bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maternal and fetal thyroid dysfunction following porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus2 infection
Authors: Pasternak J. Alex , MacPhee Daniel J. , Harding John C. S. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractTo better understand the host response to porcine reproductive and respiratory virus-2 (PRRSV2) we evaluated circulating thyroid hormone and associated gene expression in a late gestation challenge model. Pregnant gilts were inoculated at gestation day 85 and fetal samples collected at either 12 or 21 days post-infection (dpi). A subset of fetuses was selected for analysis based on viability and viral load categorized as either uninfected-viable (UNIF), high viral load viable (HV-VIA) or high viral load meconium stained (HV-MEC) and were compared with gestational age matched controls (CON). In dams, circulating levels of total T3 and T4 decreased in the acute period following infection and rebounded by 21 dpi. A similar effect was observed in fetuses, but was largely restricted to HV-VIA and HV-MEC, with minimal decrease noted in UNIF relative to CON at 21 dpi. Gene expression in fetal heart at 12 dpi showed significant decompensatory transcription of thyroid hormone transporters (SLC16A2) and deiodinases (DIO2, DIO3), which was not observed in brain. Correspondingly, genes associated with cell cycle progression (CDK1,2,4) were downregulated in only the heart of highly infected fetuses, while expression of their inhibitor (CDKN1A) was upregulated in both tissues. Finally, expression of genes associated with cardiac stress including CAMKD and AGT were upregulated in the hearts of highly infected fetuses, and a shift in expression of MYH6 to MYH7 was observed in HV-MEC fetuses specifically. Collectively, the results suggest PRRSV2 infection causes a hypothyroid state that disproportionally impacts the fetal heart over the brain.
Sphingolipids are required for exocyst polarity and exocytic secretion in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Guo Qingguo , Zhang Tianrui , Meng Na , Duan Yuran , Meng Yuan , Sun Dong , Liu Ying , Luo Guangzuo 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundExocytosis is a process by which vesicles are transported to and fused with specific areas of the plasma membrane. Although several studies have shown that sphingolipids are the main components of exocytic compartments, whether they control exocytosis process is unclear.ResultsHere, we have investigated the role of sphingolipids in exocytosis by reducing the activity of the serine palmitoyl-transferase (SPT), which catalyzes the first step in sphingolipid synthesis in endoplasmic reticulum. We found that the exocyst polarity and exocytic secretion were impaired inlcb1-100mutant cells and in wild type cells treated with myriocin, a chemical which can specifically inhibit SPT enzyme activity, suggesting that sphingolipids controls exocytic secretion. This speculation was further confirmed by immuno-fluorescence and electron microscopy results that small secretory vesicles were accumulated inlcb1-100mutant cells.ConclusionsTaken together, our results suggest that sphingolipids are required for exocytosis. Mammals may use similar regulatory mechanisms because components of the exocytic secretion apparatus and signaling pathways are conserved.
Low intake of iodized salt and iodine containing supplements among pregnant women with apparently insufficient iodine status - time to change policy?
Authors: Rosen Shani R. , Ovadia Yaniv S. , Anteby Eyal Y. , Fytlovich Shlomo , Aharoni Dorit , Zamir Doron , Gefel Dov , Shenhav Simon 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
Iodine is an essential nutrient for human health throughout the life cycle, especially during early stages of intrauterine life and infancy, to ensure adequate neurocognitive development. The growing global reliance on desalinated iodine-diluted water raises the specter of increased iodine deficiency in several regions. The case of Israel may be instructive for exploring the link between iodine status and habitual iodine intake in the setting of extensive national reliance on desalinated water. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between iodine intake, including iodized salt and iodine-containing supplements intake, and iodine status among pregnant women residing in a sub-district of Israel that is highly reliant on desalinated iodine-diluted water.

Methods
A total of 134 consecutive pregnant women were recruited on a voluntary basis from the obstetrics department of the Barzilai University Medical Center during 2018. Blood was drawn from participants to determine levels of serum thyrotropin (TSH), thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb), thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) and thyroglobulin (Tg). An iodine food frequency questionnaire (sIFFQ) was used to assess iodine intake from food, IS and ICS. A questionnaire was used to collect data on demographic and health characteristics.

Results
A total of 105 pregnant women without known or reported thyroid disease were included in the study. Elevated Tg values (≥ 13 μg/L), were found among 67% of participants, indicating insufficient iodine status. The estimated iodine intake (median, mean ± SD 189, 187 ± 106 μg/d by sIFFQ) was lower than the levels recommended by the World Health Organization and the Institute of Medicine (250 vs. 220 μg/day respectively). The prevalence of iodized salt intake and iodine containing supplement intake were 4 and 52% (respectively). Values of Tg > 13 μg/L were inversely associated with compliance with World Health Organization and Institute of Medicine recommendations.

Conclusions
While the Israeli Ministry of Health has recommended the intake of iodized salt and iodine containing supplements, this is apparently insufficient for achieving optimal iodine status among Israeli pregnant women. The evidence of highly prevalent probable iodine deficiency in a sample of pregnant women suggests an urgent need for a national policy of iodized salt regulation, as well as guidelines to promote iodine containing supplements and adherence to them by caregivers. In addition, studies similar to this one should be undertaken in additional countries reliant on desalinated iodine-diluted water to further assess the impact of desalinization on maternal iodine status.
Lyapunov-type inequalities for higher-order half-linear difference equations
Authors: Liu Haidong 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIn this paper, we will establish some new Lyapunov-type inequalities for some higher-order superlinear–sublinear difference equations with boundary conditions. Our results not only complement the existing results established in the literature, but also furnish a handy tool for the study of qualitative properties of solutions of some difference equations.
An ADMM-based SQP method for separably smooth nonconvex optimization
Authors: Liu Meixing , Jian Jinbao 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThis work is about a splitting approach for solving separably smooth nonconvex linearly constrained optimization problems. Based on the ideas from two classical methods, namely the sequential quadratic programming (SQP) and the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM), we propose an ADMM-based SQP method. We focus on decomposing the quadratic programming (QP) subproblem of the primal problem into small-scale QP subproblems, which further embedded with Bregman distances can be solved effectively and followed by a dual ascent type update for the Lagrangian multipliers. Under suitable conditions as well as the crucial Kurdyka–Łojasiewicz property, we establish the global and strong convergence properties of the proposed method.
On convex combinations of harmonic mappings
Authors: Beig Subzar , Sim Young Jae , Cho Nak Eun 
Published: March 2020

AbstractLet$\psi_{\mu,\nu}(z)=(1-2\cos\nu e^{i\mu}z+e^{2i\mu}z^{2})^{-1}$ψμ,ν(z)=(1−2cosνeiμz+e2iμz2)−1,$\mu,\nu\in[0,2\pi)$μ,ν∈[0,2π)andpbe an analytic mapping with$\operatorname{Re} p>0$Rep>0on the open unit disk. We consider the sense-preserving planar harmonic mappings$f=h+\overline{g}$f=h+g‾, which are shears of the mapping$\int_{0}^{z} \psi_{\mu,\nu}(\xi) p(\xi)\,{d}\xi$∫0zψμ,ν(ξ)p(ξ)dξin the directionμ. These mappings include the harmonic right half-plan mappings, vertical strip mappings, and their rotations. For various choices of dilatations$g'/h'$g′/h′off, sufficient conditions are found for the convex combinations of these mappings to be univalent and convex in the directionμ.
What influences the selection of contextual cues when starting a new routine behaviour? An exploratory study
Authors: Stawarz Katarzyna , Gardner Benjamin , Cox Anna , Blandford Ann 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
Contextual cues play an important role in facilitating behaviour change. They not only support memory but may also help to make the new behaviour automatic through the formation of new routines. However, previous research shows that when people start a new behaviour, they tend to select cues that lack effectiveness for prompting behaviour. Therefore, it is important to understand what influences cue selection, as this can help to identify acceptable cues, which in turn could inform future behaviour change interventions to help people select cues that best fit their context and so ensure continued repetition.

Methods
We conducted a qualitative study to investigate what cues people select, how, and what influences their decisions. We recruited 39 participants and asked them to take vitamin C tablets daily for 3 weeks and later interviewed them about their experience. Quantitative habit strength and memory measures were taken for descriptive purposes.

Results
Cue selection was primarily influenced by a desire to minimise effort, e.g. keeping related objects at hand or in a visible place; prior experience with similar behaviours (regardless of whether the cues used in the past were reliable or not); and beliefs about effective approaches. In addition, we found that suboptimal remembering strategies involved reliance on a single cue and loosely defined plans that do not specify cues. Moreover, for many participants, identifying optimal cues required trial and error, as people were rarely able to anticipate in advance what approach would work best for them.

Conclusions
Future behaviour change interventions that rely on routine behaviours might fruitfully include the provision of educational information regarding what approaches are suboptimal (single factors, vaguely defined plans) and what is most likely to work (combining multiple clearly defined cues). They should also assess people’s existing beliefs about how to best remember specific behaviours as such beliefs can either enhance or inhibit the cues they select. Finally, interventions should account for the fact that early failures to remember are part of the process of developing a reliable remembering strategy and to be expected.
Enhancing response time thresholds with response behaviors for detecting disengaged examinees
Authors: Sahin Füsun , Colvin Kimberly F. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe item responses of examinees who rapid-guess, who do not spend enough time reading and engaging with an item, will not reflect their true ability on that item. Rapid-disengagement refers to rapidly selecting a response to multiple-choice items (i.e., rapid-guess), omitting items, or providing short-unrelated answers to open-ended items in an unreasonably short time. Such rapid responses need to be identified to enhance the validity of the arguments from the test data. Detection of rapid-guessing behaviors is typically based on identifying a threshold to represent the minimum response time required for the student to have thoughtfully considered a given item. This study investigates whether using response behaviors can improve the detection of rapid-disengagement by investigating two approaches: (a) using response behaviors to decide on the size of the threshold, and (b) using response behaviors as a condition for detecting disengaged examinees in addition to response times, referred as enhanced methods. Process data and item responses from the PISA 2012 computer-based mathematics assessment were used to examine both approaches under threshold values varying from very small (5 s) to very large (60 s). Results suggested that response behaviors can provide meaningful input on establishing the size of the threshold and that while enhanced methods performed better than using only response times in recognizing rapid-disengagement in some cases, no clear pattern was observed as to when such improvement occurs. This study makes a unique contribution by inspecting the response behaviors of disengaged examinees and providing guidelines on using response behaviors to decide on the size of the threshold. This study suggests response behavior categories that can be applicable to many item and response types, which make them suitable for use in digitally-based large-scale assessments.
Understanding and reconstructing the coastal sea level variations along the western boundary of the North Pacific
Authors: Li Penghui , Xu Fanghua 
Published: March 2020

AbstractTo better understand the coastal sea level (SL) variations along the western boundary of the North Pacific, we quantitatively estimate the contributions of various forcing to the coastal SL variations on seasonal and longer time scales. Based on a western boundary SL theory and a linear least-squares regression, we obtain a polynomial equation to estimate the coastal SL variations from ocean interior information, atmospheric forcing, as well as local steric effects. The estimated results can explain about 91% (93%) of the SL variations at tide gauges south (north) of the Kuroshio extension jet. It is found that the local thermosteric effect is dominant on seasonal time scales. On interannual time scales, the signals from ocean interior and atmospheric forcing are dominant. For decadal SL trends, the coastal SL rise is mainly resulted from the signals from the open ocean. With the same polynomial equation, the SL variations at 6 new tide gauges were estimated and compared to the nearest satellite measurements. The newly estimated SL is generally in much better agreement with the tide gauge data than the satellite data. It is promising to apply the newly derived polynomial equation to estimate SL variations along the western boundary of the North Pacific where tide gauge data are not available. Particularly, the approach is promising to estimate the future SL change given the required oceanic and atmospheric conditions.
Sagittal instability with inversion is important to evaluate after syndesmosis injury and repair: a cadaveric robotic study
Authors: Patel Neel K. , Murphy Conor I. , Pfeiffer Thomas R. , Naendrup Jan-Hendrik , Zlotnicki Jason P. , Debski Richard E. , Hogan MaCalus V. , Musahl Volker 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Purpose
Disruption of the syndesmosis, the anterior-inferior tibiofibular ligament (AITFL), the posterior-inferior tibiofibular ligament (PITFL), and the interosseous membrane (IOM), leads to residual symptoms after an ankle injury. The objective of this study was to quantify tibiofibular joint motion with isolated AITFL- and complete syndesmotic injury and with syndesmotic screw vs. suture button repair compared to the intact ankle.

Methods
Nine fresh-frozen human cadaveric specimens (mean age 60 yrs.; range 38–73 yrs.) were tested using a six degree-of-freedom robotic testing system and three-dimensional tibiofibular motion was quantified using an optical tracking system. A 5 Nm inversion moment was applied to the ankle at 0°, 15°, and 30° plantarflexion, and 10° dorsiflexion. Outcome measures included fibular medial-lateral translation, anterior-posterior translation, and external rotation in each ankle state: 1) intact ankle, 2) AITFL transected (isolated AITFL injury), 3) AITFL, PITFL, and IOM transected (complete injury), 4) tricortical screw fixation, and 5) suture button repair.

Results
Both isolated AITFL and complete injury caused significant increases in fibular posterior translation at 15° and 30° plantarflexion compared to the intact ankle (p < 0.05). Tricortical screw fixation restored the intact ankle tibiofibular kinematics in all planes. Suture button repair resulted in 3.7 mm, 3.8 mm, and 2.9 mm more posterior translation of the fibula compared to the intact ankle at 30° and 15° plantarflexion and 0° flexion, respectively (p < 0.05).

Conclusion
Ankle instability is similar after both isolated AITFL and complete syndesmosis injury and persists after suture button fixation in the sagittal plane in response an inversion stress. Sagittal instability with ankle inversion should be considered when treating patients with isolated AITFL syndesmosis injuries and after suture button fixation.

Level of evidence
Controlled laboratory study, Level V.
Geometric conditions of a two-link-and-six muscle structure based on internal force stability
Authors: Ochi Hiroaki , Kino Hitoshi , Tahara Kenji , Matsutani Yuki 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIn a musculoskeletal system, internal tensile forces are generated among the muscles because it is a redundant system. The balancing of the internal tensile forces for a given posture generates a potential field in the system. Therefore, the potential field is utilized for the sensorless feedforward position control and improvement of stability based on the feedback method. However, the stability of the internal tensile forces is strongly influenced by the muscular arrangement. Previous studies showed that a stable condition can be identified through the minimization of the potential at a desired posture, and the sufficient condition has been theoretically established; however, the geometric condition of the muscular arrangement has not been determined. To effectively exploit the characteristics of the internal tensile forces, the geometric condition must be elucidated in the design of a musculoskeletal system. This paper aims to clarify the geometric condition to generate stable internal tensile forces. Based on the conditions generating the potential that is minimum at the desired posture, the paper analyzes that the geometric condition on a musculoskeletal structure with two-link and six-muscle. Additionally, the identified condition is assessed based on simulations. As a result, we revealed the geometric condition of the muscular arrangement to generate stable internal tensile forces. By designing the muscular arrangement to satisfy the condition, the stability of the internal tensile forces is ensured, and consequently, a control method utilizing the characteristics of the internal tensile force is stably implemented.
Using FFPE RNA-Seq with 12 marker genes to evaluate genotoxic and non-genotoxic rat hepatocarcinogens
Authors: Furihata Chie , You Xinyue , Toyoda Takeshi , Ogawa Kumiko , Suzuki Takayoshi 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Introduction
Various challenges have been overcome with regard to applying ‘omics technologies for chemical risk assessments. Previously we published results detailing targeted mRNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) on a next generation sequencer using intact RNA derived from freshly frozen rat liver tissues. We successfully discriminated genotoxic hepatocarcinogens (GTHCs) from non-genotoxic hepatocarcinogens (NGTHCs) using 11 selected marker genes. Based on this, we next attempted to use formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) pathology specimens for RNA-Seq analyses.

Findings
In this study we performed FFPE RNA-Seq to compare a typical GTHC, 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) to genotoxicity equivocal p-cresidine (CRE). CRE is used as a synthetic chemical intermediate, and this compound is classified as an IARC 2B carcinogen and is mutagenic in S. typhimurium, which is non-genotoxic to rat livers as assessed by single strand DNA damage analysis. RNA-Seq was used to examine liver FFPE samples obtained from groups of five 10-week-old male F344 rats that were fed with chemicals (AAF: 0.025% and CRE: 1% in food) for 4 weeks or from controls that were fed a basal diet. We extracted RNAs from FFPE samples and RNA-Seq was performed on a MiniSeq (Illumina) using the TruSeq custom RNA panel. AAF induced remarkable differences in the expression of eight genes (Aen, Bax, Btg2, Ccng1, Gdf15, Mbd1, Phlda3 and Tubb4b) from that in the control group, while CRE only induced expression changes in Gdf15, as shown using Tukey’s test. Gene expression profiles for nine genes (Aen, Bax, Btg2, Ccng1, Cdkn1a, Gdf15, Mbd1, Phlda3, and Plk2) differed.
between samples treated with AAF and CRE. Finally, principal component analysis (PCA) of 12 genes (Aen, Bax, Btg2, Ccnf, Ccng1, Cdkn1a, Gdf15, Lrp1, Mbd1, Phlda3, Plk2, and Tubb4b) using our previous Open TG-GATE data plus FFPE-AAF and FFPE-CRE successfully differentiated FFPE-AAF, as GTHC, from FFPE-CRE, as NGHTC.

Conclusion
Our results suggest that FFPE RNA-Seq and PCA are useful for evaluating typical rat GTHCs and NGTHCs.
A review of the manufacturing process and infection rate of 3D-printed models and guides sterilized by hydrogen peroxide plasma and utilized intra-operatively
Authors: Shea Graham Ka-Hon , Wu Kenneth Lap-Kei , Li Iris Wai-Sum , Leung Man-Fai , Ko Ada Lai-Ping , Tse Lane , Pang Sherby Suet-Ying , Kwan Kenny Yat-Hong , Wong Tak-Man , Leung Frankie Ka-Li , Fang Christian Xinshuo 
Published: March 2020

Abstract3D printing in the context of medical application can allow for visualization of patient-specific anatomy to facilitate surgical planning and execution. Intra-operative usage of models and guides allows for real time feedback but ensuring sterility is essential to prevent infection. The additive manufacturing process restricts options for sterilisation owing to temperature sensitivity of thermoplastics utilised for fabrication. Here, we review one of the largest single cohorts of 3D models and guides constructed from Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and utilized intra-operatively, following terminal sterilization with hydrogen peroxide plasma. We describe our work flow from initial software rendering to printing, sterilization, and on-table application with the objective of demonstrating that our process is safe and can be implemented elsewhere. Overall, 7% (8/114 patients) of patients developed a surgical site infection, which was not elevated in comparison to related studies utilizing traditional surgical methods. Prolonged operation time with an associated increase in surgical complexity was identified to be a risk factor for infection. Low temperature plasma-based sterilization depends upon sufficient permeation and contact with surfaces which are a particular challenge when our 3D-printouts contain diffusion-restricted luminal spaces as well as hollows. Application of printouts as guides for power tools may further expose these regions to sterile bodily tissues and result in generation of debris. With each printout being a bespoke medical device, it is important that the multidisciplinary team involved in production and application understand potential pitfalls to ensuring sterility as to minimize infection risk.
Integrins in multiple myeloma
Authors: Hosen Naoki 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIntegrins have crucial roles in BM homing, survival, proliferation, or drug resistance of multiple myeloma (MM) cells. Especially, integrin α4β1 (VLA-4) and α4β7 has been reported to have important functions in MM cells, and therefore are potential therapeutic targets. We have recently shown that integrin β7 constitutively adopts the active conformation specifically in MM cells, and found that chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells targeting the activated conformation of integrin β7 is promising for MM. Although the mechanism for the constitutive activation is still being investigated, our results indicate that integrin conformation is different between MM and normal cells and suggest that it may be associated with the pathology of MM.