bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Directional analysis of intensity changes for determining the existence of cyst in optical coherence tomography images
Authors: Monemian Maryam , Rabbani Hossein 
Published: February 2022

AbstractDiabetic retinopathy (DR) is an important cause of blindness in people with the long history of diabetes. DR is caused due to the damage to blood vessels in the retina. One of the most important manifestations of DR is the formation of fluid-filled regions between retinal layers. The evaluation of stage and transcribed drugs can be possible through the analysis of retinal Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) images. Therefore, the detection of cysts in OCT images and the is of considerable importance. In this paper, a fast method is proposed to determine the status of OCT images as cystic or non-cystic. The method consists of three phases which are pre-processing, boundary pixel determination and post-processing. After applying a noise reduction method in the pre-processing step, the method finds the pixels which are the boundary pixels of cysts. This process is performed by finding the significant intensity changes in the vertical direction and considering rectangular patches around the candidate pixels. The patches are verified whether or not they contain enough pixels making considerable diagonal intensity changes. Then, a shadow omission method is proposed in the post-processing phase to extract the shadow regions which can be mistakenly considered as cystic areas. Then, the pixels extracted in the previous phase that are near the shadow regions are removed to prevent the production of false positive cases. The performance of the proposed method is evaluated in terms of sensitivity and specificity on real datasets. The experimental results show that the proposed method produces outstanding results from both accuracy and speed points of view.
PPE51 mediates uptake of trehalose across the mycomembrane of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Babu Sait Mohammed Rizwan , Koliwer-Brandl Hendrik , Stewart Jessica A. , Swarts Benjamin M. , Jacobsen Marc , Ioerger Thomas R. , Kalscheuer Rainer 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe disaccharide trehalose is essential for viability of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which synthesizes trehalose de novo but can also utilize exogenous trehalose. The mycobacterial cell wall encompasses two permeability barriers, the cytoplasmic membrane and the outer mycolic acid-containing mycomembrane. The ABC transporter LpqY–SugA–SugB–SugC has previously been demonstrated to mediate the specific uptake of trehalose across the cytoplasmic membrane. However, it is still unclear how the transport of trehalose molecules across the mycomembrane is mediated. In this study, we harnessed the antimycobacterial activity of the analogue 6-azido trehalose to select for spontaneous resistant M. tuberculosis mutants in a merodiploid strain harbouring two LpqY–SugA–SugB–SugC copies. Mutations mediating resistance to 6-azido trehalose mapped to the proline–proline–glutamate (PPE) family member PPE51 (Rv3136), which has recently been shown to be an integral mycomembrane protein involved in uptake of low-molecular weight compounds. A site-specific ppe51 gene deletion mutant of M. tuberculosis was unable to grow on trehalose as the sole carbon source. Furthermore, bioorthogonal labelling of the M. tuberculosis Δppe51 mutant incubated with 6-azido trehalose corroborated the impaired internalization. Taken together, the results indicate that the transport of trehalose and trehalose analogues across the mycomembrane of M. tuberculosis is exclusively mediated by PPE51.
Dynamics of actively dividing prokaryotes in the western Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Mena Catalina , Reglero Patricia , Balbín Rosa , Martín Melissa , Santiago Rocío , Sintes Eva 
Published: February 2022

AbstractMicrobial community metabolism and functionality play a key role modulating global biogeochemical processes. However, the metabolic activities and contribution of actively growing prokaryotes to ecosystem energy fluxes remain underexplored. Here we describe the temporal and spatial dynamics of active prokaryotes in the different water masses of the Mediterranean Sea using a combination of bromodeoxyuridine labelling and 16S rRNA gene Illumina sequencing. Bulk and actively dividing prokaryotic communities were drastically different and depth stratified. Alteromonadales were rare in bulk communities (contributing 0.1% on average) but dominated the actively dividing community throughout the overall water column (28% on average). Moreover, temporal variability of actively dividing Alteromonadales oligotypes was evinced. SAR86, Actinomarinales and Rhodobacterales contributed on average 3–3.4% each to the bulk and 11, 8.4 and 8.5% to the actively dividing communities in the epipelagic zone, respectively. SAR11 and Nitrosopumilales contributed less to the actively dividing than to the bulk communities during all the study period. Noticeably, the large contribution of these two taxa to the total prokaryotic communities (23% SAR11 and 26% Nitrosopumilales), especially in the meso- and bathypelagic zones, results in important contributions to actively dividing communities (11% SAR11 and 12% Nitrosopumilales). The intense temporal and spatial variability of actively dividing communities revealed in this study strengthen the view of a highly dynamic deep ocean. Our results suggest that some rare or low abundant phylotypes from surface layers down to the deep sea can disproportionally contribute to the activity of the prokaryotic communities, exhibiting a more dynamic response to environmental changes than other abundant phylotypes, emphasizing the role they might have in community metabolism and biogeochemical processes.
Central retinal thickness changes and risk of neovascular glaucoma after intravitreal bevacizumab injection in patients with central retinal vein occlusion
Authors: Lee You Hyun , Kim Yu Cheol 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThis retrospective study evaluated changes in the central retinal thickness (CRT) and the risk factors for neovascular glaucoma (NVG) after intravitreal bevacizumab injection under a pro re nata (PRN) regimen for macular oedema in 57 eyes with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). The clinical characteristics at the time of NVG diagnosis were assessed, and baseline and final clinical characteristics and mean CRT values at 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-up evaluations were recorded. The incidence of NVG was 21.1%, with the neovascular group (12 eyes) showing poor baseline and final visual acuity, a higher incidence of baseline ischaemic-type CRVO and subretinal fluid, a higher mean CRT at the 1-month follow-up, and a higher number of intravitreal bevacizumab injections during the 6-month follow-up. Nine eyes with NVG (75%) showed a mean CRT < 300 μm at the time of diagnosis. An ischaemic CRVO and higher CRT at the 1-month follow-up were related to the development of NVG in the multivariate analysis. Thus, NVG development in CRVO patients treated with intravitreal bevacizumab injections was associated with an ischaemic CRVO and elevated CRT at the 1-month follow-up; PRN bevacizumab regimens based on CRT or control of macular oedema did not completely prevent NVG development.
Understanding the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern in Ontario, Canada: a modeling study
Authors: Layton Anita T. , Sadria Mehrshad 
Published: February 2022

AbstractA year after the initial wild-type Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) strains began their devastation of the world, they were supplanted by new variants of concern (VOC). In Ontario, Canada, the wild type was overtaken first by the Alpha/B1.1.17 variant, and then by the Delta/B.1.617 variant. The principal objective of the present study is to develop and apply a much expanded Susceptible-Infection-Recovered-type model to better understand the spread of multiple VOC, and assess the effectiveness of vaccination and non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPI). The model represents competition among VOC, and reveals their mutual inhibitory effects. By separately tracking asymptomatic and symptomatic infections, model simulations identify a significant role of vaccine breakthrough in the spread of Delta. Furthermore, the severity of a Delta outbreak depends not only on the NPI and vaccination rate but also on the vaccine types. Alarmingly, despite Ontario’s existing NPI and relatively successful vaccine rollout, a future, more dangerous VOC could potentially infect a significant fraction of the province’s population and overwhelm the health care system. To stop that VOC, the province may need the simultaneous and rapid deployment of a third booster vaccine and stringent NPI.
Glucosamine-6-phosphate N-acetyltransferase gene silencing by parental RNA interference in rice leaf folder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)
Authors: Shakeel Muhammad , Du Juan , Li Shang-Wei , Zhou Yuan-Jin , Sarwar Naeem , Guo Xiaolan 
Published: February 2022

AbstractParental RNAi (pRNAi) is a response of RNA interference in which treated insect pests progenies showed a gene silencing phenotypes. pRNAi of CmGNA gene has been studied in Cnaphalocrocis medinalis via injection. Our results showed significant reduction in ovulation per female that was 26% and 35.26% in G1 and G2 generations, respectively. Significant reduction of hatched eggs per female were observed 23.53% and 45.26% as compared to control in G1–G2 generations, respectively. We also observed the significant variation in the sex ratio between female (40% and 53%) in G1–G2 generations, and in male (65%) in G1 generation as compared to control. Our results also demonstrated the significant larval mortality (63% and 55%) and pupal mortality (55% and 41%), and significant reduction of mRNA expression level in G1 and G2 generations. Our findings have confirmed that effectiveness of pRNAi induced silencing on the CmGNA target gene in G1–G2 generations of C. medinalis. These results suggested the potential role of pRNAi in insect pest resistance management strategies.
Dispersal of Aphanoascus keratinophilus by the rook Corvus frugilegus during breeding in East Poland
Authors: Kitowski Ignacy , Korniłłowicz-Kowalska Teresa , Bohacz Justyna , Ciesielska Anita 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe process of dispersal of the potentially disease-causing, geophilic and keratinolytic fungal strain Aphanoascus keratinophilus (the perfect, sexual stage of Chrysosporium keratinophilum) by the rook Corvus frugilegus was studied. The source of A. keratinophilus strains was pellets of the rook, thus far not considered a carrier of this particular opportunistic pathogen. Pellets collected from breeding colonies of rooks were analysed in terms of the occurrence of keratinolytic fungi with the application of the native keratin bait method. Among the 83 rook pellets analysed, 24 (29%) were infected by keratinophilic fungi. Pure cultures of the fungi were identified to species based on traditional morphological features. Traditional mycological identification was verified by the PCR–RFLP molecular identification method as well as DNA sequencing. The obtained results showed the presence of 90 Aphanoascus keratinophilus strains, 6 Chrysosporium tropicum strains, and 3 Chrysosporium pannicola strains. The PCR melting profile (PCR-MP) method was used to identify intraspecies variations of the 90 analysed A. keratinophilus strains. The dispersal of genotypes and possible pathways of A. keratinophilus dispersal and infection via rook pellets were analysed.
Hypoglycemic activity of Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf. in vitro and in vivo and its chemical composition identification by UPLC-Triple-TOF-MS/MS
Authors: Jia Wenjing , Bi Qimao , Jiang Sirong , Tao Jihong , liu Liying , Yue Huilan , Zhao Xiaohui 
Published: February 2022

Firstly confirmed the a-glucosidase inhibitory effects of Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf. in vivo and in vitro. 29 ingredients in this plant were detected and identified by UPLC-Triple-TOF-MS/MS.
Memory-Paced Tapping to Auditory Rhythms: Effects of Rate, Speech, and Motor Engagement
Authors: Kliger Amrani Anat , Zion Golumbic Elana 
Published: February 2022

Purpose:Humans have a near-automatic tendency to entrain their motor actions to rhythms in the environment. Entrainment has been hypothesized to play an important role in processing naturalistic stimuli, such as speech and music, which have intrinsically rhythmic properties. Here, we studied two facets of entraining one's rhythmic motor actions to an external stimulus: (a) synchronized finger tapping to auditory rhythmic stimuli and (b) memory-paced reproduction of a previously heard rhythm.Method:Using modifications of the Synchronization–Continuation tapping paradigm, we studied how these two rhythmic behaviors were affected by different stimulus and task features. We tested synchronization and memory-paced tapping for a broad range of rates, from stimulus onset asynchrony of subsecond to suprasecond, both for strictly isochronous tone sequences and for rhythmic speech stimuli (counting from 1 to 10), which are more ecological yet less isochronous. We also asked what role motor engagement plays in forming a stable internal representation for rhythms and guiding memory-paced tapping.Results and Conclusions:Our results show that individuals can flexibly synchronize their motor actions to a very broad range of rhythms. However, this flexibility does not extend to memory-paced tapping, which is accurate only in a narrower range of rates, around ~1.5 Hz. This pattern suggests that intrinsic rhythmic defaults in the auditory and/or motor system influence the internal representation of rhythms, in the absence of an external pacemaker. Interestingly, memory-paced tapping for speech rhythms and simple tone sequences shared similar “optimal rates,” although with reduced accuracy, suggesting that internal constraints on rhythmic entrainment generalize to more ecological stimuli. Last, we found that actively synchronizing to tones versus passively listening to them led to more accurate memory-paced tapping performance, which emphasizes the importance of action–perception interactions in forming stable entrainment to external rhythms.
An energy‐efficiency‐adaptive clustering formation mechanism for the wireless sensor networks
Authors: Lin Deyu , Kong Linghe , Zhao Chengkun , Gao Jiayi , Ouyang Hao , Yang Ziyuan , Zhang Zhiqiang 
Published: February 2022

AbstractEnergy inequality caused by the process of cluster head election has a large influence on energy efficiency and the network lifetime of wireless sensor networks (WSNs). To this end, a novel concept of EIec is proposed to evaluate the equality degree of energy consumption. Related theorems for establishing the candidate set of cluster heads are proposed, with the aim of promoting energy equality in each cluster. Subsequently, a novel energy‐efficiency‐adaptive cluster formation mechanism based on economic (ECFE) theory is proposed and detailed. Finally, extensive experiments are carried out to assess its energy efficiency and the network performance by comparisons with the existing classic and latest intelligent clustering algorithms. The results indicate that ECFE improves not only the energy efficiency but also the network performance effectively.
MOTS‐ACO: An improved ant colony optimiser for multi‐objective task scheduling optimisation problem in cloud data centres
Authors: Elsedimy Elsayed , Algarni Fahad 
Published: February 2022

AbstractTask scheduling in cloud data centres is an optimisation problem that aims to minimise power consumption and task makespan as well as ensures the quality of service delivered to cloud consumers. Although there are several existing task scheduling approaches, these methods mainly focus on optimising makespans of tasks while ignoring critical issues. This paper presents a comprehensive multi‐objective task scheduling model based on an improved Ant Colony Optimisation (ACO) algorithm, referred to as MOTS‐ACO. In order to promote the diversity of the Pareto set and accelerate the convergence speed, adaptive distribution probability is incorporated into the proposed algorithm, specifically in the process of updating the global rule. The performance of MOTS‐ACO is compared with several existing multi‐objectives task scheduling algorithms based on the makespan time, turnaround time, power efficiency and load balancing parameters. The results show the superiority of MOTS‐ACO in terms of the makespan time, turnaround time, power efficiency and load balancing. Moreover, the proposed MOTS‐ACO algorithm introduces more diversity in the search and accelerates the convergence speed towards the Pareto optimal solution.
Die pleuroperitoneale Leckage
Authors: Artunc Ferruh 
Published: February 2022

ZUSAMMENFASSUNGDie pleuroperitoneale Leckage ist eine seltene Komplikation der Peritonealdialyse (PD), die sich durch einen großen, meist rechtsseitigen Hydrothorax manifestiert. Sie tritt infolge von angeborenen Schwachstellen bzw. Defekten im Zwerchfell auf. Die Diagnose wird durch Nachweis eines Übertritts von toluidingefärbtem Dialysat durch Pleurapunktion oder mittels Computertomografie durch den Nachweis kontrastmittelangehobenen Dialysats im Thoraxraum gestellt. Therapieversuche in Form einer PD-Pause oder Pleurodese sind oft nicht wirksam, sodass eine fortbestehende pleuroperitoneale Leckage bisher das Ende der PD darstellte. Als vielversprechend erweist sich ein videoassistierter thorakoskopischer Eingriff, durch welchen die Leckage entweder mittels Naht oder Netzeinbringung erfolgreich behandelt werden kann.
Der ungeplante Start mit der Peritonealdialyse
Authors: Artunc Ferruh 
Published: February 2022

ZUSAMMENFASSUNGDer ungeplante Dialysestart bezeichnet die Einleitung einer Nierenersatztherapie bei terminaler Niereninsuffizienz ohne etablierten Dialysezugang. Während diese Patienten gewöhnlich mittels Hämodialyse (HD) behandelt werden, etablierte sich in den letzten Jahren das Konzept, manche dieser Patienten auch mittels Peritonealdialyse (PD) zu behandeln. Die Umsetzung des ungeplanten PD-Starts erfordert eine enge Zusammenarbeit der Nephrologie mit der Allgemeinchirurgie und Anästhesie. Bis auf eine leicht erhöhte Rate an Dialysatleckagen sind die Ergebnisse des ungeplanten mit denen eines geplanten PD-Starts vergleichbar, was Gesamt- und technisches Überleben wie auch infektiöse Komplikationen anbelangt. Insgesamt ist der ungeplante PD-Start eine gute Option für Patienten mit terminaler Niereninsuffizienz in einer ungeplanten Situation.
Biosynthesis and Chemopreventive Potential of Jute (Corchorus
capsularis and C. olitorius) Flavonoids and Phylogeny of
Flavonoid Biosynthesis Pathways
Authors: Satya Pratik , Sarkar Debabrata , Chatterjee Amitava , Pal Srikumar , Ray Soham , Sharma Laxmi , Roy Suman , Bera Amit , Ghosh Srinjoy , Mitra Jiban , Kar Gouranga , Singh Nagendra Kumar 
Published: February 2022

AbstractFlavonoids are valuable phytochemicals for human health and nutrition. Jute
(Corchorus capsularis and C. olitorius), a vegetable rich in
phenolics and flavonoids, is globally consumed for its health benefit, but the
biosynthesis pathways and metabolic profiles of its flavonoids are poorly
characterized. Elucidating the flavonoid biosynthesis pathways would augment the
broader use of jute, including targeted synthesis of its specific flavonoids. We
reconstructed the core flavonoid biosynthesis pathways in jute by integrating
transcriptome mining, HPLC and flavonoid histochemistry. In C. capsularis
(white jute), the flavonoid biosynthesis pathways’ metabolic flux was
driven toward the biosynthesis of proanthocyanidins that mediate the acquisition
of abiotic stress tolerance. However, higher levels of flavonols in C.
olitorius (tossa jute) render it more suitable for nutritional and
medicinal use. Jute flavonoid extract exhibited in vitro inhibition of
matrix metalloproteinase-2, suggesting its potential chemopreventive and
immunity-boosting roles. Using the flavonoid biosynthesis pathways profiles of
93 plant species, we reconstructed the flavonoid biosynthesis pathways phylogeny
based on distance-based clustering of reaction paths. This reaction-path
flavonoid biosynthesis pathways phylogeny was quite distinct from that
reconstructed using individual gene sequences. Our flavonoid biosynthesis
pathways-based classification of flavonoid groups corroborates well with their
chemical evolution, suggesting complex, adaptive evolution of flavonoid
biosynthesis pathways, particularly in higher plants.
Frequency of Thyroid Gland Invasion by Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: The Role of Subglottic Extension
Authors: Pasha Hamdan Ahmed , Wasif Muhammad , Ikram Mubasher , Hammad Muhammad , Ghaloo Shayan Khalid , Rashid Zafar 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Introduction Management of the thyroid gland during laryngectomy has been controversial. The primary tumor may invade the thyroid gland by direct invasion or lymphovascular spread. Hypothyroidism and hypoparathyroidism are potential risks when lobectomy or total thyroidectomy are performed simultaneously.
Objective To report the frequency of thyroid gland involvement by primary laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma in patients undergoing laryngectomy and to identify possible risk factors for thyroid gland involvement so that judicious excision of thyroid gland can be attained.
Methods We performed a retrospective review of 9 years. Data was collected from medical records of patients dated from December 2009 to October 2018. All patients with laryngeal cancer who underwent laryngectomy with lobectomy or total thyroidectomy were included in the present study.
Results We reviewed 151 laryngectomy records. A total of 130 surgeries included the thyroid gland with the excised specimen and were available for analysis. There were 124 males and 6 females. The mean age was 59.4 years old. The glottis was the most common subsite involved, in 70 patients, followed by 38 transglottic, 16 supraglottic and 03 subglottic tumors. On histology, 12 out of 130 excised thyroid glands were involved by squamous cell carcinoma. Only subglottic involvement (p = 0.01) was significantly associated with thyroid gland invasion (TGI). Type of laryngectomy, subsite of the primary tumor, thyroid cartilage involvement, neck nodal metastases, and perineural and lymphatic invasion by the primary tumor were not associated with TGI.
Conclusion Only subglottic involvement is associated with TGI; therefore, preoperative and intraoperative assessment is necessary prior to considering excision of the thyroid gland.
Gastroesophageal Stents for the Management of Post Sleeve Gastrectomy Leakage: Interventional Radiology Experience
Authors: Bin Dahmash Abdulmajeed , Arabi Mohammad , Alfutais Aljabriyah , Alswayah Mohammed A. , Alshehri Shaker , Salman Refaat , Zahrani Yousof Al , Almoaiqel Mohammed 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Objective The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of retrievable, self-expandable gastroesophageal stents to manage gastric leaks post sleeve gastrectomy by interventional radiology (IR).
Methods This is a retrospective study of patients with gastric leaks post sleeve gastrectomy who were managed with gastroesophageal stent placement. The diameters of the stents ranged from 23 to 30 mm and the lengths 12.5 to 24 cm.
Results Thirty-one patients (mean age, 32.4 ± 7.97 years) were included in the study, and 46 stents were placed. The total average stenting time was 59.1 ± 35.5 days. Leakage resolved in 93.5% of the patients. Thirty-eight (82.6%) of the stents were retrieved by IR, and the remaining stents were retrieved under endoscopic visualization. Stricture occurred as a complication in four patients: three of which were treated with stenting (one by IR and two by endoscopy) and one required esophagoplasty. Six patients experienced stent migration, three of which underwent stent adjustment, while the remaining three underwent stent reinsertion
Conclusion Gastroesophageal stent placement by IR for gastric leaks post sleeve gastrectomy is safe and effective in our study.