bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Urine 6-Bromotryptophan: Associations with Genetic Variants and Incident End-Stage Kidney Disease
Authors: Sekula Peggy , Tin Adrienne , Schultheiss Ulla T. , Baid-Agrawal Seema , Mohney Robert P. , Steinbrenner Inga , Yu Bing , Luo Shengyuan , Boerwinkle Eric , Eckardt Kai-Uwe , Coresh Josef , Grams Morgan E. , Kӧttgen Anna 
Published: June 2020

AbstractHigher serum 6-bromotryptophan has been associated with lower risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression, implicating mechanisms beyond renal clearance. We studied genetic determinants of urine 6-bromotryptophan and its association with CKD risk factors and incident end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in 4,843 participants of the German Chronic Kidney Disease (GCKD) study. 6-bromotryptophan was measured from urine samples using mass spectrometry. Patients with higher levels of urine 6-bromotryptophan had higher baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR, p < 0.001). A genome-wide association study of urine 6-bromotryptophan identified two significant loci possibly related to its tubular reabsorption, SLC6A19, and its production, ERO1A, which was also associated with serum 6-bromotryptophan in an independent study. The association between urine 6-bromotryptophan and time to ESKD was assessed using Cox regression. There were 216 ESKD events after four years of follow-up. Compared with patients with undetectable levels, higher 6-bromotryptophan levels were associated with lower risk of ESKD in models unadjusted and adjusted for ESKD risk factors other than eGFR (<median level: cause-specific hazard ratio [HR] 0.70, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.51 to 0.97; ≥median level: HR 0.50, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.74). Upon adjustment for baseline eGFR, this association became attenuated, suggesting that urine 6-bromotryptophan may represent a correlated marker of kidney health.
An accurate and efficient method for occlusal tooth wear assessment using 3D digital dental models
Authors: Gkantidis Nikolaos , Dritsas Konstantinos , Ren Yijin , Halazonetis Demetrios , Katsaros Christos 
Published: June 2020

AbstractTooth or material wear in a dentition is a common finding that requires timely diagnosis for management and prevention of further loss or associated esthetic or functional impairment. Various qualitative and quantitative methods have been suggested to measure tooth or material wear, but they present with limitations, such as imprecision, subjectivity, or high complexity. Here we developed and assessed an efficient 3D superimposition method to accurately measure occlusal tooth wear on 3D digital dental models. For this purpose, teeth on plaster casts were manually grinded on their occlusal surfaces to simulate various degrees of tooth wear. The casts were scanned using a surface scanner. Grinded tooth crowns (T1) were segmented and compared to the original crowns (T0) using five 3D surface superimposition techniques and a gold standard technique (GS). GS measurements were obtained by using intact adjacent structures as superimposition references. The technique of choice (complete crown with 30% estimated overlap of meshes) showed the best reproducibility (maximum difference < 0.050 mm3) and excellent agreement with the GS technique (median difference: 0.032 mm3). The suggested 3D superimposition method offers a highly efficient and accurate tool for tooth wear assessment, which could be applicable to clinical conditions.
Adeno-associated virus-binding antibodies detected in cats living in the Northeastern United States lack neutralizing activity
Authors: Adachi Kei , Dissen Gregory A. , Lomniczi Alejandro , Xie Qing , Ojeda Sergio R. , Nakai Hiroyuki 
Published: June 2020

AbstractCats are a critical pre-clinical model for studying adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector-mediated gene therapies. A recent study has described the high prevalence of anti-AAV neutralizing antibodies among domestic cats in Switzerland. However, our knowledge of pre-existing humoral immunity against various AAV serotypes in cats is still limited. Here, we show that, although antibodies binding known AAV serotypes (AAV1 to AAV11) are prevalent in cats living in the Northeastern United States, these antibodies do not necessarily neutralize AAV infectivity. We analyzed sera from 35 client-owned, 20 feral, and 30 specific pathogen-free (SPF) cats for pre-existing AAV-binding antibodies against the 11 serotypes. Antibody prevalence was 7 to 90% with an overall median of 50%. The AAV-binding antibodies showed broad reactivities with other serotypes. Of 44 selected antibodies binding AAV2, AAV6 or AAV9, none exhibited appreciable neutralizing activities. Instead, AAV6 or AAV9-binding antibodies showed a transduction-enhancing effect. AAV6-binding antibodies were highly prevalent in SPF cats (83%), but this was primarily due to cross-reactivity with preventive vaccine-induced anti-feline panleukopenia virus antibodies. These results indicate that prevalent pre-existing immunity in cats is not necessarily inhibitory to AAV and highlight a substantial difference in the nature of AAV-binding antibodies in cats living in geographically different regions.
Chemical signal is in the blend: bases of plant-pollinator encounter in a highly specialized interaction
Authors: Proffit Magali , Lapeyre Benoit , Buatois Bruno , Deng Xiaoxia , Arnal Pierre , Gouzerh Flora , Carrasco David , Hossaert-McKey Martine 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIn several highly specialized plant-insect interactions, scent-mediated specificity of pollinator attraction is directed by the emission and detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Although some plants engaged in such interactions emit singular compounds, others emit mixtures of VOCs commonly emitted by plants. We investigated the chemical ecological bases of host plant recognition in the nursery pollination mutualism between the dioeciousFicus caricaand its specific pollinatorBlastophaga psenes. Using Y-tube olfactometer tests, we show thatB. psenesfemales are attracted by VOCs of receptive figs of both sexes and do not exhibit preference for VOCs of either male or female figs. Electrophysiological tests and chemical analysis revealed that of all the VOCs emitted by receptive figs, only five were found to be active on female antennae. Behavioural tests show that, in contrast to VOCs presented alone, only a blend with a particular proportion of four of these VOCs is as attractive as the odour of receptive figs, and that if there is a very small change in this blend proportion, the pollinator is no longer attracted. This study revealed that in highly specialized mutualistic interactions specificity could be mediated by a particular blend of common compounds emitted by plants.
Microbiota-governed microRNA-204 impairs endothelial function and blood pressure decline during inactivity in db/db mice
Authors: Gaddam Ravinder Reddy , Jacobsen Veronica Peotta , Kim Young-Rae , Gabani Mohanad , Jacobs Julia S. , Dhuri Karishma , Kumar Santosh , Kassan Modar , Li Qiuxia , Bahal Raman , Roghair Robert , Irani Kaikobad , Vikram Ajit 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAn impaired decline in blood pressure at rest is typical in people with diabetes, reflects endothelial dysfunction, and increases the risk of end-organ damage. Here we report that microRNA-204 (miR-204) promotes endothelial dysfunction and impairment in blood pressure decline during inactivity. We show that db/db mice overexpress miR-204 in the aorta, and its absence rescues endothelial dysfunction and impaired blood pressure decline during inactivity despite obesity. The vascular miR-204 is sensitive to microbiota, and microbial suppression reversibly decreases aortic miR-204 and improves endothelial function, while the endothelial function of mice lacking miR-204 remained indifferent to the microbial alterations. We also show that the circulating miR-122 regulates vascular miR-204 as miR-122 inhibition decreases miR-204 in endothelial cells and aorta. This study establishes that miR-204 impairs endothelial function, promotes impairment in blood pressure decline during rest, and opens avenues for miR-204 inhibition strategies against vascular dysfunction.
Visual sense of number vs. sense of magnitude in humans and machines
Authors: Testolin Alberto , Dolfi Serena , Rochus Mathijs , Zorzi Marco 
Published: June 2020

AbstractNumerosity perception is thought to be foundational to mathematical learning, but its computational bases are strongly debated. Some investigators argue that humans are endowed with a specialized system supporting numerical representations; others argue that visual numerosity is estimated using continuous magnitudes, such as density or area, which usually co-vary with number. Here we reconcile these contrasting perspectives by testing deep neural networks on the same numerosity comparison task that was administered to human participants, using a stimulus space that allows the precise measurement of the contribution of non-numerical features. Our model accurately simulates the psychophysics of numerosity perception and the associated developmental changes: discrimination is driven by numerosity, but non-numerical features also have a significant impact, especially early during development. Representational similarity analysis further highlights that both numerosity and continuous magnitudes are spontaneously encoded in deep networks even when no task has to be carried out, suggesting that numerosity is a major, salient property of our visual environment.
Effects of nitrogen additions on mesophyll and stomatal conductance in Manchurian ash and Mongolian oak
Authors: Zhu Kai , Wang Anzhi , Wu Jiabing , Yuan Fenghui , Guan Dexin , Jin Changjie , Zhang Yushu , Gong Chunjuan 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe response of plant CO2 diffusion conductances (mesophyll and stomatal conductances, gm and gsc) to soil drought has been widely studied, but few studies have investigated the effects of soil nitrogen addition levels on gm and gsc. In this study, we investigated the responses of gm and gsc of Manchurian ash and Mongolian oak to four soil nitrogen addition levels (control, low nitrogen, medium nitrogen and high nitrogen) and the changes in leaf anatomy and associated enzyme activities (aquaporin (AQP) and carbonic anhydrase (CA)). Both gm and gsc increased with the soil nitrogen addition levels for both species, but then decreased under the high nitrogen addition level, which primarily resulted from the enlargements in leaf and mesophyll cell thicknesses, mesophyll surface area exposed to intercellular space per unit leaf area and stomatal opening status with soil nitrogen addition. Additionally, the improvements in leaf N content and AQP and CA activities also significantly promoted gm and gsc increases. The addition of moderate levels of soil nitrogen had notably positive effects on CO2 diffusion conductance in leaf anatomy and physiology in Manchurian ash and Mongolian oak, but these positive effects were weakened with the addition of high levels of soil nitrogen.
Ocular Perfusion Pressure and the Risk of Open-Angle Glaucoma: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Kim Ko Eun , Oh Sohee , Baek Sung Uk , Ahn Seong Joon , Park Ki Ho , Jeoung Jin Wook 
Published: June 2020

AbstractLow ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) has been proposed as an important risk factor for glaucoma development and progression, but controversy still exists between studies. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to analyze the association between OPP and open-angle glaucoma (OAG). Studies were identified by searching PubMed and EMBASE databases. The pooled absolute and standardised mean difference in OPP between OAG patients and controls were evaluated using the random-effects model. Meta-regression analysis was conducted to investigate the factors associated with OPP difference between OAG patients and controls. A total of 43 studies were identified including 3,009 OAG patients, 369 patients with ocular hypertension, and 29,502 controls. The pooled absolute mean difference in OPP between OAG patients and controls was −2.52 mmHg (95% CI −4.06 to −0.98), meaning significantly lower OPP in OAG patients (P = 0.001). Subgroup analyses showed that OAG patients with baseline IOP > 21 mmHg (P = 0.019) and ocular hypertension patients also had significantly lower OPP than controls (P < 0.001), but such difference in OPP was not significant between OAG patients with baseline IOP of ≤21 mmHg and controls (P = 0.996). In conclusion, although no causal relationship was proven in the present study, our findings suggest that in patients with high baseline IOP, who already have a higher risk of glaucoma, low OPP might be another risk factor.
Determining the thermal characteristics of breast cancer based on high-resolution infrared imaging, 3D breast scans, and magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Lozano Adolfo , Hayes Jody C. , Compton Lindsay M. , Azarnoosh Jamasp , Hassanipour Fatemeh 
Published: June 2020

AbstractFor over the three decades, various researchers have aimed to construct a thermal (or bioheat) model of breast cancer, but these models have mostly lacked clinical data. The present study developed a computational thermal model of breast cancer based on high-resolution infrared (IR) images, real three-dimensional (3D) breast surface geometries, and internal tumor definition of a female subject histologically diagnosed with breast cancer. A state-of-the-art IR camera recorded IR images of the subject’s breasts, a 3D scanner recorded surface geometries, and standard diagnostic imaging procedures provided tumor sizes and spatial locations within the breast. The study estimated the thermal characteristics of the subject’s triple negative breast cancer by calibrating the model to the subject’s clinical data. Constrained by empirical blood perfusion rates, metabolic heat generation rates reached as high as 2.0E04 W/m3 for normal breast tissue and ranged between 1.0E05–1.2E06 W/m3 for cancerous breast tissue. Results were specific to the subject’s unique breast cancer molecular subtype, stage, and lesion size and may be applicable to similar aggressive cases. Prior modeling efforts are briefly surveyed, clinical data collected are presented, and finally thermal modeling results are presented and discussed.
Expression regulation of MALATE SYNTHASE involved in glyoxylate cycle during protocorm development in Phalaenopsis aphrodite (Orchidaceae)
Authors: Wu Wan-Lin , Hsiao Yu-Yun , Lu Hsiang-Chia , Liang Chieh-Kai , Fu Chih-Hsiung , Huang Tian-Hsiang , Chuang Ming-Hsiang , Chen Li-Jun , Liu Zhong-Jian , Tsai Wen-Chieh 
Published: June 2020

AbstractOrchid (Orchidaceae) is one of the largest families in angiosperms and presents exceptional diversity in lifestyle. Their unique reproductive characteristics of orchid are attracted by scientist for centuries. One of the synapomorphies of orchid plants is that their seeds do not contain endosperm. Lipids are used as major energy storage in orchid seeds. However, regulation and mobilization of lipid usage during early seedling (protocorm) stage of orchid is not understood. In this study, we compared transcriptomes from developing Phalaenopsis aphrodite protocorms grown on 1/2-strength MS medium with sucrose. The expression of P. aphrodite MALATE SYNTHASE (PaMLS), involved in the glyoxylate cycle, was significantly decreased from 4 days after incubation (DAI) to 7 DAI. On real-time RT-PCR, both P. aphrodite ISOCITRATE LYASE (PaICL) and PaMLS were down-regulated during protocorm development and suppressed by sucrose treatment. In addition, several genes encoding transcription factors regulating PaMLS expression were identified. A gene encoding homeobox transcription factor (named PaHB5) was involved in positive regulation of PaMLS. This study showed that sucrose regulates the glyoxylate cycle during orchid protocorm development in asymbiotic germination and provides new insights into the transcription factors involved in the regulation of malate synthase expression.
Replication of Equine arteritis virus is efficiently suppressed by purine and pyrimidine biosynthesis inhibitors
Authors: Valle-Casuso José-Carlos , Gaudaire Delphine , Martin-Faivre Lydie , Madeline Anthony , Dallemagne Patrick , Pronost Stéphane , Munier-Lehmann Hélène , Zientara Stephan , Vidalain Pierre-Olivier , Hans Aymeric 
Published: June 2020

AbstractRNA viruses are responsible for a large variety of animal infections. Equine Arteritis Virus (EAV) is a positive single-stranded RNA virus member of the family Arteriviridae from the order Nidovirales like the Coronaviridae. EAV causes respiratory and reproductive diseases in equids. Although two vaccines are available, the vaccination coverage of the equine population is largely insufficient to prevent new EAV outbreaks around the world. In this study, we present a high-throughput in vitro assay suitable for testing candidate antiviral molecules on equine dermal cells infected by EAV. Using this assay, we identified three molecules that impair EAV infection in equine cells: the broad-spectrum antiviral and nucleoside analog ribavirin, and two compounds previously described as inhibitors of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH), the fourth enzyme of the pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway. These molecules effectively suppressed cytopathic effects associated to EAV infection, and strongly inhibited viral replication and production of infectious particles. Since ribavirin is already approved in human and small animal, and that several DHODH inhibitors are in advanced clinical trials, our results open new perspectives for the management of EAV outbreaks.
Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells provide B-cell help in vaccinated and subsequently SIV-infected Rhesus Macaques
Authors: Rahman Mohammad Arif , Ko Eun-Ju , Bhuyan Farzana , Enyindah-Asonye Gospel , Hunegnaw Ruth , Helmold Hait Sabrina , Hogge Christopher James , Venzon David J. , Hoang Tanya , Robert-Guroff Marjorie 
Published: June 2020

AbstractMucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells help combat opportunistic infections. Thus, MAIT cells are of interest in HIV/SIV vaccination and infection. We investigated MAIT cell dynamics and function in rhesus macaque blood and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) following mucosal adenovirus (Ad)-SIV recombinant priming, intramuscular SIV envelope boosting and infection following repeated low-dose intravaginal SIV exposures. Increased frequencies of blood MAIT cells over the course of vaccination were observed, which were maintained even 12-weeks post-SIV infection. BAL MAIT cells only increased after the first Ad immunization. Vaccination increased MAIT cell levels in blood and BAL expressing the antiviral cytokine IFN-γ and TNF-α and the proliferation marker Ki67. Upon T cell-specific α-CD3, α-CD28 stimulation, MAIT cells showed a greater capacity to secrete cytokines/chemokines associated with help for B cell activation, migration and regulation compared to CD3+MR1−cells. Culture of MAIT cell supernatants with B cells led to greater tissue like memory B cell frequencies. MAIT cell frequencies in blood and BAL correlated with SIV-specific antibody levels in rectal secretions and with SIV-specific tissue resident memory B cells. Overall, SIV vaccination influenced MAIT cell frequency and functionality. The potential for MAIT cells to provide help to B cells was evident during both vaccination and infection.
Comparison of surgical correction rates between titanium and cobalt-chrome-alloy as rod materials in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
Authors: Yang Jae Hyuk , Suh Seung Woo , Chang Dong-Gune 
Published: June 2020

AbstractNumerous biomechanical studies comparing titanium (Ti) and cobalt-chrome-alloy (CCM) rods are described in the literature. However, there is a dearth of literature comparing the two rod materials in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Therefore, the purpose of this study is to compare the correction rates of Ti and CCM rods in the treatment of AIS with double major curves. We enrolled 45 patients with AIS who underwent surgery between 2009 and 2012. We divided patients into two groups, Group A (n = 29) treated with six-millimeter Ti rods and Group B (n = 16) treated with six-millimeter CCM rods. The rod-derotation maneuver was used for correction. We measured pre- and postoperative indices of coronal alignment (Cobb’s angle, coronal balance, T1-tilt, clavicle angle) and sagittal alignment (sagittal vertical axis, thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis). In our study, there were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to demographics or curve characteristics (P > 0.05). In Group A, thoracic and lumbar curvature correction rates were 71.2% and 66.8% respectively, and in Group B they were 71.2% and 73.3%, respectively (P = 0.664 and 0.09). There were no significant differences between the two groups in coronal or sagittal factors (P > 0.05) except for greater postoperative lumbar lordosis in the CCM group (P < 0.001). In conclusion, Ti and CCM rods showed similar correction rates in the sagittal and coronal planes for the surgical correction of AIS with double major curves. Biomechanical studies of Ti and CCM rods in vitro is different in biological condition.
Histological scoring system for subchondral bone changes in murine models of joint aging and osteoarthritis
Authors: Nagira Keita , Ikuta Yasunari , Shinohara Masahiro , Sanada Yohei , Omoto Takenori , Kanaya Haruhisa , Nakasa Tomoyuki , Ishikawa Masakazu , Adachi Nobuo , Miyaki Shigeru , Lotz Martin 
Published: June 2020

AbstractTo establish a histopathological scoring system for changes in subchondral bone in murine models of knee osteoarthritis (OA), three key parameters, subchondral bone plate (Subcho.BP) consisting of the combination of Subcho.BP.thickness (Subcho.BP.Th) and angiogenesis, bone volume (BV/TV) and osteophytes, were selected. The new grading system was tested in two mouse OA models, (1) senescence accelerated mouse (SAM)-prone 8 (SAMP8) as spontaneous OA model with SAM-resistant 1 (SAMR1) as control; (2) destabilization of the medial meniscus in C57BL/6 mice as surgical OA model. Results of the spontaneous OA model showed that Subcho.BP.Th was significantly wider, angiogenesis was greater, and BV/TV was higher in SAMP8 than SAMR1. Notably, subchondral bone score was dramatically higher in SAMP8 at 6 weeks than SAMR1, while OARSI cartilage scores became higher only at 14 weeks. In the surgical OA model, the results were similar to the spontaneous OA model, but osteophytes appeared earlier. There were strong correlations both in Subcho.BP.Th and BV/TV between this scoring system and µCT (r = 0.89, 0.84, respectively). Inter-rater reliabilities for each parameter using this system were more than 0.943. We conclude that this new histopathological scoring system is readily applicable for evaluating the early changes in aging and OA-affected murine subchondral bone.