bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
White-matter functional topology: a neuromarker for classification and prediction in unmedicated depression
Authors: Li Jiao , Chen Heng , Fan Feiyang , Qiu Jiang , Du Lian , Xiao Jinming , Duan Xujun , Chen Huafu , Liao Wei 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAberrant topological organization of brain connectomes underlies pathological mechanisms in major depressive disorder (MDD). However, accumulating evidence has only focused on functional organization in brain gray-matter, ignoring functional information in white-matter (WM) that has been confirmed to have reliable and stable topological organizations. The present study aimed to characterize the functional pattern disruptions of MDD from a new perspective—WM functional connectome topological organization. A case-control, cross-sectional resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study was conducted on both discovery [91 unmedicated MDD patients, and 225 healthy controls (HCs)], and replication samples (34 unmedicated MDD patients, and 25 HCs). The WM functional networks were constructed in 128 anatomical regions, and their global topological properties (e.g., small-worldness) were analyzed using graph theory-based approaches. At the system-level, ubiquitous small-worldness architecture and local information-processing capacity were detectable in unmedicated MDD patients but were less salient than in HCs, implying a shift toward randomization in MDD WM functional connectomes. Consistent results were replicated in an independent sample. For clinical applications, small-world topology of WM functional connectome showed a predictive effect on disease severity (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale) in discovery sample (r = 0.34,p = 0.001). Furthermore, the topologically-based classification model could be generalized to discriminate MDD patients from HCs in replication sample (accuracy, 76%; sensitivity, 74%; specificity, 80%). Our results highlight a reproducible topologically shifted WM functional connectome structure and provide possible clinical applications involving an optimal small-world topology as a potential neuromarker for the classification and prediction of MDD patients.
GDF11 inhibits cardiomyocyte pyroptosis and exerts cardioprotection in acute myocardial infarction mice by upregulation of transcription factor HOXA3
Authors: Li Zhange , Xu Honglin , Liu Xin , Hong Yang , Lou Han , Liu Heng , Bai Xue , Wang Lei , Li Xia , Monayo Seth Mikaye , Mokembo Justine Nyakango , Jha Nabanit Kumar , Yang Baofeng , Zhang Yong 
Published: October 2020

AbstractNLRP3 (Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor pyrin domain-containing 3) inflammasome-mediated cardiomyocytes pyroptosis plays a crucial part in progression of acute myocardial infarction (MI). GDF11 (Growth Differentiation Factor 11) has been reported to generate cytoprotective effects in phylogenesis and multiple diseases, but the mechanism that GDF11 contributes to cardioprotection of MI and cardiomyocytes pyroptosis remains poorly understood. In our study, we first determined that GDF11 was abnormally downregulated in the heart tissue of MI mice and hypoxic cardiomyocytes. Moreover, AAV9-GDF11 markedly alleviated heart function in MI mice. Meanwhile, GDF11 overexpression also decreased the pyroptosis of hypoxic cardiomyocytes. PROMO and JASPAR prediction software found that transcription factor HOXA3 was predicted as an important regulator of NLRP3, and was confirmed by ChIP assay. Further analysis identifying GDF11 promoted the Smad2/3 pathway resulted in HOXA3 overexpression. Taken together, our study implies that GDF11 prevents cardiomyocytes pyroptosis via HOXA3/NLRP3 signaling pathway in MI mice.
Closely related species show species-specific environmental responses and different spatial conservation needs: Prionailurus cats in the Indian subcontinent
Authors: Silva André P. , Mukherjee Shomita , Ramakrishnan Uma , Fernandes Carlos , Björklund Mats 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPhylogenetically closely related species are often assumed to have similar responses to environmental conditions, but species-specific responses have also been described. These two scenarios may have different conservation implications. We tested these two hypotheses forPrionailuruscats (P.rubiginosus,P.bengalensis,P.viverrinus) in the Indian subcontinent and show its implications on species current protected area coverage and climatic suitability trends through time. We fitted ecological niche models with current environmental conditions and calculated niche overlap. In addition, we developed a model for the Jungle CatFelis chausto compare species responses and niche overlap estimates withinPrionailuruswith those for a related sympatric small cat species. Then we estimated the proportion of current suitable environment covered by protected area and projected climatic models from past (last interglacial) to future (2070; RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) conditions to show implications on population management and conservation. The hypothesis of a similar response and niche overlap among closely related species is not supported. Protected area coverage was lowest forP.viverrinus(mean = 0.071, SD = 0.012) and highest forP.bengalensis(mean = 0.088, SD = 0.006). In addition, the proportion of the subcontinent with suitable climate varied through time and was species-specific. ForP.bengalensis, climatic suitability shrunk since at least the mid-Holocene, a trend that can be intensified by human-induced climate warming. ConcerningP.viverrinus, most predictions show stable future climatic suitability, but a few indicated potential loss. Climatic suitability forP.rubiginouswas predicted to remain stable but the species exhibited a negative association with intensive agriculture. Similar responses to environmental change by phylogenetically closely related species should not be assumed and have implications on protected area coverage and natural trends of species climatic suitability over time. This should be taken into account during conservation and management actions.
Asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum malaria prevalence among adolescents and adults in Malawi, 2015–2016
Authors: Topazian Hillary M. , Gumbo Austin , Puerto-Meredith Sydney , Njiko Ruth , Mwanza Alexis , Kayange Michael , Mwalilino David , Mvula Bernard , Tegha Gerald , Mvalo Tisungane , Edwards Jessie K. , Emch Michael , Pettifor Audrey , Smith Jennifer S. , Hoffman Irving , Meshnick Steven R. , Juliano Jonathan J. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractMalaria remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in Malawi, with an estimated 18–19% prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum in children 2–10 years in 2015–2016. While children report the highest rates of clinical disease, adults are thought to be an important reservoir to sustained transmission due to persistent asymptomatic infection. The 2015–2016 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey was a nationally representative household survey which collected dried blood spots from 15,125 asymptomatic individuals ages 15–54 between October 2015 and February 2016. We performed quantitative polymerase chain reaction on 7,393 samples, detecting an overall P. falciparum prevalence of 31.1% (SE = 1.1). Most infections (55.6%) had parasitemias ≤ 10 parasites/µL. While 66.2% of individuals lived in a household that owned a bed net, only 36.6% reported sleeping under a long-lasting insecticide-treated net (LLIN) the previous night. Protective factors included urbanicity, greater wealth, higher education, and lower environmental temperatures. Living in a household with a bed net (prevalence difference 0.02, 95% CI − 0.02 to 0.05) and sleeping under an LLIN (0.01; − 0.02 to 0.04) were not protective against infection. Our findings demonstrate a higher parasite prevalence in adults than published estimates among children. Understanding the prevalence and distribution of asymptomatic infection is essential for targeted interventions.
Investigation of structural proteins in sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) body wall
Authors: Wang Yanchao , Tian Mo , Chang Yaoguang , Xue Changhu , Li Zhaojie 
Published: October 2020

AbstractStructural proteins play critical roles in the food quality, especially texture properties, of sea cucumbers and their products. Most of the previous studies on sea cucumbers focused on few individual proteins, which limited our understanding of how structural proteins influenced the quality of sea cucumbers. Inspired by the clarification of sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) genome, we established an integrated data of structural proteins in the sea cucumber body wall. A portfolio of 2018 structural proteins was screened out from the sea cucumber annotated proteome by bioinformatics analysis. The portfolio was divided into three divisions, including extracellular matrix proteins, muscle proteins, and proteases, and further classified into 18 categories. The presence of 472 proteins in the sea cucumber body wall was confirmed by using a proteomics approach. Moreover, comparative proteomics analysis revealed the spatial distribution heterogeneity of structural proteins in the sea cucumber body wall at a molecular scale. This study suggested that future researches on sea cucumbers could be performed from an integrated perspective, which would reshape the component map of sea cucumber and provide novel insights into the understanding of how the food quality of sea cucumber was determined on a molecular level.
Surgical site infections following caesarean sections at Emirati teaching hospital: Incidence and implicated factors
Authors: Alnajjar Munther S. , Alashker Dalia A. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe rate of delivery by caesarean sections is increasing globally and, therefore, the incidence of post-caesarean surgical site infections (SSIs) is probably also going to rise. The aim of the present study was to determine the incidence of SSIs after caesarean operations and to explore the factors associated with an increased risk of post-caesarean SSIs. A retrospective study was performed to assess all women who underwent caesarean sections from January 2016 to December 2017 at Al Ain Hospital in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Backward multivariate logistic regression analysis was utilized to specify the variables that were significantly and independently connected with the development of post-caesarean SSIs. In total, 807 women underwent caesarean deliveries at the study site hospital during the two-year study period (January 2016–December 2017). Post-operative SSI was detected in 11 (1.4%) of the women who underwent caesarean operations. Of these, 11 (100%) women were diagnosed post-discharge, within 30 days after the date of the surgery. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that increased gestational age (P = 0.045) was significantly and independently associated with the development of post-caesarean SSI. Increased gestational age was found to be an independent predictor of post-caesarean SSIs. This identified risk factor should inform targeted health care policies to reduce the rate of SSIs.
Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio predicts prognosis in unresectable pancreatic cancer
Authors: Iwai Naoto , Okuda Takashi , Sakagami Junichi , Harada Taishi , Ohara Tomoya , Taniguchi Masashi , Sakai Hiroaki , Oka Kohei , Hara Tasuku , Tsuji Toshifumi , Komaki Toshiyuki , Kagawa Keizo , Yasuda Hiroaki , Naito Yuji , Itoh Yoshito 
Published: October 2020

AbstractInflammation-based prognostic indicators have been developed to predict the prognosis in patients with pancreatic cancer. However, prognostic indices have not been established in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer, including those without indication for chemotherapy at diagnosis. This study aimed to identify the predictors in all patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer. We retrospectively analyzed data of 119 patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer from June 2006 to September 2018. The following laboratory parameters were evaluated: the Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), modified GPS, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), C-reactive protein albumin (CRP/Alb) ratio, and prognostic nutritional index (PNI). We performed time-dependent receiver operating characteristic analysis, overall survival (OS) analysis, and univariate and multivariate analyses to determine the prognostic factors in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer. The cut-off value for NLR was determined to be 3.74. The 6-month OS rates in low and high NLR groups were 75.5% and 18.8% (P < 0.001). In the univariate analysis, advanced age (P = 0.003), metastatic pancreatic cancer (P = 0.037), no treatment (P < 0.001), worse Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG-PS) (P < 0.001), high GPS (P < 0.001), high modified GPS (P < 0.001), high NLR (P < 0.001), high PLR (P = 0.002), high CRP/Alb ratio (P < 0.001), and low PNI (P < 0.001) were identified as the prognostic factors. The multivariate analysis revealed that metastatic pancreatic cancer (P = 0.046), no treatment (P < 0.001), worse ECOG-PS (P = 0.002), and high NLR (P < 0.001) were independently associated with OS. We revealed that the high NLR could be an independent indicator of poor prognosis in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer.
Health assessment of important tributaries of Three Georges Reservoir based on the benthic index of biotic integrity
Authors: Li Zongfeng , Zeng Bo 
Published: October 2020

AbstractChina’s Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) is the largest water conservancy project in the world, and plays a significant role in flood control and water transport. To study the health status of the tributaries of TGR, we set up 175 sampling sites, including 15 reference sites and 160 impaired sites on 36 important tributaries of TGR, and collected zoobenthos at these sampling sites. We selected 26 candidate metrics, analyzed them in terms of the distribution range, discriminant ability and correlation. Eight core metrics (i.e., total taxa, ephemerida + trichoptera + plecoptera taxa, diptera taxa, ephemerida%, trichoptera%, Shannon–Wiener diversity index, dominant species% and filter%) were identified, and then the benthic indexes of biological integrity (B-IBI) was established. The B-IBI was then used to evaluate the ecological status of 36 tributaries of TGR. Among all the sampling sites, “excellent”, “good”, “fair”, “poor” and “very poor” accounted for 5.14%, 13.14%, 28.00%, 44.57%, and 9.14%, respectively. Among all streams and rivers, “excellent”, “good” “fair”, “poor” and “very poor” accounted for 5.56%, 41.67%, 50.00%, 2.78%, and 0%, respectively, showing a general good condition for all tributaries. There was a significant difference in health status between tributaries in the TGR dam and those in its upper reaches. The B-IBI established in this study can capture the health status of 36 important tributaries of TGR. This study does not only enrich the practice of health assessment using B-IBI, but also provides some reference for the evaluation of similar rivers across the world.
Helminth eggs from early cretaceous faeces
Authors: Barrios-de Pedro Sandra , Osuna Antonio , Buscalioni Ángela D. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe exceptional fossil site of Las Hoyas (upper Barremian, Cuenca, Spain) yields abundant small to medium vertebrate coprolites, hindering the search for parasites. We studied the contents of 29 coprolites that were previously classified into distinct morphotypes. Several parasitic eggs were retrieved from two of these coprolites, confirming the second record of digenea trematode eggs and nematode (ascaridid) eggs from an Early Cretaceous locality. The cylindrical coprolite containing anisakid eggs was likely produced by a crocodylomorph as the parasite host, whereas the bump-headed lace coprolite indicates the role of a fish as an intermediary or definitive host of the trematodes and ascaridids. These trace and body fossils show that the Las Hoyas 126–129 Ma lacustrine ecosystem documents the early connection between basal Gonorynchiformes fish and digenetic trematodes.
The kinematics of young and old stellar populations in nuclear rings of MUSE TIMER galaxies
Authors: Rosado-Belza D. , Falcón-Barroso J. , Knapen J. H. , Bittner A. , Gadotti D. A. , Neumann J. , de Lorenzo-Cáceres A. , Méndez-Abreu J. , Querejeta M. , Martín-Navarro I. , Sánchez-Blázquez P. , Coelho P. R. T. , Martig M. , van de Ven G. , Kim T. 
Published: October 2020

Context.Studying the stellar kinematics of galaxies is a key tool in the reconstruction of their evolution. However, the current measurements of the stellar kinematics are complicated by several factors, including dust extinction and the presence of multiple stellar populations.Aims.We use integral field spectroscopic data of four galaxies from the Time Inference with MUSE in Extragalactic Rings (TIMER) survey to explore and compare the kinematics measured in different spectral regions that are sensitive to distinct stellar populations.Methods.We derive the line-of-sight velocity and velocity dispersion of both a young (≲2 Gyr) and an old stellar population from the spectral regions around the Hβline and the Ca II Triplet. In addition, we determine colour excess, mean age, and metallicity.Results.We report a correlation of the colour excess with the difference in the kinematic parameters of the Hβline and the Ca II Triplet range, which are dominated by young and old stellar populations, respectively. Young stellar populations, located primarily in nuclear rings, have higher velocity dispersions than old ones. These differences in the rings are typically ∼10 km s−1in velocity dispersion but can have a mean value as high as ∼24 km s−1in the most extreme case. Trends with age exist in the nuclear rings but are less significant than those with dust extinction. We report different degrees of correlation for these trends among the galaxies in the sample, which are related to the size of the Voronoi bins in their rings. No clear trends for the line-of-sight velocity differences are observed. The absence of these trends can be explained as a consequence of the Hβline masking process during the kinematic extraction, as confirmed by dedicated simulations.Conclusions.Our study demonstrates that kinematic differences caused by different stellar populations can be identified in the central regions of nearby galaxies, even from intermediate resolution spectroscopy. This opens the door to future detailed chemo-kinematic studies of galaxies, but also serves as a warning against deriving kinematics from full-spectrum fitting across very wide wavelength ranges when intense star formation is taking place.
Changes in Urinary Titin Fragment in Response to Different Types of Dynamic Eccentric Exercises
Authors: Lee Minjung , Goral Kamil , Flis DamianJ , Skrobot Wojciech , Cieminski Karol , Olek RobertA , Akimoto Takayuki , Ziolkowski Wieslaw 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe urinary level of the titin fragment has been considered a non-invasive and sensitive biomarker for muscle damage in clinical cases. However, there is little evidence regarding changes in the urinary titin fragment in response to exercise-induced muscle damage. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether the urinary titin fragment reflects the magnitude of muscle damage induced by two lower-limb eccentric exercises. In this study, healthy young male subjects performed drop jump (n=9) and eccentric ergometer exercise (n=9). Blood and urine samples were collected at various time points before and after the exercises. Although perceived muscle soreness assessed by sit-to-stand tasks was increased at 24 h and 48 h after both drop jump and the eccentric ergometer exercise groups, the pressure pain threshold was not changed. Changes of the urinary titin fragment, plasma myomesin 3 fragments, creatine kinase (CK), and myoglobin (Mb) after the eccentric exercises were increased but not statistically significant. Meanwhile, we found that the changes in the urinary titin fragment levels in response to both drop jump and the eccentric ergometer exercise were correlated with those of plasma CK and Mb levels. These results provide evidence that the urinary titin fragment level is a non-invasive biomarker reflecting the magnitude of eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage.
The Reliability of Ultrasound in the Assessment of Hyaline Cartilage in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Healthy Metacarpal Heads
Authors: Cipolletta Edoardo , Filippucci Emilio , Di Matteo Andrea , Tesei Giulia , Cosatti Micaela Ana , Di Carlo Marco , Grassi Walter 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Purpose i) To assess the inter- and intra-observer reliability of ultrasound (US) in the evaluation of the hyaline cartilage (HC) of the metacarpal head (MH) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and in healthy subjects (HS) both qualitatively and quantitatively. ii) To calculate the smallest detectable difference (SDD) of the MH cartilage thickness measurement. iii) To correlate the qualitative scoring system and the quantitative assessment.
Materials and Methods US examination was performed on 280 MHs of 20 patients with RA and 15 HS using a very high frequency probe (up to 22 MHz). HC status was evaluated both qualitatively (using a five-grade scoring system) and quantitatively (using the average value of the longitudinal and transverse measures). The HC of MHs from II to V metacarpophalangeal joint of both hands were scanned independently on the same day by two rheumatologists to assess inter-observer reliability. All subjects were re-examined using the same scanning protocol and the same US setting by one sonographer after a week to assess intra-observer reliability.
Results The inter-observer agreement and intra-observer agreement were moderate to substantial (k = 0.66 and k = 0.73) for the qualitative scoring system and high (ICC = 0.93 and ICC = 0.94) for the quantitative assessment. The SDD of the MH cartilage thickness measurement was 0.09 mm. A significant correlation between the two scoring systems was found (r = –0.35; p < 0.001).
Conclusion The present study describes the main methodological issues of HC assessment. Using a standardized protocol, both the qualitative and the quantitative scoring systems can be reliable.
Highly Diastereoselective Reactions of Isoxazolidine-4,5-diols with Grignard Reagents: A New Approach to anti,syn-γ-Amino-α,β-diols
Authors: Záborský Ondrej , Fischer Róbert , Ďurina Lukáš , Malatinský Tomáš , Moncol Ján 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAn investigation of the reaction of 3,4-trans-isoxazolidine-4,5-diols with Grignard reagents is described for the first time. Their resemblance to five-membered cyclic hemiacetals allows them to react as α-hydroxy-β-(hydroxyamino)aldehydes in a highly stereoselective manner, providing anti,syn-γ-(hydroxyamino)-α,β-diols in moderate yields and with good to excellent syn-diastereoselectivities, which can be improved by the addition of anhydrous cerium chloride. The obtained (hydroxyamino­)diols serve as suitable precursors of anti,syn-γ-amino-α,β-diols that represent valuable scaffolds for the synthesis of various biologically active compounds.