bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantitative analysis of proteins which are members of the same protein complex but cause locus heterogeneity in disease
Authors: Gamba Alessio , Salmona Mario , Bazzoni Gianfranco 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIt is still largely unknown how mutations in different genes cause similar diseases – a condition known as locus heterogeneity. A likely explanation is that the different proteins encoded by the locus heterogeneity genes participate in the same biological function and, specifically, that they belong to the same protein complex. Here we report that, in up to 30% of the instances of locus heterogeneity, the disease-causing proteins are indeed members of the same protein complex. Moreover, we observed that, in many instances, the diseases and protein complexes only partially intersect. Among the possible explanations, we surmised that some genes that encode proteins in the complex have not yet been reported as causing disease and are therefore candidate disease genes. Mutations of known human disease genes and murine orthologs of candidate disease genes that encode proteins in the same protein complex do in fact often cause similar phenotypes in humans and mice. Furthermore, we found that the disease-complex intersection is not only incomplete but also non-univocal, with many examples of one disease intersecting more than one protein complex or one protein complex intersecting more than one disease. These limits notwithstanding, this study shows that action on proteins in the same complex is a widespread pathogenic mechanism underlying numerous instances of locus heterogeneity.
Distal lung epithelial progenitor cell function declines with age
Authors: Watson Julie K. , Sanders Philip , Dunmore Rebecca , Rosignoli Guglielmo , Julé Yvon , Rawlins Emma L. , Mustelin Tomas , May Richard , Clarke Deborah , Finch Donna K. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractTissue stem cell exhaustion is a key hallmark of aging, and in this study, we characterised its manifestation in the distal lung. We compared the lungs of 3- and 22-month old mice. We examined the gross morphological changes in these lungs, the density and function of epithelial progenitor populations and the epithelial gene expression profile. Bronchioles became smaller in their cross-sectional area and diameter. Using long-term EdU incorporation analysis and immunohistochemistry, we found that bronchiolar cell density remained stable with aging, but inferred rates of bronchiolar club progenitor cell self-renewal and differentiation were reduced, indicative of an overall slowdown in cellular turnover. Alveolar Type II progenitor cell density and self-renewal were maintained per unit tissue area with aging, but rates of inferred differentiation into Type I cells, and indeed overall density of Type I cells was reduced. Microarray analysis revealed age-related changes in multiple genes, including some with roles in proliferation and differentiation, and in IGF and TGFβ signalling pathways. By characterising how lung stem cell dynamics change with aging, this study will elucidate how they contribute to age-related loss of pulmonary function, and pathogenesis of common age-related pulmonary diseases.
Using critical slowing down indicators to understand economic growth rate variability and secular stagnation
Authors: Rye Craig D. , Jackson Tim 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThis paper utilizes Critical Slowing Down (CSD; instability) indicators developed by statistical physics to analyse economic growth rate variability and secular stagnation in historical GDP data. Understanding these phenomena is vital, particularly in advanced economies faced with declining growth rates. Two novel indicators - the autocorrelation (AR1) and the variance – are found particularly useful in providing insight into inter-decadal GDP variability over this period. These indicators are first applied to the Maddison-Project historical dataset, which includes almost a century of data for some 80 countries and almost two centuries of data for 9 countries. They are additionally applied to ~50 years of recent annual data for around 130 countries from the World Bank dataset as well as ~60 years of recent quarterly data for around 20 countries from the OECD dataset. Analysis reveals inter-decadal variability in growth cycles (the recession cycle), highlighting periods of large slow growth cycles and periods of small fast growth cycles. The most commonly occurring pattern is characterised by an increase in CSD from the 1900s to 1940s, a decline in CSD between the 1930s and the 1970s, then a further increase in CSD from the 1960s to 2010. This pattern is significant in ~70% of the advanced economies. CSD indicators may then provide invaluable insights into specific aspects of inter-decadal GDP variability, such as on the nature of the business cycle, secular stagnation and the implicit “restoring forces” of the economy.
A population-based survey for dietary patterns and prediabetes among 7555 Chinese adults in urban and rural areas in Jiangsu Province
Authors: Cao Ye , Chen Chong , Cui Lan , Han Aohan , Tu Qingyun , Lou Peian , Ding Ganling , Qin Yu , Xiang Quanyong 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackground: Prediabetes is an important public health problem concern globally, to which dietary patterns have shown varied effects. This study aims to analyze the relationship between dietary patterns and prediabetes in Chinese adults. Methods: A total of 7555 adults from Jiangsu province, China, were recruited using a stratified multistage cluster sampling method. Information on diet intake, demographic, blood glucose and other indices were collected by structured questionnaires. Four dietary patterns of Meat diet, Healthy diet, Traditional diet and Fried food with staple diet were identified using Principle Component Analysis and followingly divided into T1 - T4 groups according to their quartiles of factor scores. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association between dietary patterns and prediabetes. Results: Healthy diet was found to be associated with the lowest prevalence of prediabetes (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis after adjusting the confounding factors demonstrated that the lowest odds ratio with prediabetes was associated with the third quartile (T3 group) of Healthy diet (Odds Ratio = 0.745, 95% Confidence Interval: 0.645–0.860, P < 0.01), compared with the lower quartile (T1 group). The Meat diet was a potential risk factor for the isolated IFG (Odds Ratio = 1.227, 95%Confidence Interval: 1.070–1.406, P-value<0.01) while Fried food with staple diet was positively linked to the presence of IFG combined with IGT (Odds Ratio = 1.735, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.184–2.543, P-value < 0.01). Conclusions: Dietary patterns rich in meat but low in fresh fruit, fresh vegetable, milk, and fish are positively associated with higher risk of prediabetes, particularly the IFG. Higher Healthy diet consumption was associated with significantly lower risk of prediabetes.
The importance of the AMPK gamma 1 subunit in metformin suppression of liver glucose production
Authors: An Hongying , Wang Yu , Qin Caolitao , Li Mingsong , Maheshwari Akhil , He Ling 
Published: June 2020

AbstractMetformin has been used to treat patients with type 2 diabetes for over 60 years, however, its mechanism of action is still not completely understood. Our previous reports showed that high-fat-diet (HFD)-fed mice with liver-specific knockout of both AMPK catalytic α1 and α2 subunits exhibited significantly higher fasting blood glucose levels and produced more glucose than floxed AMPK catalytic α1 and α2 mice after long-term metformin treatment, and that metformin promotes the formation of the functional AMPK αβγ heterotrimeric complex. We tested the importance of each regulatory γ subunit isoform to metformin action in this current study. We found that depletion of γ1, but not γ2 or γ3, drastically reduced metformin activation of AMPK. HFD-fed mice with depletion of the γ1 subunit are resistant to metformin suppression of liver glucose production. Furthermore, we determined the role of each regulatory cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS) domain in the γ1 subunit in metformin action and found that deletion of either CBS1 or CBS4 negated metformin’s effect on AMPKα phosphorylation at T172 and suppression of glucose production in hepatocytes. Our data indicate that the γ1 subunit is required for metformin’s control of glucose metabolism in hepatocytes. Furthermore, in humans and animal models, metformin treatment leads to the loss of body weight, we found that the decrease in body weight gain in mice treated with metformin is not directly attributable to increased energy expenditure.
REM versus Non-REM sleep disturbance specifically affects inter-specific emotion processing in family dogs (Canis familiaris)
Authors: Bolló Henrietta , Kovács Krisztina , Lefter Radu , Gombos Ferenc , Kubinyi Enikő , Topál József , Kis Anna 
Published: June 2020

AbstractDogs have outstanding capabilities to read human emotional expressions, both vocal and facial. It has also been shown that positively versus negatively valenced dog-human social interactions substantially affect dogs’ subsequent sleep. In the present study, we manipulated dogs’ (N = 15, in a within subject design) sleep structure by specifically disrupting REM versus Non-REM sleep, while maintaining equal sleep efficiency (monitored via non-invasive polysomnography). We found that both the number of awakenings as well as relative Non-REM (but not relative REM) duration influenced dogs’ viewing patterns in a task where sad and happy human faces were simultaneously projected with sad or happy human voice playbacks. In accordance with the emotion laterality hypothesis, the interaction between sound valence and Non-REM sleep duration was specific to images projected to the left (regardless of image-sound congruency). These results reveal the first evidence of a causal link between sleep structure and inter-specific emotion-processing in the family dog.
Impact of controlled-release urea on rice yield, nitrogen use efficiency and soil fertility in a single rice cropping system
Authors: Chen Zhaoming , Wang Qiang , Ma Junwei , Zou Ping , Jiang Lina 
Published: June 2020

AbstractOveruse of nitrogen (N) fertilizer has led to low N use efficiency (NUE) and high N loss in single rice cropping systems in southeast China. Application of controlled-release urea (CRU) is considered as an effective N fertilizer practice for improving crop yields and NUE. Here, field experiments were conducted during 2015–2017 to assess the effects of two CRUs (resin-coated urea (RCU) and polyurethane-coated urea (PCU)) on rice yields, NUE and soil fertility at two sites (Lincheng town (LC) and Xintang town (XT)). Four treatments were established at each site: (1) control with no N application (CK), (2) split application of conventional urea (U, 270 kg N ha−1), (3) single basal application of RCU (RCU, 216 kg N ha−1), and (4) single basal application of PCU (PCU, 216 kg N ha−1). The N application rate in the CRU treatment compared to the U treatment was reduced by 20%. However, the results showed that, compared to split application of urea, single basal application of CRU led to similar rice grain yields and aboveground biomass at both sites. No significant difference in the N uptake by rice plant was observed between the U and CRU treatments at either site. There were no significant differences in the N apparent recovery efficiency (NARE) among the U, RCU and PCU treatments, with the exception of that in XT in 2015. Compared to application of U, application of CRU increased the N agronomic efficiency (NAE) and N partial factor productivity (NPFP) by 17.4–52.6% and 23.4–29.8% at the LC site, and 15.0–84.1% and 23.2–33.4% at the XT site, respectively, during 2015–2017. Yield component analysis revealed that greater rice grain yield in response to N fertilizer was attributed mainly to the number of panicles per m2, which increased in the fertilized treatments compared to the CK treatment. The application of CRU did not affect the soil fertility after rice harvest in 2016. Overall, these results suggest that single basal application of CRU constitutes a promising alternative N management practice for reducing N application rates, time- and labor-consuming in rice production in southeast China.
Evaluation of the therapeutic potential of Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) via oral gavage in young adult Down syndrome mice
Authors: Goodlett Charles R. , Stringer Megan , LaCombe Jonathan , Patel Roshni , Wallace Joseph M. , Roper Randall J. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractEpigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is a candidate therapeutic for Down syndrome (DS) phenotypes based on in vitro inhibition of DYRK1A, a triplicated gene product of Trisomy 21 (Ts21). Consumption of green tea extracts containing EGCG improved some cognitive and behavioral outcomes in DS mouse models and in humans with Ts21. In contrast, treatment with pure EGCG in DS mouse models did not improve neurobehavioral phenotypes. This study tested the hypothesis that 200 mg/kg/day of pure EGCG, given via oral gavage, would improve neurobehavioral and skeletal phenotypes in the Ts65Dn DS mouse model. Serum EGCG levels post-gavage were significantly higher in trisomic mice than in euploid mice. Daily EGCG gavage treatments over three weeks resulted in growth deficits in both euploid and trisomic mice. Compared to vehicle treatment, EGCG did not significantly improve behavioral performance of Ts65Dn mice in the multivariate concentric square field, balance beam, or Morris water maze tasks, but reduced swimming speed. Furthermore, EGCG resulted in reduced cortical bone structure and strength in Ts65Dn mice. These outcomes failed to support the therapeutic potential of EGCG, and the deleterious effects on growth and skeletal phenotypes underscore the need for caution in high-dose EGCG supplements as an intervention in DS.
Individual differences in local functional brain connectivity affect TMS effects on behavior
Authors: Gießing Carsten , Alavash Mohsen , Herrmann Christoph S. , Hilgetag Claus C. , Thiel Christiane M. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBehavioral effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) often show substantial differences between subjects. One factor that might contribute to these inter-individual differences is the interaction of current brain states with the effects of local brain network perturbation. The aim of the current study was to identify brain regions whose connectivity before and following right parietal perturbation affects individual behavioral effects during a visuospatial target detection task. 20 subjects participated in an fMRI experiment where their brain hemodynamic response was measured during resting state, and then during a visuospatial target detection task following 1 Hz rTMS and sham stimulation. To select a parsimonious set of associated brain regions, an elastic net analysis was used in combination with a whole-brain voxel-wise functional connectivity analysis. TMS-induced changes in accuracy were significantly correlated with the pattern of functional connectivity during the task state following TMS. The functional connectivity of the left superior temporal, angular, and precentral gyri was identified as key explanatory variable for the individual behavioral TMS effects. Our results suggest that the brain must reach an appropriate state in which right parietal TMS can induce improvements in visual target detection. The ability to reach this state appears to vary between individuals.
Prospects of activity limitations among older adults in 23 low and middle income countries
Authors: Weber Daniela , Scherbov Sergei 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIncreasing life expectancy and a growing share of older people around the world spotlight the issue of health during additional years of life. Research on trends of proportions of older people with activity limitations for low and middle income countries is sparse. We use data from the World Health Survey and the UN World Population Prospects to predict prevalence of activity limitations for 23 low and middle income countries for the upcoming 30 years. Our projections highlight huge variation in the proportion of older adults with limitations across investigated countries and this variation is not expected to diminish. However, these countries are facing considerable demographic changes and even though prevalence rates appear almost constant, absolute numbers are changing which require policy interventions. Furthermore, variations across countries reflect not only disparities in health conditions, but also differences in cultural peculiarities of reporting and historical perception of health.
Longitudinal analysis on parasite diversity in honeybee colonies: new taxa, high frequency of mixed infections and seasonal patterns of variation
Authors: Bartolomé Carolina , Buendía-Abad María , Benito María , Sobrino Beatriz , Amigo Jorge , Carracedo Angel , Martín-Hernández Raquel , Higes Mariano , Maside Xulio 
Published: June 2020

AbstractTo evaluate the influence that parasites have on the losses of Apis mellifera it is essential to monitor their presence in the colonies over time. Here we analysed the occurrence of nosematids, trypanosomatids and neogregarines in five homogeneous colonies for up to 21 months until they collapsed. The study, which combined the use of several molecular markers with the application of a massive parallel sequencing technology, provided valuable insights into the epidemiology of these parasites: (I) it enabled the detection of parasite species rarely reported in honeybees (Nosema thomsoni, Crithidia bombi, Crithidia acanthocephali) and the identification of two novel taxa; (II) it revealed the existence of a high rate of co-infections (80% of the samples harboured more than one parasite species); (III) it uncovered an identical pattern of seasonal variation for nosematids and trypanosomatids, that was different from that of neogregarines; (IV) it showed that there were no significant differences in the fraction of positive samples, nor in the levels of species diversity, between interior and exterior bees; and (V) it unveiled that the variation in the number of parasite species was not directly linked with the failure of the colonies.
Prefrontal - subthalamic pathway supports action selection in a spatial working memory task
Authors: Heikenfeld Carla , Mederos Sara , Chen Changwan , Korotkova Tatiana , Schnitzler Alfons , Ponomarenko Alexey 
Published: June 2020

AbstractSubthalamic nucleus (STN) is the main source of feed-forward excitation in the basal ganglia and a main target of therapeutic deep brain stimulation in movement disorders. Alleviation of motor symptoms during STN stimulation can be accompanied by deterioration of abilities to quickly choose between conflicting alternatives. Cortical afferents to the subthalamic region (ST), comprising STN and zona incerta (ZI), include projections from the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), yet little is known about prefrontal-subthalamic coordination and its relevance for decision-making. Here we combined electrophysiological recordings with optogenetic manipulations of projections from mPFC to ST in mice as they performed a spatial working memory task (T-maze) or explored an elevated plus maze (anxiety test). We found that gamma oscillations (30–70 Hz) are coordinated between mPFC and ST at theta (5–10 Hz) and, less efficiently, at sub-theta (2–5 Hz) frequencies. An optogenetic detuning of the theta/gamma cross-frequency coupling between the regions into sub-theta range impaired performance in the T-maze, yet did not affect anxiety-related behaviors in the elevated plus maze. Both detuning and inhibition of the mPFC-ST pathway led to repeated incorrect choices in the T-maze. These effects were not associated with changes of anxiety and motor activity measures. Our findings suggest that action selection in a cognitively demanding task crucially involves theta rhythmic coordination of gamma oscillatory signaling in the prefrontal-subthalamic pathway.
Cold atmospheric plasma as an effective method to treat diabetic foot ulcers: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Mirpour Shahriar , Fathollah Sara , Mansouri Parvin , Larijani Bagher , Ghoranneviss Mahmood , Mohajeri Tehrani Mohammadreza , Amini Mohammad Reza 
Published: June 2020

AbstractCold atmospheric plasma (CAP) was shown to decrease bacterial load in chronic wounds. It was also presented as a novel approach to healing wounds in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. We aimed to examine the first randomized clinical trial for the use of CAP in diabetic foot ulcers. Patients (n = 44) were randomly double-blinded, and assigned to receive standard care (SC, n = 22) without or with CAP, to be applied three times a week for three consecutive weeks (SC + CAP, n = 22), using block randomization with mixing block sizes of four. The trial was conducted at the Diabetes Research Center in Tehran, Iran. CAP was generated from ionized helium gas in ambient air, and driven by a high voltage (10 kV) and high frequency (6 kHz) power supply. Primary outcomes were wound size, number of cases reaching wound size of <0.5, and a bacterial load after over three weeks of treatment. CAP treatment effectively reduced the fraction of wound size (p = 0.02). After three weeks, the wounds to reach fraction wound size of ≤0.5 was significantly greater in the SC + CAP group (77.3%) compared to the SC group (36.4%) (p = 0.006). The mean fraction of bacterial load counted in each session ‘after CAP exposure’ was significantly less than ‘before exposure’ measures. CAP can be an efficient method to accelerate wound healing in diabetic foot ulcers, with immediate antiseptic effects that do not seem to last long.
A study of the desulfurization selectivity of a reductive and extractive desulfurization process with sodium borohydride in polyethylene glycol
Authors: Meng Xianglong , Zhou Pin , Li Lu , Liu Lizhong , Guo Mingming , Sun Tonghua 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe selectivity of a facile reductive and extractive desulfurization process was studied. In this desulfurization method, polyethylene glycol was used as the extractant, and sodium borohydride was used as the reductant. Several different simulated fuels were prepared by dissolving thiophenic sulfides, methylbenzene and hexylene in octane. The results showed that methylbenzene and olefins had different effects on different sulfur compounds during this desulfurization process. The extraction and reduction mechanisms were also explained. Four factors could affect the desulfurization performance: (1) intermolecular hydrogen bonding: (a) active O bonding with aromatic H or (b) S bonding with H atoms in hydroxide radicals, (2) “like-dissolves-like” interactions between polyethylene glycol and thiophenic sulfides, (3) the methyl steric hindrance effect and the electron density of sulfur atoms, and (4) the combination of S atoms with produced nickel boride to form active desulfurization centres. The desulfurization reaction path was also deduced according to the GC/MS results.