bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Eukaryotic expression, Co-IP and MS identify BMPR-1B protein–protein interaction network
Authors: Jia Jianlei , Jin Jipeng , Chen Qian , Yuan Zan , Li Haiqin , Bian Junhao , Gui Linsheng 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
BMPR-1B is part of the transforming growth factor β super family and plays a pivotal role in ewe litter size. Functional loss of exon-8 mutations in the BMPR-1B gene (namely the FecB gene) can increase both the ewe ovulation rate and litter size.

Results
This study constructed a eukaryotic expression system, prepared a monoclonal antibody, and characterized BMPR-1B/FecB protein–protein interactions (PPIs). Using Co-immunoprecipitation coupled to mass spectrometry (Co-IP/MS), 23 proteins were identified that specifically interact with FecB in ovary extracts of ewes. Bioinformatics analysis of selected PPIs demonstrated that FecB associated with several other BMPs, primarily via signal transduction in the ovary. FecB and its associated interaction proteins enriched the reproduction process via BMP2 and BMP4 pathways. Signal transduction was identified via Smads proteins and TGF-beta signaling pathway by analyzing the biological processes and pathways. Moreover, other target proteins (GDF5, GDF9, RhoD, and HSP 10) that interact with FecB and that are related to ovulation and litter size in ewes were identified.

Conclusions
In summary, this research identified a novel pathway and insight to explore the PPi network of BMPR-1B.
EEG-based classification of epilepsy and PNES: EEG microstate and functional brain network features
Authors: Ahmadi Negar , Pei Yulong , Carrette Evelien , Aldenkamp Albert P. , Pechenizkiy Mykola 
Published: May 2020

AbstractEpilepsy and psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) often show over-lap in symptoms, especially at an early disease stage. During a PNES, the electrical activity of the brain remains normal but in case of an epileptic seizure the brain will show epileptiform discharges on the electroencephalogram (EEG). In many cases an accurate diagnosis can only be achieved after a long-term video monitoring combined with EEG recording which is quite expensive and time-consuming. In this paper using short-term EEG data, the classification of epilepsy and PNES subjects is analyzed based on signal, functional network and EEG microstate features. Our results showed that the beta-band is the most useful EEG frequency sub-band as it performs best for classifying subjects. Also the results depicted that when the coverage feature of the EEG microstate analysis is calculated in beta-band, the classification shows fairly high accuracy and precision. Hence, the beta-band and the coverage are the most important features for classification of epilepsy and PNES patients.
Toxicity and insect growth regulatory activities of medicinal plant, Withania somnifera, in flesh fly, Sarcophaga ruficornis (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)
Authors: Gaur Sandeep Kumar , Kumar Krishna 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe flesh flySarcophaga ruficornisis well known for its medical and veterinary importance in causing myiasis in humans and animals. The conventional use of chemical pesticides for controlling insect pests has resulted in environmental pollution besides posing serious hazards to non-target organisms and the development of pest resistance against these compounds. Considering the various harmful and adverse effects of chemical pesticides, an alternative and safe approach for the pest management has to be explored. The plant extracts derived from plants are eco-friendly in nature, easily biodegradable, and can be used as botanical pesticides.ResultsExtracts from root of the medicinal plantWithania somniferawere assessed for their toxicity and insect growth regulatory activity when administered to larvae ofS. ruficornis. Topical administration of root extracts ofW. somniferato 0–3-day-old third instar larvae ofS. ruficornisresulted into severe disruption of development, moulting, and metamorphosis producing several detrimental effects such as toxicity, prolongation of larval life, ecdysial stasis, abnormal pupariation, reduced normal pupariation and adult emergence, and development of pupal-adult mosaics and adultoids. The LC50values in topical application of root extracts ofW. somniferawere 28.19, 43.49, 47.48, and 48.16 g/μL againstS. ruficornisthird instar day 0, 1, 2, and 3 larvae, respectively.ConclusionThese effects are similar to those observed as a consequence of the administration of juvenile hormone analogs (juvenoids) and may be due to interference with the normal hormonal mechanism of moulting and metamorphosis. This clearly demonstrates that the root extracts ofW. somniferamay be used as an insect growth regulator for the control and management ofS. ruficornisalong with other bio-rational approaches in integrated pest management programs.
Biological control of cucumber powdery mildew (Podosphaera xanthii) (Castagne) under greenhouse conditions
Authors: Sarhan Ehab A. D. , Abd-Elsyed Michael H. F. , Ebrahiem Azza M. Y. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractCucumber powdery mildew disease caused by Podosphaera xanthii (Castagne) U. Braun & Shishkoff severe disease-causing yield losses worldwide. This research study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of the tested bio-agents, Trichoderma harzianum, T. viride, Bacillus subtilis, Paenibacillus polymyxa, and Serratia marcescens, as well as the fungicide score (Difenoconazole), on cucumber infected with P. xanthii, in vitro and under greenhouse conditions. Results indicated that culture filtrate of the tested bio-agents and the fungicide (control) significantly reduced P. xanthii conidial germination in vitro; the reduction percentage ranged between 91.17 and 76.06%. Also, score recorded the highest reduction percentage (97.19%). All treatments significantly decreased the disease severity and area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) post spraying the bio-agents on cucumber plants under greenhouse conditions. Score followed by B. subtilis significantly decreased disease severity percentage (67.33 and 65.38%, respectively) and AUDPC (322.84 and 342.06) than the untreated control (988.13 AUDPC). Additionally, treated cucumber plants showed a significant increase in plant growth parameters (plant height, total chlorophyll, fresh, and dry weight) and yield parameters (fruit number/plant and fruit weight/plant) as well the activity of defense-related enzymes, i.e., peroxidase (PO) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and total phenols content (TPC) compared to the untreated plants.
Traditional soapstone storage, serving, and cookware used in the Southern states of India and its culinary importance
Authors: Kora Aruna Jyothi 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
The hand-carved, traditional, versatile kitchen utensils made up of soft soapstone are used and treasured since the rise of civilization in India, especially in the southern states: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala. They are called as rathi chippa and kal chatti and employed for cooking, serving, and storing food for many generations.

Results
The soft soapstone is chemically characterized as steatite and mainly composed of talc. The cookware of varying colors, shapes, and sizes are hand made by the artisans from Tamil Nadu state and offered for sale in the shops located in temple premises and during annual temple festivals. The delicate cookware requires proper conditioning and care while cooking, handling, and cleaning. Such inert cookware has positive quality properties such as low dielectric, high temperature resistance, high density and high mechanical strength. These characteristics have been reflected on the cookware application in cooking foods that require longer cooking time over a gentle fire, and sour, acidic, tamarind containing dishes. They are extensively used for making liquid, gravy-based curries and semi-solid foods; storing and preserving milk, curd, buttermilk, rock salt, tamarind, extracts, pickles, etc.

Conclusions
Notably, the food cooked in soapstone cookware retains the natural, authentic, original aroma and taste. As an insulator, it acts as a casserole by keeping the food hot for longer durations. Being extremely dense and non-porous, it is impervious to bacterial penetration and prevents the bacterial growth on the surface as well as extends the shelf life of cooked foods. Fascinated by traditional importance, distinct taste and health benefits, and tired of factory-made things, the current generations are shifting toward these handmade, exclusive soapstone products.
From hoes to story-telling as “Weapons of the Weak”: farmers’ resistance to neoliberal 2007 Multi-Product Management Stabilization Plan in Japan
Authors: Miyake Yoshitaka , Kohsaka Ryo 
Published: May 2020

AbstractWhile neoliberalism has promoted free trade, market rule, and productivist agriculture in the food production system, farmers and their unions in developed countries partially managed to shun the forces of neoliberalism. What are the underpinning strength and factors of such resilience? Discussions have concentrated at national policy and organizational level and tacit resistance at community and farm levels remain unexplored, inter alia from their historical embeddedness perspective. This study explores the way Japanese farmers frame their contemporary political situation with neoliberalism of the late 2000s with a grounded approach of face-to-face interview at a community level. The farmers resist it mobilizing Scott’s anthropological notion of “Weapons of the Weak” through story-telling instead of hoes in ancient time (Scott JC, Weapons of the weak: everyday forms of peasant resistance, 1985). In concrete, the farmers resisted a neoliberal policy of Hinmoku Ōdanteki Keiei Antei Taisaku, or the Multi-Product Management Stabilization Plan (MPP), in the early 2000s, which promoted larger scale farming to pursue the efficiency of scale merits. The policy was first introduced in 2005 as a concept and dominated the agricultural policy scenes from 2007 to 2009, and then its influence disappeared toward 2010. The rise and fall of the concept and policy provide us with rare opportunity to examine the historical embeddedness of the farmers and their resistance to such neoliberal globalization. We conducted interviews with the leaders of cooperative farms and stakeholders in Daisen City, Akita Prefecture, Japan; the study found that farmers’ framing of neoliberalism was ambivalent causing partial adoption and resistance. The leaders of the cooperative farms could form the cooperative farms but thought further development difficult because members intended to keep their farming independent. Close frame and discourse analysis revealed that farmers in Japan could express their frustration on neoliberal discourse and policy through multiple tactics of “Weapons of the Weak” by complaining to the leaders, miscalculating the figures, or claiming family-based food sovereignty that “we produce what goes into our family mouths.” Such tactics procrastinated the process and eventually stopped the policy. The incident demonstrates how farmers in the network can slow the progress of neoliberal discourse and policy implementation. From the analysis, the notion of “Weapons of the Weak” can be applied as a part of the combination with farmers’ historical embeddedness, symbolism of foods, framing, and electoral resistance.
Prognostic value of microvascular occlusion MRI quantification in assessment of reperfused myocardial infarction
Authors: Khafagy Rana T. M. , El Mozy Wesam , Hamed Emad , ElKhalek Yasser Ibrahim Abd , Tantawy Wahid 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
Reperfusion therapy in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) can salvage the myocardium; however, successful restoration of the coronary artery patency is not always associated with adequate perfusion at the level of microvasculature, known as the no-reflow or microvascular occlusion (MVO). The primary objective of our prospective study was to assess, by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), the prognostic value of MVO size, and its impact on left ventricular (LV) remodeling in cases of reperfused AMI.
Thirty-three patients with AMI underwent cardiac MRI at 1.5-T scanner within 7 days (baseline) and 3 months (follow-up) after reperfusion. Patients with MVO were included where early gadolinium enhancement (EGE), late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), and cine sequences were acquired. The impact of MVO size on LV ejection fraction (EF%) and LV volumes was quantitively analyzed.

Results
There was a significant inverse correlation between the MVO size % of the LV mass (LVM) and the EF% values measured at follow-up with a P value of 0.000, while a significant positive correlation was encountered between the MVO% of LVM and both indexed end-systolic volume (ESVI) and indexed end-diastolic volume (EDVI) values measured at follow-up with P values of 0.438 and 0.389, respectively. MVO size was found to be a significant factor affecting the patient’s outcome (P = 0.000) where MVO size of > 10% of the total LVM can be a predictor of a worse outcome and reduced EF% at follow-up.

Conclusion
The prognostic value of MVO could be statistically determined with a cut off value to predict a possible good outcome using CMR.
Target-oriented model-based seismic footprint analysis and mitigation
Authors: Payson Todd C. , Simmons James , Tura Ali 
Published: May 2020

Compensating for the effects of an acquisition footprint can be one of the most daunting problems when using seismic attributes for quantitative interpretation. This is especially true for unconventional plays because they are on land with accompanying irregular acquisition geometries. Additionally, in such plays, the physical property changes are often small, making the seismic amplitude fidelity critical. We have developed a methodology that integrates a 1D elastic prestack synthetic model with 3D acquisition geometry to accurately model the seismic footprint produced by irregular or insufficient sampling of primary reflectivity. The stacked amplitude response of the modeled survey is then used to mitigate the poststack footprint on the field seismic. Modeling and removing this element of the acquisition footprint quantitatively improve the interpretive value of the mapped seismic amplitudes. In our study area, correlation between seismic amplitudes and well control increased from an [Formula: see text] of 0.053 before correction to an [Formula: see text] of 0.629 after. Our approach is especially effective in situations in which the spatial frequency of the footprint overlaps that of the geologic signal. Geological feature: Acquisition related seismic amplitude artifacts Seismic appearance: Smoothly varying amplitude changes Alternative interpretations: Bed thickness variation Features with similar appearance: Carbonate porosity Formation: Niobrara Formation, mixed chalks and marlstones Age: Upper Cretaceous Location: Wattenberg Field, Denver Basin, north central Colorado Seismic data: Joint acquisition between Anadarko Petroleum and Colorado School of Mines, Reservoir Characterization Project Analysis tools: Elastic prestack seismic modeling
Pembrolizumab or Placebo Plus Etoposide and Platinum as First-Line Therapy for Extensive-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Randomized, Double-Blind, Phase III KEYNOTE-604 Study
Authors: Rudin Charles M. , Awad Mark M. , Navarro Alejandro , Gottfried Maya , Peters Solange , Csőszi Tibor , Cheema Parneet K. , Rodriguez-Abreu Delvys , Wollner Mirjana , Yang James Chih-Hsin , Mazieres Julien , Orlandi Francisco J. , Luft Alexander , Gümüş Mahmut , Kato Terufumi , Kalemkerian Gregory P. , Luo Yiwen , Ebiana Victoria , Pietanza M. Catherine , Kim Hye Ryun ,   on behalf of the KEYNOTE-604 Investigators
Published: May 2020

PURPOSE Pembrolizumab monotherapy has shown antitumor activity in patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). The randomized, double-blind, phase III KEYNOTE-604 study compared pembrolizumab plus etoposide and platinum (EP) with placebo plus EP for patients with previously untreated extensive-stage (ES) SCLC. METHODS Eligible patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to pembrolizumab 200 mg once every 3 weeks or saline placebo for up to 35 cycles plus 4 cycles of EP. Primary end points were progression-free survival (PFS; RECIST version 1.1, blinded central review) and overall survival (OS) in the intention-to-treat population. Objective response rate (ORR) and duration of response were secondary end points. Prespecified efficacy boundaries were one-sided P = .0048 for PFS and .0128 for OS. RESULTS Of the 453 participants, 228 were randomly assigned to pembrolizumab plus EP and 225 to placebo plus EP. Pembrolizumab plus EP significantly improved PFS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.75; 95% CI, 0.61 to 0.91; P = .0023). Twelve-month PFS estimates were 13.6% with pembrolizumab plus EP and 3.1% with placebo plus EP. Although pembrolizumab plus EP prolonged OS, the significance threshold was not met (HR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.64 to 0.98; P = .0164). Twenty-four-month OS estimates were 22.5% and 11.2%, respectively. ORR was 70.6% in the pembrolizumab plus EP group and 61.8% in the placebo plus EP group; the estimated proportion of responders remaining in response at 12 months was 19.3% and 3.3%, respectively. In the pembrolizumab plus EP and placebo plus EP groups, respectively, any-cause adverse events were grade 3-4 in 76.7% and 74.9%, grade 5 in 6.3% and 5.4%, and led to discontinuation of any drug in 14.8% and 6.3%. CONCLUSION Pembrolizumab plus EP significantly improved PFS compared with placebo plus EP as first-line therapy for patients with ES-SCLC. No unexpected toxicities were seen with pembrolizumab plus EP. These data support the benefit of pembrolizumab in ES-SCLC.
Preoperative Frailty Predicts Postoperative Neurocognitive Disorders After Total Hip Joint Replacement Surgery
Authors: Evered Lis A. , Vitug Sarah , Scott David A. , Silbert Brendan 
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUND:
Frailty is a reduced capacity to recover from a physiologically stressful event. It is well established that preoperative frailty is associated with poor postoperative outcomes, but it is unclear if this includes cognitive decline following anesthesia and surgery. This retrospective observational study was a secondary analysis of data from a previous study (the Anaesthesia, Cognition, Evaluation [ACE] study). We aimed to identify if preoperative frailty or prefrailty is associated with preoperative and postoperative neurocognitive disorders or postoperative cognitive dysfunction.

METHODS:
The ACE study enrolled 300 participants aged ≥60 scheduled for elective total hip joint replacement and who underwent a full neuropsychological assessment at baseline and 3 and 12 months postoperatively. We applied patient data to 2 frailty models; both were based on an accumulation of deficits score: the reported Edmonton frail scale (REFS) and the comprehensive geriatric assessment-frailty index (CGA-FI) based on the comprehensive geriatric assessment. We calculated these 2 scores using baseline data collected from the medical history, demographic and clinical data as well as self-reported questionnaires. Some items on the REFS (3 of 18 or 17%) and the CGA-FI (37 of 51 or 27%) did not have an equivalent item in the ACE data.

RESULTS:
The mean age (standard deviation [SD]) was 70.1 years (6.6) with more women (197 [66%]). Using the REFS model, 40 of 300 (13.3%) patients were classified as vulnerable, mild, or moderately frail. Using the CGA-FI model, 69 of 300 (23%) were classified as intermediate or high frailty. The REFS and the CGA-FI were strongly correlated (r = 0.75; P < .01) with 34 of 300 (11%) meeting criteria for frailty by both the REFS and the CGA-FI.
Frailty or prefrailty was associated with cognitive decline at 3 and 12 months using the REFS (odds ratio [OR], 1.51, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–2.23 and OR, 2.00, 95% CI, 1.26–3.17, respectively) after adjusting for baseline mini-mental state examination (MMSE), smoking, hypertension, diabetes, history of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and estimated intelligence quotient (IQ). Age did not modify this association. After adjusting for multiple comparisons, 3-month cognitive decline was no longer significantly associated with baseline frailty.

CONCLUSIONS:
This retrospective analysis demonstrates an association between baseline frailty and postoperative neurocognitive disorders, particularly using the more extensive REFS scoring method. This supports preoperative screening for frailty to risk-stratify patients, and identify and implement preventive strategies and to improve postoperative outcomes for older individuals.
Assisted reproductive technologies induce temporally specific placental defects and the preeclampsia risk marker sFLT1 in mouse
Authors: Vrooman Lisa A. , Rhon-Calderon Eric A. , Chao Olivia Y. , Nguyen Duy K. , Narapareddy Laren , Dahiya Asha K. , Putt Mary E. , Schultz Richard M. , Bartolomei Marisa S. 
Published: May 2020

ABSTRACT
Although widely used, assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) are associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. To elucidate their underlying causes, we have conducted a longitudinal analysis of placental development and fetal growth using a mouse model to investigate the effects of individual ART procedures: hormone stimulation, in vitro fertilization (IVF), embryo culture and embryo transfer. We demonstrate that transfer of blastocysts naturally conceived without hormone stimulation and developed in vivo prior to transfer can impair early placentation and fetal growth, but this effect normalizes by term. In contrast, embryos cultured in vitro before transfer do not exhibit this compensation but rather display placental overgrowth, reduced fetal weight, reduced placental DNA methylation and increased levels of sFLT1, an anti-angiogenic protein implicated in causing the maternal symptoms of preeclampsia in humans. Increases in sFLT1 observed in this study suggest that IVF procedures could increase the risk for preeclampsia. Moreover, our results indicate that embryo culture is the major factor contributing to most placental abnormalities and should therefore be targeted for optimization.
Sentinel interaction mapping – a generic approach for the functional analysis of human disease gene variants using yeast
Authors: Young Barry P. , Post Kathryn L. , Chao Jesse T. , Meili Fabian , Haas Kurt , Loewen Christopher 
Published: May 2020

ABSTRACT
Advances in sequencing technology have led to an explosion in the number of known genetic variants of human genes. A major challenge is to now determine which of these variants contribute to diseases as a result of their effect on gene function. Here, we describe a generic approach using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to quickly develop gene-specific in vivo assays that can be used to quantify the level of function of a genetic variant. Using synthetic dosage lethality screening, ‘sentinel’ yeast strains are identified that are sensitive to overexpression of a human disease gene. Variants of the gene can then be functionalized in a high-throughput fashion through simple growth assays using solid or liquid media. Sentinel interaction mapping (SIM) has the potential to create functional assays for the large majority of human disease genes that do not have a yeast orthologue. Using the tumour suppressor gene PTEN as an example, we show that SIM assays can provide a fast and economical means to screen a large number of genetic variants.