bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Root canal configuration and root wall thickness of first maxillary premolars in an Israeli population. A Cone-beam computed tomography study
Authors: Kfir Anda , Mostinsky Olga , Elyzur Orly , Hertzeanu Moran , Metzger Zvi , Pawar Ajinkya M. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractAnatomical features of first maxillary premolars may greatly affect endodontic and following restorative treatments. The aim of this study was to evaluate root canal configuration and root wall thickness of first maxillary premolars using a preexisting CBCT database. A CBCT database of 400 first maxillary premolar was used to study canal configuration, presence of furcation-facing groove on the buccal root and root wall thickness. Root wall thickness was measured from axial CBCT slices at three critical points of the root: The most coronal part of the furcation-facing groove in the buccal root, when present, the CEJ level of the palatal root and 5 mm apically to the CEJ level of the palatal root. Vertucci Type IV configuration was the most common among all teeth, but in single-rooted teeth, Vertucci Type II was predominant. The mean thickness of the buccal root in the area of a furcation-facing groove was 1.1 (±0.2) mm, but in 39% of the cases, it was thinner than 1 mm. The mean thickness of the palatal root at 5 mm from the CEJ was 1.1 (±0.2), but in 28% of the cases, it was thinner than 1 mm. Thickness of root dentin walls of first maxillary premolars varies and may be limited at critical points in both buccal and palatal roots. In case the patient has a previous CBCT scan it may be useful for planning treatment of first maxillary premolars, in order to recognize and avoid potential risks such as furcation-facing groove, thin dentin walls in critical areas and presence of Type II Verucci canal, all of which may dictate less invasive procedures, using smaller files.
Shelf sand supply determined by glacial-age sea-level modes, submerged coastlines and wave climate
Authors: Ribó Marta , Goodwin Ian D. , O’Brien Philip , Mortlock Thomas 
Published: January 2020

AbstractSubmerged paloeshorelines preserved on the continental shelf indicate the depths of the most frequent (modal) low sea-levels within the glacial stages of the Late Quaternary. Here we have determined the south-east Australian shelf configuration when sea level was 40 m and 60 m below present-day sea-level (depths of the most persistent paleoshorelines within the last 120 ka), and we resolve the wave climate variations influencing the sediment transport pathways over this period. We present evidence demonstrating that the combination of shelf morphological evolution, changes in sea-level and variations in wave climate is responsible for latitudinal changes in sediment transport and deposition during the interglacial states. The paleoshoreline and shelf evolution is key to understanding the distribution of present-day shelf sand deposits and the contemporary sand budget response to future wave climate changes.
Amniotic microvesicles impact hatching and pregnancy percentages of in vitro bovine embryos and blastocyst microRNA expression versus in vivo controls
Authors: Lange-Consiglio Anna , Lazzari Barbara , Pizzi Flavia , Idda Antonella , Cremonesi Fausto , Capra Emanuele 
Published: January 2020

AbstractEmbryo development and implantation are dynamic processes, responsive to external signals, and can potentially be influenced by many environmental factors. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of a culture medium supplemented with amniotic-derived microvesicles (MVs) on in vitro embryo hatching after cryopreservation, and pregnancy rate following embryo transfer. In addition, miRNA profiling of blastocysts produced in vitro, with or without (control; CTR) amniotic MV supplementation, was also evaluated using blastocysts produced in vivo. In vitro embryos were cultured with and without amniotic MV supplementation. In vivo blastocysts were obtained from superovulated cows. Samples for RNA isolation were obtained from three pools of 10 embryos each (in vivo, in vitro-CTR and in vitro + MVs). Our results show that the hatching percentage of cryopreserved in vitro + MVs embryos is higher (P < 0.05) than in vitro-CTR embryos and the pregnancy rate with fresh and cryopreserved in vitro + MVs embryos is higher than in vitro-CTR embryos. In addition, the analysis of differently expressed (DE) microRNAs showed that embryos produced in vivo are clearly different from those produced in vitro. Moreover, in vitro-CTR and in vitro + MVs embryos differ significantly for expression of two miRNAs that were found in higher concentrations in in vitro-CTR embryos. Interestingly, these two miRNAs were also reported in degenerated bovine embryos compared to good quality blastocysts. In conclusion, MV addition during in vitro production of embryos seems to counteract the adverse effect of in vitro culture and partially modulate the expression of specific miRNAs involved in successful embryo implantation.
Dynamics of opinion formation under majority rules on complex social networks
Authors: Nguyen Vu Xuan , Xiao Gaoxi , Xu Xin-Jian , Wu Qingchu , Xia Cheng-Yi 
Published: January 2020

AbstractWe study opinion dynamics on complex social networks where each individual holding a binary opinion on a certain subject may change her/his mind to match the opinion of the majority. Two rules of interactions between individuals, termed as classic majority and influence majority rules, respectively, are imposed on the social networks. The former rule allows each individual to adopt an opinion following a simple majority of her/his immediate neighbors, while the latter one lets each individual calculate the influence of each opinion and choose to follow the more influential one. In this calculation, the influences of different opinions are counted as the sum of the influences of their respective opinion holders in neighborhood area, where the influence of each individual is conveniently estimated as the number of social connections s/he has. Our study reveals that in densely-connected social networks, all individuals tend to converge to having a single global consensus. In sparsely-connected networks, however, the systems may exhibit rich properties where coexistence of different opinions, and more interestingly, multiple steady states of coexistence can be observed. Further studies reveal that low-degree and high-degree nodes may play different roles in formulating the final steady state, including multi-steady states, of the systems under different opinion evolution rules. Such observations would help understand the complex dynamics of opinion evolution and coexistence in social systems.
Insecticidal activity and biochemical composition of Citrullus colocynthis, Cannabis indica and Artemisia argyi extracts against cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae L.)
Authors: Ahmed Maqsood , Peiwen Qin , Gu Zumin , Liu Yuyang , Sikandar Aatika , Hussain Dilbar , Javeed Ansar , Shafi Jamil , Iqbal Mazher Farid , An Ran , Guo Hongxia , Du Ying , Wang Weijing , Zhang Yumeng , Ji Mingshan 
Published: January 2020

AbstractPlant extracts contain many active compounds, which are tremendously fruitful for plant defence against several insect pests. The prime objectives of the present study were to calculate the extraction yield and to evaluate the leaf extracts of Citrullus colocynthis (L.), Cannabis indica (L.) and Artemisia argyi (L.) against Brevicoryne brassicae and to conduct biochemical analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results suggested that when using ethanol, C. colocynthis produced a high dry yield (12.45%), followed by that of C. indica and A. argyi, which were 12.37% and 10.95%, respectively. The toxicity results showed that A. argyi was toxic to B. brassicae with an LC50 of 3.91 mg mL−1, followed by the toxicity of C. colocynthis and C. indica, exhibiting LC50 values of 6.26 and 10.04 mg mL−1, respectively, which were obtained via a residual assay; with a contact assay, the LC50 values of C. colocynthis, C. indica and A. argyi were 0.22 mg mL−1, 1.96 and 2.87 mg mL−1, respectively. The interaction of plant extracts, concentration and time revealed that the maximum mortality based on a concentration of 20 mg L−1 was 55.50%, the time-based mortality was 55% at 72 h of exposure, and the treatment-based mortality was 44.13% for A. argyi via the residual assay. On the other hand, the maximum concentration-based mortality was 74.44% at 20 mg mL−1, the time-based mortality was 66.38% after 72 h of exposure, and 57.30% treatment-based mortality was afforded by A. argyi via the contact assay. The biochemical analysis presented ten constituents in both the A. argyi and C. colocynthis extracts and twenty in that of C. indica, corresponding to 99.80%, 99.99% and 97% of the total extracts, respectively. Moreover, the detected caryophylleneonides (sesquiterpenes), α-bisabolol and dronabinol (Δ9-THC) from C. indica and erucylamide and octasiloxane hexamethyl from C. colocynthis exhibited insecticidal properties, which might be responsible for aphid mortality. However, A. argyi was evaluated for the first time against B. brassicae. It was concluded that all the plant extracts possessed significant insecticidal properties and could be introduced as botanical insecticides after field evaluations.
Intestinal barrier function is maintained with aging – a comprehensive study in healthy subjects and irritable bowel syndrome patients
Authors: Wilms Ellen , Troost Freddy J. , Elizalde Montserrat , Winkens Bjorn , de Vos Paul , Mujagic Zlatan , Jonkers Daisy M. A. E. , Masclee Ad A. M. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractAnimal studies have shown that intestinal barrier function is compromised with aging. We aimed to assess the effects of aging on intestinal barrier function in humans in vivo and ex vivo. In this cross-sectional study, healthy subjects and subjects with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) of older (65–75 years) and young adult age (18–40 years) were compared. In vivo gastrointestinal site-specific permeability was assessed by a multi-sugar test, taking into account potential confounders. Sigmoid biopsies were collected from subgroups of healthy young adults and elderly for ex vivo Ussing chamber experiments, gene transcription of barrier-related genes and staining of junctional proteins. No significant differences between healthy young adults and elderly were found for small intestinal, colonic and whole gut permeability (P ≥ 0.142). In IBS patients, gastroduodenal and colonic permeability did not differ significantly (P ≥ 0.400), but small intestinal and whole gut permeability were higher in elderly versus young adults (P ≤ 0.009), mainly driven by the IBS-diarrhea subtype. Ussing chamber experiments with or without stressor (P ≥ 0.052), and relative expression of intestinal barrier-related genes (P ≥ 0.264) showed no significant differences between healthy elderly and young adults, as confirmed by immunofluorescent stainings. Overall, the functional capacity of the intestinal barrier is maintained in elderly.
Genotypic variations in leaf and whole-plant water use efficiencies are closely related in bread wheat genotypes under well-watered and water-limited conditions during grain filling
Authors: del Pozo Alejandro , Méndez-Espinoza Ana María , Romero-Bravo Sebastián , Garriga Miguel , Estrada Félix , Alcaíno Marta , Camargo-Rodriguez Anyela V. , Corke Fiona M. K. , Doonan John H. , Lobos Gustavo A. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractWheat plants growing under Mediterranean rain-fed conditions are exposed to water deficit, particularly during the grain filling period, and this can lead to a strong reduction in grain yield (GY). This study examines the effects of water deficit after during the grain filling period on photosynthetic and water-use efficiencies at the leaf and whole-plant level for 14 bread wheat genotypes grown in pots under glasshouse conditions. Two glasshouse experiments were conducted, one in a conventional glasshouse at the Universidad de Talca, Chile (Experiment 1), and another at the National Plant Phenomics Centre (NPPC), Aberystwyth, UK (Experiment 2), in 2015. Plants were grown under well-watered (WW) and water-limited (WL) conditions during grain filling. The reductions in leaf water potential (Ψ), net CO2 assimilation (An) and stomatal conductance (gs) due to water deficit were 79, 35 and 55%, respectively, during grain filling but no significant differences were found among genotypes. However, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (as determined on dark-adapted and illuminated leaves) and chlorophyll content (Chl) were significantly different among genotypes, but not between water conditions. Under both water conditions, An presented a positive and linear relationship with the effective photochemical quantum yield of Photosystem II (Y(II)) and the maximum rate of electron transport (ETRmax), and negative with the quantum yield of non-photochemical energy conversion in Photosystem II (Y(NPQ)). The relationship between An and Chl was positive and linear for both water conditions, but under WL conditions An tended to be lower at any Chl value. Both, instantaneous (An/E) and intrinsic (An/gs) water-use efficiencies at the leaf level exhibited a positive and linear relationship with plant water-use efficiency (WUEp = plant dry weight/water use). Carbon discrimination (Δ13C) in kernels presented a negative relationship with WUEp, at both WW and WL conditions, and a positive relationship with GY. Our results indicate that during grain filling wheat plants face limitations to the assimilation process due to natural senesce and water stress. The reduction in An and gs after anthesis in both water conditions was mainly due a decline in the chlorophyll content (non-stomatal limitation), whereas the observed differences between water conditions were mainly due to a stomatal limitation.
Blockade of Arginine Vasopressin receptors prevents blood-brain barrier breakdown in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Authors: Viñuela-Berni Verónica , Gómez-González Beatriz , Quintanar-Stephano Andrés 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe blood-brain barrier (BBB) plays a significant pathophysiological role in multiple sclerosis (MS). Vasopressin (AVP) is released after brain injury and contributes to the inflammatory response. We propose that AVP may be modulating BBB permeability and hence affecting EAE clinical signs. Female Lewis rats were immunized s.c. with guinea-pig brain extract suspended in complete Freund’s adjuvant. Prior to that, animals were subjected to Neurointermediate pituitary lobectomy (NIL) or treated with AVP receptor antagonist (conivaptan). BBB permeability assays were performed. Western blot for claudin-5 and histological analysis were performed in conivaptan treated EAE rats. EAE increase in BBB permeability to Evans blue was reverted by the NIL surgery. AVP receptor blockade reverted the EAE BBB hyperpermeability to Evans blue and 10-kDa FITC-dextran in almost all brain regions. Both, AVP low levels and AVP receptor blockade attenuated EAE clinical signs. Conivaptan reduced perivascular cuffs in EAE rats. A decrease in claudin-5 expression was observed in EAE rats and conivaptan treatment partially restored normal levels. Our data indicate that V1a and V2 AVP receptors can modulate BBB permeability and consequently are involved in the CNS inflammatory process during EAE. Future research is required to characterize the utility of vasopressin antagonist in MS treatment.
Microenvironmental analysis of two alternating hosts and their impact on the ecological adaptation of the horned sumac gall aphid Schlechtendalia chinensis (Hemiptera, Pemphiginae)
Authors: Wang Chao , Liu Ping , Chen Xiaoming , Liu Juan , Lu Qin , Shao Shuxia , Yang Zixiang , Chen Hang , King-Jones Kirst 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe aphid Schlechtendalia chinensis(Bell) induces horned galls on their primary host Rhus chinensis(Mill). These galls serve as closed habitats to support thousands of aphids per gall. Ecological parameters inside a gall are unknown. In this study, we showed that the microclimate inside galls was reltively stable, with nearly 100% humidity and 30–50 lux light regardless of outside environmental conditions. Gall-residing aphids produce waste gas and honeydew. A gall contained 26 organic volatiles inside with acetic acid as the largest component. Honeydew is rich in sugars and may provide nutrients for microbial growth. However, no evidence for pathogenic microorganisms was found inside a gall. The acidic environment in a gall may curb microbial growth. On the secondary host, the moss Plagiomnium maximoviczii (Lindb.) T. J. Kop., the microclimate is unstable and humidity fluctuated at 45~100%, while light ranged from 150 to 500 lux on different environmental conditions. Aphid alternated in two different habitats, the gall generation increased from a single fundatrix to thousands of aphids, however, survival rate of the moss generation is less 3%. A comparison of the environmental traits between gall and moss revealed that a stable habitat with dark and moist is advantageous for aphid reproduction.
The fatigue-induced alteration in postural control is larger in hypobaric than in normobaric hypoxia
Authors: Degache Francis , Serain Émilie , Roy Sophie , Faiss Raphael , Millet Grégoire P. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractTo test the hypothesis that postural control would be more affected by plantar flexors fatigue during acute exposure in hypobaric (HH) than in normobaric (NH) hypoxia or normobaric normoxia (NN). Twelve young male adults performed in a random order three experimental sessions (in HH and NH (FiO2 0.139) at an altitude of 2950 m, and in NN at 500 m) composed of a bipedal postural control with eyes open on a posturographic platform before and after a plantar flexors fatiguing protocol. Center of pressure (CoP) trajectory and stabilogramm diffusion analyses (SDA) parameters were assessed. A two-way repeated measures analysis of variance was used to identify differences by examination of the group and time interaction. Surface of CoP trajectory analysis, increased at POST in HH (p < 0.001) and in NH (p < 0.01) compared to NN. SDA confirmed that PC was more altered in HH than in NH (p < 0.001) and NN (p < 0.05) at POST. The plantar flexor fatigue-induced alteration in postural control increased to a larger extent in HH than in NH or NN, suggesting an alleviating influence of the decreased barometric pressure per se and a mechanical influence of the higher breathing frequency in HH.
Leukocyte-derived extracellular DNA contributes to abnormal pressure elevation in the extracorporeal circulation circuit
Authors: Yashima Nozomi , Ito Takashi , Kajiyama Kenji , Maeda Hiroyuki , Kakihana Yasuyuki , Maruyama Ikuro 
Published: January 2020

AbstractAn abnormal elevation in pressure is a serious complication involving the extracorporeal circulation circuit. Clot formation might be associated with this complication, but the precise mechanism of an abnormal elevation in pressure has not been identified. We investigated sufficient conditions for in-circuit elevation in pressure using anex vivore-circulation circuit with porcine blood. Specifically, we investigated the effect of blood conditions, the type of anticoagulation, and pro-inflammatory stimulation on in-circuit pressure. We also examined the cause of an abnormal elevation of in-circuit pressure by specifically degrading DNA, RNA, or protein components of an obstructed filter and by using immunofluorescent techniques. Neither a change in temperature nor change in pH in the blood increased in-circuit pressure. In contrast, long-term storage of blood, pro-inflammatory stimulation by phorbol myristate acetate, and heparin administration significantly increased in-circuit pressure. Abnormal in-circuit elevation in pressure was associated with deposition of extracellular DNA on the outlet surface of the filter. Administration of DNase resulted in a rapid decline of in-circuit pressure. In anex vivore-circulation circuit system, extracellular DNA deposition on the filter is responsible for an abnormal in-circuit elevation in pressure. Senescent leukocytes, stimulated leukocytes, and heparin exposure are associated with extracellular DNA deposition.
Proton pump inhibitors act synergistically with fluconazole against resistant Candida albicans
Authors: Lu Mengjiao , Yan Haiying , Yu Cuixiang , Yuan Lei , Sun Shujuan 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe incidence of resistant Candida isolates, especially Candida albicans, has increased continuously. To overcome the resistance, research on antifungal agent sensitizers has attracted considerable attention. Omeprazole and lansoprazole were found to inhibit the growth of sensitive C. albicans and hyphae formation in a high dose, respectively. This study aimed to determine the interactions of common clinically proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and fluconazole both in vitro and in vivo and to further explore the possible mechanisms. In vitro, the tested PPIs all acted synergistically with fluconazole against both resistant C. albicans planktonic cells and biofilms preformed for ≤12 h with the minimum inhibitory concentration of fluconazole decreased from >512 μg/mL to 1–4 μg/mL. In vivo, PPIs plus fluconazole prolonged the survival rate of infected Galleria mellonella larvae by two-fold compared with that for the fluconazole monotherapy group and significantly reduced the tissue damage of infected larvae. Mechanism studies showed that PPIs significantly suppressed efflux pump activity, which is the common resistance mechanism of C. albicans, and significantly inhibited the virulence factors: phospholipase activity and morphology switching. These findings will provide new insights into antifungal agent discovery and potential approaches for the treatment of candidiasis caused by resistant C. albicans.
Quantitative and Fast Sterility Assurance Testing of Surfaces by Enumeration of Germinable Endospores
Authors: Yung Pun To , Lester Elizabeth , Ponce Adrian 
Published: January 2020

AbstractA fast Endospore Germinability Assay (EGA) was validated with traditional plate counts to enumerate single endospore germination events for monitoring surface sterilization. The assay is based on a time-gated luminescence microscopy technique enabling visualization and enumeration of individual germinating endospores. Germinating endospores release calcium dipicolinate to form highly luminescent terbium dipicolinate complexes surrounding each germinating endospore. EGA and heterotrophic plate counting (HPC) were used to evaluate the swab/rinse recovery efficiency of endospores from stainless steel surfaces. EGA and HPC results were highly correlated for endospore recovery from stainless steel coupons inoculated with range of 1,000 endospores per coupon down to sterility. Dosage-dependent decrease of surface endospore germinability were observed in dry heat, UV irradiation, oxygen plasma and vaporized hydrogen peroxide treatments, measured with EGA and HPC. EGA is a fast and complementary method to traditional HPC for quantitative sterility assurance testing of surfaces. This work introduces and validates a 15-minute or faster assay for germinable endospores to complement the conventional lengthy, culture-based surface sterility validation, which is critical in hospitals, food and pharmaceutical industries to help minimize nosocomial infection, food spoilage, and pharmaceutical contamination.