bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Performance of hybrids between abiotic stress-tolerant transgenic rice and its weedy relatives under water-stressed conditions
Authors: Nam Kyong-Hee , Kim Do Young , Moon Ye Seul , Pack In Soon , Jeong Soon-Chun , Kim Ho Bang , Kim Chang-Gi 
Published: June 2020

AbstractGene transfer from transgenic crops to their weedy relatives may introduce undesired ecological consequences that can increase the fitness and invasiveness of weedy populations. Here, we examined the rate of gene flow from abiotic stress-tolerant transgenic rice that over-express AtCYP78A7, a gene encoding cytochrome P450 protein, to six weedy rice accessions and compared the phenotypic performance and drought tolerance of their hybrids over generations. The rate of transgene flow from AtCYP78A7-overexpressing transgenic to weedy rice varied between 0% and 0.0396%. F1 hybrids containing AtCYP78A7 were significantly taller and heavier, but the percentage of ripened grains, grain numbers and weight per plant were significantly lower than their transgenic and weedy parents. The homozygous and hemizygous F2 progeny showed higher tolerance to drought stress than the nullizygous F2 progeny, as indicated by leaf rolling scores. Shoot growth of nullizygous F3 progeny was significantly greater than weedy rice under water-deficient conditions in a rainout shelter, however, that of homozygous F3 progeny was similar to weedy rice, indicating the cost of continuous expression of transgene. Our findings imply that gene flow from AtCYP78A7-overexpressing transgenic to weedy rice might increase drought tolerance as shown in the pot experiment, however, increased fitness under stressed conditions in the field were not observed for hybrid progeny containing transgenes.
Self-reported snoring is associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Wang Hui , Gao Qian , He Simin , Bao Yanping , Sun Hongwei , Meng Lingxian , Liang Jie , Sun Chenming , Chen Shuohua , Cao Liying , Huang Wei , Zhang Yanmin , Huang Jianjun , Wu Shouling , Wang Tong 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAlthough nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), studies on the direct relationship between NAFLD and snoring, an early symptom of OSAS, are limited. We evaluated whether snorers had higher risk of developing NAFLD. The study was performed using data of the Tongmei study (cross-sectional survey, 2,153 adults) and Kailuan study (ongoing prospective cohort, 19,587 adults). In both studies, NAFLD was diagnosed using ultrasound; snoring frequency was determined at baseline and classified as none, occasional (1 or 2 times/week), or habitual (≥3 times/week). Odds ratios (ORs) and hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals were estimated using logistic and Cox models, respectively. During 10 years’ follow-up in Kailuan, 4,576 individuals with new-onset NAFLD were identified at least twice. After adjusting confounders including physical activity, perceived salt intake, body mass index (BMI), and metabolic syndrome (MetS), multivariate-adjusted ORs and HRs for NAFLD comparing habitual snorers to non-snorers were 1.72 (1.25–2.37) and 1.29 (1.16–1.43), respectively. These associations were greater among lean participants (BMI < 24) and similar across other subgroups (sex, age, MetS, hypertension). Snoring was independently and positively associated with higher prevalence and incidence of NAFLD, indicating that habitual snoring is a useful predictor of NAFLD, particularly in lean individuals.
Displacement detection is suppressed by the post-saccadic stimulus
Authors: Takano Shuhei , Matsumiya Kazumichi , Tseng Chia-huei , Kuriki Ichiro , Deubel Heiner , Shioiri Satoshi 
Published: June 2020

AbstractTo establish a perceptually stable world despite the large retinal shifts caused by saccadic eye movements, the visual system reduces its sensitivity to the displacement of visual stimuli during saccades (e.g. saccadic suppression of displacement, SSD). Previous studies have demonstrated that inserting a temporal blank right after a saccade improves displacement detection performance. This ‘blanking effect’ suggests that visual information right after the saccade may play an important role in SSD. To understand the mechanisms underlying SSD, we here compare the effect of pre- and post-saccadic stimulus contrast on displacement detection during a saccade with and without inserting a blank. Our results show that observers’ sensitivity to detect visual displacement was reduced by increasing post-saccadic stimulus contrast, but a blank relieves the impairment. We successfully explain the results with a model proposing that parvo-pathway signals suppress the magno-pathway processes responsible for detecting displacements across saccades. Our results suggest that the suppression of the magno-pathway by parvo-pathway signals immediately after a saccade causes SSD, which helps to achieve the perceptual stability of the visual world across saccades.
Aggrecanase-selective tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 (TIMP3) protects articular cartilage in a surgical mouse model of osteoarthritis
Authors: Nakamura Hiroyuki , Vo Phoung , Kanakis Ioannis , Liu Ke , Bou-Gharios George 
Published: June 2020

AbstractA key feature of osteoarthritis is the gradual loss of articular cartilage and bone deformation, resulting in the impairment of joint function. The primary cause of cartilage destruction is considered to be the presence of elevated proteases, such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTSs). However, clinically tested global MMP inhibitors have low efficacy that may be due to their lack of selectivity. We previously demonstrated in vitro that a variant of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 ([-1A]TIMP3) inhibits ADAMTSs but not MMPs. In this study, we tested whether the selectivity of [-1A]TIMP3 is beneficial compared with that of the wild-type TIMP3 in preventing or delaying the onset of the degenerative effects in a mouse model of osteoarthritis. We generated transgenic mice that overexpressed TIMP3 or [-1A]TIMP3 driven by a chondrocyte-specific type II collagen promoter. TIMP3 transgenic mice showed compromised bone integrity as opposed to [-1A]TIMP3 mice. After surgically induced joint instability, TIMP3 overexpression proved to be less protective in cartilage destruction than [-1A]TIMP3 at late stages of OA. The selective inhibition of ADAMTSs provides the possibility of modifying TIMP3 to specifically target a class of cartilage-degrading proteinases and to minimize adverse effects on bone and possibly other tissues.
Brain imaging evidence for why we are numbed by numbers
Authors: Ye Zheng , Heldmann Marcus , Slovic Paul , Münte Thomas F. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractWe as humans do not value lives consistently. While we are willing to act for one victim, we often become numb as the number of victims increases. The empathic ability to adopt others’ perspectives is essential for motivating help. However, the perspective-taking ability in our brains seems limited. Using functional MRI, we demonstrated that the core empathy network including the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) was more engaged for events happening to a single person than those happening to many people, no matter whether the events were emotionally neutral or negative. In particular, the perspective-taking-related mPFC showed greater and more extended activations for events about one person than those about many people. The mPFC may be the neural marker of why we feel indifferent to the suffering of large numbers of people in humanitarian disasters.
Expression and prognostic value of the transcription factors EGR1 and EGR3 in gliomas
Authors: Knudsen Arnon Møldrup , Eilertsen Ida , Kielland Susanne , Pedersen Mikkel Warming , Sørensen Mia Dahl , Dahlrot Rikke Hedegaard , Boldt Henning Bünsow , Munthe Sune , Poulsen Frantz Rom , Kristensen Bjarne Winther 
Published: June 2020

AbstractMost glioblastoma patients have a dismal prognosis, although some survive several years. However, only few biomarkers are available to predict the disease course. EGR1 and EGR3 have been linked to glioblastoma stemness and tumour progression, and this study aimed to investigate their spatial expression and prognostic value in gliomas. Overall 207 gliomas including 190 glioblastomas were EGR1/EGR3 immunostained and quantified. A cohort of 21 glioblastomas with high P53 expression and available tissue from core and periphery was stained with double-immunofluorescence (P53-EGR1 and P53-EGR3) and quantified.EGR1 expression increased with WHO-grade, and declined by 18.9% in the tumour periphery vs. core (P = 0.01), while EGR3 expression increased by 13.8% in the periphery vs. core (P = 0.04). In patients with high EGR1 expression, 83% had methylated MGMT-promoters, while all patients with low EGR1 expression had un-methylated MGMT-promoters. High EGR3 expression in MGMT-methylated patients was associated with poor survival (HR = 1.98; 95%CI 1.22–3.22; P = 0.006), while EGR1 high/EGR3 high, was associated with poor survival vs. EGR1 high/EGR3 low (HR = 2.11; 95%CI 1.25–3.56; P = 0.005). EGR1 did not show prognostic value, but could be involved in MGMT-methylation. Importantly, EGR3 may be implicated in cell migration, while its expression levels seem to be prognostic in MGMT-methylated patients.
Rules for the Leg Coordination of Dung Beetle Ball Rolling Behaviour
Authors: Leung Binggwong , Bijma Nienke , Baird Emily , Dacke Marie , Gorb Stanislav , Manoonpong Poramate 
Published: June 2020

AbstractDung beetles can perform a number of versatile behaviours, including walking and dung ball rolling. While different walking and running gaits of dung beetles have been described in previous literature, little is known about their ball rolling gaits. From behavioural experiments and video recordings of the beetle Scarabaeus (Kheper) lamarcki, we analysed and identified four underlying rules for leg coordination during ball rolling. The rules describe the alternation of the front legs and protraction waves of the middle and hind legs. We found that while rolling a ball backwards, the front legs are decoupled or loosely coupled from the other legs, resulting in a non-standard gait, in contrast to previously described tripod and gallop walking gaits in dung beetles. This provides insight into the principles of leg coordination in dung beetle ball rolling behaviour and its underlying rules. The proposed rules can be used as a basis for further investigation into ball rolling behaviours on more complex terrain (e.g., uneven terrain and slopes). Additionally, the rules can also be used to guide the development of control mechanisms for bio-inspired ball rolling robots.
Effects of Cebranopadol on Cocaine-induced Hyperactivity and Cocaine Pharmacokinetics in Rats
Authors: Wei Huimei , Shang Linyue , Zhan Chang-Guo , Zheng Fang 
Published: June 2020

AbstractCebranopadol is known as a highly potent analgesic. Recent studies also demonstrated that administration of cebranopadol significantly decreased cocaine self-administration and significantly reduced cue-induced cocaine-seeking behaviors in rats. However, it was unclear whether these interesting behavioral observations are related to any potential effects of cebranopadol on cocaine pharmacokinetics or cocaine-induced hyperactivity. In principle, a promising therapeutic candidate for cocaine dependence treatment may alter the cocaine pharmacokinetics and/or attenuate cocaine-induced reward and hyperactivity and, thus, decrease cocaine self-administration and reduce cue-induced cocaine-seeking behaviors. In this study, we examined possible effects of cebranopadol on cocaine pharmacokinetics and cocaine-induced hyperactivity for the first time. According to our animal data in rats, cebranopadol did not significantly alter the pharmacokinetics of cocaine. According to our more extensive locomotor activity testing data, cebranopadol itself also dose-dependently induced hyperactivity in rats at doses higher than 50 µg/kg. Cebranopadol at a low dose of 25 µg/kg (p.o.) did not induce significant hyperactivity itself, but significantly potentiated cocaine-induced hyperactivity on Days 4 to 7 after the repeated daily dosing of the drug.
Dynamic contact networks of patients and MRSA spread in hospitals
Authors: Rocha Luis E. C. , Singh Vikramjit , Esch Markus , Lenaerts Tom , Liljeros Fredrik , Thorson Anna 
Published: June 2020

AbstractMethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a difficult-to-treat infection. Increasing efforts have been taken to mitigate the epidemics and to avoid potential outbreaks in low endemic settings. Understanding the population dynamics of MRSA is essential to identify the causal mechanisms driving the epidemics and to generalise conclusions to different contexts. Previous studies neglected the temporal structure of contacts between patients and assumed homogeneous behaviour. We developed a high-resolution data-driven contact network model of interactions between 743,182 patients in 485 hospitals during 3,059 days to reproduce the exact contact sequences of the hospital population. Our model captures the exact spatial and temporal human contact behaviour and the dynamics of referrals within and between wards and hospitals at a large scale, revealing highly heterogeneous contact and mobility patterns of individual patients. A simulation exercise of epidemic spread shows that heterogeneous contacts cause the emergence of super-spreader patients, slower than exponential polynomial growth of the prevalence, and fast epidemic spread between wards and hospitals. In our simulated scenarios, screening upon hospital admittance is potentially more effective than reducing infection probability to reduce the final outbreak size. Our findings are useful to understand not only MRSA spread but also other hospital-acquired infections.
Mechanism of Heat-Induced Fusion of Silver Nanowires
Authors: Kim Chang-Lae , Lee Joon-Young , Shin Dong-Gap , Yeo Jong-Souk , Kim Dae-Eun 
Published: June 2020

AbstractPhysical changes in arranged silver nanowires were monitored during progressive heating inside a transmission electron microscope. Using the in-situ experimental method, overall variation of silver nanowires and movement of the silver atoms could be assessed. The physical morphology of silver nanowires was rapidly transformed above 350 °C as they fused with each other, which led to extrusion of the silver atoms. Around 550 °C, silver nanowires were almost fused into one, filling a relatively large void between silver nanowires. However, above 575 °C, the united silver nanowire was completely cut off, starting from the region that was suspected to have defects. For the first time, the fusion of arranged silver nanowires and the configurational changes of silver atoms during heating were visualized, and the migration between silver atoms and the damage mechanism of silver nanowires were assessed. Moreover, the relationship of physical morphology and electrical property of silver nanowires according to the temperature were investigated using the ex-situ experimental method. As silver nanowires started to split at 300 °C, the electrical conductivity deteriorated greatly. Beyond 350 °C, the electrical conductivity was completely lost while silver nanowires disintegrated rapidly, and silver nanowires completely disappeared at 450 °C.
Evaluation of left ventricular strain in patients with arrhythmia based on the 3T MR temporal parallel acquisition technique
Authors: Chen Hui , Xie Ru-Ming , Zhao Lei , Zhang Xiao-Yong , Zhao Yi-Ke , Wang Zheng , Xie Guo-Xi , Ma Xiao-Hai 
Published: June 2020

AbstractMost of the current studies on myocardial strain are mainly applied in patients with sinus rhythm because the image quality of arrhythmias obtained with conventional scanning sequences does not meet diagnostic needs. Here, we intend to assess left ventricular (LV) global myocardial strain in patients with arrhythmias with 3 Tesla magnetic resonance (MR) and a new cine sequence. Thirty-three patients with arrhythmia and forty-eight subjects with sinus rhythm were enrolled in the study. LV myocardial thickness, cardiac function, myocardial strain and the apparent contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were all measured and compared using images generated by the real-time temporal parallel acquisition technique (TPAT) and the conventional cine sequence. In the arrhythmia group, the image quality of real-time TPAT was significantly better than that of the conventional cine sequence. In the arrhythmia group, the LV global peak radial strain and global peak circumferential strain values of real-time TPAT were significantly different from those of the conventional technique (radial strain, conventional: 20.27 ± 15.39 vs. TPAT: 24.14 ± 15.85, p = 0.007; circumferential strain, conventional:−12.06 ± 6.60 vs. TPAT: −13.71 ± 6.31, p = 0.015). There was no significant difference in global peak longitudinal strain between real-time TPAT and the conventional technique (−10.94 ± 4.66 vs. −10.70 ± 5.96, p = 0.771). There was no significant difference in the cardiac function parameters between the two techniques (p > 0.05), but there was a significant difference in 12 segments of the LV wall thickness between the two sequences (p < 0.05). In the sinus rhythm group, image quality using real-time TPAT was comparable to that using the conventional technique, and there was no significant difference in any of the indices (p > 0.05). Real-time TPAT is an effective method for detection of left ventricular myocardial deformation in patients with arrhythmia.
Metabolic syndrome does not influence the phenotype of LRRK2 and GBA related Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Thaler Avner , Shenhar-Tsarfaty Shani , Shaked Yanay , Gurevich Tanya , Omer Nurit , Bar-Shira Anat , Gana-Weisz Mali , Goldstein Orly , Kestenbaum Meir , Cedarbaum Jesse M. , Orr-Urtreger Avi , Giladi Nir , Mirelman Anat 
Published: June 2020

Abstract In order toevaluate the influence of the metabolic syndrome (MS) (obesity, hypertension, elevated triglycerides, reduced levels of HDL cholesterol and glucose impairment) on the phenotype of LRRK2 and GBA Parkinson’s disease (PD), and on the prevalence of prodromal features among individuals at risk, we collected, laboratory test results, blood pressure, demographic, cognitive, motor, olfactory and affective information enabling the assessment of each component of MS and the construction of the MDS prodromal probability score. The number of metabolic components and their levels were compared between participants who were separated based on disease state and genetic status. One hundred and four idiopathic PD, 40 LRRK2-PD, 70 GBA-PD, 196 healthy non-carriers, 55 LRRK2-NMC and 97 GBA-NMC participated in this study. PD groups and non manifesting carriers (NMC) did not differ in the number of metabolic components (p = 0.101, p = 0.685, respectively). LRRK2-PD had higher levels of triglycerides (p = 0.015) and higher rates of prediabetes (p = 0.004), while LRRK2-NMC had higher triglyceride levels (p = 0.014). NMC with probability rates for prodromal PD above 50% had higher frequencies of hypertriglyceridemia and prediabetes (p < 0.005, p = 0.023 respectively). While elevated triglycerides and prediabetes were more frequent among LRRK2 carriers, MS does not seem to influence GBA and LRRK2-PD phenotype.
9.4 MHz A-line rate optical coherence tomography at 1300 nm using a wavelength-swept laser based on stretched-pulse active mode-locking
Authors: Kim Tae Shik , Joo JongYoon , Shin Inho , Shin Paul , Kang Woo Jae , Vakoc Benjamin J. , Oh Wang-Yuhl 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIn optical coherence tomography (OCT), high-speed systems based at 1300 nm are among the most broadly used. Here, we present 9.4 MHz A-line rate OCT system at 1300 nm. A wavelength-swept laser based on stretched-pulse active mode locking (SPML) provides a continuous and linear-in-wavenumber sweep from 1240 nm to 1340 nm, and the OCT system using this light source provides a sensitivity of 98 dB and a single-sided 6-dB roll-off depth of 2.5 mm. We present new capabilities of the 9.4 MHz SPML-OCT system in three microscopy applications. First, we demonstrate high quality OCTA imaging at a rate of 1.3 volumes/s. Second, by utilizing its inherent phase stable characteristics, we present wide dynamic range en face Doppler OCT imaging with multiple time intervals ranging from 0.25 ms to 2.0 ms at a rate of 0.53 volumes/s. Third, we demonstrate video-rate 4D microscopic imaging of a beating Xenopus embryo heart at a rate of 30 volumes/s. This high-speed and high-performance OCT system centered at 1300 nm suggests that it can be one of the most promising high-speed OCT platforms enabling a wide range of new scientific research, industrial, and clinical applications at speeds of 10 MHz.
Radiocesium concentrations in wild boars captured within 20 km of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant
Authors: Cui Limeng , Orita Makiko , Taira Yasuyuki , Takamura Noboru 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident in 2011 released large amounts of artificial radioactive substances into the environment. In this study, we measured the concentration of radiocesium (134Cs + 137Cs) in 213 muscle samples from wild boars (Sus scrofa) captured in Tomioka town, which is located within 20 km of the FDNPP. The results showed that 210 (98.6%) muscle samples still exceeded the regulatory radiocesium limit (100 Bq/kg) for general foods. Radiocesium (134Cs + 137Cs) levels ranged from 87.1–8,120 Bq/kg fresh mass (FM), with a median concentration of 450 Bq/kg FM. The median committed effective dose was estimated to be 0.070–0.26 μSv/day for females and 0.062–0.30 μSv/day for males. The committed effective dose for one-time ingestion of wild boar meat could be considered extremely low for residents in Tomioka. The relatively high levels of radioactivity found in this study suggest that the high variability of food sources may have led to the large accumulation of radioactive substances. These results suggest that comprehensive long-term monitoring is needed to identify risk factors affecting recovery from a nuclear disaster.
Long term transcriptional and behavioral effects in mice developmentally exposed to a mixture of endocrine disruptors associated with delayed human neurodevelopment
Authors: Repouskou Anastasia , Papadopoulou Anastasia-Konstantina , Panagiotidou Emily , Trichas Panagiotis , Lindh Christian , Bergman Åke , Gennings Chris , Bornehag Carl-Gustaf , Rüegg Joëlle , Kitraki Efthymia , Stamatakis Antonios 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAccumulating evidence suggests that gestational exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) may interfere with normal brain development and predispose for later dysfunctions. The current study focuses on the exposure impact of mixtures of EDCs that better mimics the real-life situation. We herein describe a mixture of phthalates, pesticides and bisphenol A (mixture N1) detected in pregnant women of the SELMA cohort and associated with language delay in their children. To study the long-term impact of developmental exposure to N1 on brain physiology and behavior we administered this mixture to mice throughout gestation at doses 0×, 0.5×, 10×, 100× and 500× the geometric mean of SELMA mothers’ concentrations, and examined their offspring in adulthood. Mixture N1 exposure increased active coping during swimming stress in both sexes, increased locomotion and reduced social interaction in male progeny. The expression of corticosterone receptors, their regulator Fkbp5, corticotropin releasing hormone and its receptor, oxytocin and its receptor, estrogen receptor beta, serotonin receptors (Htr1a, Htr2a) and glutamate receptor subunit Grin2b, were modified in the limbic system of adult animals, in a region-specific, sexually-dimorphic and experience-dependent manner. Principal component analysis revealed gene clusters associated with the observed behavioral responses, mostly related to the stress axis. This integration of epidemiology-based data with an experimental model increases the evidence that prenatal exposure to EDC mixtures impacts later life brain functions.