bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparing bone tissue engineering efficacy of HDPSCs, HBMSCs on 3D biomimetic ABM-P-15 scaffolds in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Mohanram Yamuna , Zhang Jingying , Tsiridis Eleftherios , Yang Xuebin B. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractHuman bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (HBMSCs) has been the gold standard for bone regeneration. However, the low proliferation rate and long doubling time limited its clinical applications. This study aims to compare the bone tissue engineering efficacy of human dental pulp stem cells (HDPSCs) with HBMSCs in 2D, and 3D anorganic bone mineral (ABM) coated with a biomimetic collagen peptide (ABM-P-15) for improving bone-forming speed and efficacy in vitro and in vivo. The multipotential of both HDPSCs and HBMSCs have been compared in vitro. The bone formation of HDPSCs on ABM-P-15 was tested using in vivo model. The osteogenic potential of the cells was confirmed by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and immunohistological staining for osteogenic markers. Enhanced ALP, collagen, lipid droplet, or glycosaminoglycans production were visible in HDPSCs and HBMSCs after osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic induction. HDPSC showed stronger ALP staining compared to HBMSCs. Confocal images showed more viable HDPSCs on both ABM-P-15 and ABM scaffolds compared to HBMSCs on similar scaffolds. ABM-P-15 enhanced cell attachment/spreading/bridging formation on ABM-P-15 scaffolds and significantly increased quantitative ALP specific activities of the HDPSCs and HBMSCs. After 8 weeks in vivo implantation in diffusion chamber model, the HDPSCs on ABM-P-15 scaffolds showed extensive high organised collagenous matrix formation that was positive for COL-I and OCN compared to ABM alone. In conclusion, the HDPSCs have a higher proliferation rate and better osteogenic capacity, which indicated the potential of combining HDPSCs with ABM-P-15 scaffolds for improving bone regeneration speed and efficacy.
Parental Psychosocial Well-Being as a Predictor of the Social Competence of a Child
Authors: Panula Venla , Junttila Niina , Aromaa Minna , Rautava Päivi , Räihä Hannele 
Published: August 2020

AbstractOur study examined the interrelations between the psychosocial well-being of parents at the time of pregnancy and the social competence of their three-year-old child. Whereas most previous studies have linked the psychosocial well-being of one parent to the social development of their child, newer research has highlighted the importance of examining the psychosocial well-being of both parents and its’ effects to the development of the child. This study used data from the Steps to the Healthy Development and Well-being of Children follow-up study (The STEPS Study, n = 1075) to examine the interrelations between the psychosocial well-being of both the mother and the father during the period of pregnancy and the social competence of their three-year-old child. The interrelations between the psychosocial well-being of one parent and the social competence of their child were studied with regression analyses, and family-level interrelations were modeled with a latent profile analysis of family-level psychosocial well-being. At the dyadic level, the poorer psychosocial well-being of one parent during the pregnancy period mostly predicted poorer social competence in their child. However, at the family level, these links were not statistically significant. The higher level of psychosocial well-being experienced by one parent seemed to protect the development of the social competence of their child. This study emphasizes the need to consider the psychosocial well-being of both parents as a factor that influences the social development of their child.
Algorithm for numerical solutions to the kinetic equation of a spatial population dynamics model with coalescence and repulsive jumps
Authors: Omelyan Igor , Kozitsky Yuri , Pilorz Krzysztof 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAn algorithm is proposed for finding numerical solutions of a kinetic equation that describes an infinite system of point particles placed in $\mathbb {R}^{d} (d \geq 1)$

ℝ

d

(
d
≥
1
)
. The particles perform random jumps with pair-wise repulsion in the course of which they can also merge. The kinetic equation is an essentially nonlinear and nonlocal integro-differential equation, which can hardly be solved analytically. The numerical algorithm which we use to solve it is based on a space-time discretization, boundary conditions, composite Simpson and trapezoidal rules, Runge-Kutta methods, and adjustable system-size schemes. We show that, for special choices of the model parameters, the solutions manifest unusual time behavior. A numerical error analysis of the obtained results is also carried out.
Alpine tundra species phenology is mostly driven by climate-related variables rather than by photoperiod
Authors: Quaglia Elena , Ravetto Enri Simone , Perotti Elisa , Probo Massimiliano , Lombardi Giampiero , Lonati Michele 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe study of plant phenology has frequently been used to link phenological events to various factors, such as temperature or photoperiod. In the high-alpine environment, proper timing of the phenological cycle has always been crucial to overcome harsh conditions and potential extreme events (i.e. spring frosts) but little is known about the response dynamics of the vegetation, which could shape the alpine landscape in a future of changing climate. Alpine tundra vegetation is composed by an array of species belonging to different phytosociological optima and with various survival strategies, and snowbed communities are a relevant expression of such an extreme-climate adapted flora. We set eight permanent plots with each one in a snowbed located on the Cimalegna plateau in Northwestern Italy and then we selected 10 most recurring species among our plots, all typical of the alpine tundra environment and classified in 3 different pools: snowbed specialists, grassland species and rocky debris species. For 3 years we registered the phenophases of each species during the whole growing season using an adaptation of the BBCH scale. We later focused on the three most biologically relevant phenophases, i.e., flower buds visible, full flowering, and beginning of seed dispersion. Three important season-related variables were chosen to investigate their relationship with the phenological cycle of the studied species: (i) the Day Of Year (DOY), the progressive number of days starting from the 1st of January, used as a proxy of photoperiod, (ii) Days From Snow Melt (DFSM), selected to include the relevance of the snow dynamics, and (iii) Growing Degree Days (GDD), computed as a thermal sum. Our analysis highlighted that phenological development correlated better with DFSM and GDD than with DOY. Indeed, models showed that DOY was always a worse predictor since it failed to overcome interannual variations, while DFSM and marginally GDD were better suited to predict the phenological development of most of the species, despite differences in temperature and snowmelt date among the three years. Even if the response pattern to the three variables was mainly consistent for all the species, the timing of their phenological response was different. Indeed, species such as Salix herbacea and Ranunculus glacialis were always earlier in the achievement of the phenophases, while Agrostis rupestris and Euphrasia minima developed later and the remaining species showed an intermediate behavior. However, we did not detect significant differences among the three functional pools of species.
Male Sexual Trait Decay in Two Asexual Springtail Populations Follows Neutral Mutation Accumulation Theory
Authors: Kampfraath Andries Augustus , Dudink Tjeerd Pieter , Kraaijeveld Ken , Ellers Jacintha , Zizzari Zaira Valentina 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe transition to asexual reproduction is frequent and widespread across the tree of life and constitutes a major life history change. Without sexual reproduction, selection on sexually selected traits is expected to be weaker or absent, allowing the decay and ultimately loss of sexual traits. In this study, we applied an experimental approach to investigate the decay of reproductive traits under asexuality in two asexual populations of the springtailFolsomia candida. Specifically, we compared several key male sexual traits of a sexual population and two distinct parthenogenetic lines. To allow direct comparisons between sexual and asexual individuals we first determined a suite of life history characteristics in the sexualF. candidapopulation, which performs an indirect transfer of sperm packages (spermatophores).To investigate the decay of male sexual traits under asexuality we measured the size of spermatophores, quantified the amount of sperm DNA material, and tested spermatophore attractiveness to females in all three populations. The amount of sperm DNA material in the sperm droplets and the attractiveness of spermatophores were lower in the asexual lines compared to the sexual population. However, the two asexual lines differed in the extent of decay of these traits. Our results are consistent with predictions from neutral mutation accumulation theory, and thus suggest this to be the main evolutionary process underlying the decay of male traits inF. candida.
The impact of scars on health-related quality of life after breast surgery: a qualitative exploration
Authors: Everaars Kristel E. , Welbie Marlies , Hummelink Stefan , Tjin Esther P. M. , de Laat Erik H. , Ulrich Dietmar J. O. 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this research was to explore women’s experiences after breast surgery with scar characteristics and symptoms, and its impact on their health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

Material and methods
A qualitative study using semi-structured face-to-face interviews was conducted among women following prophylactic, oncologic, or reconstructive breast surgery in the Netherlands. A directed content analysis was performed using guiding themes. Themes were “physical and sensory symptoms,” “impact of scar symptoms,” “personal factors,” “impact of scar interventions,” and “change over time.”

Results
The study population consisted of 26 women after breast surgery. Women experienced a wide range of symptoms like adherence, stiffness, pain, and uncomfortable sensations. Scar characteristics as visibility, location, texture, and size, influenced satisfaction with their appearance. The impact of scar symptoms is reflected in physical, social, emotional, and cognitive functioning, thereby affecting HRQOL. The experienced impact on HRQOL depended on several factors, like personal factors as the degree of acceptance and environmental factors like social support.

Conclusion
Women can experience a diversity of scar characteristics and symptoms, which play a central role in the perceived impact on HRQOL. Since scarring can have a considerable impact on HRQOL, scarring after prophylactic, oncologic and reconstructive breast surgery should be given more attention in clinical practice and research.

Implications for Cancer Survivors
Considering scarring as a common late effect after breast surgery and understanding the variety of experiences, which could impact HRQOL of women, can be beneficial in sufficient information provision, expectation management, and informed decision making.
Modulating the extension of thyroidectomy in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma pre-operatively eligible for lobectomy: reliability of ipsilateral central neck dissection
Authors: Raffaelli M. , De Crea C. , Sessa L. , Tempera S. E. , Fadda G. , Pontecorvi A. , Bellantone R. 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Purpose
Pre-operative work-up and macroscopic intraoperative inspection could overlook occult central neck nodal metastases in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). An occult N1a status is able to change the initial risk stratification in small, clinically unifocal PTC potentially scheduled for thyroid lobectomy (TL) making total thyroidectomy (TT) the preferable option. We aimed to verified the reliability of an intraoperative management protocol based on frozen section examination (FSE) of ipsilateral central neck nodes (IpsiCND) to identify, among patients scheduled for TL, those who could benefit of a more extensive surgical resection (TT plus bilateral central neck dissection -CND-).

Methods
Thirty PTC patients preoperatively classified as T1N0 underwent TL plus IpsiCND-FSE (TL-group). In case of positive FSE, TT plus bilateral CND was accomplished during the same surgical procedure. A comparative analysis was performed between TL-group and a control group (C-group), who underwent TT plus IpsiCND-FSE, matched by a propensity score analysis.

Results
Nodal metastases (>2 mm) were found at final histology in 5/30 patients in the TL-group and in 6/30 in the C-group (p = 1.00). Micrometastases (≤2 mm) were retrieved in 5/30 TL-group patients and in 4/30 C-group patients (p = 1.00). Final histology staged as pN1a 10 (33.3%) patients for each group. FSE correctly identified five patients with occult nodal metastases >2 mm (16.6%) in TL-group, who underwent TT plus bilateral CND during the same surgical procedure. No permanent complications occurred. At a mean follow-up of 22.2 months, no local and/or nodal recurrence were observed.

Conclusions
Intraoperative assessment of N status obtained with IpsiCND plus FSE allows for an accurate risk stratification. IpsiCND plus FSE real time modulated thyroidectomy seems a safe and effective surgical strategy reducing the need of a subsequent completion surgery and, theoretically, the risk of local recurrence.
Apparent mineralocorticoid excess caused by novel compound heterozygous mutations in HSD11B2 and characterized by early-onset hypertension and hypokalemia
Authors: Fan Peng , Lu Yi-Ting , Yang Kun-Qi , Zhang Di , Liu Xue-Ying , Tian Tao , Luo Fang , Wang Lin-Ping , Ma Wen-Jun , Liu Ya-Xin , Zhang Hui-Min , Song Lei , Cai Jun , Lou Ying , Zhou Xian-Liang 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Purpose
Apparent mineralocorticoid excess (AME) is an ultrarare autosomal recessive disorder resulting from deficiency of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11βHSD2) caused by mutations in HSD11B2. The purpose of this study was to identify novel compound heterozygous HSD11B2 mutations in a Chinese pedigree with AME and conduct a systematic review evaluating the AME clinical features associated with HSD11B2 mutations.

Methods
Next-generation sequencing was performed in the proband, and Sanger sequencing was used to identify candidate variants in family members, 100 hypertensives, and 100 healthy controls. A predicted structure of 11βHSD2 was constructed by in silico modeling. A systematic review was used to identify cases of HSD11B2-related AME. Data for genotyping and clinical characterizations and complications were extracted.

Results
Next-generation sequencing showed novel compound heterozygous mutations (c.343_348del and c.1099_1101del) in the proband with early-onset hypertension and hypokalemia. Sanger sequencing verified the monoallelic form of the same mutations in five other relatives but not in 100 hypertensives or 100 healthy subjects. In silico structural modeling showed that compound mutations may simultaneously perturb the substrate and coenzyme binding pocket. A systematic review of 101 AME patients with 54 HSD11B2 mutations revealed early-onset hypertension, hypokalemia and homozygous mutations as common features. The homozygous HSD11B2 mutations correlated with low birth weight (r = 0.285, P = 0.02).

Conclusions
We report novel compound heterozygous HSD11B2 mutations in a Chinese teenager with early-onset hypertension, and enriched genotypic and phenotypic spectrums in AME. Genetic testing helps early diagnosis and treatment for AME patients, which may avoid target organ damage.
Axonal Protection by Nicotinamide Riboside via SIRT1-Autophagy Pathway in TNF-Induced Optic Nerve Degeneration
Authors: Kitaoka Yasushi , Sase Kana , Tsukahara Chihiro , Fujita Naoki , Arizono Ibuki , Takagi Hitoshi 
Published: August 2020

AbstractNicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) synthesis pathway has been involved in many biological functions. Nicotinamide riboside (NR) is widely used as an NAD+ precursor and known to increase NAD+ level in several tissues. The present study aimed to examine the effect of NR on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-induced optic nerve degeneration and to investigate whether it alters SIRT1 expression and autophagic status in optic nerve. We also examined the localization of nicotinamide riboside kinase 1 (NRK1), which is a downstream enzyme for NR biosynthesis pathway in retina and optic nerve. Intravitreal injection of TNF or TNF plus NR was performed on rats. The p62 and LC3-II protein levels were examined to evaluate autophagic flux in optic nerve. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to localize NRK1 expression. Morphometric analysis showed substantial axonal protection by NR against TNF-induced axon loss. TNF-induced increment of p62 protein level was significantly inhibited by NR administration. NR administration alone significantly increased the LC3-II levels and reduced p62 levels compared with the basal levels, and upregulated SIRT1 levels in optic nerve. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that NRK1 exists in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and nerve fibers in retina and optic nerve. NR administration apparently upregulated NRK1 levels in the TNF-treated eyes as well as the control eyes. Pre-injection of an SIRT1 inhibitor resulted in a significant increase of p62 levels in the NR plus TNF treatment group, implicating that SIRT1 regulates autophagy status. In conclusion, NRK1 exists in RGCs and optic nerve axons. NR exerted protection against axon loss induced by TNF with possible involvement of upregulated NRK1 and SIRT1-autophagy pathway.
The scleractinian Agaricia undata as a new host for the coral-gall crab Opecarcinus hypostegus at Bonaire, southern Caribbean
Authors: García-Hernández Jaaziel E. , de Gier Werner , van Moorsel Godfried W. N. M. , Hoeksema Bert W. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe Caribbean scleractinian reef coral Agaricia undata (Agariciidae) is recorded for the first time as a host of the coral-gall crab Opecarcinus hypostegus (Cryptochiridae). The identity of the crab was confirmed with the help of DNA barcoding. The association has been documented with photographs taken in situ at 25 m depth and in the laboratory. The predominantly mesophotic depth range of the host species suggests this association to be present also at greater depths. With this record, all seven Agaricia species are now listed as gall-crab hosts, together with the agariciid Helioseris cucullata. Within the phylogeny of Agariciidae, Helioseris is not closely related to Agaricia. Therefore, the association between Caribbean agariciids and their gall-crab symbionts may either have originated early in their shared evolutionary history or later as a result of host range expansion. New information on coral-associated fauna, such as what is presented here, leads to a better insight on the diversity, evolution, and ecology of coral reef biota, particularly in the Caribbean, where cryptochirids have rarely been studied.
Characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus through genomics approach
Authors: Naorem Romen Singh , Urban Peter , Goswami Gunajit , Fekete Csaba 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIn the present study, a total of 35 S. aureus isolates collected from two different geographical locations viz., Germany and Hungary were tested for their methicillin-resistant phenotype which revealed a high incidence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus. The quantitative test for biofilm production revealed that 73.3% of isolates were biofilm producers. The isolates were further characterized using a set of biochemical and genotypic methods such as amplification and analysis of S. aureus species-specific sequence and mecA gene. The 33 mecA positive isolates were then characterized by the amplification of SCCmec and pvl toxin genes. Further, based on the biofilm-forming phenotype, 15 isolates were selected and characterized through PCR–RFLP of coa gene, polymorphism of spa gene and amplification of biofilm-associated genes. The dendrogram prepared from the results of both biochemical and genotypic analyses of the 15 isolates showed that except for the isolates SA G5 and SA H29, the rest of the isolates grouped themselves according to their locations. Thus, the two isolates were selected for further characterization through whole-genome sequencing. Comparative genome analysis revealed that SA G5 and SA H29 have 97.20% ANI values with 2344 gene clusters (core-genome) of which 16 genes were related to antibiotic resistance genes and 57 genes encode virulence factors. The highest numbers of singleton genes were found in SA H29 that encodes proteins for virulence, resistance, mobile elements, and lanthionine biosynthesis. The high-resolution phylogenetic trees generated based on shared proteins and SNPs revealed a clear difference between the two strains and can be useful in distinguishing closely related genomes. The present study demonstrated that the whole-genome sequence analysis technique is required to get a better insight into the MRSA strains which would be helpful in improving diagnostic investigations in real-time to improve patient care.
The Role of Tricellular Junctions in the Transport of Macromolecules Across Endothelium
Authors: Ghim Mean , Mohamied Yumnah , Weinberg Peter D. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractPurposeTransport of water and solutes across vascular endothelium is important in normal physiology and critical in the development of various diseases, including atherosclerosis. However, there is debate about the routes for such transport. We recently showed that an albumin-sized tracer crossed endothelium at bicellular and tricellular junctions, a tracer having the size of high density lipoprotein crossed only through tricellular junctions, and a tracer with the size of low density lipoprotein was unable to cross by either route and instead traversed the cells themselves. Here we review previous work on the structure and function of tricellular junctions. We then describe a study in which we assessed the role of such junctions in the transport of an albumin-sized tracer.MethodsWe examined normal endothelial monolayers, the effect of agonists that modify their permeability, and the influence of different patterns of shear stress.ResultsUnder normal conditions, approximately 85% of transendothelial transport occurred through tricellular junctions. This fraction was unchanged when permeability was reduced by sphingosine-1-phosphate or increased by thrombin, and also did not differ between endothelium exposed to multidirectional as opposed to uniaxial shear stress despite a > 50% difference in permeability.ConclusionThese data show that tricellular junctions dominate normal transport of this tracer and largely determine influences of agonists and shear. The effects were attributable to changes in both the number and conductivity of the junctions. Further investigation of these structures will lead to increased understanding of endothelial barrier function and may suggest new therapeutic strategies in disease.