bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The complexity of simple counting: ERP findings reveal early perceptual and late numerical processes in different arrangements
Authors: Akbari Shadi , Soltanlou Mojtaba , Sabourimoghaddam Hassan , Nuerk Hans-Christoph , Leuthold Hartmut 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe counting process can only be fully understood when taking into account the visual characteristics of the sets counted. Comparing behavioral data as well as event-related brain potentials (ERPs) evoked by different task-irrelevant arrangements of dots during an exact enumeration task, we aimed to investigate the effect of illusory contour detection on the counting process while other grouping cues like proximity were controlled and dot sparsity did not provide a cue to the numerosity of sets. Adult participants (N = 37) enumerated dots (8–12) in irregular and two different types of regular arrangements which differed in the shape of their illusory dot lattices. Enumeration speed was affected by both arrangement and magnitude. The type of arrangement influenced an early ERP negativity peaking at about 270 ms after stimulus onset, whereas numerosity only affected later ERP components (> 300 ms). We also observed that without perceptual cues, magnitude was constructed at a later stage of cognitive processing. We suggest that chunking is a prerequisite for more fluent counting which influences automatic processing (< 300 ms) during enumeration. We conclude that the procedure of exact enumeration depends on the interaction of several perceptual and numerical processes that are influenced by magnitude and arrangement.
Intensity distribution segmentation in ultrafast Doppler combined with scanning laser confocal microscopy for assessing vascular changes associated with ageing in murine hippocampi
Authors: Anzibar Fialho Maximiliano , Vázquez Alberdi Lucia , Martínez Mariana , Calero Miguel , Baranger Jerome , Tanter Mickael , Damián Juan Pablo , Negreira Carlos , Rubido Nicolás , Kun Alejandra , Brum Javier 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe hippocampus plays an important role in learning and memory, requiring high-neuronal oxygenation. Understanding the relationship between blood flow and vascular structure—and how it changes with ageing—is physiologically and anatomically relevant. Ultrafast Doppler ($$\mu$$
μ
Doppler) and scanning laser confocal microscopy (SLCM) are powerful imaging modalities that can measure in vivo cerebral blood volume (CBV) and post mortem vascular structure, respectively. Here, we apply both imaging modalities to a cross-sectional and longitudinal study of hippocampi vasculature in wild-type mice brains. We introduce a segmentation of CBV distribution obtained from $$\mu$$
μ
Doppler and show that this mice-independent and mesoscopic measurement is correlated with vessel volume fraction (VVF) distribution obtained from SLCM—e.g., high CBV relates to specific vessel locations with large VVF. Moreover, we find significant changes in CBV distribution and vasculature due to ageing (5 vs. 21 month-old mice), highlighting the sensitivity of our approach. Overall, we are able to associate CBV with vascular structure—and track its longitudinal changes—at the artery-vein, venules, arteriole, and capillary levels. We believe that this combined approach can be a powerful tool for studying other acute (e.g., brain injuries), progressive (e.g., neurodegeneration) or induced pathological changes.
Association of zoonotic protozoan parasites with microplastics in seawater and implications for human and wildlife health
Authors: Zhang Emma , Kim Minji , Rueda Lezlie , Rochman Chelsea , VanWormer Elizabeth , Moore James , Shapiro Karen 
Published: April 2022

AbstractPlastics are widely recognized as a pervasive marine pollutant. Microplastics have been garnering increasing attention due to reports documenting their ingestion by animals, including those intended for human consumption. Their accumulation in the marine food chain may also pose a threat to wildlife that consume species that can accumulate microplastic particles. Microplastic contamination in marine ecosystems has thus raised concerns for both human and wildlife health. Our study addresses an unexplored area of research targeting the interaction between plastic and pathogen pollution of coastal waters. We investigated the association of the zoonotic protozoan parasites Toxoplasma gondii, Cryptosporidium parvum, and Giardia enterica with polyethylene microbeads and polyester microfibers. These pathogens were chosen because they have been recognized by the World Health Organization as underestimated causes of illness from shellfish consumption, and due to their persistence in the marine environment. We show that pathogens are capable of associating with microplastics in contaminated seawater, with more parasites adhering to microfiber surfaces as compared with microbeads. Given the global presence of microplastics in fish and shellfish, this study demonstrates a novel pathway by which anthropogenic pollutants may be mediating pathogen transmission in the marine environment, with important ramifications for wildlife and human health.
Blockade of inhibitory killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors and IL-2 triggering reverses the functional hypoactivity of tumor-derived NK-cells in glioblastomas
Authors: Sönmez Cüneyt , Wölfer Johannes , Holling Markus , Brokinkel Benjamin , Stummer Walter , Wiendl Heinz , Thomas Christian , Schulte-Mecklenbeck Andreas , Grauer Oliver M. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractKiller cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) comprise a group of highly polymorphic inhibitory receptors which are specific for classical HLA class-I molecules. Peripheral blood and freshly prepared tumor cell suspensions (n = 60) as well as control samples (n = 32) were investigated for the distribution, phenotype, and functional relevance of CD158ab/KIR2DL1,-2/3 expressing NK-cells in glioblastoma (GBM) patients. We found that GBM were scarcely infiltrated by NK-cells that preferentially expressed CD158ab/KIR2DL1,-2/3 as inhibitory receptors, displayed reduced levels of the activating receptors CD335/NKp46, CD226/DNAM-1, CD159c/NKG2C, and showed diminished capacity to produce IFN-γ and perforin. Functional hypoactivity of GBM-derived NK-cells persisted despite IL-2 preactivation. Blockade with a specific KIR2DL-1,2/3 monoclonal antibody reversed NK-cell inhibition and significantly enhanced degranulation and IFN-γ production of IL-2 preactivated NK-cells in the presence of primary GBM cells and HLA-C expressing but not HLA class-I deficient K562 cells. Additional analysis revealed that significant amounts of IL-2 could be produced by tumor-derived CD4+ and CD8+CD45RA- memory T-cells after combined anti-CD3/anti-CD28 stimulation. Our data indicate that both blockade of inhibitory KIR and IL-2 triggering of tumor-derived NK-cells are necessary to enhance NK-cell responsiveness in GBM.
Droplet motion on sonically excited hydrophobic meshes
Authors: Abubakar Abba Abdulhamid , Yilbas Bekir Sami , Al-Qahtani Hussain , Alzaydi Ammar 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe sonic excitation of the liquid droplet on a hydrophobic mesh surface gives rise to a different oscillation behavior than that of the flat hydrophobic surface having the same contact angle. To assess the droplet oscillatory behavior over the hydrophobic mesh, the droplet motion is examined under the external sonic excitations for various mesh screen aperture ratios. An experiment is carried out and the droplet motion is recorded by a high-speed facility. The findings revealed that increasing sonic excitation frequencies enhance the droplet maximum displacement in vertical and horizontal planes; however, the vertical displacements remain larger than those of the horizontal displacements. The resonance frequency measured agrees well with the predictions and the excitation frequency at 105 Hz results in a droplet oscillation mode (n) of 4. The maximum displacement of the droplet surface remains larger for the flat hydrophobic surface than that of the mesh surface with the same contact angle. In addition, the damping factor is considerably influenced by the sonic excitation frequencies; hence, increasing sonic frequency enhances the damping factor, which becomes more apparent for the large mesh screen aperture ratios. The small-amplitude surface tension waves create ripples on the droplet surface.
Metamaterial sensor based on rectangular enclosed adjacent triple circle split ring resonator with good quality factor for microwave sensing application
Authors: Islam Md. Rashedul , Islam Mohammad Tariqul , M. M. Salaheldeen , Bais Badariah , Almalki Sami H. A. , Alsaif Haitham , Islam Md. Shabiul 
Published: April 2022

AbstractIn this article, a novel shaped metamaterial sensor is presented for the recognition of various oils, fluids, and chemicals using microwave frequency. The performance of the designed sensor structure has been studied both theoretically and experimentally, and it works well. A new sample holder for convenient operation is created and located just behind the designed structure. The results of this study performed better than those of prior liquids sensing studies. Various designs were explored using the Genetic Algorithm (GA), and it is embedded in the Computer Simulation Technology (CST) microwave studio, to optimize the optimal dimensions of the resonator. The suggested metamaterial sensor has a good-quality factor and sensitivity in both frequency shifting and amplitude changing. The resonance frequency shifted to 100 MHz between olive and corn oils, 70 MHz between sunflower and palm oils, 80 MHz between clean and waste brake fluids, and 90 MHz between benzene and carbon-tetrachloride chemicals. The quality factor of the sensor is 135, sensitivity is 0.56, and the figure of merit is 76 which expresses its efficient performance. Furthermore, the proposed sensor can sensitively distinguish different liquids by using the frequency shifting property. The study was carried out in three stages: dielectric constant (DK) measurement with the N1500A dielectric measurement kit, simulation of the structure, and experimental test study with the vector network analyzer. Since the recommended sensor has high sensitivity, good quality factor, and excellent performance, hence it can be used in chemical, oil, and microfluidic industries for detecting various liquid samples.
Application of Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer as a non-invasive biomarker for probing liver disease
Authors: Tangvoraphonkchai Kawin , Suttichaimongkol Tanita , Kularbkaew Churairat , Sangaimwibool Prakasit , Sukeepaisarnjaroen Wattana 
Published: April 2022

AbstractLiver disease remains a major critical challenge in Thailand due to viral hepatitis. Clinical management requires close monitoring of liver fibrosis severity. Non-invasive testing is an attractive method for probing of disease progression. Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) is a novel serum marker for fibrosis staging. The current study evaluates the marker among healthy donors and hepatitis C (HCV) patients. 100 HCV subjects were evaluated by liver biopsy. These patients had varying fibrosis severity based on METAVIR scores. Healthy donors were confirmed based on normal liver functions tests. Comparisons of M2BPGi levels among different study groups were performed and the effectiveness was evaluated using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves. Using liver biopsy as the reference standard, median M2BPGi levels in HCV cases were 0.74, 1.38 and 2.88 COI for F0-1, F2 and > F3 cases respectively. In healthy donors, the baseline values ranged 0.1–0.24 COI and statistically lower than liver disease cases profiled using M2BPGi. ROC analysis demonstrated superior results for M2BPGi levels among diseased populations and healthy controls. AUROC was determined at 0.983. Comparing with other non-invasive tests, M2BPGi showed a positive linear trend that indicated a strong match to existing methodologies. M2BPGi addresses a critical need in the management of liver disease by providing straightforward means to probe fibrosis severity. In this study, we found significant differences between hepatitis C and healthy subjects and established the background level in healthy donors.
Glioma facilitates the epileptic and tumor-suppressive gene expressions in the surrounding region
Authors: Komiyama Kazuki , Iijima Keiya , Kawabata-Iwakawa Reika , Fujihara Kazuyuki , Kakizaki Toshikazu , Yanagawa Yuchio , Yoshimoto Yuhei , Miyata Shigeo 
Published: April 2022

AbstractPatients with glioma often demonstrate epilepsy. We previously found burst discharges in the peritumoral area in patients with malignant brain tumors during biopsy. Therefore, we hypothesized that the peritumoral area may possess an epileptic focus and that biological alterations in the peritumoral area may cause epileptic symptoms in patients with glioma. To test our hypothesis, we developed a rat model of glioma and characterized it at the cellular and molecular levels. We first labeled rat C6 glioma cells with tdTomato, a red fluorescent protein (C6-tdTomato), and implanted them into the somatosensory cortex of VGAT-Venus rats, which specifically expressed Venus, a yellow fluorescent protein in GABAergic neurons. We observed that the density of GABAergic neurons was significantly decreased in the peritumoral area of rats with glioma compared with the contralateral healthy side. By using a combination technique of laser capture microdissection and RNA sequencing (LCM-seq) of paraformaldehyde-fixed brain sections, we demonstrated that 19 genes were differentially expressed in the peritumoral area and that five of them were associated with epilepsy and neurodevelopmental disorders. In addition, the canonical pathways actively altered in the peritumoral area were predicted to cause a reduction in GABAergic neurons. These results suggest that biological alterations in the peritumoral area may be a cause of glioma-related epilepsy.
A TRIzol-based method for high recovery of plasma sncRNAs approximately 30 to 60 nucleotides
Authors: Rodgers Kristen P. , Hulbert Alicia , Khan Hamza , Shishikura Maria , Ishiyama Shun , Brock Malcolm V. , Mei Yuping 
Published: April 2022

AbstractProtein functional effector sncRNAs (pfeRNAs) are approximately 30–60 nucleotides (nt), of which the extraction method from plasma has not yet been reported. Silver staining in a high-resolution polyacrylamide gel suggested that the majority of plasma sncRNAs extracted by some broadly used commercial kits were sncRNAs from 100 nt upwards. Additionally, TRIzol’s protocol is for long RNA but not sncRNA recovery. Here, we report a TRIzol-based frozen precipitation method (TFP method), which shows rigor and reproducibility in high yield and quality for plasma sncRNAs approximately 30–60 nt. In contrast to the yields by the commercial kit, plasma sncRNAs extracted by the TFP method enriched more sncRNAs. We used four different pfeRNAs of 34 nt, 45 nt, 53 nt, and 58 nt to represent typical sizes of sncRNAs from 30 to 60 nt and compared their levels in the recovered sncRNAs by the TFP method and by the commercial kit. The TFP method showed lower cycle threshold (CT) values by 2.01–9.17 cycles in 38 plasma samples from 38 patients, including Caucasian, Asian, African American, Latin, Mexican, and those who were a mix of more than one race. In addition, pfeRNAs extracted by two organic-based extraction methods and four commercial kits were undetermined in 22 of 38 samples. Thus, the quick and unbiased TFP method enriches plasma sncRNA ranging from 30 to 60 nt.
Season of birth has no effect on symptoms of depression and anxiety in older adults
Authors: Csajbók Zsófia , Kagstrom Anna , Cermakova Pavla 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThere remains a lack of conclusive evidence as to the merit of season of birth as a predictor of mental illness across contexts. We studied 72,370 individuals (55% women; mean age 66) from the Survey on Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe. Depressive symptoms were assessed with EURO-D scale and symptoms of anxiety with modified Beck Anxiety Inventory. Multilevel modeling was used to assess the association of season of birth as well as month of birth with symptoms of depression and anxiety, by sex and region. Adjusting for sex and age, month of birth explained only 0.01% to 0.07% of anxiety and depressive symptoms with non-significant improvement in the overall models; using season of birth instead of month of birth added 0.00% to 0.04% of explained variance. When stratified by sex and European region, age explained 0.23% to 5.19% of anxiety and depressive symptoms; the addition of month of birth or season of birth improved the models by negligible amount. Season of birth and month of birth are not reliable predictors of anxiety and depression across the life course.
Definition of the snoring episode index based on the analyses of snoring parameters and the apnea hypopnea index
Authors: Kim Su Geun , Cho Sung-Woo , Kim Jeong-Whun 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAlthough snoring is the most common subjective symptom in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), an international consensus on the definition of snoring is lacking. This study aimed to define snoring by analyzing correlations between snoring parameters and the apnea hypopnea index (AHI). We retrospectively analyzed the polysomnography data of patients with OSA. A snoring event was defined when airflow pressure was > 200 microbar. We included four snoring parameters. Snoring percentage was defined as the cumulative time of snoring events divided by total sleep time. A snoring episode was defined as the occurrence of ≥ 3 consecutive snoring events, and the snoring episode index was defined as the number of snoring episodes per hour. The average and longest durations of snoring episodes were also investigated. The study enrolled 5035 patients. Their mean AHI was 26.5/h and the mean snoring episode index was 19.2/h. Although the four snoring parameters showed significant correlations with the AHI, the snoring episode index showed the strongest positive correlation with the AHI (r = 0.741, P < 0.001). The snoring episode index may be used as a definition of snoring from the perspective of a highly positive correlation with the AHI.
An electroencephalography connectome predictive model of major depressive disorder severity
Authors: Kabbara Aya , Robert Gabriel , Khalil Mohamad , Verin Marc , Benquet Pascal , Hassan Mahmoud 
Published: April 2022

AbstractEmerging evidence showed that major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with disruptions of brain structural and functional networks, rather than impairment of isolated brain region. Thus, connectome-based models capable of predicting the depression severity at the individual level can be clinically useful. Here, we applied a machine-learning approach to predict the severity of depression using resting-state networks derived from source-reconstructed Electroencephalography (EEG) signals. Using regression models and three independent EEG datasets (N = 328), we tested whether resting state functional connectivity could predict individual depression score. On the first dataset, results showed that individuals scores could be reasonably predicted (r = 0.6, p = 4 × 10–18) using intrinsic functional connectivity in the EEG alpha band (8–13 Hz). In particular, the brain regions which contributed the most to the predictive network belong to the default mode network. We further tested the predictive potential of the established model by conducting two external validations on (N1 = 53, N2 = 154). Results showed statistically significant correlations between the predicted and the measured depression scale scores (r1 = 0.52, r2 = 0.44, p < 0.001). These findings lay the foundation for developing a generalizable and scientifically interpretable EEG network-based markers that can ultimately support clinicians in a biologically-based characterization of MDD.
Rapid proteolysis of gluten-derived immunogenic peptides in bread by actinidin in a combined in vivo and in vitro oro-gastrointestinal digestion model
Authors: Jayawardana Isuri A. , Boland Mike J. , Loo Trevor S. , McNabb Warren C. , Montoya Carlos A. 
Published: April 2022

This study determined whether actinidin, a cysteine protease in green kiwifruit, can hydrolyse wheat proteins and gluten-derived immunogenic peptides in a food matrix (bread) using a combined in vivo and in vitro oro-gastrointestinal tract model.
Bioaccessibility of essential lipophilic nutrients in a chloroplast-rich fraction (CRF) from agricultural green waste during simulated human gastrointestinal tract digestion
Authors: Wattanakul Jutarat , Syamila Mansor , Darwish Randa , Gedi Mohamed A. , Sutcharit Poramat , Chi Chao , Akepach Patchaniya , Sahaka Moulay , Gontero Brigitte , Carrière Frédéric , Gray David A. 
Published: April 2022

The lipophilic nutrients in a chloroplast-rich fraction derived from pea vine postharvest field-residue are released in an in vitro digestion model; the extent of their release (bioaccessibility) is affected by heat-treatment of biomass or juice.
Lipocalin 2 potentially contributes to tumorigenesis from colitis via IL-6/STAT3/NF-κB signaling pathway
Authors: Kim Se Lim , Shin Min Woo , Seo Seung Young , Kim Sang Wook 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Lipocalin (LCN) 2 (LCN2), a member of the lipocalin superfamily, plays an important role in oncogenesis and progression in various types of cancer. However, the role of LCN2 in inflammation-associated cancer remains unknown. Here, we explored the functional role and mechanisms of LCN2 in tumorigenesis using murine colitis-associated cancer (CAC) models and human colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. Using murine CAC models, we found that LCN2 was preferentially expressed in colonic tissues from CAC models compared with tissues from normal mice. In vitro results demonstrated that the levels of LCN2 mRNA and protein were markedly up-regulated by interleukin (IL) 6 (IL-6) in human CRC cells. Interestingly, we found LCN2 up-regulation by IL-6 is diminished by nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) inhibition using specific inhibitors and small interfering RNA (siRNA). Reporter assay results determined that IL-6 induces LCN2 gene promoter activity under control of NF-κB/STAT3 activation. IL-6-induced LCN2 regulated cell survival and susceptibility of developmental factors to the NF-κB/STAT3 pathway. Taken together, our results highlight the unknown role of LCN2 in CAC progression and suggest that increased LCN2 may serve as an indicator of CRC development in the setting of chronic inflammation.