bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of sorghum rice and black rice on genes associated with cholesterol metabolism in hypercholesterolemic mice liver and intestine
Authors: Liu Haiying , Huang Lu , Pei Xinli 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe effects of different proportions of dietary sorghum rice and black rice on the expression of genes related to cholesterol metabolism in mice liver, intestine, and the characteristics of the small intestinal microbiota were investigated. Six types of diets were used to feed C57BL/6 mice: AIN‐93M standard diet, high‐cholesterol model diet, high‐cholesterol and low‐dose sorghum grain or black rice diet, and high‐cholesterol and high‐dose sorghum grain or black rice diet. The results showed that black rice or sorghum grain diets had no effect on the serum TC, LDL‐C levels in the hypercholesterolemic mice, whereas these diets decreased serum TG level, and black rice diets increased serum HDL‐C level. The diets containing black rice and sorghum grain had no effect on liver TC, TG, HDL‐C levels. However, these diets decreased LDL‐C levels significantly except high dose of black rice. The black rice or sorghum grain diets reduced the expression of the genes encoding liver 3‐hydroxyl‐3‐methyl‐glutarate monoacyl coenzyme A reductase (HMG‐CoA‐R) and increased the expression of SREBP‐2, thereby partially inhibiting the synthesis of cholesterol in liver. The diets containing different proportions of black rice and a low proportion of sorghum grain reduced the expression level of Niemann–Pick type C 1 like 1 (NPC1L1) mRNA and increased the mRNA level of the ATP‐binding cassette transporters, ABCG5/ABCG8, in the small intestine, thereby reducing cholesterol absorption. A diet containing a low proportion of black rice promoted the expression of ABCA1 mRNA and increased the expression of high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) mRNA, thereby promoting reverse cholesterol transport. Black rice diets significantly increased the relative abundances of microbiota in the small intestine and maintained biodiversity, while sorghum grain had no positive effect on the abundance of microbiota.
Increased Use of Bayesian Network Models Has Improved Environmental Risk Assessments
Authors: Moe S Jannicke , Carriger John F , Glendell Miriam 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Environmental and ecological risk assessments are defined as the process for evaluating the likelihood that the environment may be impacted as a result of exposure to stressors. Although this definition implies the calculation of probabilities, risk assessments traditionally rely on nonprobabilistic methods such as calculation of a risk quotient. Bayesian network (BN) models are a tool for probabilistic and causal modeling, increasingly used in many fields of environmental science. Bayesian networks are defined as directed acyclic graphs where the causal relationships and the associated uncertainty are quantified in conditional probability tables. Bayesian networks inherently incorporate uncertainty and can integrate a variety of information types, including expert elicitation. During the last 2 decades, there has been a steady increase in reports on BN applications in environmental risk assessment and management. At recent annual meetings of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) North America and SETAC Europe, a number of applications of BN models were presented along with new theoretical developments. Likewise, recent meetings of the European Geosciences Union (EGU) have dedicated sessions to Bayesian modeling in relation to water quality. This special series contains 10 articles based on presentations in these sessions, reflecting a range of BN applications to systems, ranging from cells and populations to watersheds and national scale. The articles report on recent progress in many topics, including climate and management scenarios, ecological and socioeconomic endpoints, machine learning, diagnostic inference, and model evaluation. They demonstrate that BNs can be adapted to established conceptual frameworks used to support environmental risk assessments, such as adverse outcome pathways and the relative risk model. The contributions from EGU demonstrate recent advancements in areas such as spatial (geographic information system [GIS]–based) and temporal (dynamic) BN modeling. In conclusion, this special series supports the prediction that increased use of Bayesian network models will improve environmental risk assessments. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;17:53–61. © 2020 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC)
Five immune‐gene‐signatures participate in the development and pathogenesis of Kawasaki disease
Authors: Nie Han , Wang Shizhi , Wu Quanli , Xue Danni , Zhou Weimin 
Published: November 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo screen for immune genes that play a major role in Kawasaki disease and to investigate the pathogenesis of Kawasaki disease through bioinformatics analysis.MethodsKawasaki disease‐related datasets GSE18606, GSE68004, and GSE73461 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Three microarrays were integrated and standardized to include 173 Kawasaki disease samples and 101 normal samples. The samples were analyzed using CIBERSORT to obtain the infiltration of 22 immune cells and analyze the differential immune cells in the samples and correlations. The distribution of the samples was analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA). Immune‐related genes were downloaded, extracted from the screened samples and analyzed for differential analysis (different expression genes [DEG]) and weighted gene co‐expression network analysis (WGCNA). We constructed coexpression networks, and used the cytohobbe tool in Cytoscape to analyze the coexpression networks and select the immune genes that played a key role in them.ResultsImmune cell infiltration analysis showed that B cells naive, T cells CD8, natural killer (NK) cells activated, and so forth were highly expressed in normal samples. T cells CD4 memory activated, monocytes, neutrophils, and so forth were highly expressed in Kawasaki disease samples. PCA results showed a significant difference in the distribution of normal and Kawasaki disease samples. From the screened samples, 97 upregulated and 103 downregulated immune‐related genes were extracted. WGCNA analysis of DEG yielded 10 gene modules, of which the three most relevant to Kawasaki disease were red, yellow, and gray modules. They were associated with cytokine regulation, T‐cell activation, presentation of T‐cell receptor signaling pathways, and NK cell‐mediated cytotoxicity. CXCL8, CCL5, CCR7, CXCR3, and CCR1 were identified as key genes by constructing a coexpression network.ConclusionOur study shows that we can distinguish normal samples from Kawasaki disease samples based on the infiltration of immune cells, and that CXCL8, CCL5, CCR7, CXCR3, and CCR1 may play important roles in the development of Kawasaki disease.
Influence of Prednisolone and Alendronate on the de novo Mineralization of Zebrafish Caudal Fin
Authors: Bohns Fabio Rocha , Shih Yann‐Rong , Chuang Yung‐Jen , Akhtar Riaz , Chen Po‐Yu 
Published: November 2020

ABSTRACTDysregulated balance between bone resorption and formation mediates the onset and progression of osteoporosis. The administration of prednisolone is known to induce osteoporosis, whereas alendronate is commonly used to reverse the process. However, the assessment of the effects of such medicines on the nanostructure of bone remodeling and mechanical properties remains a major technical challenge. The aim of this study was to apply various analytical approaches to evaluate the compositional, morphological, and mechanical properties of regenerative zebrafish caudal fin bony rays affected by prednisolone and alendronate. Adult wild‐type AB strain zebrafish were first exposed to 125μM of prednisolone for 14 days to develop glucocorticoid‐induced osteoporosis. Fish fins were then amputated and let to regenerate for 21 days in tank water containing 30μM of alendronate or no alendronate. The lepidotrichia in the proximal and distal regions were evaluated separately using confocal microscope, scanning electron microscope, electron‐dispersive spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and a triboindenter. As expected, prednisolone led to significant osteoporotic phenotypes. A decrease of Ca/P ratio was observed in the osteoporotic subjects (1.46 ± 0.04) as compared to the controls (1.74 ± 0.10). Subsequent treatment of alendronate overmineralized the bony rays during regeneration. Enhanced phosphate deposition was detected in the proximal part with alendronate treatment. Moreover, prednisolone attenuated the reduced elastic modulus and hardness levels (5.60 ± 5.04 GPa and 0.12 ± 0.17 GPa, respectively), whereas alendronate recovered them to the pre‐amputation condition (8.68 ± 8.74 GPa and 0.34 ± 0.47 GPa, respectively). As an emerging model of osteoporosis, regrowth of zebrafish caudal fin was shown to be a reliable assay system to investigate the various effects of medicines in the de novo mineralization process. © 2020 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Informing Development of Bispecific Antibodies Using Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic‐Pharmacodynamic Models: Current Capabilities and Future Opportunities
Authors: Gibbs John P. , Yuraszeck Theresa , Biesdorf Carla , Xu Yang , Kasichayanula Sreeneeranj 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAntibody therapeutics continue to represent a significant portion of the biotherapeutic pipeline, with growing promise for bispecific antibodies (BsAbs). BsAbs can target 2 different antigens at the same time, such as simultaneously binding tumor‐cell receptors and recruiting cytotoxic immune cells. This simultaneous engagement of 2 targets can be potentially advantageous, as it may overcome disadvantages posed by a monotherapy approach, like the development of resistance to treatment. Combination therapy approaches that modulate 2 targets simultaneously offer similar advantages, but BsAbs are more efficient to develop. Unlike combination approaches, BsAbs can facilitate spatial proximity of targets that may be necessary to induce the desired effect. Successful development of BsAbs requires understanding antibody formatting and optimizing activity for both targets prior to clinical trials. To realize maximal efficacy, special attention is required to fully define pharmacokinetic (PK)/pharmacodynamic (PD) relationships enabling selection of dose and regimen. The application of physiologically based pharmacokinetics (PBPK) has been evolving to inform the development of novel treatment modalities such as bispecifics owing to the increase in our understanding of pharmacology, utility of multiscale models, and emerging clinical data. In this review, we discuss components of PBPK models to describe the PK characteristics of BsAbs and expand the discussion to integration of PBPK and PD models to inform development of BsAbs. A framework that can be adopted to build PBPK‐PD models to inform the development of BsAbs is also proposed. We conclude with examples that highlight the application of PBPK‐PD and share perspectives on future opportunities for this emerging quantitative tool.
Point‐of‐care lung ultrasound findings in the pediatric emergency clinic during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Türe Esra , Korkmaz Muhammet Furkan , Aksoy Fatma Dilşad , Ceylan Demirbaş Başak , Menekşe Burcu , Çiftçi Mehtap , Korkmaz Merve 
Published: November 2020

AbstractPurposeTo describe our experience concerning lung ultrasound (LUS) in the pediatric emergency clinic, and to investigate the diagnostic value of LUS in coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19).MethodsPatients aged under 18 admitted to the pediatric emergency clinic with suspicion of COVID‐19, who underwent point‐of‐care LUS and from whom COVID‐19 reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) samples were collected, were included in the study.ResultsPoint‐of‐care LUS was performed on 74 patients in the emergency room. LUS findings were more sensitive than chest X‐ray in the early stages of the disease and in mild cases. Involvement was observed at LUS despite RT‐PCR being negative in some symptomatic patients with a COVID‐19 contact history.ConclusionsWe think that LUS can be beneficial in terms of identifying patients with lung involvement and staging their severity in this new disease in pediatric emergency clinics. The procedure is noninvasive, rapid, reproducible, and low cost, involving simple sterilization. Based on the current literature and our own practical experience, we think that increased use of point‐of‐care LUS can protect patients from unnecessary radiation and treatment delays during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Surface translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) localization on immune cells upon stimulation with LPS and in ART-treated HIV+ subjects
Authors: Blevins Lance K , Crawford Robert B , Azzam Diana J , Guilarte Tomás R , Kaminski Norbert E 
Published: November 2020

AbstractTranslocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) is a well-known outer mitochondrial membrane protein and it is widely used as a biomarker of neuroinflammation and brain injury. Although it is thought that TSPO plays key roles in a multitude of host cell functions, including steroid biosynthesis, apoptosis, generation of reactive oxygen species, and proliferation, some of these functions have recently been questioned. Here, we report the unexpected finding that circulating immune cells differentially express basal levels of TSPO on their cell surface, with a high percentage of monocytes and neutrophils expressing cell surface TSPO. In vitro stimulation of monocytes with LPS significantly increases the frequency of cells with surface TSPO expression in the absence of altered gene expression. Importantly, the LPS increase in TSPO cell surface expression in monocytes appears to be selective for LPS because two other distinct monocyte activators failed to increase the frequency of cells with surface TSPO. Finally, when we quantified immune cell TSPO surface expression in antiretroviral therapy-treated HIV+ donors, a chronic inflammatory disease, we found significant increases in the frequency of TSPO surface localization, which could be pharmacologically suppressed with ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol. These findings suggest that cell surface TSPO in circulating leukocytes could serve as a peripheral blood-based biomarker of inflammation.
Synthetic MRI: Technologies and Applications in Neuroradiology
Authors: Ji Sooyeon , Yang Dongjin , Lee Jongho , Choi Seung Hong , Kim Hyeonjin , Kang Koung Mi 
Published: November 2020

Synthetic MRI is a technique that synthesizes contrast‐weighted images from multicontrast MRI data. There have been advances in synthetic MRI since the technique was introduced. Although a number of synthetic MRI methods have been developed for quantifying one or more relaxometric parameters and for generating multiple contrast‐weighted images, this review focuses on several methods that quantify all three relaxometric parameters (T1, T2, and proton density) and produce multiple contrast‐weighted images. Acquisition, quantification, and image synthesis techniques are discussed for each method. We discuss the image quality and diagnostic accuracy of synthetic MRI methods and their clinical applications in neuroradiology. Based on this analysis, we highlight areas that need to be addressed for synthetic MRI to be widely implemented in the clinic.Level of Evidence5Technical Efficacy Stage1
Future changes in precipitation for identified sub‐regions in East Asia using bias‐corrected multi‐RCMs
Authors: Park Changyong , Lee Gil , Kim Gayoung , Cha Dong‐Hyun 
Published: November 2020

AbstractWater management is a crucial issue in East Asia and is significantly influenced by climate change. Because East Asia's precipitation characteristics are varied and complex, it is necessary to implement the analysis of the future changes in precipitation on an objectively classified, specific sub‐regional level to effectively solve these problems. In this study, sub‐regions were objectively classified according to their precipitation characteristics, based on the present observations in East Asia. Additionally, the bias‐correction technique was applied to the regional climate model (RCM) to yield more reliable future precipitation predictions for the sub‐regions. We obtained the following four key results in this study. (1) The classified sub‐regions corresponded well to the observed annual precipitation distribution and adequately reflected the influence of the summer monsoon. The annual precipitation of the classified sub‐regions exhibited a decreasing trend in arid regions and an increasing trend in humid areas. (2) Because the bias‐corrected RCM was able to simulate annual precipitation reasonably, this technique was applied to future scenarios to analyse future changes in precipitation for each classified sub‐region. (3) Future annual precipitation will increase significantly in the region spanning from the western part of Southern China to the area around the Bohai Sea, while the temporal variations of the climatological daily precipitation indicated that sub‐regions under the influence of the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) will be predicted an increase in second peaks during the summer. Hence, in the future, the EASM rain belt will be strengthened and its average location will move northward from its present location. (4) Because the high‐intensity extreme precipitation indices are expected to have a more considerable increase in all the classified sub‐regions, there is a need to solidify response measures against disasters that could arise from these changes in the East Asian region.
The effect of the inclusion of pea in lamb fattening concentrate on in vitro and in situ rumen fermentation
Authors: Joy Margalida , Rufino‐Moya Pablo , Lobón Sandra , Blanco Mireia 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the proportion of pea (0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%), as a partial replacement for soybean meal (SBM) in the fattening concentrate, on ruminal fermentation in lambs. Gas and methane (CH4) production, in vitro dry matter degradability (IVDMD), ammonia (NH3‐N), and volatile fatty acid (VFA) production after 24 h of incubation were evaluated. The concentrates were also incubated in the rumen of the wethers for 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24 h to evaluate the effects of pea inclusion on in situ dry matter degradability (DMD), organic matter degradability (OMD), nitrogen degradability (ND), NH3‐N, and VFA production.RESULTSIn the in vitro assay, the inclusion of pea only affected gas production (mL day−1 degraded dry matter), CH4 production (mL day−1 degraded dry matter), and IVDMD (P < 0.05), and tended to affect NH3‐N content (P < 0.10) without affecting VFA production. In the in situ assay, the inclusion of pea increased DMD, OMD, and ND linearly (P < 0.001), whereas pea inclusion decreased NH3‐N content linearly (P < 0.05). Neither total VFA production nor the proportion of acetic acid were affected by pea inclusion (P > 0.05), but the propionic proportion increased with the proportion of pea included.CONCLUSIONSThe best level of pea inclusion in the concentrate could not be established based on the results of this study. However, the results showed that the inclusion of pea provides a good alternative protein source. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Coastal hypoxia and eutrophication as key controls on benthic release and water column dynamics of iron and manganese
Authors: Lenstra Wytze K. , Hermans Martijn , Séguret Marie J.M. , Witbaard Rob , Severmann Silke , Behrends Thilo , Slomp Caroline P. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractContinental shelves are a major source of iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) to marine waters. Here, we investigate controls on benthic release of Fe and Mn and the impact on the water column in the Baltic Sea. We find high in situ benthic release rates of dissolved Fe and Mn at seasonally hypoxic sites (bottom water oxygen between 0–63 μmol L−1) receiving high inputs of organic matter. We find that benthic Fe and Mn release is sensitive to bottom water oxygen concentrations. Benthic Fe release is likely additionally controlled by Fe–sulfur redox chemistry in the surface sediment. For Mn, benthic release correlates positively with Mn oxide availability in the surface sediment. Benthic release contributes to high dissolved Fe and Mn concentrations in the water column and is amplified by repeated cycling of Fe and Mn between the sediment and overlying water through benthic release, oxidation in the water column, deposition as metal oxides, followed by reductive dissolution. Most water column Fe (∼ 80%) is present in particulate form near the seafloor. In contrast to Fe, a large percentage of the Mn remains dissolved (∼ 50%). We show that easily reducible Fe and Mn oxides are key forms of particulate Fe and Mn in suspended matter. The Baltic Sea represents a highly eutrophic, low oxygen end‐member when compared to other modern coastal systems. Our results imply that, upon continued eutrophication and deoxygenation of the coastal ocean, benthic release of dissolved Fe and Mn from continental shelves could become greater than previously thought.
Whole‐exome sequencing identified novel compound heterozygous variants in a Chinese neonate with liver failure and review of literature
Authors: Qin Zailong , Yang Qi , Yi Shang , Huang Limei , Shen Yiping , Luo Jingsi 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundLiver failure caused by TRMU is a rare hereditary disorder and clinically manifests into metabolic acidosis, hyperlactatemia, and hypoglycemia. Limited spectrum of TRMU pathogenic variants has been reported.MethodsWhole‐exome sequencing was employed for the diagnosis of a 5‐day‐old female who suffered from severe neonatal hyperlactatemia and hypoglycemia since birth. Sanger sequencing was performed to confirm the origin of the variants subsequently. Variants classification was followed to ACMG guideline.ResultsA compound heterozygosity of a frameshiftc.34_35dupTC (p.Gly13fs) and a missense c.244T>G (p.Phe82Val) in TRMU was detected, both variants are novel and pathogenic. Analysis of clinical and genetic information including patients reported previously indicated that there is no significant correlation between the genotype and the phenotype of TRMU‐caused liver failure.ConclusionTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of TRMU‐caused liver failure in China. Whole‐exome sequencing is effective for conclusive diagnosis of this disorder and beneficial for its clinical management.