bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum levels of IgM to phosphatidylcholine predict the response of multiple sclerosis patients to natalizumab or IFN-β
Authors: Muñoz Úrsula , Sebal Cristina , Escudero Esther , Urcelay Elena , Arroyo Rafael , García-Martínez Maria A. , Quintana Francisco J. , Álvarez-Lafuente Roberto , Sádaba Maria Cruz 
Published: August 2022

AbstractWe developed an ELISA assay demonstrating the high prevalence of serum IgM to phosphatidylcholine (IgM-PC) in the first stages of multiple sclerosis (MS). We aimed to analyze the role of serum IgM-PC as a biomarker of response to treatment. Paired serum samples from 95 MS patients were obtained before (b.t) and after (a.t) treatment with disease modifying therapies. Patients were classified as non-responders or responders to treatment, according to classical criteria. Serum IgM-PC concentration was analyzed using our house ELISA assay. The level of serum IgM-PC b.t was higher in patients treated later with natalizumab than in those treated with Copaxone (p = 0.011) or interferon-β (p = 0.009). Responders to natalizumab showed higher concentration of serum IgM-PC b.t than those who did not respond to it (p = 0.019). The 73.3% of patients with the highest level of serum IgM-PC b.t responded to natalizumab. IgM-PC level decreased a.t in both cases, non-responders and responders to natalizumab. IgM-PC levels a.t did not decrease in non-responders to interferon-β, but in responders to it the IgM-PC level decreased (p = 0.007). Serum IgM-PC could be a biomarker of response to natalizumab or interferon-β treatment. Further studies would be necessary to validate these results.
PERK/EIF2AK3 integrates endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis, oxidative stress and autophagy responses in immortalised retinal pigment epithelial cells
Authors: Saptarshi Neil , Porter Louise F. , Paraoan Luminita 
Published: August 2022

AbstractRetinal pigment epithelium (RPE) performs essential functions for ensuring retinal homeostasis and is a key site for pathogenic changes leading to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Compromised proteostasis in RPE results in ER stress and ER stress-dependent antioxidant, apoptosis and autophagic responses. ER stress induces the unfolded protein response (UPR) in which EIF2AK3, encoding the protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase (PERK), acts as a key regulator. Downregulated EIF2AK3 gene expression has recently been identified in AMD using human donor RPE, however the molecular mechanisms that integrate the various ER-mediated cellular pathways underpinning progressive RPE dysfunction in AMD have not been fully characterised. This study investigated the downstream effects of PERK downregulation in response to Brefeldin A (BFA)-induced ER stress in ARPE-19 cells. PERK downregulation resulted in increased ER stress and impaired apoptosis induction, antioxidant responses and autophagic flux. ARPE-19 cells were unable to efficiently induce autophagy following PERK downregulation and PERK presented a role in regulating the rate of autophagy induction. The findings support PERK downregulation as an integrative event facilitating dysregulation of RPE processes critical to cell survival known to contribute to AMD development and highlight PERK as a potential future therapeutic target for AMD.
The dynamics of protein localisation to restricted zones within Drosophila mechanosensory cilia
Authors: Xiang Wangchu , zur Lage Petra , Newton Fay G. , Qiu Guiyun , Jarman Andrew P. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe Drosophila chordotonal neuron cilium is the site of mechanosensory transduction. The cilium has a 9 + 0 axoneme structure and is highly sub-compartmentalised, with proximal and distal zones harbouring different TRP channels and the proximal zone axoneme also being decorated with axonemal dynein motor complexes. The activity of the dynein complexes is essential for mechanotransduction. We investigate the localisation of TRP channels and dynein motor complexes during ciliogenesis. Differences in timing of TRP channel localisation correlate with order of construction of the two ciliary zones. Dynein motor complexes are initially not confined to their target proximal zone, but ectopic complexes beyond the proximal zone are later cleared, perhaps by retrograde transport. Differences in transient distal localisation of outer and inner dynein arm complexes (ODAs and IDAs) are consistent with previous suggestions from unicellular eukaryotes of differences in processivity during intraflagellar transport. Stable localisation depends on the targeting of their docking proteins in the proximal zone. For ODA, we characterise an ODA docking complex (ODA-DC) that is targeted directly to the proximal zone. Interestingly, the subunit composition of the ODA-DC in chordotonal neuron cilia appears to be different from the predicted ODA-DC in Drosophila sperm.
Automatic vocalisation-based detection of fragile X syndrome and Rett syndrome
Authors: Pokorny Florian B. , Schmitt Maximilian , Egger Mathias , Bartl-Pokorny Katrin D. , Zhang Dajie , Schuller Björn W. , Marschik Peter B. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractFragile X syndrome (FXS) and Rett syndrome (RTT) are developmental disorders currently not diagnosed before toddlerhood. Even though speech-language deficits are among the key symptoms of both conditions, little is known about infant vocalisation acoustics for an automatic earlier identification of affected individuals. To bridge this gap, we applied intelligent audio analysis methodology to a compact dataset of 4454 home-recorded vocalisations of 3 individuals with FXS and 3 individuals with RTT aged 6 to 11 months, as well as 6 age- and gender-matched typically developing controls (TD). On the basis of a standardised set of 88 acoustic features, we trained linear kernel support vector machines to evaluate the feasibility of automatic classification of (a) FXS vs TD, (b) RTT vs TD, (c) atypical development (FXS+RTT) vs TD, and (d) FXS vs RTT vs TD. In paradigms (a)–(c), all infants were correctly classified; in paradigm (d), 9 of 12 were so. Spectral/cepstral and energy-related features were most relevant for classification across all paradigms. Despite the small sample size, this study reveals new insights into early vocalisation characteristics in FXS and RTT, and provides technical underpinnings for a future earlier identification of affected individuals, enabling earlier intervention and family counselling.
Positron Emission Tomography reveals age-associated hypothalamic microglial activation in women
Authors: Butler Tracy , Glodzik Lidia , Wang Xiuyuan Hugh , Xi Ke , Li Yi , Pan Hong , Zhou Liangdong , Chiang Gloria Chia-Yi , Morim Simon , Wickramasuriya Nimmi , Tanzi Emily , Maloney Thomas , Harvey Patrick , Mao Xiangling , Razlighi Qolamreza Ray , Rusinek Henry , Shungu Dikoma C. , de Leon Mony , Atwood Craig S. , Mozley P. David 
Published: August 2022

AbstractIn rodents, hypothalamic inflammation plays a critical role in aging and age-related diseases. Hypothalamic inflammation has not previously been assessed in vivo in humans. We used Positron Emission Tomography (PET) with a radiotracer sensitive to the translocator protein (TSPO) expressed by activated microglia, to assess correlations between age and regional brain TSPO in a group of healthy subjects (n = 43, 19 female, aged 23–78), focusing on hypothalamus. We found robust age-correlated TSPO expression in thalamus but not hypothalamus in the combined group of women and men. This pattern differs from what has been described in rodents. Prominent age-correlated TSPO expression in thalamus in humans, but in hypothalamus in rodents, could reflect evolutionary changes in size and function of thalamus versus hypothalamus, and may be relevant to the appropriateness of using rodents to model human aging. When examining TSPO PET results in women and men separately, we found that only women showed age-correlated hypothalamic TSPO expression. We suggest this novel result is relevant to understanding a stark sex difference in human aging: that only women undergo loss of fertility—menopause—at mid-life. Our finding of age-correlated hypothalamic inflammation in women could have implications for understanding and perhaps altering reproductive aging in women.
Definition of a sectioning plane and place for a section containing hoped-for regions using a spare counterpart specimen
Authors: Li Zhongmin , Muench Goetz , Wenhart Clara , Goebel Silvia , Reimann Andreas 
Published: August 2022

AbstractHistological examination of targets in regions of interest in histological sections is one of the most frequently used tools in biomedical research. However, it is a technical challenge to secure a multitarget section for inspection of the structure’s mutual relationship of targets or a longitudinally filamentous- or tubular-formed tissue section for visitation of the overall morphological features. We present a method with a specified cutting plane and place, allowing researchers to cut directly at the multitarget centers accurately and quickly. The method is proven to be reliable with high accuracy and reproducibility and a low coefficient of variation, testing on repeat experiments of three target’s position-known models. With this method, we successfully yielded single sections containing whole intraorbital optical nerves, three aortic valves, or whole thoracic tracheas in their central positions. The adjoined custom-made tools used in the study, such as various tissue-specific formulated calibrated trimming and embedding guides, an organ-shaped cavity plaster mold, and a two-time embedding technique for optimal and identical trimming or embedding, also bear great potential to become a common supplemental tool for traditional histology and may contribute to the reduction of the labor, and the number of animals needed.
Ability of IMPROVE and IMPROVE-DD scores to predict outcomes in patients with severe COVID-19: a prospective observational study
Authors: Helmy Mina Adolf , Milad Lydia Magdy , Hasanin Ahmed , Elbasha Yasmin S. , ElSabbagh Hala A. , Elmarzouky Mohamed S. , Mostafa Maha , Abdelhakeem Amr K. , Morsy Mohamed Abd El-Monem 
Published: August 2022

AbstractIn this study we aimed to evaluate the ability of IMPROVE and IMPROVE-DD scores in predicting in-hospital mortality in patients with severe COVID-19. This prospective observational study included adult patients with severe COVID-19 within 12 h from admission. We recorded patients' demographic and laboratory data, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), SpO2 at room air, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II), IMPROVE score and IMPROVE-DD score. In-hospital mortality and incidence of clinical worsening (the need for invasive mechanical ventilation, vasopressors, renal replacement therapy) were recorded. Our outcomes included the ability of the IMPROVE and IMPROVE-DD to predict in-hospital mortality and clinical worsening using the area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) analysis. Multivariate analysis was used to detect independent risk factors for the study outcomes. Eighty-nine patients were available for the final analysis. The IMPROVE and IMPROVE-DD score showed the highest ability for predicting in-hospital mortality (AUC [95% confidence intervals {CI}] 0.96 [0.90–0.99] and 0.96 [0.90–0.99], respectively) in comparison to other risk stratification tools (APACHE II, CCI, SpO2). The AUC (95% CI) for IMPROVE and IMPROVE-DD to predict clinical worsening were 0.80 (0.70–0.88) and 0.79 (0.69–0.87), respectively. Using multivariate analysis, IMPROVE-DD and SpO2 were the only predictors for in-hospital mortality and clinical worsening. In patients with severe COVID-19, high IMPROVE and IMOROVE-DD scores showed excellent ability to predict in-hospital mortality and clinical worsening. Independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality and clinical worsening were IMPROVE-DD and SpO2.
Mid-term results in revision hip arthroplasty with impaction bone grafted cup reconstruction for acetabular defects
Authors: Rohe Sebastian , Dörr Nicoletta , Böhle Sabrina , Matziolis Georg , Brodt Steffen , Röhner Eric 
Published: August 2022

AbstractAcetabular defects are a challenging condition for surgeons in revision THA. A crucial aim is an anatomical restoration of the centre of rotation (COR) through grafts. The aim of this study was to determine the cup survival after biological restoration of acetabular defects in THA and the effect of Paprosky classification, age, BMI, and number of previous operations on cup survival. Retrospectively patients with a cup exchange and an impaction of cortico-cancellous or bulk grafts between 2009 and 2012 were included with a follow up with a minimum of 5 year. Implant failure was defined as radiographic loosening or explantation of the cup. The acetabular defect situation was classified to Paprosky. 82 patients (58 female 70.7%) were included. 26 patients were not available to contact. 56 patients (40 female 71.4%) remained for survival analysis with mean age of 75.6 ± 8 years. Survival of the cup after 5 years was 90% and after 7.8 years 88%. There was no difference in survival concerning defect classification, type of implant or graft, age, BMI, and number of previous operations. Patients on the follow up reached an HHS of 67.4 ± 19, a WOMAC Score of 33.4 ± 25.4 points and an unsatisfactory result in the SF-36. Impaction bone grafting of acetabular defects is a good option with satisfactory biomechanical results and survival for small defects. Predictive factors for cup survival could not be clarified in our study. So, the correct indication, knowing the limits of the methods and the correct choice of implant allow a defect-oriented approach and are decisive for the success of the operation.
Improving RED algorithm congestion control by using the Markov decision process
Authors: Mahawish Amar A. , Hassan Hassan J. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractCongestion control plays an essential role on the internet to manage overload, which affects data transmission performance. The random early detection (RED) algorithm belongs to active queue management (AQM), which is used to manage internet traffic. The RED is used to eliminate weakness in default control of the Transport Control Protocol (TCP) drop-tail mechanism. The drawback of RED is parameter tuning, while adaptive RED (ARED) automatically adjusts these parameters. In this study, the suggested algorithm, the Markov decision process RED (MDPRED) uses the Markov decision process (MDP) to suitably adapt values for queue weight in the RED algorithm based on average queue length to enhance the performance of the traditional RED during TCP Slow Startup phase. This study is conducted based on fluctuations among the rate of service, queuing weight, and the mean queue length by using open-source network simulator NS3. The study shows efficient results by fluctuating end-to-end packet throughput and fast response to the inception of congestion in the network. The modified algorithm achieves a low level of drop packets by evaluating the results with other five algorithms, which is done by increasing the algorithm’s response when the average queue size becomes close to the maximum queue length threshold.
Evaluation of multiple satellite precipitation products and their potential utilities in the Yarlung Zangbo River Basin
Authors: Ji Haoyu , Peng Dingzhi , Gu Yu , Liang Yaqi , Luo Xiaoyu 
Published: August 2022

AbstractHydrological modeling in the Third Pole remains challenging due to the complex topography and scarcity of in-situ precipitation observations. In this study, we assessed five satellite precipitation products (SPPs) including TRMM3B42, PERSIANN-CDR, GPM-IMERG, CMORPH, and GSMaP, and simulated daily streamflow in the Yarlung Zangbo River Basin (YZRB) with VIC model. The performance of SPPs was evaluated by CC, RB, RMSE, POD and FAR, to compare with daily observations. Overall, all SPPs showed decreasing trends of precipitation from east to west compared to 10 km rainfall data. PERSIANN had the highest values of POD (0.65), RB (91.6%) and FAR (0.59) but worst performed in streamflow. CMORPH, GPM and TRMM fit well with the observations annually but overestimate the precipitation in the southeast during wet seasons. Simulation from GPM and CMORPH yield satisfactory results (NSE of 0.86 and 0.82, RE of − 20% and − 13%, respectively), while TRMM outperformed GPM in modeling runoff with smaller relative error. Results indicated the potential of GPM and CMORPH in providing alternative rainfall information in YZRB. Accurate evaluation of multi-source SPPs and their hydrological utility in YZRB would benefit further hydrometeorological studies and water resources management in this area.
The prevalence of human papillomavirus among women in northern Guangdong Province of China
Authors: Huang Wenbo , Xu Hongyan , Hu Hongbo , Zhang Dingmei , Liu Yulan , Guo Yanle , Xiao Fengjin , Chen Weijuan , Ma Zhanzhong 
Published: August 2022

AbstractGlobally, cervical cancer, whose etiologic factor is Human papillomavirus (HPV), is the third most common cancer among women. In cervical cancer screening, HPV testing is important. However, the prevalence of HPV in northern Guangdong Province has not been conclusively determined. A total of 100,994 women attending Yuebei People's Hospital Affiliated to Shantou University Medical College between 2012 and 2020 were recruited. HPV was tested by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based hybridization gene chip assay. The prevalence of HPV among these women was established to be19.04%. Peak prevalence was observed in women aged 40–49 (7.29%). Besides, the prevalence of single-type HPV infection (14.46%) was significantly high, compared to multiple-type infection (4.58%) (p < 0.01), while the prevalence of high-risk HPV infection (19.97%) was significantly higher than that of low-risk genotypes (5.48%) (p < 0.01). The most prevalent high-risk genotypes were HPV52 (4.16%), HPV16 (2.98%), HPV58 (2.15%), HPV53 (1.58%) and HPV68 (1.34%). HPV co-infection with up to 10 genotypes was reported for the first time. Our findings suggested a high burden of HPV infections among women in northern Guangdong. Establishing the prevalence and genotype distribution characteristics of HPV infections in the region can contribute to cervical cancer prevention through HPV vaccination.
Optimization of a wheat small red bean double cropping system in South Korea
Authors: Yang Jing , Kim Young-Bok , Hong Ki-Heung , Yoon Seong-Tak 
Published: August 2022

AbstractWheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and small red bean [Vigna angularis (Willd. Ohwi & Ohashi)] are the main ingredients of walnut-shaped “Hodugwaja”. An innovative wheat small red bean double cropping system was evaluated in a rice field in the Cheonan region (Korea) to determine its effect on land use. The effects of different nitrogen levels, sowing dates, and density on growth, yield, and quality of wheat and small red bean were also investigated using selected wheat (‘Keumgang’, ‘Sooan’, and ‘Goso’) and small red bean (‘Hongeon’, ‘Chungju’, and ‘Arari’) varieties. The effect of different fertilizer treatments [N1 (50%, 6.6 kg/10a), N2 (100%, 8.8 kg/10a), and N3 (200%, 13.2 kg/10a)] were investigated for wheat, while the effect of sowing date and density were investigated for the small red beans. Our findings revealed that the best variety, sowing date, and nitrogen level combination for wheat small red bean double cropping system in Cheonan area is ‘Goso’ sown on October 26, N3 nitrogen application, and ‘Chungju’ sown on July 10 with high ridge cultivation, at a density of 60 × 15 cm. This system was the most ideal yielding 521.6 kg/10a (1000 m2) and 275 kg/10a of ‘Goso’ and ‘Chungju’, respectively. This pioneering research provides a reliable cultivation plan and theoretical basis for implementing the double cropping system of wheat small red beans in central Korea. Undeniably, this study also provides a basis for future field experiments on wheat planting patterns and small red bean fertilization.
Responses of alpine summit vegetation under climate change in the transition zone between subtropical and tropical humid environment
Authors: Kuo Chu-Chia , Liu Yea-Chen , Su Yu , Liu Ho-Yih , Lin Cheng-Tao 
Published: August 2022

AbstractClimate change has caused severe impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity globally, especially to vulnerable mountain ecosystems; the summits bear the brunt of such effects. Therefore, six summits in Taiwan were monitored based on a standardized multi-summit approach. We used both statistical downscaling of climate data and vegetation cover data to calculate climate niches to assess the impacts of climate change. Two indicators, thermophilic and moist-philic, were applied to evaluate the overall response of vegetation dynamics. The results revealed that potential evapotranspiration increased significantly and led to a declining tendency in monthly water balance from 2014 to 2019. The general pattern of species richness was a decline. The difference in plant cover among the three surveys showed an inconsistent pattern, although some dominant species expanded, such as the dwarf bamboo Yushania niitakayamensis. The thermophilic indicator showed that species composition had changed so that there were more thermophilic species at the three lowest summits. The moist-philization indicator showed a decline of humid-preferred species in the latest monitoring period. Although total precipitation did not decrease, our results suggest that the variability in precipitation with increased temperature and potential evapotranspiration altered alpine vegetation composition and could endanger vulnerable species in the future.
Die Auswirkungen der COVID-19-Pandemie aus der Sicht ambulanter Krebspatienten
Authors: Pichler Theresia , Frank Tamara , Maier Sabrina , Batenhorst Ineke , Albawi-Daltrozzo Tanja , Harbeck Nadia , Algül Hana , Heinemann Volker , Hermelink Kerstin , Mumm Friederike , Dinkel Andreas 
Published: August 2022

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund Diese Studie untersucht aktuelle Bedürfnisse und Belastungen von ambulanten Krebspatienten im Rahmen der COVID-19-Pandemie.
Material und Methoden Zwischen 11/2020 und 02/2021 wurden 122 ambulante Krebspatientinnen und -patienten des Comprehensive Cancer Center München in die Studie eingeschlossen und anhand eines standardisierten, halbstrukturierten Interviews zu Wissensstand und Informationsbedürfnissen in Bezug auf COVID-19, Risikowahrnehmung und Sorgen hinsichtlich der ambulanten Krebsbehandlung, COVID-19-spezifischen Belastungen sowie zum Vertrauen in das Gesundheitssystem und der Impfbereitschaft befragt. Zusätzlich wurde psychosozialer Distress anhand des Distress-Thermometers (DT) erhoben.
Ergebnisse Über ein Drittel der Krebspatienten (34,2 %, n = 41/120) hatte noch Informationsbedarf hinsichtlich der Auswirkungen des Coronavirus auf ihre Erkrankung oder Behandlung. 17,2 % (n = 21/122) waren von Veränderungen der laufenden oder geplanten Krebstherapie betroffen. Bei n = 42/121 (34,7 %) der Patienten zeigte sich ein erhöhter psychosozialer Distress (DT ≥ 5). Die häufigste Corona-spezifische Belastung war die Angst vor einer Überlastung des Gesundheitssystems (77,9 %, n = 95/122), gefolgt von der Befürchtung, dass sich Angehörige noch größere Sorgen um die betroffenen Patienten machen (56,2 %, n = 68/121). 71,2 % (n = 74/104) der Patienten sind bereit, sich impfen zu lassen; 60 % (n = 18/30) der zum Zeitpunkt der Untersuchung Unentschlossenen oder Ablehner wünschen sich vor einer endgültigen Entscheidung für die Impfung ein Informationsgespräch mit ihrem Onkologen/ihrer Onkologin.
Schlussfolgerung Corona-spezifische Belastungen von Krebspatienten betreffen insbesondere den Verlauf der Therapie, aber auch eine mögliche Überlastung des Gesundheitssystems. Onkologische Behandler-Teams sollten Fragen ihrer Patienten Raum geben, mögliche Unsicherheiten anerkennen, emotionale Unterstützung leisten und auf valide Informationsquellen aufmerksam machen.