bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increased interleukin-6 levels associated with malaria infection and disease severity: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wilairatana Polrat , Mala Wanida , Milanez Giovanni De Jesus , Masangkay Frederick Ramirez , Kotepui Kwuntida Uthaisar , Kotepui Manas 
Published: April 2022

AbstractInterleukin-6 (IL-6) is generated by immune cells during infection with malaria parasites and they are associated with the immunopathogenesis of malaria. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the differences in IL-6 levels between several groups of patients with malaria and healthy control groups. The systematic review was registered at PROSPERO with a registration number: CRD42021290753. Systematic literature searches were conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus until November 7, 2021 to obtain studies that documented IL-6 levels in patients with malaria. The quality of the included studies was assessed using critical appraisal tools from the Joanna Briggs Institute. Differences in the mean IL-6 levels among patients with: (1) severe and non-severe malaria, (2) uncomplicated malaria and controls, (3) uncomplicated and asymptomatic malaria, (4) asymptomatic malaria and healthy controls, and (5) those that died or survived were estimated using a random-effects model. Forty-three of 1,969 studies were included in the systematic review. Results of the meta-analysis showed that patients with severe malaria had higher mean IL-6 levels than those with non-severe malaria [P = 0.04, weight mean difference (WMD) = 96.63 pg/mL, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.88 − 19.38 pg/mL,I2 = 99.9%, 13 studies]. Patients with uncomplicated malaria had higher mean IL-6 levels than the controls (P < 0.001, WMD = 42.86 pg/mL, 95% CI = 30.17 − 55.56 pg/mL,I2 = 100%, 17 studies). No differences in the mean levels of IL-6 were found between patients with uncomplicated malaria and those with asymptomatic malaria (P = 0.063, WMD = 42.07 pg/mL, 95% CI =  − 2.23 pg/mL to − 86.37 pg/mL,I2 = 99.1%, 8 studies), or between patients with asymptomatic malaria and healthy controls (P = 0.45, WMD = 1.67 pg/mL, 95% CI =  − 2.73 pg/mL to − 6.07 pg/mL,I2 = 98.1%, 2 studies). A higher mean level of IL-6 was observed in patients who died compared with the levels of those who survived (P = 0.007, WMD = 1,399.19 pg/mL, 95% CI = 384.16 − 2,414.2 pg/mL,I2 = 93.1%, 4 studies). Our meta-analysis of the pooled evidence can be used to guide future studies in which IL-6 levels are measured during malaria outbreaks to monitor malaria severity. Heterogeneity of the effect estimate among the included studies was the main limitation of this analysis. In conclusion, significantly increased levels of IL-6 were observed in patients with severe malaria compared with those in patients with non-severe malaria, which indicates that IL-6 is a candidate marker for severe malaria. Future studies should investigate the sensitivity and specificity of increased IL-6 levels to determine the effectiveness of assessments of IL-6 levels monitoring of malaria infection and severity.
Two-step discriminant analysis based multi-view polarimetric SAR image classification with high confidence
Authors: Imani Maryam 
Published: April 2022

AbstractPolarimetric synthetic aperture radar (PolSAR) image classification is a hot topic in remote sensing field. Although recently many deep learning methods such as convolutional based networks have provided great success in PolSAR image classification, but they need a high volume of labeled samples, which are not usually available in practice, or they cause a high computational burden for implementation. In this work, instead of spending cost for network training, the inherent nature of PolSAR image is used for generation of convolutional kernels for extraction of deep and robust features. Moreover, extraction of diverse scattering characteristics contained in the coherency matrix of PolSAR and fusion of their output classification results with a high confidence have high impact in providing a reliable classification map. The introduced method called discriminative features based high confidence classification (DFC) utilizes several approaches to deal with difficulties of PolSAR image classification. It uses a multi-view analysis to generate diverse classification maps with different information. It extracts deep polarimetric-spatial features, consistent and robust with respect to the original PolSAR data, by applying several pre-determined convolutional filters selected from the important regions of image. Convolutional kernels are fixed without requirement to be learned. The important regions are determined with selecting the key points of image. In addition, a two-step discriminant analysis method is proposed to reduce dimensionality and result in a feature space with minimum overlapping and maximum class separability. Eventually, a high confidence decision fusion is implemented to find the final classification map. Impact of multi-view analysis, selection of important regions as fixed convolutional kernels, two-step discriminant analysis and high confidence decision fusion are individually assessed on three real PolSAR images in different sizes of training sets. For example, the proposed method achieves 96.40% and 98.72% overall classification accuracy by using 10 and 100 training samples per class, respectively in L-band Flevoland image acquired by AIRSAR. Generally, the experiments show high efficiency of DFC compared to several state-of-the-art methods especially for small sample size situations.
Dopamine receptor 1 expressing B cells exert a proinflammatory role in female patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Wieber Karolin , Fleige Leonie , Tsiami Styliani , Reinders Jörg , Braun Jürgen , Baraliakos Xenofon , Capellino Silvia 
Published: April 2022

AbstractRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic rheumatic disease with a clear sex-bias. Recent data indicated a role for dopamine in RA pathogenesis, while dopaminergic pathways can be modulated by estrogens. As defined mechanism of action of dopamine on B cell function in RA are unclear, we aimed to elucidate this, with special focus on sex-differences. Healthy controls (HC, n = 64) and RA patients (n = 61) were recruited. Expression of D1–D5 dopamine receptors (DRs) was investigated by flow cytometry on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). D1-like DRs were stimulated in vitro to assess effects on B cell activation and proliferation. Secretion of cytokines and dopamine content were measured by ELISA. All DRs were expressed on PBMCs of HC and RA patients. Dopamine content in PBMCs, and frequency of D1DR expressing B cells were significantly higher in RA females (p < 0.001). Expression of D1DR on RA B cells correlated positively with disease duration and severity only in women. Combined B cell and D1-like DR stimulation induced higher IL-8 and CCL-3 secretion from PBMCs of female RA patients compared to HC. These results indicate sex-specific differences in dopaminergic pathway in RA, with a proinflammatory feature of the D1DR pathway in women.
A note on factor normalization for deep neural network models
Authors: Qi Haobo , Zhou Jing , Wang Hansheng 
Published: April 2022

AbstractDeep neural network (DNN) models often involve high-dimensional features. In most cases, these high-dimensional features can be decomposed into two parts: a low-dimensional factor and residual features with much-reduced variability and inter-feature correlation. This decomposition has several interesting theoretical implications for DNN training. Based on these implications, we develop a novel factor normalization method for better performance. The proposed method leads to a new deep learning model with two important characteristics. First, it allows factor-related feature extraction, and second, it allows for adaptive learning rates for factors and residuals. These model features improve the convergence speed on both training and testing datasets. Multiple empirical experiments are presented to demonstrate the model’s superior performance.
Up-regulation of ST18 in pemphigus vulgaris drives a self-amplifying p53-dependent pathomechanism resulting in decreased desmoglein 3 expression
Authors: Assaf Sari , Vodo Dan , Malovitski Kiril , Mohamad Janan , Bergson Shir , Feller Yarden , Malki Liron , Sarig Ofer , Sprecher Eli 
Published: April 2022

AbstractPemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a life-threatening autoimmune mucocutaneous blistering disease which is to a large extent genetically determined, and results, at least in part, from the deleterious activity of autoantibodies directed against desmoglein (DSG)3, a prominent intra-epidermal adhesion molecule. Those autoantibodies lead to decreased membranal DSG3 expression in keratinocytes (KCs), thereby destabilizing cell–cell adhesion within the epidermis and leading to blister formation. We previously showed that rs17315309, a strong risk variant for PV within the promoter of the ST18 transcription factor gene, promotes epidermal ST18 up-regulation in a p53/p63-dependent manner. Accordingly, ST18 was found to be overexpressed in the skin of PV patients. Increased ST18 expression was then shown to markedly augment PV autoantibodies-mediated loss of KCs cohesion. Here, we demonstrate that ST18 overexpression significantly increases autoantibody-mediated DSG3 down-regulation in keratinocytes. In addition, DSG3 decreased expression boosts p53 function through p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) activation and dramatically augments p53-dependent ST18 promoter activity. Finally, the PV risk variant rs17315309 is associated with increased p53 expression in PV skin. Taken collectively, these observations reveal a novel self-amplifying pathomechanism involving ST18, DSG3, p38 and p53, capable of perpetuating disease activity, and therefore indicative of novel actionable molecular targets in PV.
Ischemia during rest intervals between sets prevents decreases in fatigue during the explosive squat exercise: a randomized, crossover study
Authors: Trybulski Robert , Jarosz Jakub , Krzysztofik Michal , Lachowicz Milena , Trybek Grzegorz , Zajac Adam , Wilk Michal 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe study aimed to evaluate the impact of ischemia, used only before particular sets of a lower limb resistance exercise on power output. Ten healthy resistance-trained males (age = 26 ± 6 years; body mass = 90 ± 9 kg; training experience = 9 ± 7 years) performed two experimental sessions (with ischemia; control without ischemia) following a randomized crossover design. During the ischemic condition, the cuffs were inflated to 60% of arterial occlusion pressure. The cuffs were applied before each set for 4.5 min and released 30 s before the start of the set as the reperfusion (4.5 min ischemia + 0.5 min reperfusion). In the control condition, ischemia was not applied. During the experimental sessions, the subjects performed the Keiser machine squat exercise protocol which consisted of 5 sets of two repetitions, at a load of 60% of one-repetition maximum (1RM), with 5 min rest intervals between sets. The repetitions were performed with maximal velocity. The two-way repeated-measures ANOVA showed a statistically significant interaction effect for power output (p < 0.01; η2 = 0.26). There was also a statistically significant main effect of condition for power output (p = 0.02; η2 = 0.40). The post hoc analysis for interaction did not show significant differences between conditions in particular sets. The post hoc analysis for the main effect of the condition revealed that power output was significantly lower in the control group compared to the group where ischemic was used (p = 0.02). The t-test comparisons for particular sets showed a significant lower power output in set 3 (p = 0.03); set 4 (p < 0.01) and set 5 (p < 0.01) for the control condition when compared to the ischemic condition. The results indicate that ischemia applied before each set and released 30 s prior to the start of the squat exercise did not increase power output performance. However, we observed a significantly lower decline in power for the ischemic condition (4.5 min ischemia + 0.5 min reperfusion) in sets 3–5 compared to the control condition. Thus repeated ischemia with reperfusion used between sets can be an effective form of performance enhancement by preventing or at least diminishing fatigue during resistance exercise.
Alteration of cortical functional networks in mood disorders with resting-state electroencephalography
Authors: Kim Sungkean , Baek Ji Hyun , Shim Se-hoon , Kwon Young Joon , Lee Hwa Young , Yoo Jae Hyun , Kim Ji Sun 
Published: April 2022

AbstractStudies comparing bipolar disorder (BD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) are scarce, and the neuropathology of these disorders is poorly understood. This study investigated source-level cortical functional networks using resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) in patients with BD and MDD. EEG was recorded in 35 patients with BD, 39 patients with MDD, and 42 healthy controls (HCs). Graph theory-based source-level weighted functional networks were assessed via strength, clustering coefficient (CC), and path length (PL) in six frequency bands. At the global level, patients with BD and MDD showed higher strength and CC, and lower PL in the high beta band, compared to HCs. At the nodal level, compared to HCs, patients with BD showed higher high beta band nodal CCs in the right precuneus, left isthmus cingulate, bilateral paracentral, and left superior frontal; however, patients with MDD showed higher nodal CC only in the right precuneus compared to HCs. Although both MDD and BD patients had similar global level network changes, they had different nodal level network changes compared to HCs. Our findings might suggest more altered cortical functional network in patients with BD than in those with MDD.
A candidate material EuSn2As2-based terahertz direct detection and imaging
Authors: Liu Changlong , Liu Yi , Chen Zhiqingzi , Zhang Shi , Shi Chaofan , Li Guanhai , Yu Xiao , Xu Zhiwei , Zhang Libo , Zhao Wenchao , Chen Xiaoshuang , Lu Wei , Wang Lin 
Published: April 2022

AbstractExploring the photoelectric performance of emerging materials represented by graphene, black phosphorus and transition metal dichalcogenides is attracting enormous research interest for a wide range of electronic and photonic applications. The realization of low-power consuming photodetectors with high sensitivity and fast photoresponse in the terahertz band remains one of the profound challenges in optoelectronics. In this study, a material-EuSn2As2 has been successfully implemented to realize highly sensitive terahertz photodetectors. The non-equilibrium dynamics in a two-dimensional plane allow an optionally switching between different styles of direct photon-conversions: the analogous photoconductive and photovoltaic modes spontaneously supported by the intrinsic electronic system. The prototype devices exhibited excellent sensitivity of 0.2–1.6 A/W (0.3–2.4 kV/W) from 0.02 to 0.30 THz at room temperature, corresponding to a noise-equivalent power <30pW/Hz0.5 and a fast response time <16 μs. The versatile switching behaviour and performance of the EuSn2As2 flakes-based terahertz detectors were validated via rigorous full-dimension and imaging experiments. These results open the feasibility avenues for low-energy photoelectronic applications of EuSn2As2 material.
Suppression of trabecular meshwork phagocytosis by norepinephrine is associated with nocturnal increase in intraocular pressure in mice
Authors: Ikegami Keisuke , Masubuchi Satoru 
Published: April 2022

AbstractIntraocular pressure (IOP) is an important factor in glaucoma development, which involves aqueous humor (AH) dynamics, with inflow from the ciliary body and outflow through the trabecular meshwork (TM). IOP has a circadian rhythm entrained by sympathetic noradrenaline (NE) or adrenal glucocorticoids (GCs). Herein, we investigated the involvement of GC/NE in AH outflow. Pharmacological prevention of inflow/outflow in mice indicated a diurnal outflow increase, which was related to TM phagocytosis. NE showed a non-self-sustained inhibition in phagocytosis of immortalized human TM cells, but not GC. The pharmacological and reverse genetic approaches identified β1-adrenergic receptor (AR)-mediated exchange proteins directly activated by cyclic adenosine monophosphate (EPAC)-SHIP1 signal activation by ablation of phosphatidylinositol triphosphate, regulating phagocytic cup formation. Furthermore, we revealed the phagocytosis involvement in the β1-AR-EPAC-SHIP1-mediated nocturnal IOP rise in mice. These suggest that TM phagocytosis suppression by NE can regulate IOP rhythm through AH outflow. This discovery may aid glaucoma management.
Interaction effects of the 5-HTT and MAOA-uVNTR gene variants on pre-attentive EEG activity in response to threatening voices
Authors: Martínez Róger Marcelo , Liao Tsai-Tsen , Fan Yang-Teng , Chen Yu-Chun , Chen Chenyi 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBoth the serotonin transporter polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) and the monoamine oxidase A gene (MAOA-uVNTR) are considered genetic contributors for anxiety-related symptomatology and aggressive behavior. Nevertheless, an interaction between these genes and the pre-attentive processing of threatening voices –a biological marker for anxiety-related conditions– has not been assessed yet. Among the entire sample of participants in the study with valid genotyping and electroencephalographic (EEG) data (N = 140), here we show that men with low-activity MAOA-uVNTR, and who were not homozygous for the 5-HTTLPR short allele (s) (n = 11), had significantly larger fearful MMN amplitudes –as driven by significant larger ERPs to fearful stimuli– than men with high-activity MAOA-uVNTR variants (n = 20). This is in contrast with previous studies, where significantly reduced fearful MMN amplitudes, driven by increased ERPs to neutral stimuli, were observed in those homozygous for the 5-HTT s-allele. In conclusion, using genetic, neurophysiological, and behavioral measurements, this study illustrates how the intricate interaction between the 5-HTT and the MAOA-uVNTR variants have an impact on threat processing, and social cognition, in male individuals (n = 62).
Crystalline hydrogen bonding of water molecules confined in a metal-organic framework
Authors: Bae Jinhee , Park Sun Ho , Moon Dohyun , Jeong Nak Cheon 
Published: April 2022

AbstractHydrogen bonding (H-bonding) of water molecules confined in nanopores is of particular interest because it is expected to exhibit chemical features different from bulk water molecules due to their interaction with the wall lining the pores. Herein, we show a crystalline behavior of H-bonded water molecules residing in the nanocages of a paddlewheel metal-organic framework, providing in situ and ex situ synchrotron single-crystal X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy studies. The crystalline H-bond is demonstrated by proving the vibrational chain connectivity arising between hydrogen bond and paddlewheel Cu−Cu bond in sequentially connected Cu–Cu·····coordinating H2O·····H-bonded H2O and by proving the spatial ordering of H-bonded water molecules at room temperature, where they are anticipated to be disordered. Additionally, we show a substantial distortion of the paddlewheel Cu2+-centers that arises with water coordination simultaneously. Also, we suggest the dynamic coordination bond character of the H-bond of the confined water, by which an H-bond transitions to a coordination-bond at the Cu2+-center instantaneously after dissociating a previously coordinated H2O.
Predictions of the Distance Running Performances of Female Runners
Using Different Tools
Authors: Lerebourg Lucie , Guignard Brice , L’Hermette Maxime , Held Eric , Coquart Jérémy Bernard 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThis study examined the validity and compared the precision and accuracy of a
distance-time linear model (DTLM), a power law and a nomogram to predict the
distance running performances of female runners. Official rankings of French
women (“senior” category: between 23 and 39 years old) for the
3000-m, 5000-m, and 10,000-m track-running events from 2005 to 2019 were
examined. Performances of runners who competed in the three distances during the
same year were noted (n=158). Mean values and standard deviation (SD) of
actual performances were 11.28±1.33, 19.49±2.34 and
41.03±5.12 for the 3000-m, 5000-m, and 10,000-m respectively. Each
performance was predicted from two other performances. Between the actual and
predicted performances, only DTLM showed a difference (p<0.05).
The magnitude of the differences in these predicted performances was small if
not trivial. All predicted performances were significantly correlated with the
actual ones, with a very high correlation coefficient (p<0.001;
r>0.90), except for DTLM in the 3000-m, which showed a high
correlation coefficient (p<0.001; r>0.895). Bias
and 95% limits of agreement were acceptable because, whatever the
method, they were≤–3.7±10.8% on the 3000-m,
1.4±4.3% on the 5000-m, and -2.5±7.4% on the
10,000-m. The study confirms the validity of the three methods to predict
track-running performance and suggests that the most accurate and precise model
was the nomogram followed by the power law, with the DTLM being the least
accurate.
Effects of Prestretch on Neonatal Peripheral Nerve: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Singh Anita , Majmudar Tanmay , Magee Rachel , Gonik Bernard , Balasubramanian Sriram 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackground Characterizing the biomechanical failure responses of neonatal peripheral nerves is critical in understanding stretch-related peripheral nerve injury mechanisms in neonates.Objective This in vitro study investigated the effects of prestretch magnitude and duration on the biomechanical failure behavior of neonatal piglet brachial plexus (BP) and tibial nerves.Methods BP and tibial nerves from 32 neonatal piglets were harvested and prestretched to 0, 10, or 20% strain for 90 or 300 seconds. These prestretched samples were then subjected to tensile loading until failure. Failure stress and strain were calculated from the obtained load-displacement data.Results Prestretch magnitude significantly affected failure stress but not the failure strain. BP nerves prestretched to 10 or 20% strain, exhibiting significantly lower failure stress than those prestretched to 0% strain for both prestretch durations (90 and 300 seconds). Likewise, tibial nerves prestretched to 10 or 20% strain for 300 seconds, exhibiting significantly lower failure stress than the 0% prestretch group. An effect of prestretch duration on failure stress was also observed in the BP nerves when subjected to 20% prestretch strain such that the failure stress was significantly lower for 300 seconds group than 90 seconds group. No significant differences in the failure strains were observed. When comparing BP and tibial nerve failure responses, significantly higher failure stress was reported in tibial nerve prestretched to 20% strain for 300 seconds than BP nerve.Conclusion These data suggest that neonatal peripheral nerves exhibit lower injury thresholds with increasing prestretch magnitude and duration while exhibiting regional differences.