bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An approach using Caenorhabditis elegans screening novel targets to suppress tumour cell proliferation
Authors: Mao Yu‐Qin , Han San‐Feng , Zhang Shi‐Long , Zhang Zheng‐Yan , Kong Chao‐Yue , Chen Hui‐Ling , Li Zhan‐Ming , Cai Pei‐Ran , Han Bing , Wang Li‐Shun 
Published: May 2020

AbstractObjectivesTumour cell proliferation requires high metabolism to meet the bioenergetics and biosynthetic needs. Dauer in Caenorhabditis elegans is characterized by lower metabolism, and we established an approach with C elegans to find potential tumour therapy targets.Materials and methodsRNAi screening was used to find dauer‐related genes, and these genes were further analysed in glp‐1(−) mutants for tumour‐suppressing testing. The identified tumour‐related genes were verified in clinical tumour tissues.ResultsThe lifespan of glp‐1(−) mutants was found to be extended by classical dauer formation signalling. Then, 61 of 287 kinase‐coding genes in Caenorhabditis elegans were identified as dauer‐related genes, of which 27 were found to be homologous to human oncogenes. Furthermore, 12 dauer‐related genes were randomly selected for tumour‐suppressing test, and six genes significantly extended the lifespan of glp‐1(−) mutants. Of these six genes, F47D12.9, W02B12.12 and gcy‐21 were newly linked to dauer formation. These three new dauer‐related genes significantly suppressed tumour cell proliferation and thus extended the lifespan of glp‐1(−) mutants in a longevity‐ or dauer‐independent manner. The mRNA expression profiles indicated that these dauer‐related genes trigged similar low metabolism pattern in glp‐1(−) mutants. Notably, the expression of homolog gene DCAF4L2/F47D12.9, TSSK6/W02B12.12 and NPR1/gcy‐21 was found to be higher in glioma compared with adjacent normal tissue. In addition, the high expression of TSSK6/W02B12.12 and NPR1/gcy‐21 correlated with a worse survival in glioma patients.ConclusionsDauer gene screening in combination with tumour‐suppressing test in glp‐1(−) mutants provided a useful approach to find potential targets for tumour therapy via suppressing tumour cell proliferation and rewiring tumour cell metabolism.
Floral bagging differentially affects handling behaviours and single‐visit pollen deposition by honey bees and native bees
Authors: Cecala Jacob M. , Lau Pierre W. , Leong Joan M. 
Published: May 2020

1. Measurements of pollinator performance are crucial to pollination studies, enabling researchers to quantify the relative value of different pollinator species to plant reproduction. One of the most widely employed measures of pollinator performance is single‐visit pollen deposition, the number of conspecific pollen grains deposited to a stigma after one pollinator visit. To ensure a pollen‐free stigma, experimenters must first bag flowers before exposing them to a pollinator.2. Bagging flowers, however, may unintentionally manipulate floral characteristics to which pollinators respond. In this study, we quantified the effect of bagging on nectar volume in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) flowers, and how this affects pollinator performance and behaviour.3. Experimental bagging resulted in roughly 30‐fold increases in nectar volume relative to unmanipulated, open‐pollinated field flowers after only a few hours. Honey bees, but not native bees, consistently displayed elevated handling times and single‐visit pollen deposition on unmanipulated bagged flowers relative to those from which we removed nectar to mimic volumes in open‐pollinated flowers.4. Furthermore, we identify specific bee foraging behaviours during a floral visit that account for differences in pollen deposition, and how these differ between honey bees and native bees.5. Our findings suggest that experimental bagging of flowers, without accounting for artificially accumulated nectar, can lead to biased estimates of pollinator performance in pollinator taxa that respond strongly to nectar volume. We advise that pollination studies be attentive to nectar secretion dynamics in their focal plant species to ensure unbiased estimates of pollinator performance across multiple pollinator species.
Sick plants in grassland communities: a growth‐defense trade‐off is the main driver of fungal pathogen abundance
Authors: Cappelli Seraina L. , Pichon Noémie A. , Kempel Anne , Allan Eric 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAboveground fungal pathogens can substantially reduce biomass production in grasslands. However, we lack a mechanistic understanding of the drivers of fungal pathogen infection and impact. Using a grassland global change and biodiversity experiment we show that the trade‐off between plant growth and defense is the main determinant of infection incidence. In contrast, nitrogen addition only indirectly increased incidence via shifting plant communities towards faster growing species. Plant diversity did not decrease incidence, likely because spillover of generalist pathogens or dominance of susceptible plants counteracted negative diversity effects. A fungicide treatment increased plant biomass production and high levels of infection incidence were associated with reduced biomass. However, pathogen impact was context dependent and infection incidence reduced biomass more strongly in diverse communities. Our results show that a growth‐defense trade‐off is the key driver of pathogen incidence, but pathogen impact is determined by several mechanisms and may depend on pathogen community composition.
Functional connectome contractions in temporal lobe epilepsy: Microstructural underpinnings and predictors of surgical outcome
Authors: Larivière Sara , Weng Yifei , Vos de Wael Reinder , Royer Jessica , Frauscher Birgit , Wang Zhengge , Bernasconi Andrea , Bernasconi Neda , Schrader Dewi V. , Zhang Zhiqiang , Bernhardt Boris C. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractObjectiveTemporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common drug‐resistant epilepsy in adults. Although it is commonly related to hippocampal pathology, increasing evidence suggests structural changes beyond the mesiotemporal lobe. Functional anomalies and their link to underlying structural alterations, however, remain incompletely understood.MethodsWe studied 30 drug‐resistant TLE patients and 57 healthy controls using multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analyses. All patients had histologically verified hippocampal sclerosis and underwent postoperative imaging to outline the extent of their surgical resection. Our analysis leveraged a novel resting‐state functional MRI framework that parameterizes functional connectivity distance, consolidating topological and physical properties of macroscale brain networks. Functional findings were integrated with morphological and microstructural metrics, and utility for surgical outcome prediction was assessed using machine learning techniques.ResultsCompared to controls, TLE patients showed connectivity distance reductions in temporoinsular and prefrontal networks, indicating topological segregation of functional networks. Testing for morphological and microstructural associations, we observed that functional connectivity contractions occurred independently from TLE‐related cortical atrophy but were mediated by microstructural changes in the underlying white matter. Following our imaging study, all patients underwent an anterior temporal lobectomy as a treatment of their seizures, and postsurgical seizure outcome was determined at a follow‐up at least 1 year after surgery. Using a regularized supervised machine learning paradigm with fivefold cross‐validation, we demonstrated that patient‐specific functional anomalies predicted postsurgical seizure outcome with 76 ± 4% accuracy, outperforming classifiers operating on clinical and structural imaging features.SignificanceOur findings suggest connectivity distance contractions as a macroscale substrate of TLE. Functional topological isolation may represent a microstructurally mediated network mechanism that tilts the balance toward epileptogenesis in affected networks and that may assist in patient‐specific surgical prognostication.
Candidate gene expression and coding sequence variants in Warmblood horses with myofibrillar myopathy
Authors: Williams Zoë J. , Velez‐Irizarry Deborah , Petersen Jessica L. , Ochala Julien , Finno Carrie J. , Valberg Stephanie J. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundMyofibrillar myopathy (MFM) of unknown aetiology has recently been identified in Warmblood (WB) horses. In humans, 16 genes have been implicated in various MFM‐like disorders.ObjectivesTo identify variants in 16 MFM candidate genes and compare allele frequencies of all variants between MFM WB and non‐MFM WB and coding variants with moderate or severe predicted effects in MFM WB with publicly available data of other breeds. To compare differential gene expression and muscle fibre contractile force between MFM and non‐MFM WB.Study designCase‐control.Animals8 MFM WB, 8 non‐MFM WB, 33 other WB, 32 Thoroughbreds, 80 Quarter Horses and 77 horses of other breeds in public databases.MethodsVariants were called within transcripts of 16 candidate genes using gluteal muscle mRNA sequences aligned to EquCab3.0 and allele frequencies compared by Fisher's exact test among MFM WB, non‐MFM WB and public sequences across breeds. Candidate gene differential expression was determined between MFM and non‐MFM WB by fitting a negative binomial generalised log‐linear model per gene (false discovery rate <0.05). The maximal isometric force/cross‐sectional area generated by isolated membrane‐permeabilised muscle fibres was determined.ResultsNone of the 426 variants identified in 16 candidate genes were associated with MFM including 26 missense variants. Breed‐specific differences existed in allele frequencies. Candidate gene differential expression and muscle fibre‐specific force did not differ between MFM WB (143.1 ± 34.7 kPa) and non‐MFM WB (140.2 ± 43.7 kPa) (P = .8).Main limitationsRNA‐seq–only assays transcripts expressed in skeletal muscle. Other possible candidate genes were not evaluated.ConclusionsEvidence for association of variants with a disease is essential because coding sequence variants are common in the equine genome. Variants identified in MFM candidate genes, including two coding variants offered as commercial MFM equine genetic tests, did not associate with the WB MFM phenotype.
Re‐assessment of the disk diffusion technique for routine antimicrobial susceptibility testing for Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Tang Xiaoqiong , Shen Yalin , Hu Renwei , Yang Tiankuo , Benghezal Mohammed , Li Hong , Tang Hong 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to assess the disk diffusion technique against E‐test as a routine antibiotic susceptibility testing method for Helicobacter pylori.Materials and methodsSusceptibilities of 301 H pylori clinical isolates were simultaneously profiled by E‐test and disk diffusion method for levofloxacin (5‐μg disk), clarithromycin (15‐μg disk), metronidazole (5‐μg disk), amoxicillin (10‐μg disk), and tetracycline (30‐μg disk). Furazolidone susceptibility was evaluated using a 100‐μg disk only. The correlation between MICs by E‐test and inhibition zone diameters by disk diffusion was assessed by linear regression analysis.ResultsCorrelation between inhibition zone diameters and MICs was found for levofloxacin (r = −.932), clarithromycin (r = −.894), and to a minor extent metronidazole (r = −.820). Using the linear regression analysis, the inhibition zone diameter breakpoints were calculated to be 29 mm for levofloxacin, 41 mm for clarithromycin, and 15 mm for metronidazole corresponding to the EUCAST‐recommended MIC breakpoints. The susceptibility agreement between E‐test and disk diffusion for levofloxacin, clarithromycin, and metronidazole was 98.6%, 96.0%, and 96.7%, respectively. The inhibition zone diameters recorded for the amoxicillin, tetracycline, and furazolidone were large (approximately 60 mm in mean), and a poor correlation was found between inhibition zone diameters and MICs for amoxicillin (r = −.594) and tetracycline (r = −.490).ConclusionsThe disk diffusion can be used as a routine H pylori susceptibility testing method for levofloxacin, clarithromycin, and metronidazole in clinical practice under the described technical conditions. The use of disk diffusion for amoxicillin, tetracycline, and furazolidone susceptibility testing needs to be further studied.
Vacuum impregnation of apple slices with Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius Poepp. & Endl) fructooligosaccharides to enhance the functional properties of the fruit snack
Authors: Mejía‐Águila Reina A. , Aguilar‐Galvez Ana , Chirinos Rosana , Pedreschi Romina , Campos David 
Published: May 2020

SummaryThis work aimed to incorporate prebiotic FOS from yacon in apple slices using vacuum impregnation (VI). Three FOS concentrations (10.3, 14.1 and 18.9 g per 100 g of dry matter (DM)), two temperatures (25 and 35 °C), reuse of extracts and stability of the impregnated slices were evaluated. The highest impregnation level (30.5 g per 100 g DM) was obtained at 35 °C with 14.1% FOS extract while levels of common sugars were reduced. Total phenolics and ABTS antioxidant capacity (AC) slightly decreased while ORAC AC was reduced by 55%. Reuse of the impregnation solution in successive cycles after restoring the FOS level maintained the FOS concentration and profile (GF2–GF7), sugars and phenolic antioxidants. FOS in apple slices remained stable during 4 week storage, while aw, colour and fracture point changed during storage. This work demonstrated the feasibility of yacon FOS to improve the functional properties of dehydrated apple slices.
The level of evidence, scientific impact and social impact of clinical studies in periodontology: A methodological study
Authors: Meng Ziyan , Xiang Qianfeng , Wu Xinyu , Hua Fang , Dong Weili , Tu Yu‐Kang 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAimsTo analyse the level of evidence (LOE) of clinical studies in the field of periodontology, and to investigate whether LOE is a predictor of scientific impact and social impact.Materials and MethodsClinical studies published in five leading periodontal journals during 2015–2019 were identified. The LOE of included studies were assessed with a modified LOE classification system based on Oxford 2009 LOE, Oxford 2011 LOE and GRADE guidelines. Citation counts were harvested from Web of Science and Scopus. Altmetric Attention Scores (AAS) were obtained from Altmetric Explorer. Multivariable generalized estimation equation (GEE) analyses were used to investigate association between LOE and citation count, as well as between LOE and AAS.ResultsAmong 768 studies included, the proportion of level‐1, level‐2, level‐3 and level‐4 was 10.4%, 44.8%, 13.7% and 31.1%, respectively. In the multivariable GEE analyses, high LOE was a significant predictor of higher average citation count (p = .010) and higher AAS (p < .001).ConclusionThe LOE of clinical studies in the periodontal field is relatively high in general, although it varies significantly in different journals. Studies with high LOE tend to have greater scientific impact and social impact than low LOE studies.
Greater functional connectivity between sensory networks is related to symptom severity in toddlers with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Chen Bosi , Linke Annika , Olson Lindsay , Ibarra Cynthia , Reynolds Sarah , Müller Ralph‐Axel , Kinnear Mikaela , Fishman Inna 
Published: May 2020

BackgroundSymptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) emerge in the first years of life. Yet, little is known about the organization and development of functional brain networks in ASD proximally to the symptom onset. Further, the relationship between brain network connectivity and emerging ASD symptoms and overall functioning in early childhood is not well understood.MethodsResting‐state fMRI data were acquired during natural sleep from 24 young children with ASD and 23 typically developing (TD) children, aged 17–45 months. Intrinsic functional connectivity (iFC) within and between resting‐state functional networks was derived with independent component analysis (ICA).ResultsIncreased iFC between visual and sensorimotor networks was found in young children with ASD compared to TD participants. Within the ASD group, the degree of overconnectivity between visual and sensorimotor networks was associated with greater autism symptoms. Age‐related weakening of the visual–auditory between‐network connectivity was observed in the ASD but not the TD group.ConclusionsTaken together, these results provide evidence for disrupted functional network maturation and differentiation, particularly involving visual and sensorimotor networks, during the first years of life in ASD. The observed pattern of greater visual–sensorimotor between‐network connectivity associated with poorer clinical outcomes suggests that disruptions in multisensory brain circuitry may play a critical role for early development of behavioral skills and autism symptomatology in young children with ASD.
Evaluation of a balance and mobility program for older adults at risk of falling: a mixed methods study
Authors: Osho Oluwaseyi A. , Harbidge Cathy , Hogan David B. , Manns Patricia J. , Jones C. Allyson 
Published: May 2020

AbstractRational, aims, and objectivesThe FallProof Balance and Mobility Program is a multifactorial fall prevention intervention that targets intrinsic risk factors such as muscle strength, balance, gait, and posture. Using mixed methods, we evaluated the implementation of the program for older adults at high risk of falling in the community.MethodsA pre‐post program evaluation and semi‐structured interviews were used to evaluate FallProof Balance and Mobility Program offered to older adults who were recurrent fallers. Over a 1‐year period, the 12‐week program was offered five times. Feasibility, acceptability, and outcome evaluation along with semi‐structured interviews were done. Over the course of the evaluation, participants were evaluated three times (baseline, 12, and 16 weeks).ResultsOf the 19 participants, who enrolled in the program, 16 completed the program and 12 attended at least 80% of the classes. Fourteen participants had mildly impaired cognition (Montreal Cognitive Assessment <26). Large gains (effect size 0.90) were seen with self‐management (Partner‐in‐Health Scale). Participants were very satisfied with the program. Three themes emerged from the semi‐structured interviews: (a) fall‐related benefits, (b) variety of activities and motivating instructors, and (c) deterrents to participation.ConclusionFindings provided insights into pragmatic issues of implementing a balance and mobility program for older adults at risk of falling. The FallProof program was found to be feasible and acceptable in a small cohort of older adults from the community.
Varices on computed tomography as predictor of survival after hepatic resection in patients with single hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Lee Dong Ho , Chung Jin Wook , Joo Ijin , Suh Kyung‐Suk , Kim Seong Hoon , Koh Young Hwan , Lee Ju Hee , Cho Yun Ku , Park Joong‐Won 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackground and AimThe aim of this study was to evaluate whether presence of varices on computed tomography (CT) could predict treatment outcome for hepatocellular carcinoma patients.MethodsWe enrolled 241 patients with single hepatocellular carcinoma ≤ 5 cm treated by surgery. With the use of preoperative CT/endoscopy, patients were classified into the following: presence of standard clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) surrogate, defined as varices on esophagogastroduodenoscopy and/or thrombocytopenia with splenomegaly (group 1, n = 47); varices on CT without standard CSPH surrogate (group 2, n = 45); and none of both (group 3, n = 149). Development of posthepatectomy liver failure and overall survival (OS) were evaluated for each patient group, and patients were re‐classified into two groups according to presence of CT‐enhanced CSPH surrogate, defined as standard surrogate and/or varices on CT. Predictive power of each survival model was compared using Harrell's C‐index.ResultsPosthepatectomy liver failure rate in group 2 was similar to that in group 1 (53.3% [24/45] vs. 55.3% [26/47]; P = 1.000) but significantly higher than that in group 3 (53.3% [24/45] vs. 28.2% [42/149], P = 0.002). Seven‐year OS rates in group 2 were similar to those in group 1 (55.6% vs. 60.8%, P = 0.988) but significantly lower than those in group 3 (55.6% vs. 83.3%, P = 0.001). Presence of standard CSPH surrogate (hazard ratio = 1.89 [1.08–3.30], P = 0.025) and CT‐enhanced CSPH surrogate (hazard ratio = 2.60 [1.56–4.39], P < 0.001) were significant predicting factor for OS. However, CT‐enhanced CSPH surrogate had significantly higher Harrell's C‐index than standard surrogate (0.619 vs. 0.553, P = 0.034).ConclusionThe presence of CT‐enhanced CSPH surrogate including varices on CT was the significant predictive of poor OS, providing better predictive power than standard surrogate.
Development of character strengths across the deployment cycle among U.S. Army soldiers
Authors: Chopik William J. , Kelley Whitney L. , Vie Loryana L. , Oh Jeewon , Bonett Douglas G. , Lucas Richard E. , Seligman Martin E. P. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractObjectiveDespite a narrative of post‐traumatic growth and resilience, research reliably demonstrating positive character development following adversity has proved elusive. In the current study, we examined changes in character strengths in Army soldiers deploying for the first time.MethodThe sample was comprised of 212,386 Army soldiers (Mage = 26.5 years old, SD = 7.13; 70.8% White) who were deploying for the first time. Character strengths were assessed once before and up to three times following soldiers' return from deployment.ResultsWe found evidence for two classes of change—a resilient class (“stable high”) and a declining class (“persistent low”). Most soldiers were resilient—they had high levels of character strengths prior to deployment and changed very little across the deployment cycle. Approximately 40% of soldiers started with lower character and experienced initial declines post‐deployment, from which they experienced no more than small gains over time.ConclusionsCharacter strengths were highly stable across the deployment transition but some soldiers experienced initial declines from which they never fully rebounded. The findings are discussed in the context of the mechanisms that drive character development.
Retrospective study of the diagnostic utility of Spec fPLin the assessment of 274 sick cats
Authors: Lee Cherrie , Kathrani Aarti , Maddison Jill 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundSerum feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (fPL) commonly is used in the assessment of sick cats suspected to have pancreatitis but its diagnostic utility is debated.ObjectivesTo evaluate the diagnostic utility of the Spec fPL test and selected serum biochemistry tests in the diagnosis of pancreatitis in cats.AnimalsTwo hundred seventy‐four client‐owned cats presented to a university teaching hospital in the United Kingdom, from April 2013 to May 2017, in which Spec fPL was measured.MethodsCats were classified into 1 of 4 groups based on clinical signs (all cats), ultrasonographic findings (all cats) and histopathological or cytological assessment of the pancreas where available (9 cats) regardless of Spec fPL concentration. The groups were (a) definite pancreatitis (n = 9), (b) probable pancreatitis (n = 49), (c) possible pancreatitis (n = 139), and (d) unlikely pancreatitis (n = 77). Spec fPL and selected serum biochemistry test results were compared among groups.ResultsSerum fPL concentrations >5.3 μg/L were classified as positive and concentrations <3.5 μg/L were classified as negative. There was a significantly (P = .03) lower proportion of false‐positive results (cats unlikely to have pancreatitis, n = 77, with a positive fPL, n = 8, 10%) than false‐negative results (cats with definite or probable pancreatitis, n = 58, with a negative fPL result, n = 14, 24%). None of the selected biochemical tests were helpful diagnostically.Conclusion and Clinical ImportanceA positive Spec fPL result indicates that pancreatitis is a probable diagnosis, but the test cannot be used to rule the diagnosis out.