamivir is mainly used for the treatment and prevention of influenza. The study was aimed at evaluating the bioequivalence and safety of oseltamivir phosphate suspension (Oselavir®), provided by Shenzhen Beimei Pharmaceutical Co.Ltd. and manufactured by Hetero Labs Limited, and the reference product TAMIFLU®in healthy Chinese subjects.
Methods A single-dose, randomized, open-label, two-phase, two-sequence, self-crossed model was adopted. Among 80 healthy subjects, 40 were maintain an empty stomach before took medication while the other 40 had the opposite. Subjects were randomized into the above two groups according to the proportion of 1:1, administered 75 mg/12.5 mL Oselavir® or TAMIFLU®, and cross-administered after 7 days.
Results The Tmaxof two oseltamivir products in the fasting group were 1.50 h and 1.25 h, and t1/2were 3.34 h and 3.67 h, respectively. The Tmax of two oseltamivir products in the fed group were both 1.25 h, and t1/2 were 6.18 h and 7.23 h, respectively. Geometrically adjusted mean ratios of the PK parameters (Cmax, AUC0-t, AUC0-∞) of Oselavir® along with TAMIFLU® under fasting and postprandial conditions were in the range of 80.00-125.00% at the 90% confidence interval. Among the subjects on medication, a total of 18 subjects reported 27 adverse events (AEs), all of which were treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), six of these TEAEs were rated as grade 2 in severity and the rest were as grade 1.
Conclusion Two Oseltamivir phosphate suspensions are safe and bioequivalent as food had no effect on the pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence in healthy subjects.
Molecular and Thermodynamic Insights into Interfacial Interactions Between Collagen and Cellulose Investigated by Molecular Dynamics Simulation and Umbrella Sampling
Authors: Ma Huaiqin , Shi Qingwen , Li Xuhua , Ren Junli , Li Zhijian , Ning Lulu 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Cellulose/collagen composites have been widely used in biomedicine and tissue engineering. Interfacial interactions are crucial in determining the final properties of cellulose/collagen composite. Molecular dynamics simulations were carried out to gain insights into the interactions between cellulose and collagen. It has been found that the structure of collagen remained intact during adsorption. The results derived from umbrella sampling showed that (110) and (1-10) faces exhibited the strongest affinity with collagen, (100) face came the second and (010) the last, which could be attributed to the surface roughness and hydrogen-bonding linkers involved water molecules. Cellulose planes with flat surfaces and the capability to form hydrogen-bonding linkers produce stronger affinity with collagen. The occupancy of hydrogen bonds formed between cellulose and collagen was low and not significantly contributive to the binding affinity. These findings provided insights into the interactions between cellulose and collagen at the molecular level, which may guide the design and fabrication of cellulose/collagen composites.
Adolescents’ Sexual and Reproductive Health Promoting Strategies: the Aspects of Preparatory Schools in Addis Ababa City Administration.(School Based Qualitative Study)
Authors: Birru Tadesse Gossaye , David Professor Mphuthi Ditaba 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background: Adolescents and young people don’t hesitate to make any decisions pertaining to their sexual and reproductive health matters without sufficiently examining the consequences and taking precautions to protect themselves. Fewer studies have been conducted in Ethiopia to assess school adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health behaviours despite the fact that, their number is continuously mounting across all corners of the country.
The purpose of this study was therefore to improve the sexual and reproductive health needs of preparatory school adolescents in Addis Ababa city administration through provision of vibrant and effective adolescent specific sexual and reproductive health service strategies.
Methods: The study employed a qualitative study design to explore in-depth understanding and insights about school adolescents risky sexual behaviors. A series of open ended questionnaires were used to collect data from the participants. A step by step computerassisted qualitative data analysis software (CAQDAS) was used to transcribe collected data.
Results: The study has documented that, significant number of preparatory school adolescents in Addis Ababa were lacking adequate knowledge about their sexual and reproductive health issues. They were the most neglected and passive to make informed decision despite quite a lot of them were engaged in risky sexual practices. Their health service seeking behavior was very low; health service providers were not well equipped, the existing health services were mal-distributed and adult centered.
Conclusions: Fairly large numbers of preparatory school students in Addis Ababa were suffering from unpleasant consequences resulting from risky and harmful sexual practices. Unprotected sex leading to unintended teenage pregnancy, attempt to terminate pregnancy usually reported to be unsafe, sexually transmitted infection, school drop-out, physical and psychological abuses were reported by the participants left and right. Given the findings of the study, the researcher has developed aadolescents sexual and reproductive health promoting strategies under the corresponding thematic areas after it was validated by a group of qualified and experienced experts and their feedbacks have been incorporated for enrichment.