bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hyaluronic acid biomaterial for human tissue‐engineered skin substitutes: Preclinical comparative in vivo study of wound healing
Authors: Sierra‐Sánchez Á. , Fernández‐González A. , Lizana‐Moreno A. , Espinosa‐Ibáñez O. , Martinez‐Lopez A. , Guerrero‐Calvo J. , Fernández‐Porcel N. , Ruiz‐García A. , Ordóñez‐Luque A. , Carriel V. , Arias‐Santiago S. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundThere is not an ideal biomaterial for tissue‐engineered skin substitutes (TESSs), and most of the studies or existing therapies use xenogeneic origin natural biomaterials or biosynthetic scaffolds.ObjectiveTo analyse clinical, histological integration and homeostasis parameters of a human TESS manufactured with fibrin–hyaluronic acid biomaterial (HA‐Skin), grafted in immunodeficient mice for 8 weeks, and compared with the gold standard treatment (Autograft), a human TESS manufactured with fibrin–agarose biomaterial (AG‐Skin) and secondary wound healing dressings.MethodsHuman TESSs and autografts were implanted into BALB/c mice after surgical excision. Secondary wound healing approach was achieved with biosynthetic collagen wound dressing (Biobrane®) and fibrin–hyaluronic acid or fibrin–agarose biomaterial without cells (Total N = 44). Clinical integration and homeostasis parameters were evaluated every two weeks for two months. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses were performed four and eight weeks after grafting.ResultsHA‐Skin, AG‐Skin and Autograft groups showed a proper clinical integration and epithelization eight weeks later. Scar evaluation revealed better results for Autograft and HA‐Skin. Homeostasis analysis indicated similar values of transepidermal water loss and elasticity between HA‐Skin (6.42 ± 0.75 g/h/m2, 0.42 ± 0.08 AU), Autograft (6.91 ± 1.28 g/h/m2, 0.40 ± 0.08 AU) and healthy mouse skin (6.40 ± 0.43 g/h/m2, 0.35 ± 0.03 AU). Histological results showed that human TESSs and autografts presented better skin structuration and higher expression of cytokeratins.ConclusionsThis study suggests that human TESS based on fibrin–hyaluronic acid biomaterial could be suitable for clinical application in the treatment of several dermatological pathologies (wound healing).
The microevolutionary response to male‐limited X‐chromosome evolution in Drosophila melanogaster reflects macroevolutionary patterns
Authors: Abbott Jessica K. , Chippindale Adam K. , Morrow Edward H. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractDue to its hemizygous inheritance and role in sex determination, the X‐chromosome is expected to play an important role in the evolution of sexual dimorphism and to be enriched for sexually antagonistic genetic variation. By forcing the X‐chromosome to only be expressed in males over >40 generations, we changed the selection pressures on the X to become similar to those experienced by the Y. This releases the X from any constraints arising from selection in females and should lead to specialization for male fitness, which could occur either via direct effects of X‐linked loci or trans‐regulation of autosomal loci by the X. We found evidence of masculinization via up‐regulation of male‐benefit sexually antagonistic genes and down‐regulation of X‐linked female‐benefit genes. Potential artefacts of the experimental evolution protocol are discussed and cannot be wholly discounted, leading to several caveats. Interestingly, we could detect evidence of microevolutionary changes consistent with previously documented macroevolutionary patterns, such as changes in expression consistent with previously established patterns of sexual dimorphism, an increase in the expression of metabolic genes related to mito‐nuclear conflict and evidence that dosage compensation effects can be rapidly altered. These results confirm the importance of the X in the evolution of sexual dimorphism and as a source for sexually antagonistic genetic variation and demonstrate that experimental evolution can be a fruitful method for testing theories of sex chromosome evolution.
Involvement of the Hsp70/TLR4/IL‐6 and TNF‐α pathways in delayed‐onset muscle soreness
Authors: dos Santos Rafaela Silva , Veras Flávio Protasio , Ferreira David Wilson , Sant'Anna Morena Brazil , Lollo Pablo Christiano Barboza , Cunha Thiago Mattar , Galdino Giovane 
Published: March 2020

AbstractDelayed‐onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is a very common condition in athletes and individuals not accustomed to physical activity that occurs after moderate/high‐intensity exercise sessions. The activation of microglial Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) in the spinal cord has been described to be important for the induction and maintenance of persistent pain. Based on that, we hypothesize that 70 kilodalton heat‐shock protein (Hsp70), a mediator released by exercise, could activate microglial TLR4 in the spinal cord, releasing proinflammatory cytokines and contributing to the start of DOMS. In fact, we found that the knockout of TLR4, myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), or both tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) receptor 1 and TNF‐α receptor 2 in mice prevented the development of DOMS following acute aerobic exercise in contrast to the findings in male C57BL/6 wild‐type mice. Furthermore, DOMS in exercised wild‐type mice was also prevented after pre‐treatment with microglia inhibitor, TLR4 antagonist, and anti‐Hsp70 antibody. During exercise‐induced DOMS, Hsp70 mRNA, TLR4 mRNA, and protein levels, as well as Iba‐1 (a microglial marker), IL‐6, and TNF‐α protein levels, were increased in the muscle and/or spinal cord. Together, these findings suggest that Hsp70 released during exercise‐induced DOMS activates the microglial TLR4/IL‐6/TNF‐α pathway in the spinal cord. Thus, the blockade of TLR4 activation may be a new strategy to prevent the development of DOMS before intense exercise.
image
The effects of physical activity calorie equivalent labeling on dieters' food consumption and post‐consumption physical activity
Authors: Jin Huizhen , Li Yi‐a , Li Dongjin , Zheng Jun 
Published: March 2020

AbstractEffective body weight management requires dieters to engage in healthy eating and physical activity. This research explores the influences of physical activity calorie equivalent (PACE) labeling on dieters' food consumption and post‐consumption physical activity. PACE indicates the amount of physical activity required to burn off food energy intake. This labeling aims to raise awareness on energy balance by highlighting an immediate link between food intake and exercise. This research shows that when exposed to PACE labeling, dieters (but not non‐dieters) reduce their food consumption, increase their post‐consumption physical activity, and are considerably motivated to achieve energy balance. This occurs because PACE labeling active energy balance‐goal for dieters and influences their food consumption and subsequent physical activity. Implications for consumer well‐being and policymakers are discussed.
A multi‐center, open‐label, pilot study of allograft adipose matrix for the correction of atrophic temples
Authors: Gold Michael H. , Kinney Brian M. , Kaminer Michael S. , Rohrich Rod J. , D’Amico Richard A. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundAutologous fat grafting (AFG) and synthetic fillers are currently used in esthetic and reconstructive surgery. Challenges in AFG include inconsistent graft retention, donor site morbidities, insufficient harvest, and excessive harvesting times. An allograft adipose matrix (AAM) has been developed as an off‐the‐shelf alternative to AFG and synthetic fillers.AimsTo evaluate the clinical safety and retention of an AAM over 24 weeks after treatment of bilateral atrophic temples.Patients/MethodsTen subjects (nine females, one male, aged 47‐69 years) with temple atrophy were enrolled in the IRB‐approved study. AAM (Renuva®, MTF Biologics, Edison, NJ) was injected (<3 mL) bilaterally into the atrophic temples of each subject. Volume retention, global improvement, and safety were evaluated at 1, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks. Biopsy specimens were obtained for adipogenic and angiogenic histological evaluation.ResultsThe mean temple volume improved over the baseline and was retained throughout the study period. Fullness (measure of volume) increased immediately from 0 pretreatment to 2.8 post‐treatment (scale 0‐4 = none‐maximum). Fullness varied from 0.8 to 2.2 from weeks 1 through 12 and was 2.7‐3.0 from weeks 16‐24, around 75% increase from baseline. Furthermore, skin tone, smoothness, texture, and overall appearance also improved with 71% of subjects being satisfied to very satisfied with the results. Adverse events were minimal and histology revealed native tissue incorporation and remodeling.ConclusionAAM is safe and well tolerated, provides at least 6‐month volume retention, improves skin quality, and supports adipose tissue remodeling after treatment into temples.
Association of maternal determinants with low birth weight babies in tea garden workers of Assam
Authors: Kumar Shashi Nandar , Raisuddin Sheikh , Singh Kh. Jitenkumar , Bastia Banajit , Borgohain Deepa , Teron Long , Sharma Santanu Kumar , Jain Arun Kumar 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAimThis study was aimed to evaluate the association of maternal determinants with birth weight (BW) of babies in tea garden workers (TGW) and housewives (HW).MethodsA total of 175 subjects were recruited from Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh, India. In this cross‐sectional study, maternal determinants, BW of babies and placental weight were explored in TGW (n = 102) and HW (n = 73). These factors were assessed and correlated by logistic regression models.ResultsA higher incidence of low birth weight (LBW) was found in mothers working in the tea garden (48.04%) as compared to HW (10.96%). Activity of plucking of leaves in tea garden by women had a higher risk for LBW babies (adjusted odd ratio [AOR] 4.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.38–13.57, P = 0.012) and decreased placental weight (AOR 11.42, 95% CI 1.18–126.02, P = 0.036) as compared to HW considered as reference group. Women who worked continuously in the tea garden during 9 months of pregnancy also revealed an elevated risk for LBW (AOR 5.32, 95% CI 1.34–21.09, P = 0.017).ConclusionThis study suggests the activity of plucking of tea leaves by women is associated with LBW of babies and decreased placental weight. Particularly, if mothers worked continuously in the tea garden during 9 months of pregnancy, it also increased the risk of delivering LBW babies. This exploratory study provides an important platform for further prospective studies, which could be focused on the potential consequences of maternal occupational exposures during pregnancy on fetal development.
Mitochondrial disease in children
Authors: Rahman S. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractMitochondrial disease presenting in childhood is characterized by clinical, biochemical and genetic complexity. Some children are affected by canonical syndromes, but the majority have nonclassical multisystemic disease presentations involving virtually any organ in the body. Each child has a unique constellation of clinical features and disease trajectory, leading to enormous challenges in diagnosis and management of these heterogeneous disorders. This review discusses the classical mitochondrial syndromes presenting most frequently in childhood and then presents an organ‐based perspective including systems less frequently linked to mitochondrial disease, such as skin and hair abnormalities and immune dysfunction. An approach to diagnosis is then presented, encompassing clinical evaluation and biochemical, neuroimaging and genetic investigations, and emphasizing the problem of phenocopies. The impact of next‐generation sequencing is discussed, together with the importance of functional validation of novel genetic variants never previously linked to mitochondrial disease. The review concludes with a brief discussion of currently available and emerging therapies. The field of mitochondrial medicine has made enormous strides in the last 30 years, with approaching 400 different genes across two genomes now linked to primary mitochondrial disease. However, many important questions remain unanswered, including the reasons for tissue specificity and variability of clinical presentation of individuals sharing identical gene defects, and a lack of disease‐modifying therapies and biomarkers to monitor disease progression and/or response to treatment.
DNA‐editing enzymes as potential treatments for heteroplasmic mtDNA diseases
Authors: Zekonyte U. , Bacman S. R. , Moraes C. T. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractMutations in the mitochondrial genome are the cause of many debilitating neuromuscular disorders. Currently, there is no cure or treatment for these diseases, and symptom management is the only relief doctors can provide. Although supplements and vitamins are commonly used in treatment, they provide little benefit to the patient and are only palliative. This is why gene therapy is a promising research topic to potentially treat and, in theory, even cure diseases caused by mutations in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Mammalian cells contain approximately a thousand copies of mtDNA, which can lead to a phenomenon called heteroplasmy, where both wild‐type and mutant mtDNA molecules co‐exist within the cell. Disease only manifests once the per cent of mutant mtDNA reaches a high threshold (usually >80%), which causes mitochondrial dysfunction and reduced ATP production. This is a useful feature to take advantage of for gene therapy applications, as not every mutant copy of mtDNA needs to be eliminated, but only enough to shift the heteroplasmic ratio below the disease threshold. Several DNA‐editing enzymes have been used to shift heteroplasmy in cell culture and mice. This review provides an overview of these enzymes and discusses roadblocks of applying these to gene therapy in humans.
Limited Genetic Connectivity Among Sargassum horneri (Phaeophyceae) Populations in the Chinese Marginal Seas Despite Their high Dispersal Capacity
Authors: Li Jing‐Jing , Liu Zheng‐Yi , Zhong Zhi‐Hai , Zhuang Long‐Chuan , Bi Yuan‐Xin , Qin Song 
Published: March 2020

Sargassum horneri is a habitat‐forming species in the Northwest Pacific and an important contributor to seaweed rafts. In this study, 131 benthic samples and 156 floating samples were collected in the Yellow Sea and East China Sea (ECS) to test the effects of seaweed rafts on population structure and connectivity. Our results revealed high levels of genetic diversity in both benthic and floating samples based on concatenated mitochondrial markers (rpl5‐rps3, rnl‐atp9, and cob‐cox2). Phylogenetic analyses consistently supported the existence of two lineages (lineages I and II), with divergence dating to c. 0.692 Mya (95% HPD: 0.255–1.841 Mya), indicating that long‐term isolation may have occurred during the mid‐Pleistocene (0.126–0.781 Mya). Extended Bayesian skyline plots demonstrated a constant population size over time in lineage I and slight demographic expansion in lineage II. Both lineages were found in each marginal sea (including both benthic and floating samples), but PCoA, FST, and AMOVA analyses consistently revealed deep genetic variation between regions. Highly structured phylogeographic pattern supports limited genetic connectivity between regions. IMA analyses demonstrated that asymmetric gene flow between benthic populations in the North Yellow Sea (NYS) and ECS was extremely low (ECS→NYS, 2Nm = 0.6), implying that high dispersal capacity cannot be assumed to lead to widespread population connectivity, even without dispersal barriers. In addition, there were only a few shared haplotypes between benthic and floating samples, suggesting the existence of hidden donors for the floating masses in the Chinese marginal seas.
Association of vitamin D in patients with periodontitis: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Isola Gaetano , Alibrandi Angela , Rapisarda Ernesto , Matarese Giovanni , Williams Ray C. , Leonardi Rosalia 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackground and ObjectiveVitamin D has been considered to possess anti‐inflammatory and antimicrobial activity, which may be a link for the known interaction of periodontitis (CP) and coronary heart disease (CHD). This study investigated the association between serum vitamin D levels and periodontitis in patients with CP and with CHD. Furthermore, the objective was to determine whether periodontitis and CHD had an impact on serum vitamin D levels.Material and MethodsUsing a cross‐sectional design, a total of 46 patients with CP, 45 patients with CHD, 45 patients with both CP and CHD, and 43 healthy patients were enrolled in the present study.ResultsPatients in the CP (17.4 ± 5.2 ng/mL) and in the CP + CHD (16.5 ± 5.6 ng/mL) group presented a significantly lower mean serum level of 25(OH)vitamin D compared to patients in the CHD (24.6 ± 3.7 ng/mL) and healthy control groups (29.9 ± 5.4 ng/mL) (P < .001). 25(OH)vitamin D levels were positively correlated with the number of teeth and negatively with C‐reactive protein (CRP) and all periodontal parameters (P < .001). In all patients, there was a proportional increase of 25(OH)vitamin D levels with a progressive increase in number of teeth (P‐trend <.001) while there were a proportional decrease in 25(OH)vitamin D levels with a progressive increase in clinical attachment level (CAL,P‐trend = .001), probing depth (PD,P‐trend = .006), and bleeding sites (BOP,P‐trend <.001) levels.ConclusionPatients with CP and CP + CHD presented significantly lower serum levels of vitamin D compared to CHD and healthy controls. Moreover, the presence of CP negatively influenced serum vitamin D levels.
A hotspot of xenodiversity: First evidence of an assemblage of non‐native freshwater turtles in a suburban wetland in Central Italy
Authors: Ferri Vincenzo , Battisti Corrado , Soccini Christiana , Santoro Riccardo 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe present study reports on a case of high richness in an assemblage of non‐native freshwater turtles in a suburban wetland of Tyrrhenian Central Italy (Torre Flavia Nature Reserve), providing evidence for first observations of species at regional, national and continental levels. Following a standardized sampling procedure, 54 specimens belonging to seven taxa (ten taxa, including subspecies) were sampled. These includedTrachemys scripta(overwintering in the nest of a juvenile, corroborating its reproduction in the wild),Graptemys pseudogeographica, Pelomedusa olivacea(first observation recorded for Europe), Pseudemys concinna, Pseudemys nelsoni,Mauremys sinensisand an unclassified Kinosternidae (Kinosternon subrubrum subrubrumvelSternotherus odoratus; first observation recorded for Europe at the family level).Due to the high frequency of the most common species (Trachemys scripta: >80% in frequency), this non‐native assemblage was characterized by high Simpson dominance, low Simpson diversity and low evenness values. This appears to be the first evidence of a local hotspot of these non‐native reptiles in Europe. These relevant data and their ecological implications (e.g., alien food webs) are discussed, as well as their conservation concerns and wetland management perspectives.
REAVER: A program for improved analysis of high‐resolution vascular network images
Authors: Corliss Bruce A. , Doty Richard W. , Mathews Corbin , Yates Paul A. , Zhang Tingting , Peirce Shayn M. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAlterations in vascular networks, including angiogenesis and capillary regression, play key roles in disease, wound healing, and development. The spatial structures of blood vessels can be captured through imaging, but effective characterization of network architecture requires both metrics for quantification and software to carry out the analysis in a high‐throughput and unbiased fashion. We present Rapid Editable Analysis of Vessel Elements Routine (REAVER), an open‐source tool that researchers can use to analyze high‐resolution 2D fluorescent images of blood vessel networks, and assess its performance compared to alternative image analysis programs. Using a dataset of manually analyzed images from a variety of murine tissues as a ground‐truth, REAVER exhibited high accuracy and precision for all vessel architecture metrics quantified, including vessel length density, vessel area fraction, mean vessel diameter, and branchpoint count, along with the highest pixel‐by‐pixel accuracy for the segmentation of the blood vessel network. In instances where REAVER's automated segmentation is inaccurate, we show that combining manual curation with automated analysis improves the accuracy of vessel architecture metrics. REAVER can be used to quantify differences in blood vessel architectures, making it useful in experiments designed to evaluate the effects of different external perturbations (eg, drugs or disease states).
Bartonella in dogs and fleas from Tulancingo, Hidalgo, Mexico
Authors: Tobar B. Z. , Lapsley W. D. , Swain W. L. , Jaffe D. A. , Setien A. Aguilar , Galvez‐Romero G. , Obregon‐Morales C. , Olave‐Leyva J. I. , Chomel B. B. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBartonella sp. infection is quite common in free‐roaming dogs in many tropical countries. However, limited information is available of the presence of these pathogens in Mexico. The present study looked at prevalence of Bartonella exposure and/or infection in dogs and their fleas in Central Mexico. Blood samples were collected from 31 stray dogs in August 2014 at the municipal pound, Tulancingo, Mexico, as well as fleas on 26 of them. Bartonella seropositivity was 46.9%, including 35.5% for Bartonella henselae, 45% for Bartonella clarridgeiae and 32.2% for Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii. Three (9.7%) dogs were polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positive for the Bartonella gltA gene. Partial sequencing of that gene revealed that these three dogs were infected with B. henselae. In total, 86 fleas were collected from 26 dogs (range 1–9 fleas per dog), including 52 Ctenocephalides felis and 34 Ctenocephalides canis. Of 40 pools of fleas (20 pools of C. canis and 20 pools of C. felis), five (12.5%) were PCR positive for the Bartonella sp. gltA gene, including three C. canis pools (five fleas) and two C. felis pools (three fleas). All sequences showed 99.25% to 100% homology with B. henselae Houston I.
Nonspecific phospholipase C6 increases seed oil production in oilseed Brassicaceae plants
Authors: Cai Guangqin , Fan Chuchuan , Liu Sheng , Yang Qingyong , Liu Dongxu , Wu Jian , Li Jianwu , Zhou Yongming , Guo Liang , Wang Xuemin 
Published: March 2020

Summary

Plant oils are valuable commodities for food, feed, renewable industrial feedstocks and biofuels. To increase vegetable oil production, here we show that the nonspecific phospholipase C6 (NPC6) promotes seed oil production in the Brassicaceae seed oil species Arabidopsis, Camelina and oilseed rape.

Overexpression of NPC6 increased seed oil content, seed weight and oil yield both in Arabidopsis and Camelina, whereas knockout of NPC6 decreased seed oil content and seed size. NPC6 is associated with the chloroplasts and microsomal membranes, and hydrolyzes phosphatidylcholine and galactolipids to produce diacylglycerol. Knockout and overexpression of NPC6 decreased and increased, respectively, the flux of fatty acids from phospholipids and galactolipids into triacylglycerol production.

Candidate‐gene association study in oilseed rape indicates that only BnNPC6.C01 of the four homeologues NPC6s is associated with seed oil content and yield. Haplotypic analysis indicates that the BnNPC6.C01 favorable haplotype can increase both seed oil content and seed yield.

These results indicate that NPC6 promotes membrane glycerolipid turnover to accumulate TAG production in oil seeds and that NPC6 has a great application potential for oil yield improvement.