bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thermal acclimation and metabolic scaling of a groundwater asellid in the climate change scenario
Authors: Di Lorenzo Tiziana , Reboleira Ana Sofia P. S. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractMetabolic rate has long been used in animal adaptation and performance studies, and individual oxygen consumption is used as proxy of metabolic rate. Stygofauna are organisms adapted to groundwater with presumably lower metabolic rates than their surface relatives. How stygofauna will cope with global temperature increase remains unpredictable. We studied the thermal acclimation and metabolic scaling with body mass of a stygobitic crustacean,Proasellus lusitanicus, in the climate change scenario. We measured oxygen consumption rates in a thermal ramp-up experiment over four assay temperatures and tested two hypotheses: (i)P. lusitanicusexhibits narrow thermal plasticity, inadequate for coping with a fast-increasing thermal regime; and (ii) oxygen consumption rates scale with the body mass by a factor close to 0.75, as commonly observed in other animals. Our results show thatP. lusitanicushas low thermal plasticity in a fast-increasing thermal regime. Our data also suggest that oxygen consumption rates of this species do not follow mass-dependent scaling, potentially representing a new trait of metabolic optimization in groundwater habitats, which are often limited in food and oxygen. Species with limited dispersal capacities and rigid metabolic guilds face extinction risk due to climate change and omitting groundwater ecosystems from climate change agendas emphasizes the unprotected status of stygofauna.
Greater central airway luminal area in people with COVID-19: a case–control series
Authors: Jeltema Jeffrey L. , Gorman Ellen K. , Ovrom Erik A. , Ripoll Juan G. , Dominelli Paolo B. , Joyner Michael J. , Welch Brian T. , Senefeld Jonathon W. , Wiggins Chad C. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractRespiratory epithelium in the conducting airways of the human body is one of the primary targets of SARS-CoV-2 infection, however, there is a paucity of studies describing the association between COVID-19 and physical characteristics of the conducting airways. To better understand the pathophysiology of COVID-19 on the size of larger conducting airways, we determined the luminal area of the central airways in patients with a history of COVID-19 compared to a height-matched cohort of controls using a case–control study design. Using three-dimensional reconstruction from low-dose high-resolution computed tomography, we retrospectively assessed airway luminal cross-sectional area in 114 patients with COVID-19 (66 females, 48 males) and 114 healthy, sex- and height-matched controls (66 females, 48 males). People with a history of smoking, cardiopulmonary disease, or a body mass index greater than 40 kg·m−2 were excluded. Luminal areas of seven conducting airways were analyzed, including trachea, left and right main bronchus, intermediate bronchus, left and right upper lobe, and left lower lobe. For the central conducting airways, luminal area was ~ 15% greater patients with COVID-19 compared to matched controls (p < 0.05). Among patients with COVID-19, there were generally no differences in the luminal areas of the conducting airways between hospitalized patients compared to patients who did not require COVID-19-related hospitalization. Our findings suggest that males and females with COVID-19 have pathologically larger conducting airway luminal areas than healthy, sex- and height-matched controls.
Comparable diagnostic accuracy of SARS-CoV-2 Spike RBD and N-specific IgG tests to determine pre-vaccination nation-wide baseline seroprevalence in Mexico
Authors: Martínez-Barnetche Jesús , Carnalla Martha , Gaspar-Castillo Carlos , Basto-Abreu Ana , Lizardi Ricardo , Antonio Rodrigo Aparicio , Martinez Irma López , Escamilla Anais Cortes , Ramirez Octavio T. , Palomares Laura A. , Barreto-Cabrera Daniel , Rivera-Castro Juan Carlos , Segura-Sánchez Carlos , Ávila Mauricio Hernández , Barrientos-Gutiérrez Tonatiuh , Aranda Celia M. Alpuche 
Published: October 2022

AbstractA major challenge for developing countries during the COVID-19 pandemic is affordable and adequate monitoring of disease progression and population exposure as the primary source relevant epidemiological indicators. Serology testing enables assessing population exposure and to guide vaccination strategies but requires rigorous accuracy validation before population-wide implementation. We adapted a two-step ELISA protocol as a single-step protocol for detection of IgG against the Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and compared its diagnostic accuracy with a commercial immunoassay anti-nucleoprotein IgG. Both methods yielded adequate and comparable diagnostic accuracy after 3 weeks post-symptom onset and were implemented in a nation-wide population based serological survey during August–November 2020. Anti-RBD National seroprevalence was 23.6%, 1.3% lower, but not significantly, than for anti-N. Double positive seroprevalence was 19.7%. Anti-N single-positive seroprevalence was 3.72% and anti-RBD single-positive seroprevalence was 1.98%. Discrepancies in the positivity to either single marker may be due to different kinetics of each antibody marker as well as the heterogeneity of the sampling time in regards to local epidemic waves. Baseline single positivity prevalence will be useful to assess the serological impact of vaccination and natural infection in further serosurveillance efforts.
Environmentally-relevant concentrations of the antipsychotic drugs sulpiride and clozapine induce abnormal dopamine and serotonin signaling in zebrafish brain
Authors: Zhang Bo , Peng Xijian , Sun Xiumei , Guo Yuanming , Li Tiejun 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe presence of drugs in surface and groundwaters adversely affects the physiological function of non-target organisms due special activities that can pose a serious threats to various forms of aquatic life. Psychotropic drugs are one of the most commonly used drugs in the world. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of environmentally-relevant concentrations of the antipsychotic drugs, sulpiride and clozapine, on dopaminergic (DAergic) and serotonergic (5-HTergic) neurotransmitter systems in the brain of zebrafish. Adult zebrafish (AB strain) were exposed to the environmentally-relevant concentrations of sulpiride, clozapine, or a mixture of sulpiride and clozapine. The effects of the drugs on the mRNA and protein levels of major functional molecules in DAergic and 5-HTergic systems were then analyzed in the telencephalon and diencephalon. Both drugs induced abnormal mRNA and protein levels of important functional molecules of the DA and 5-HT signaling pathways in both telencephalon and diencephalon, as shown by the abnormal transcriptional levels of TH, DAT, DR D1, DR D2, MAO, TPH, serotonin transporter (SERT), 5-HTR 1AA, 5-HTR 1B, 5-THR 2AA, and 5-HTR 2B, and the abnormal translational levels of DAT, DR D2, SERT, 5-HTR 1A, 5-HTR 1B, and 5-HTR 2B. In addition, we observed a specificity in the adverse effects of these antipsychotic drugs, in terms of doses and brain parts. Compared to their effects alone, the drug mixture had a weaker effect on the DA and 5-HT systems, suggesting an antagonistic interaction between sulpiride and clozapine. Our findings suggest that sulpiride and clozapine interfere with DAergic and 5-HTergic neurotransmitter systems in the telencephalon and diencephalon of zebrafish, resulting in possible effects on brain functions and posing a serious threat to the health of zebrafish.
Micro-scale aerosol jet printing of superparamagnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticle patterns
Authors: Taccola Silvia , da Veiga Tomas , Chandler James H. , Cespedes Oscar , Valdastri Pietro , Harris Russell A. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe opportunity to create different patterns of magnetic nanoparticles on surfaces is highly desirable across many technological and biomedical applications. In this paper, this ability is demonstrated for the first time using a computer-controlled aerosol jet printing (AJP) technology. AJP is an emerging digitally driven, non-contact and mask-less printing process which has distinguishing advantages over other patterning technologies as it offers high-resolution and versatile direct-write deposition of a wide range of materials onto a variety of substrates. This research demonstrates the ability of AJP to reliably print large-area, fine-feature patterns of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) onto both rigid material (glass) and soft and flexible materials (polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) films and poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) nanofilms). Investigation identified and controlled influential process variables which permitted feature sizes in the region of 20 μm to be realised. This method could be employed for a wide range of applications that require a flexible and responsive process that permits high yield and rapid patterning of magnetic material over large areas. As a first proof of concept, we present patterned magnetic nanofilms with enhanced manipulability under external magnetic field gradient control and which are capable of performing complex movements such as rotation and bending, with applicability to soft robotics and biomedical engineering applications.
Direct current stimulation modulates gene expression in isolated astrocytes with implications for glia-mediated plasticity
Authors: Cancel Limary M. , Silas Dharia , Bikson Marom , Tarbell John M. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractWhile the applications of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) across brain disease and cognition are diverse, they rely on changes in brain function outlasting stimulation. The cellular mechanisms of DCS leading to brain plasticity have been studied, but the role of astrocytes remains unaddressed. We previously predicted that during tDCS current is concentrated across the blood brain-barrier. This will amplify exposure of endothelial cells (ECs) that form blood vessels and of astrocytes that wrap around them. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of tDCS on the gene expression by astrocytes or ECs. DCS (0.1 or 1 mA, 10 min) was applied to monolayers of mouse brain ECs or human astrocytes. Gene expression of a set of neuroactive genes were measured using RT-qPCR. Expression was assessed immediately or 1 h after DCS. Because we previously showed that DCS can produce electroosmotic flow and fluid shear stress known to influence EC and astrocyte function, we compared three interventions: pressure-driven flow across the monolayer alone, pressure-driven flow plus DCS, and DCS alone with flow blocked. We show that DCS can directly modulate gene expression in astrocytes (notably FOS and BDNF), independent of but synergistic with pressure-driven flow gene expression. In ECs, pressure-driven flow activates genes expression with no evidence of further contribution from DCS. In ECs, DCS alone produced mixed effects including an upregulation of FGF9 and downregulation of NTF3. We propose a new adjunct mechanism for tDCS based on glial meditated plasticity.
Heavy metal ecological-health risk assessment under wheat–maize rotation system in a high geological background area in eastern China
Authors: Wan Fang , Jiang Nan , Yu Linsong , Zang Kai , Liu Shuming , He Wei , Hu Zunfang , Fan Haiyin , Li Haosong , Wang Hui , Pan Hong , Yang Quangang , Lou Yanhong , Zhuge Yuping 
Published: October 2022

AbstractA high geological background can increase the ecological and health risks associated with crop production; therefore, it is essential to assess the heavy metals and their impact. In this study, ecological and health risk impacts of heavy metal contamination, in combination with positive matrix factorization was assessed for an area with high geological background with wheat–maize cropping system, to provide a quantitative understanding of the effects of heavy metals, enabling its prevention and control. This study revealed that the comprehensive ecological risk (RIwheat–maize) is 56.21 (low), with industries being the biggest contributors (34.22%). Comprehensive health risk (non-carcinogenic) assessment showed that industrial (40.98–49.30%) and natural (23.96–37.64%) factors were the primary (particularly of Cd and Zn) and secondary (particularly of Cr and Ni) contributors, respectively in eastern China. Comprehensive health risk (HIwheat–maize) for children and adults were 0.74 and 0.42, respectively, indicating that non-carcinogenic risks were at an acceptable level. Soil ingestion was the primary pathway for health risks (62.23–73.00%), especially for children. Based on soil heavy metal sources and crop systems, source-ecological risk assessment and source-health risk assessment were used to provided valuable insights on making strategies to protect human health in high geological background areas.
The electrochemical corrosion behaviour of compacted (Bi, Pb)-2223 superconductors in aqueous solutions
Authors: Abdel-Gaber Ashraf M. , Najem Ahmad , Awad Ramadan 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe corrosion behaviour of (Bi, Pb)-2223 samples compacted at 0.3–1.9 GPa in 0.5 M of HCl, NaCl, and NaOH solutions at 30 °C was investigated using potentiodynamic polarization curves measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique as well as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray emission spectroscopy (EDX). Polarization results showed that the increase in compaction decreases both cathodic hydrogen evolution or oxygen reduction and anodic (BiPb)-2223 superconductor dissolution in 0.5 M HCl, and 0.5 M NaOH. On the other hand, compaction mainly affects the anodic part of the polarization curves of (Bi, Pb)-2223 in 0.5 M NaCl solution. EIS measurements revealed that the highest protection of the superconductors was achieved in 0.5 M NaCl, while the lowest degree of protection was observed in 0.5 M HCl. SEM images show a random plate-like morphology fitted with the marker of (Bi, Pb)-2223 material. The compacted sample at 1.9 GPa indicates deformation of the grains and the formation of a micro-crack. The corrosion mechanism of the superconductor at different pH values was also discussed.
Parasympathetic tonus in type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes and its clinical implications
Authors: Hadad Rakin , Akobe Sarah F. , Weber Philip , Madsen Christoffer V. , Larsen Bjørn Strøier , Madsbad Sten , Nielsen Olav W. , Dominguez Maria Helena , Haugaard Steen B. , Sajadieh Ahmad 
Published: October 2022

AbstractAutonomic imbalance reflected by higher resting heart rate and reduced parasympathetic tone may be driven by low-grade inflammation (LGI) and impaired glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and pre-diabetes. We examined the interaction of parasympathetic components of heart rate variability (HRV), variables of LGI, and glucose metabolism in people with T2DM, pre-diabetes, and normal glucose metabolism (NGM). We recorded HRV by Holter (48 h) in 633 community-dwelling people of whom T2DM n = 131, pre-diabetes n = 372, and NGM n = 130 and mean HbA1c of 7.2, 6.0 and 5.3%, respectively. Age was 55–75 years and all were without known cardiovascular disease except from hypertension. Fasting plasma glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, HbA1c and LGI (CRP, Interleukin-18 (IL-18), and white blood cells) were measured. Root-mean-square-of-normal-to-normal-beats (RMSSD), and proportion of normal-to-normal complexes differing by more than 50 ms (pNN50) are accepted measures of parasympathetic activity. In univariate analyses, RMSSD and pNN50 were significantly inversely correlated with level of HbA1c and CRP among people with T2DM and pre-diabetes, but not among NGM. RMSSD and pNN50 remained significantly inversely associated with level of HbA1c after adjusting for age, sex, smoking, and BMI among people with T2DM (β = − 0.22) and pre-diabetes (β = − 0.11); adjustment for LGI, HOMA-IR, and FPG did not attenuate these associations. In backward elimination models, age and level of HbA1c remained associated with RMSSD and pNN50. In people with well controlled diabetes and pre-diabetes, a lower parasympathetic activity was more related to age and HbA1c than to markers of LGI. Thus, this study shows that the driver of parasympathetic tonus may be more the level of glycemic control than inflammation in people with prediabetes and well controlled diabetes.
Clinical predictors of recovery of COVID-19 associated-abnormal liver function test 2 months after hospital discharge
Authors: Lu Justin Y. , Ho Scott L. , Buczek Alexandra , Fleysher Roman , Hou Wei , Chacko Kristina , Duong Tim Q. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThis study investigated whether acute liver injury (ALI) persisted and identified predictors of ALI recovery [as indicated by alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level] at hospital discharge and 2 months post-discharge for 7595 hospitalized COVID-19 patients from the Montefiore Health System (03/11/2020–06/03/2021). Mild liver injury (mLI) was defined as ALT = 1.5–5 ULN, and severe livery injury (sLI) was ALT ≥ 5 ULN. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of ALI onset and recovery. There were 4571 (60.2%), 2306 (30.4%), 718 (9.5%) patients with no liver injury (nLI), mLI and sLI, respectively. Males showed higher incidence of sLI and mLI (p < 0.05). Mortality odds ratio was 4.15 [95% CI 3.41, 5.05, p < 0.001] for sLI and 1.69 [95% CI 1.47, 1.96, p < 0.001] for mLI compared to nLI. The top predictors (ALT, lactate dehydrogenase, ferritin, lymphocytes) accurately predicted sLI onset up to three days prior. Only 33.5% of mLI and 17.1% of sLI patients (survivors) recovered completely at hospital discharge. Most ALI patients (76.7–82.4%) recovered completely ~ 2 months post-discharge. The top predictors accurately predicted recovery post discharge with 83.2 ± 2.2% accuracy. In conclusion, most COVID-19 patients with ALI recovered completely ~ 2 months post discharge. Early identification of patients at-risk of persistent ALI could help to prevent long-term liver complications.
Experimental confirmation of self-imaging effect between guided light and surface plasmon polaritons in hybrid plasmonic waveguides
Authors: Okamoto Hiroyuki , Kamada Shun , Yamaguchi Kenzo , Haraguchi Masanobu , Okamoto Toshihiro 
Published: October 2022

AbstractWe fabricated a hybrid plasmonic device using self-imaging effect between guided light and surface plasmon polaritons in the hybrid plasmonic waveguide. The hybrid plasmonic device was fabricated by evaporating gold on the part of the silicon waveguide. Self-imaging was generated at the gold-covered section in the waveguide. Self-imaging of guided light and surface plasmon polaritons in hybrid plasmonic waveguides affect the output intensity of the hybrid plasmonic waveguide. The length of the hybrid plasmonic waveguide changes self-imaging conditions. We confirmed that the output intensity was affected by the length of the hybrid plasmonic waveguide. These findings contribute to the development of hybrid plasmonic devices and potentially improve integration density of hybrid photonic integrated circuits.
GABAA receptor function is enhanced by Interleukin-10 in human epileptogenic gangliogliomas and its effect is counteracted by Interleukin-1β
Authors: Ruffolo Gabriele , Alfano Veronica , Romagnolo Alessia , Zimmer Till , Mills James D. , Cifelli Pierangelo , Gaeta Alessandro , Morano Alessandra , Anink Jasper , Mühlebner Angelika , Vezzani Annamaria , Aronica Eleonora , Palma Eleonora 
Published: October 2022

AbstractGangliogliomas (GGs) are low-grade brain tumours that cause intractable focal epilepsy in children and adults. In GG, as in epileptogenic focal malformations (i.e.,tuberous sclerosis complex, TSC), there is evidence of sustained neuroinflammation with involvement of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β. On the other hand, anti-inflammatory mediators are less studied but bear relevance for understanding seizure mechanisms. Therefore, we investigated the effect of the key anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 on GABAergic neurotransmission in GG. We assessed the IL-10 dependent signaling by transcriptomic analysis, immunohistochemistry and performed voltage-clamp recordings onXenopusoocytes microtransplanted with cell membranes from brain specimens, to overcome the limited availability of acute GG slices. We report that IL-10-related mRNAs were up-regulated in GG and slightly in TSC. Moreover, we found IL-10 receptors are expressed by neurons and astroglia. Furthermore, GABA currents were potentiated significantly by IL-10 in GG. This effect was time and dose-dependent and inhibited by blockade of IL-10 signaling. Notably, in the same tissue, IL-1β reduced GABA current amplitude and prevented the IL-10 effect. These results suggest that in epileptogenic tissue, pro-inflammatory mechanisms of hyperexcitability prevail over key anti-inflammatory pathways enhancing GABAergic inhibition. Hence, boosting the effects of specific anti-inflammatory molecules could resolve inflammation and reduce intractable seizures.
A new periocular dataset collected by mobile devices in unconstrained scenarios
Authors: Zanlorensi Luiz A. , Laroca Rayson , Lucio Diego R. , Santos Lucas R. , Britto Alceu S. , Menotti David 
Published: October 2022

AbstractRecently, ocular biometrics in unconstrained environments using images obtained at visible wavelength have gained the researchers’ attention, especially with images captured by mobile devices. Periocular recognition has been demonstrated to be an alternative when the iris trait is not available due to occlusions or low image resolution. However, the periocular trait does not have the high uniqueness presented in the iris trait. Thus, the use of datasets containing many subjects is essential to assess biometric systems’ capacity to extract discriminating information from the periocular region. Also, to address the within-class variability caused by lighting and attributes in the periocular region, it is of paramount importance to use datasets with images of the same subject captured in distinct sessions. As the datasets available in the literature do not present all these factors, in this work, we present a new periocular dataset containing samples from 1122 subjects, acquired in 3 sessions by 196 different mobile devices. The images were captured under unconstrained environments with just a single instruction to the participants: to place their eyes on a region of interest. We also performed an extensive benchmark with several Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) architectures and models that have been employed in state-of-the-art approaches based on Multi-class Classification, Multi-task Learning, Pairwise Filters Network, and Siamese Network. The results achieved in the closed- and open-world protocol, considering the identification and verification tasks, show that this area still needs research and development.