bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dynamics of maternal gene expression in Rhodnius prolixus
Authors: Pascual Agustina , Rivera-Pomar Rolando 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe study of developmental processes in Rhodnius prolixus has recently advanced with the sequencing of the genome. In this work, we analyze the maternal gene expression driving oogenesis and early embryogenesis in R. prolixus. We examined the transcriptional profile of mRNAs to establish the genes expressed across the ovary, unfertilized eggs and different embryonic stages of R. prolixus until the formation of the germ band anlage (0, 12, 24, and 48 h post egg laying). We identified 81 putative maternal and ovary-related genes and validated their expression by qRT-PCR. We validate the function of the ortholog gene Bicaudal-D (Rp-BicD) by in situ hybridization and parental RNAi. Consistent with a role in oogenesis and early development of R. prolixus, we show that lack of Rp-BicD does not significantly affect oogenesis but impairs the formation of the blastoderm. Based on our findings, we propose three times of action for maternal genes during oogenesis and embryogenesis in R. prolixus.
Novel use of FDA-approved drugs identified by cluster analysis of behavioral profiles
Authors: Tucker Edmister Sara , Del Rosario Hernández Thaís , Ibrahim Rahma , Brown Cameron A. , Gore Sayali V. , Kakodkar Rohit , Kreiling Jill A. , Creton Robbert 
Published: April 2022

AbstractRepurposing FDA-approved drugs is an efficient and cost-effective approach in the development of therapeutics for a broad range of diseases. However, prediction of function can be challenging, especially in the brain. We screened a small-molecule library with FDA-approved drugs for effects on behavior. The studies were carried out using zebrafish larvae, imaged in a 384-well format. We found that various drugs affect activity, habituation, startle responses, excitability, and optomotor responses. The changes in behavior were organized in behavioral profiles, which were examined by hierarchical cluster analysis. One of the identified clusters includes the calcineurin inhibitors cyclosporine (CsA) and tacrolimus (FK506), which are immunosuppressants and potential therapeutics in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. The calcineurin inhibitors form a functional cluster with seemingly unrelated drugs, including bromocriptine, tetrabenazine, rosiglitazone, nebivolol, sorafenib, cabozantinib, tamoxifen, meclizine, and salmeterol. We propose that drugs with ‘CsA-type’ behavioral profiles are promising candidates for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
Alterations of mucosa-attached microbiome and epithelial cell numbers in the cystic fibrosis small intestine with implications for intestinal disease
Authors: Kelly Jennifer , Al-Rammahi Miran , Daly Kristian , Flanagan Paul K. , Urs Arun , Cohen Marta C. , di Stefano Gabriella , Bijvelds Marcel J. C. , Sheppard David N. , de Jonge Hugo R. , Seidler Ursula E. , Shirazi-Beechey Soraya P. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractCystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. Defective CFTR leads to accumulation of dehydrated viscous mucus within the small intestine, luminal acidification and altered intestinal motility, resulting in blockage. These changes promote gut microbial dysbiosis, adversely influencing the normal proliferation and differentiation of intestinal epithelial cells. Using Illumina 16S rRNA gene sequencing and immunohistochemistry, we assessed changes in mucosa-attached microbiome and epithelial cell profile in the small intestine of CF mice and a CF patient compared to wild-type mice and non-CF humans. We found increased abundance of pro-inflammatory Escherichia and depletion of beneficial secondary bile-acid producing bacteria in the ileal mucosa-attached microbiome of CFTR-null mice. The ileal mucosa in a CF patient was dominated by a non-aeruginosa Pseudomonas species and lacked numerous beneficial anti-inflammatory and short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria. In the ileum of both CF mice and a CF patient, the number of absorptive enterocytes, Paneth and glucagon-like peptide 1 and 2 secreting L-type enteroendocrine cells were decreased, whereas stem and goblet cell numbers were increased. These changes in mucosa-attached microbiome and epithelial cell profile suggest that microbiota-host interactions may contribute to intestinal CF disease development with implications for therapy.
Tuning riboflavin derivatives for photodynamic inactivation of pathogens
Authors: Crocker Leander B. , Lee Ju Hyun , Mital Suraj , Mills Gabrielle C. , Schack Sina , Bistrović-Popov Andrea , Franck Christoph O. , Mela Ioanna , Kaminski Clemens F. , Christie Graham , Fruk Ljiljana 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe development of effective pathogen reduction strategies is required due to the rise in antibiotic-resistant bacteria and zoonotic viral pandemics. Photodynamic inactivation (PDI) of bacteria and viruses is a potent reduction strategy that bypasses typical resistance mechanisms. Naturally occurring riboflavin has been widely used in PDI applications due to efficient light-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) release. By rational design of its core structure to alter (photo)physical properties, we obtained derivatives capable of outperforming riboflavin’s visible light-induced PDI against E. coli and a SARS-CoV-2 surrogate, revealing functional group dependency for each pathogen. Bacterial PDI was influenced mainly by guanidino substitution, whereas viral PDI increased through bromination of the flavin. These observations were related to enhanced uptake and ROS-specific nucleic acid cleavage mechanisms. Trends in the derivatives’ toxicity towards human fibroblast cells were also investigated to assess viable therapeutic derivatives and help guide further design of PDI agents to combat pathogenic organisms.
Factors influencing the uptake of short-term contraceptives among women in Afghanistan
Authors: Noormal Ahmad Siyar , Winkler Volker , Eshraqi Ali Maisam , Deckert Andreas , Sadaat Iftekhar , Dambach Peter 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe aim of this study is to assess factors that influence the uptake of short-term contraceptives among married women aged between 15 and 49 years in Afghanistan. The cross-sectional Afghanistan 2015 Demographic and Health Survey provided the dataset for this analysis. We included 22,974 women and applied multivariable logistic regression to investigate the influencing factors for the uptake of short-term contraceptives. 92% of Afghan women knew at least one type of short-term contraception but only 17% were using short term contraceptives. Short term contraceptive use was most prevalent among women in the age group between 30 and 40 who were educated, employed, and rich. Most of the users were living in the western parts of Afghanistan and women from the Balooch and Pashtun ethnic groups were most likely to use short-term contraceptives. Media exposure and women empowerment were also positively associated with the use of short-term contraceptives. We did not find an association with living in urban or rural settings. Contraception promotion in Afghanistan requires multisectoral efforts, tailored to the needs of women from low and middle socioeconomic strata. Health promotion activities, empowering women, strengthening education, and training of service providers on effective counseling are options that should be considered to improve the current situation.
Changes in neural processing and evaluation of negative facial expressions after administration of an open-label placebo
Authors: Schienle Anne , Unger Isabella , Schwab Daniela 
Published: April 2022

AbstractA recent event-related potential (ERP) study found that an open-label placebo (OLP) reduced emotional distress during the viewing of unpleasant scenes and the amplitude of the late positive potential (LPP). The present ERP experiment aimed at a conceptual replication of this finding and investigated OLP effects during affective face processing. The participants (109 females) were presented with images depicting angry and neutral facial expressions after the administration of a saline nasal spray. The spray was either introduced as a placebo that could help reduce the emotional reactions to viewing angry faces (OLP group) or to improve the electrophysiological recordings (Control group). The OLP was associated with reduced LPP amplitudes (1000–6000 ms) to anger expressions across a frontal cluster. Additionally, the OLP reduced LPP amplitudes (400–1000 ms) to both anger and neutral faces across a centroparietal cluster. Compared to the Control group, the OLP group reported less arousal when confronted with angry faces, and rated the anger expressions as less intense. This study demonstrates that an OLP can alter both subjective and neural responses to anger cues. Future research should directly compare OLP treatment with other strategies for emotion regulation (e.g., cognitive reappraisal) to demonstrate the specificity of this approach.
Assessing clinical applicability of COVID-19 detection in chest radiography with deep learning
Authors: Pedrosa João , Aresta Guilherme , Ferreira Carlos , Carvalho Catarina , Silva Joana , Sousa Pedro , Ribeiro Lucas , Mendonça Ana Maria , Campilho Aurélio 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted healthcare systems across the world. Chest radiography (CXR) can be used as a complementary method for diagnosing/following COVID-19 patients. However, experience level and workload of technicians and radiologists may affect the decision process. Recent studies suggest that deep learning can be used to assess CXRs, providing an important second opinion for radiologists and technicians in the decision process, and super-human performance in detection of COVID-19 has been reported in multiple studies. In this study, the clinical applicability of deep learning systems for COVID-19 screening was assessed by testing the performance of deep learning systems for the detection of COVID-19. Specifically, four datasets were used: (1) a collection of multiple public datasets (284.793 CXRs); (2) BIMCV dataset (16.631 CXRs); (3) COVIDGR (852 CXRs) and 4) a private dataset (6.361 CXRs). All datasets were collected retrospectively and consist of only frontal CXR views. A ResNet-18 was trained on each of the datasets for the detection of COVID-19. It is shown that a high dataset bias was present, leading to high performance in intradataset train-test scenarios (area under the curve 0.55–0.84 on the collection of public datasets). Significantly lower performances were obtained in interdataset train-test scenarios however (area under the curve > 0.98). A subset of the data was then assessed by radiologists for comparison to the automatic systems. Finetuning with radiologist annotations significantly increased performance across datasets (area under the curve 0.61–0.88) and improved the attention on clinical findings in positive COVID-19 CXRs. Nevertheless, tests on CXRs from different hospital services indicate that the screening performance of CXR and automatic systems is limited (area under the curve < 0.6 on emergency service CXRs). However, COVID-19 manifestations can be accurately detected when present, motivating the use of these tools for evaluating disease progression on mild to severe COVID-19 patients.
Laponite/amoxicillin-functionalized PLA nanofibrous as osteoinductive and antibacterial scaffolds
Authors: Orafa Zahra , Bakhshi Hadi , Arab-Ahmadi Samira , Irani Shiva 
Published: April 2022

AbstractIn this study, Amoxicillin (AMX) was loaded on laponite (LAP) nanoplates and then immobilized on the surface of electrospun polylactic acid (PLA) nanofibers to fabricate scaffolds with osteoinductive and antibacterial activities. The highest loading efficiency (49%) was obtained when the concentrations of AMX and LAP were 3 mg/mL and 1 mg/mL, respectively. FTIR and XRD spectroscopies and zeta potentiometry confirmed the successful encapsulating of AMX within LAP nanoplates. The immobilization of AMX-loaded LAPs on the surface of PLA nanofibers was verified by SEM and FTIR spectroscopy. In vitro release study showed a two-phase AMX release profile for the scaffolds; an initial burst release within the first 48 h and a later sustained release up to 21 days. In vitro antibacterial tests against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli presented the ability of scaffolds to inhibit the growth of both bacteria. The biocompatibility assays revealed the attachment and viability of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) cultured on the surface of scaffolds (p ≤ 0.05). The increased ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE (ALP) activity (p ≤ 0.001), calcium deposition, and expression of ALP and OSTEONECTIN genes indicated the osteoinductivity of functionalized scaffolds for hBMSCs. These LAP/AMX-functionalized scaffolds might be desirable candida for the treatment of bone defects.
Simultaneous monitoring of the middle cerebral and basilar arteries to detect right-to-left shunts using transcranial Doppler by agitated saline administration
Authors: Kim Min , Park So Young , Hong Ji Man 
Published: April 2022

AbstractTranscranial Doppler (TCD) is an easy, non-invasive, and real-time monitoring device for detecting right-to-left shunts (RLS). Nonetheless, it has limited benefits in patients with poor temporal windows. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether the basilar artery (BA) window was as effective as the middle cerebral artery (MCA) in detecting RLS during TCD monitoring. Overall, we enrolled 344 patients with stroke, transient ischemic attack, headache, or dizziness. MCA and BA were monitored using a modified headset. To investigate the feasibility of the suboccipital window in detecting RLS, we instituted an evaluation tool with three tiers to evaluate microembolic signals (MESs) during TCD monitoring. Tier 1: TCD monitoring of the MCA (bilaterally) in the resting state, tier 2: TCD monitoring of the MCA (bilaterally) while performing the Valsalva maneuver, and tier 3: TCD monitoring of the index MCA and BA while performing the Valsalva maneuver. In tiers 2 and 3, a high agreement rate of 0.808 and 0.809 (p < 0.001), respectively, on the weighted kappa index, and a high intra-class correlation coefficient of 0.982 and 0.986 (p < 0.001), respectively, were observed on detecting MESs. Our data suggests that the BA window is as effective as the MCA window for detecting RLS on TCD.
FT-IR characteristics, phenolic profiles and inhibitory potential against digestive enzymes of 25 herbal infusions
Authors: Wongsa Prinya , Phatikulrungsun Posathon , Prathumthong Sasithon 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe present study aimed to analyse the FT-IR vibrational characteristics and concentration of phenolic compounds in 25 herbal plants using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC) techniques, respectively, and to evaluate its in vitro potential to inhibit enzymes related type 2 diabetes and obesity. The vibrational spectra regions—3400–3200 cm−1—indicated hydroxyl group (O–H) and H-bonded stretching, which is characteristic of polyphenolic compounds. A wide range in phenolic compounds was found among the samples. Caffeic acid is the predominant phenolic compounds in the samples. Total phenolic content ranged from 5.02 mg GAE/g DW to 102.39 mg GAE/g DW. A moderate correlation (R2) between antioxidant activity and α-amylase inhibition was 0.46, (p < 0.05) while that (R2) ofp-coumaric acid and α-glucosidase inhibition was 0.54, (p < 0.05). Moreover, the herbal infusions showed potential to inhibit digestive enzymes, the highest being on the infusion based on a cup-serving basis.
The exceptional preservation of Aix-en-Provence spider fossils could have been facilitated by diatoms
Authors: Olcott Alison N. , Downen Matthew R. , Schiffbauer James D. , Selden Paul A. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractMuch of our understanding of the history of life on Earth comes from fossil sites with exceptional preservation. Here, we use microscopy and chemical analysis of spiders found in the Oligocene Aix-en-Provence Formation, France, to unravel the taphonomic pathway responsible for the preservation of these arachnids. Microscopy revealed the presence of diatom mats and a black polymer on the body of the spiders, while elemental analysis revealed the polymer was composed of co-localized carbon and sulfur. We hypothesize that the extracellular polymeric substances produced by the diatoms found widely in this deposit could have helped promote the sulfurization of the spiders. Additionally, examination of similar Fossil-Lagerstätten reveals that this preservation pathway may be widespread across the Cenozoic and, if so, would be responsible for much of our understanding of insect, arachnid, amphibian, and plant life preserved in lacustrine settings.
Medical data publishing based on average distribution and clustering
Authors: Yi Tong , Shi Minyong , Zhu Haibin 
Published: April 2022

AbstractMost of the data publishing methods have not considered sensitivity protection, and hence the adversary can disclose privacy by sensitivity attack. Faced with this problem, this paper presents a medical data publishing method based on sensitivity determination. To protect the sensitivity, the sensitivity of disease information is determined by semantics. To seek the trade‐off between information utility and privacy security, the new method focusses on the protection of sensitive values with high sensitivity and assigns the highly sensitive disease information to groups as evenly as possible. The experiments are conducted on two real‐world datasets, of which the records include various attributes of patients. To measure sensitivity protection, the authors define a metric, which can evaluate the degree of sensitivity disclosure. Besides, additional information loss and discernability metrics are used to measure the availability of released tables. The experimental results indicate that the new method can provide better privacy than the traditional one while the information utility is guaranteed. Besides value protection, the proposed method can provide sensitivity protection and available releasing for medical data.
Localizing narrow Fe Kαemission within bright AGN
Authors: Andonie Carolina , Bauer Franz E. , Carraro Rosamaria , Arévalo Patricia , Alexander David M. , Brandt William N. , Buchner Johannes , He Adam , Koss Michael J. , Ricci Claudio , Salinas Vicente , Solimano Manuel , Tortosa Alessia , Treister Ezequiel 
Published: April 2022

Context.The 6.4 keV Fe Kαemission line is a ubiquitous feature in X-ray spectra of active galactic nuclei (AGN), and its properties track the interaction between the variable primary X-ray continuum and the surrounding structure from which it arises.Aims.We clarify the nature and origin of the narrow Fe Kαemission using X-ray spectral, timing, and imaging constraints, plus possible correlations to AGN and host galaxy properties, for 38 bright nearby AGN (z < 0.5) from the Burst Alert Telescope AGN Spectroscopic Survey.Methods.ModelingChandraandXMM-Newtonspectra, we computed line full-width half-maxima (FWHMs) and constructed Fe Kαline and 2–10 keV continuum light curves. The FWHM provides one estimate of the Fe Kαemitting region size,RFeKα, assuming virial motion. A second estimate comes from comparing the degree of correlation between the variability of the continuum and line-only light curves, compared to simulated light curves. Finally, we extractedChandraradial profiles to place upper limits onRFeKα.Results.For 90% (21/24) of AGN with FWHM measurements,RFeKαis smaller than the fiducial dust sublimation radius,Rsub. From timing analysis, 37 and 18 AGN show significant continuum and Fe Kαvariability, respectively. Despite a wide range of variability properties, the constraints on the Fe Kαphoton reprocessor size independently confirm thatRFeKαis smaller thanRsubin 83% of AGN. Finally, the imaging analysis yields loose upper limits for all but two sources; notably, the Circinus Galaxy and NGC 1068 show significant but subdominant extended Fe Kαemission out to ∼100 and ∼800 pc, respectively.Conclusions.Based on independent constraints, we conclude that the majority of the narrow Fe Kαemission in typical AGN predominantly arises from regions smaller than and presumably insideRsub, and thus it is associated either with the outer broad line region or outer accretion disk. However, the large diversity of continuum and narrow Fe Kαvariability properties are not easily accommodated by a universal scenario.
Ram pressure stripping in the z  ∼  0.5 galaxy cluster MS 0451.6-0305
Authors: Durret F. , Degott L. , Lobo C. , Ebeling H. , Jauzac M. , Tam S.-I. 
Published: April 2022

Context. The pressure exerted by the ambient hot X-ray gas on cluster galaxies can lead to the presence of ram pressure stripped (RPS) galaxies, characterized by asymmetric shapes, and, in some cases, tails of blue stars and/or X-ray gas, with increased star formation.
Aims. With the aim of increasing the known sample of RPS galaxies at redshift z ∼ 0.5, notably higher than most RPS samples presently known, we extended our searches for such galaxies to the cluster MS 0451.6-0305.
Methods. Our study is based on Hubble Space Telescope (HST) imaging in the F814W band (corresponding to a restframe wavelength of 529 nm), covering a region of about 6 × 6 Mpc2, an eight magnitude ground-based catalogue with photometric redshifts, and a spectroscopic redshift catalogue. We defined as cluster members a spectroscopic redshift sample of 359 galaxies within ±4σv of the mean cluster velocity, and a photometric redshift sample covering the [0.48, 0.61] range. We searched for RPS galaxies in the HST images and tested the error on their classification with a Zooniverse collaboration. We also computed the phase space diagram of RPS candidates in the spectroscopic sample. Finally, we ran the LePhare stellar population synthesis code through the GAZPAR interface to analyze and compare the properties of RPS and non-RPS galaxies.
Results. We find 56 and 273 RPS candidates in the spectroscopic and photometric redshift samples, respectively. They are distributed throughout the cluster and tend to avoid high density regions. The phase space diagram gives the percentages of virialized, backsplash, and infall galaxies. RPS galaxy candidates typically show rather high star formation rates, young ages, and relatively low masses. We compare all our results to those previously obtained for the massive merging cluster MACS J0717+3745, at a similar redshift.
Conclusions. This study increases by at least 56 objects if we only consider galaxies with spectroscopic redshifts, and probably much more if galaxies with photometric redshifts are taken into account. This study increases the number of RPS candidates at redshift z > 0.5, and confirms that they host, on average, younger stellar populations and strongly form stars when compared with non-RPS counterparts. The fact that RPS candidates with spectroscopic and with photometric redshifts have comparable properties shows that large samples of such objects could be gathered based on multi-band photometry only, a promising result in view of the very large imaging surveys planned in the coming years (DES, Euclid, LSST, etc.).