bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Waist to Height Ratio and Metabolic Syndrome as lung dysfunction predictors
Authors: Molina-Luque Rafael , Romero-Saldaña Manuel , Álvarez-Fernández Carlos , Rodríguez-Guerrero Enrique , Hernández-Reyes Alberto , Molina-Recio Guillermo 
Published: April 2020

AbstractMetabolic Syndrome (MetS) has been related to pulmonary diseases but its relationship with lung age has not been sufficiently studied. In addition, anthropometric variables have been associated with pulmonary dysfunction, highlighting the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). The aim was to evaluate the relationship between MetS and: lung age, anthropometric variables and the alteration of lung function. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 1901 workers, evaluating lung function through lung age (Morris & Temple equation) and spirometric values. The diagnosis of MetS was based on the harmonized criteria. We measured anthropometric variables (WHtR, waist circumference, body mass index, waist to hip ratio), blood pressure and biochemical variables (glucose, cholesterol total, HDL, triglycerides). Workers suffering from MetS showed an accelerated lung aging (59.4 ± 18.7 years vs 49 ± 18.4 years). The WHtR ≥ 0.55 was significantly related to an increase in lung age (β = 6.393, p < 0.001). In addition, a significant linear trend was found between clinical categories of WHtR and lung dysfunction, restrictive and mixed pattern. MetS caused an accelerated lung aging and favored the presence of restrictive lung impairment. In addition, WHtR ≥ 0.55 has been shown as the best predictor for pulmonary health.
$${\mathcal{P}}{\mathcal{T}}$$-Symmetric Effective Model for Nonequilibrium Phase Transitions in a Dissipative Fermionic Mott Insulator Chain
Authors: Tripathi V. , Vinokur V. M. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractNonequilibrium phase transitions in open dissipative systems can be described as instabilities in the spectra and wavefunctions of effective non-Hermitian Hamiltonians invariant under simultaneous parity ($$\boldsymbol{\mathcal{P}}$$P) and time-reversal ($$\boldsymbol{\mathcal{T}}$$T) transformations. The degree of non-Hermiticity reflects the strength of the external drive and dissipation, and the transition is described as a loss of the $$\boldsymbol{\mathcal{P}}\boldsymbol{\mathcal{T}}$$PT symmetry of the solutions corresponding to stationary low-drive dynamics. This approach has been successfully applied to spin, superconducting, and Mott insulator systems. However, the microscopic foundations for the employed phenomenological models are currently lacking. Here we propose a microscopic mechanism leading to the $$\boldsymbol{\mathcal{P}}\boldsymbol{\mathcal{T}}$$PT-symmetric effective model in the context of the nonequilibrium Mott transition in a dissipative Hubbard chain. Our model comprises a half-filled fermionic Hubbard chain subject to a constant electric field. The dissipation is introduced via the electron-phonon coupling. We obtain the explicit expressions for the non-Hermitian parameter in terms of the electron-phonon coupling strength and driving field. Analyzing the implications of microscopic model, we find a re-entrant Mott insulator with the increasing electric field for phonon density of states that increases slower than the square of the energy (such as in one or two dimensions), or varies non-monotonously with energy.
Long-term fertilization alters soil properties and fungal community composition in fluvo-aquic soil of the North China Plain
Authors: Wen Yan-Chen , Li Hai-Yan , Lin Zhi-An , Zhao Bing-Qiang , Sun Zhan-Bin , Yuan Liang , Xu Jiu-Kai , Li Yan-Qing 
Published: April 2020

AbstractDifferent fertilization regimes can substantially influence soil fungal community composition, yet fewer studies try to control for the effects of nitrogen input. Here, we investigated the impact of fertilization with equal nitrogen upon soil properties and soil fungal diversity and community composition in the North China Plain in a long-term field experiment. Long-term (32 years) fertilization regimes were applied with equal amounts of nitrogen: no chemical fertilizer or organic manure; chemical fertilization only; organic manure fertilization only, and; combination of 1/2 chemical fertilizer and 1/2 organic manure. Then we investigated the influence of these four fertilization regimes to soil properties, fungal diversity and community composition. The results showed that applying organic manure significantly influenced soil properties. Illumina MiSeq sequencing and its analysis revealed that organic manure fertilization significantly changed soil fungal alpha diversity, but chemical fertilization did not. Although soil fungal community composition did not differ significantly among all the fertilization regimes at the phylum and class levels, they did show differences in the abundance of dominant fungi. Yet at the genus level, soil fungal community composition, abundance, and beta diversity was affected by all fertilization regimes. Application of organic manure also reduced the abundance of soil-born fungal pathogens such as Fusarium. Our results suggest that long-term application of organic manure could markedly improve soil properties, altering soil fungal community composition and its diversity. Moreover, organic manure fertilization could limit soil-born fungal diseases, to further contribute to soil ecosystem sustainability.
Direct and indirect effects of plant diversity and phenoxy herbicide application on the development and reproduction of a polyphagous herbivore
Authors: Gutiérrez Yeisson , Ott David , Scherber Christoph 
Published: April 2020

AbstractWidespread application of synthetic pesticides and loss of plant diversity are regarded as significant drivers of current global change. The effects of such phenomena on insect performance have been extensively studied separately, yet the interactions of these two drivers have been poorly explored. Here, we subjected the polyphagous grasshopperPseudochorthippus parallelus(Zetterstedt, 1821) to a full-lifecycle field experiment with 50 cages containing experimental plant communities differing in grass species richness (2 vs. 8 grass species), half of them treated with a phenoxy herbicide commonly employed to control broadleaf plants in grasslands. We measured plant elemental content as a proxy for plant physiology, and a wide range of insect traits in both female and male grasshoppers. In females, grass diversity increased herbivory, insect nitrogen content and egg load, while herbicide reduced herbivory but increased the number of offspring, likely mediated by altered plant community composition. In males, grass diversity also increased herbivory, had positive effects on fat body, muscle volume and lifespan, and negative effects on body mass. Herbicide negatively affected herbivory in both females and males. Overall, plant diversity and herbicides may shift resource allocation in generalist terrestrial insect herbivores, indicating complex and unexpected effects of human-induced environmental change.
An information theory approach to biocultural complexity
Authors: Reyes-Valdés M. Humberto , Kantartzi Stella K. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe study of biocultural diversity requires the use of appropriate concepts and analytical tools. Particularly, there is a need of indices capable to show the degree of stratification in the set of interactions among cultures and groups of plants and animals in a given region. Here, we present a mathematical approach based on the mutual Shannon information theory to study the relationships among cultural and biological groups. Biocultural complexity was described in terms of effective biocultural units, a new concept defined in this work. From the mathematical formulation of biocultural complexity, formulas were derived to measure the specificity of biological groups and the specialization of cultures, based on the association of human societies with plant or animal groups. To exemplify the concepts and tools, two data sets were analyzed; 1) a set that included artificial data in order to demonstrate the use of the formulas and calculate the indices, and 2) a set that included published data on the use of 18 mushroom species by people in five villages of eastern India. Analysis of the first data set revealed a clear case of biocultural complexity, whereas that of the second set showed that the villages and the use of biological resources composed a single biocultural unit. Overall, hypothesis testing of the association among cultures and biological species was consistent with the information that was provided by the new indices.
Cyclic tensile strain facilitates ossification of the cervical posterior longitudinal ligament via increased Indian hedgehog signaling
Authors: Sugita Daisuke , Nakajima Hideaki , Kokubo Yasuo , Takeura Naoto , Yayama Takafumi , Matsumine Akihiko 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe pathomechanisms of initiation and progression of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) are unclear. Indian hedgehog (Ihh) and related signaling molecules are key factors in normal enchondral ossification. The purpose of this study is to investigate the contribution of mechanical strain to OPLL and the relationship of Ihh with OPLL. Sections of the posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) were obtained from 49 patients with OPLL and from 7 patients without OPLL. Cultured PLL cells were subjected to 24 hours of cyclic tensile strain. To identify differentially expressed genes associated with cyclic tensile strain, microarray analysis was performed. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis identified upregulation of various genes, particularly of the Hedgehog signaling pathway; Ihh and related genes had increased expression compared with controls after 24-hour cyclic tensile strain. In immunoblotting analysis, Ihh, Runx2, Sox9, Gli2, Gli3, and smoothened (SMO) had significantly increased expression after 6- or 12-hour cyclic tensile strain. OPLL samples were strongly immunopositive for Ihh, Sox9, Runx2, Gli2, Gli3, and SMO in the ossification front of OPLL. These results suggest that cyclic tensile strain induces abnormal activation of Ihh and related signaling molecules, and this might be important in the ossification process in OPLL.
Increased insulin receptor binding and increased IGF-1 receptor binding are linked with increased growth of L6hIR cell xenografts in vivo
Authors: Hvid Henning , Glendorf Tine , Brandt Jakob , Slaaby Rita , Lützen Anne , Kristensen Kim , Hansen Bo F. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractInsulin analogue X10 has a higher mitogenic potency than native human insulin in vitro and supra-pharmacological doses of insulin X10 increased the incidence of mammary tumours in rats. Compared to native human insulin, insulin X10 has increased binding affinity to the insulin receptor and the IGF-1 receptor, but it is not known whether either or both characteristics are important for stimulation of cell proliferation in vivo. The aim of this study was to explore how increased binding affinity to the insulin receptor or the IGF-1 receptor contributes to stimulation of cell proliferation in vivo. A mouse xenograft model was established with rat L6 myoblast cells transfected with the human insulin receptor (L6hIR cells) and effects of supra-pharmacological doses of native human insulin, insulin X10 or novel insulin analogues with increased binding affinity to either the insulin receptor or the IGF-1 receptor were examined. Treatment with insulin X10 and insulin analogues with increased binding affinity to either the insulin receptor or the IGF-1 receptor increased growth of L6hIR cell xenografts significantly compared to native human insulin. Thus, increased binding affinity to the insulin receptor and the IGF-1 receptor are each independently linked to increased growth of L6hIR cell xenografts in vivo.
Polymorphisms in miRNA binding sites involved in metabolic diseases in mice and humans
Authors: Gottmann Pascal , Ouni Meriem , Zellner Lisa , Jähnert Markus , Rittig Kilian , Walther Dirk , Schürmann Annette 
Published: April 2020

AbstractType 2 diabetes and obesity are well-studied metabolic diseases, which are based on genetic and epigenetic alterations in combination with an obesogenic lifestyle. The aim of this study was to test whether SNPs in miRNA-mRNA binding sites that potentially disrupt binding, elevate the expression of miRNA targets, which participate in the development of metabolic diseases. A computational approach was developed that integrates transcriptomics, linkage analysis, miRNA-target prediction data, and sequence information of a mouse model of obesity and diabetes. A statistical analysis demonstrated a significant enrichment of 566 genes for a location in obesity- and diabetes-related QTL. They are expressed at higher levels in metabolically relevant tissues presumably due to altered miRNA-mRNA binding sites. Of these, 51 genes harbor conserved and impaired miRNA-mRNA-interactions in human. Among these, 38 genes have been associated to metabolic diseases according to the phenotypes of corresponding knockout mice or other results described in the literature. The remaining 13 genes (e.g.Jrk,Megf9,Slfn8andTmem132e) could be interesting candidates and will be investigated in the future.
Minimally Invasive Cell-Free Human Embryo Aneuploidy Testing (miPGT-A) Utilizing Combined Spent Embryo Culture Medium and Blastocoel Fluid –Towards Development of a Clinical Assay
Authors: Kuznyetsov Valeriy , Madjunkova Svetlana , Abramov Rina , Antes Ran , Ibarrientos Zenon , Motamedi Gelareh , Zaman Afsaneh , Kuznyetsova Iryna , Librach Clifford L. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractPreimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A) using trophectoderm (TE) biopsy samples is labour intensive, invasive, and subject to sampling bias. In this study, we report on the efficacy and factors affecting accuracy of a technique we pioneered for minimally invasive preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (miPGT-A). Our technique uses cell-free embryonic DNA (cfeDNA) in spent embryo culture medium (SEM) combined with blastocoel fluid (BF) to increase the amount of assayable cfeDNA. We compared miPGT-A results (n = 145 embryos) with standard PGT-A analysis of the corresponding trophectoderm biopsy. We found that accuracy of miPGT was not related to blastocyst morphological grade. The overall concordance rate per sample for euploidy/aneuploidy status between miPGT-A and TE biopsy samples was 88/90 (97.8%), and was not different between good 47/48 (97.9%) and moderate/low quality blastocysts 41/42 (97.9%) (p > 0.05). Importantly, we also discovered that for cfeDNA analysis, the SurePlex whole genome amplification (WGA) kit can be utilized without an additional cell lysis/extraction DNA step; this efficiency likely reduces the risk of maternal contamination. Regarding origin of embryonic cfeDNA, the average amount of miPGT-A WGA-DNA we obtained from blastocysts with different morphological grades, as well as the size miPGT-A WGA-DNA fragments, suggest that it is unlikely that apoptosis and necrosis are only mechanisms of DNA release from the inner cell mass (ICM) and TE into BF and SEM.
“Tell Me About Your Child”: A Grounded Theory Study of Mothers' Understanding of Language Disorder
Authors: Ash Andrea C. , Christopulos Tyler T. , Redmond Sean M. 
Published: April 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to generate a theory grounded in data explaining caregivers' understanding of their child's language disorder and the perceived role of speech-language pathologists in facilitating this knowledge.MethodThis study employed grounded theory as a conceptual framework. Qualitative data were generated based on semistructured interviews conducted with 12 mothers of children who had received speech-language pathology services.ResultsThe following themes emerged from the data analysis: (a) Many mothers reported receiving confusing or irrelevant diagnostic terms for language disorder, (b) mothers of children with language disorders were distressed about their children's language problems, (c) mothers did not always trust or understand their children's speech-language pathologist, and (d) mothers were satisfied with the interventions their child had been receiving. Mothers described their children's language disorder using a total of 23 labels, most of which were not useful for accessing meaningful information about the nature of their child's communication problem. Generally, mothers reported they did not receive language-related diagnostic labels from speech-language pathologists for their child's language disorder.ConclusionsTwo theories were generated from the results: (a) Lack of information provided to mothers about their child's language disorder causes mothers psychological harm that appears to be long lasting. (b) Difficulties in successfully relaying information about language disorders to parents result in negative perceptions of speech-language pathology. Implications and future directions are discussed.Supplemental Materialhttps://doi.org/10.23641/asha.12177390
Dilemmasituation: Nächtlicher Unruhezustand beim älteren Patienten
Authors: Schwerthöffer Dirk , Fatke Bastian , Förstl Hans 
Published: April 2020

AbstractElderly individuals, particularly those with cognitive impairment, are oftentimes restless during the night, and this increases the distress of relatives, professional carers and themselves. A number of conditions other than dementia need to be considered from nyctophobia and insomnophobia, to pain, specific motor disorders during sleep, parasomnias as REM-sleep behaviour disorder, dipping, hypoglycemia, withdrawal or excessive tea, coffee and alcohol consumption. A clear-cut differential diagnosis between dementia and delirium is not always possible, as dementia is the major risk factor for confusional states decreasing the vulnerability by anticholinergic medication and any other disruptive factor, biological or psychological. Treatment of nocturnal agitation usually requires (1) reassurance and re-orientation; (2a) the discontinuation of anticholinergic substances; (2b) symptomatic psychotropic intervention; and (3) causal treatment of underlying problems. Benzodiazepines should only be used at the lowest necessary dosage for the shortest possible time, particularly in individuals who are already benzodiazepine-dependent. Quetiapine or mirtazapine at low dosages can be employed in patients with psychotic or depressive symptoms. Melatonin and its derivatives hold promise for chronic circadian rhythm disorders. There is no “one fits all” recipe for this notorious problem and each case needs to be examined individually.
Synthesis and Structure Activity Relationships of Chalcone based
Benzocycloalkanone Derivatives as Adenosine A1 and/or
A2A Receptor Antagonists
Authors: Janse van Rensburg Helena D. , Legoabe Lesetja J. , Terre’Blanche Gisella 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAdenosine A1 and/or A2A receptor antagonists hold
promise for the potential treatment of neurological conditions, such as
Parkinson’s disease. Herein, a total of seventeen benzocycloalkanone
derivatives were synthesised and evaluated for affinity towards adenosine
receptors (A1 and A2A AR). The obtained results allowed
for the conclusion that affinity and/or selectivity of the
2-benzylidene-1-indanone and -tetralone derivatives toward A1
and/or A2A ARs may be modulated by the nature of the
substituents (either -OH, -OCH3 or morpholine) attached at position
C4 of the 1-indanone core and C5 of the 1-tetralone core as well as the
meta (C3’) and/or para (C4’)
position(s) on ring B. Several compounds (2a–b,
3b–c and 4a–b) possessed
affinity for the A1 and/or A2A AR below 10
µM. Additionally, compounds 2a, 3b and 4a were
A1 AR antagonists. These results, once again, confirmed the
importance of C4 methoxy-group substitution on ring A in combination with
meta (C3’) and/or para (C4’)
hydroxyl-group substitution ring B of the 2-benzylidene-1-indanone scaffold
leading to drug-like compounds 1h and 1j with affinity in the
nanomolar-range.
Schwefelwasserstoffreize verkürzen im Schlaf- wie im Wachzustand die Ausatmung
Authors: Gudziol Hilmar , Quaas Tina , Guntinas-Lichius Orlando , Lehnich Holger , Bitter Thomas 
Published: April 2020

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund Im aufmerksamen Wachzustand verlängern angenehme Gerüche häufig die Einatmung, während unangenehme Gerüche häufig die Ausatmung verkürzen. Es soll überprüft werden, ob dieses induzierte Atemmuster auch im Schlaf erhalten bleibt.
Methodik 23 gesunde normosmische Erwachsene wurden für 1 Nacht polysomnografisch untersucht und dabei entweder mit H2S, Phenylethylalkohol (PEA) oder CO2 über ein Fluss-Olfaktometer randomisiert impulsartig gereizt. Anhand der standardmäßig erfassten Polysomnografie-Kurven erfolgte die Bestimmung der Schlafstadien (REM, NREM, pWach), der Dauer der Inspiration (DIN) und der Dauer der Exspiration (DEX). DIN und DEX wurden von 6 prästimulatorischen Atemzügen und vom Reizatemzug (RAZ) bestimmt. Daraus wurde der Reaktionsindex (RI) berechnet, der angibt, ob eine bedeutsame Änderung von DIN und/oder DEX vorliegt. Die verschiedenen RI wurden um die spontanen RI korrigiert und entsprechend der Reizart und den Schlafstadien analysiert.
Ergebnis Reaktionsindizes mit Verkürzungen von DEX waren bei einer H2S-Reizung größer als spontane RI und RI bei einer PEA-Reizung. Bei einer CO2-Reizung waren RI mit Verkürzungen von DIN und DEX größer als bei olfaktorischer Reizung. Alle RI waren in ihrer Ausprägung zwischen den Schlafstadien gleich. Im REM war der Unterschied der olfaktorischen RI mit verkürzten DEX zwischen einer H2S- und PEA-Reizung am größten.
Schlussfolgerung Bei Reizung mit einem unangenehmen Geruch im Schlaf bleibt das respiratorische Reaktionsmuster aus dem Wachzustand erhalten. RI mit verkürzten DEX können als unvollkommene Arousals angesehen werden.
Pancreatic Cancer Imaging: What the Surgeon Wants to Know?
Authors: Morani Ajaykumar C. , Taher Ahmed , Ramani Nisha S. , Jensen Corey T. , Patel Asif , Mujtaba Bilal 
Published: April 2020

AbstractPancreatic cancer is rare but is one of the deadliest cancers. Complete surgical removal of the cancer with negative margins is the only potentially curative treatment. However, majority of the cases present with distant metastases and/or locally advanced disease, and only a limited subset (up to 20%) of patients are surgical candidates. Therefore, accurate staging of pancreatic cancer is very important for treatment planning. It is very important to distinguish between patients who are surgical candidates and those who would need palliative treatment. Imaging plays a crucial role in the detection of the primary tumor, vascular involvement and variants, metastasis, prediction of resectability, and monitoring treatment response. High-resolution multidetector computed tomography (CT) is the primary imaging modality of choice for diagnosing and staging pancreatic cancers. Nevertheless, integration of ultrasound, CT, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be needed for accurate determination of the tumor extent and optimal management. Herein, we aim to provide a radiological review for “what the surgeon wants to know about pancreatic cancer?” In this review, we highlight the main types of invasive pancreatic cancers and discuss the role of imaging in determining the resectability of pancreatic tumors and the role of neoadjuvant treatment in downstaging borderline or unresectable cases in addition to featuring significant postsurgical complications.