bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative anatomy of the clasper of catsharks and its phylogenetic implications (Chondrichthyes: Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae)
Authors: A. Soares Karla D. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe presence of claspers is one of the main characteristics of the cartilaginous fishes, but its variations across taxa have received limited use in shark systematics and have generally been neglected in descriptions of species. Clasper descriptions are available only for a few catshark species and most of these are focused only in external morphology. Besides that, divergences regarding the identification of some structures persist in the literature emphasizing the need of more encompassing morphological comparative analyses on claspers of scyliorhinids. In this study, claspers structures of almost all catshark genera were examined, described, and illustrated (except Akheilos and Pentanchus) and comments on their phylogenetic significance are provided. Some characters such as degree of development of rhipidions and terminal dermal cover, occurrence, position and size of accessory marginal and terminal cartilages proved to be useful for taxonomic purposes and their significance along carcharhiniforms systematics needs to be further investigated.Research highlightsClasper morphology of catsharks is described and compared and its systematic significance is discussed here. External morphology and skeleton components of claspers vary widely among scyliorhinids and may be useful in phylogenetic analyses.
Morphological changes associated with Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) phallic glans inflation
Authors: Moore Brandon C. , Francis Rachel , Foster Adam , Kelly Diane A. , Does Mark , Kim Dong K. , Groenewald Herman B. , Myburgh Jan G. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe crocodylian phallic glans is the distal inflatable structure that makes the most direct contact with the female cloacal and associated reproductive tract openings during copulation. Therefore, its form and function directly impact female tissue sensory interactions and insemination mechanics. Compared to mammals, less is known about glans functional anatomy among other amniotes, including crocodylians. Therefore, we paired an ex vivo inflation technique with magnetic resonance imaging 3D‐reconstructions and corresponding histological analyses to better characterize the morphological glans restructuring occurring in the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) at copulation. The expansion of contiguous inflatable spongiform glans tissues is variably constrained by adjacent regions of dense irregular collagen‐rich tissues. Therefore, expansion shows regional differences with greater lateral inflation than dorsal and ventral. Furthermore, this enlargement elaborates the cup‐like glans lumen, dorsally reorients the glans ridge, stiffens the blunt and bifid glans tip, and putatively works to seal the ventral sulcus spermaticus semen conduit groove. We suggest how these dynamic male structures may interact with structures of the female cloacal urodeum and how these morphological changes, in concert with the varying material properties of the structural tissue compartments visualized in this study, aid copulatory gamete transfer and resulting fecundity.Research Highlights
Nile crocodile glans inflation produces a reproductively relevant copulatory structure directing insemination and female tissue interactions.
Pairing magnetic resonance imaging 3D reconstruction with corresponding histology effectively studies functional anatomy.
Data analysis of coronavirus COVID‐19 epidemic in South Korea based on recovered and death cases
Authors: AL‐Rousan Nadia , AL‐Najjar Hazem 
Published: April 2020

AbstractCoronavirus epidemic caused an emergency in South Korea. The first infected case came to light on 20 January 2020 followed by 9583 more cases that were reported by 29 March 2020. This indicates that the number of confirmed cases is increasing rapidly, which can cause a nationwide crisis for the country. The aim of this study is to fill a gap between previous studies and the current rate of spreading of COVID‐19 by extracting a relationship between independent variables and the dependent ones. This study statistically analyzed the effect of factors such as sex, region, infection reasons, birth year, and released or diseased date on the reported number of recovered and deceased cases. The results found that sex, region, and infection reasons affected both recovered and deceased cases, while birth year affected only the deceased cases. Besides, no deceased cases are reported for released cases, while 11.3% of deceased cases positive confirmed after their deceased. Unknown reason of infection is the main variable that detected in South Korea with more than 33% of total infected cases.
Differential expression profile of long noncoding RNAs in chronic HBV infection: New insights into pathogenesis
Authors: Hao Qingqin , Wang Zheng , Wang Qinghui , Xia Wei , Cao Hong , Lu Zhonghua , Qian Huizhong 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIncreasing studies have revealed that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) might play vital roles in the development and progression of various diseases including viral infectious diseases. However, the expression and biological functions of lncRNAs in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remain largely unknown. Therefore, lncRNA microarray was performed to analyze the lncRNAs' and messenger RNAs' (mRNAs) expression profiles in liver tissues from patients with chronic HBV infection. Subsequently, a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis was conducted to investigate the potential functions of the differentially expressed genes. As a result, a total of 203 differentially expressed lncRNAs and 180 mRNAs were identified in chronic HBV infection. The expressions of five differentially expressed lncRNAs were further validated using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Gene ontology, pathway analysis, and gene set enrichment analysis revealed that differentially expressed lncRNAs might be mainly be involved in cytokine‐cytokine receptor interaction and varied biotransformation processes, including fatty acid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, carbon metabolism, and drug metabolism. Additionally, coexpression networks between differentially expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs were constructed to reveal the hub regulator and analyze the functional pathways. This study provided an overview of lncRNA and mRNA expression in liver tissues from patients with chronic HBV infection. These differentially expressed lncRNAs might play crucial roles in the pathogenesis and progression of chronic HBV infection, which deserve further investigation.
Quantitative proteomic profiling of the rat substantia nigra places glial fibrillary acidic protein at the hub of proteins dysregulated during aging: Implications for idiopathic Parkinson's disease
Authors: Gómez‐Gálvez Yolanda , Fuller Heidi R. , Synowsky Silvia , Shirran Sally L. , Gates Monte A. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThere is a strong correlation between aging and onset of idiopathic Parkinson's disease, but little is known about whether cellular changes occur during normal aging that may explain this association. Here, proteomic and bioinformatic analysis was conducted on the substantia nigra (SN) of rats at four stages of life to identify and quantify protein changes throughout aging. This analysis revealed that proteins associated with cell adhesion, protein aggregation and oxidation‐reduction are dysregulated as early as middle age in rats. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was identified as a network hub connecting the greatest number of proteins altered during aging. Furthermore, the isoform of GFAP expressed in the SN varied throughout life. However, the expression levels of the rate‐limiting enzyme for dopamine production, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), were maintained even in the oldest animals, despite a reduction in the number of dopamine neurons in the SN pars compact(SNc) as aging progressed. This age‐related increase in TH expression per neuron would likely to increase the vulnerability of neurons, since increased dopamine production would be an additional source of oxidative stress. This, in turn, would place a high demand on support systems from local astrocytes, which themselves show protein changes that could affect their functionality. Taken together, this study highlights key processes that are altered with age in the rat SN, each of which converges upon GFAP. These findings offer insight into the relationship between aging and increased challenges to neuronal viability, and indicate an important role for glial cells in the aging process.
Process‐based attribution of long‐term surface warming over the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Wu Yuting , Yang Song , Hu Xiaoming , Wei Wei 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe Tibetan Plateau (TP) has experienced a rapid warming since the 1980s even during the global warming hiatus. Using the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts Interim (ERA‐Interim) reanalysis and a climate feedback‐response analysis method, we attribute the long‐term change in near‐surface air temperature (SAT) over the TP to external forcing and internal climate processes. Results indicate that over the eastern and central TP, a reduction of surface sensible heat flux going from the surface to the atmosphere and the moistening of atmosphere are responsible for the increase in the annual mean SAT. In the western TP, however, the most important contributors to surface warming are surface latent heat flux, surface albedo, and clouds. In summer (June–July–August), strong water vapour convergence with anomalous ascending motion results in more cloud cover over the central and eastern TP, causing a stronger cooling effect at the surface which is compensated by changes in water vapour and surface sensible heat flux. In winter (December–January–February), the change in surface albedo shows a significant increasing trend in the past 40 years, showing less net downward solar radiation to warm the surface. However, the decadal reduction of surface sensible heat flux and increase of heat storage result in a warming surface.
Transcriptomic analysis of adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder
Authors: Kamal Nima , McGee Sean L. , Eng Kevin , Brown Graeme , Beattie Sally , Collier Fiona , Gill Stephen , Page Richard S. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAdhesive capsulitis (AC) is a disabling condition of the shoulder joint affecting 2 to 5% of the general population. Our understanding of the molecular mechanisms is limited. The present study aimed to determine potential biomarkers of AC through transcriptomic analysis. This multi‐centre study investigated patients undergoing arthroscopic capsulotomy surgery for resistant AC compared to those undergoing arthroscopic stabilization surgery for glenohumeral instability (control). Tissue samples were harvested from the anterior capsule during surgery. Total RNA was extracted and RNA‐sequencing‐based transcriptomics were performed. A number of genes deemed differentially expressed in RNA‐sequencing analysis were validated using real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Baseline characteristics of the AC group (n = 22) were; mean age 52.7 years (SD: 10.2), 73% female, and Oxford Shoulder Score 19.6 (SD: 8.0), compared with the control group (n = 26), average age 23.9 years (SD: 5.2), 15% female, and Oxford Shoulder Score 39.0 (SD: 7.4). Transcriptomic analysis with false discovery rate correction and log2 fold change cut‐off of ±1.5 revealed 545 differentially expressed genes in AC relative to control. Bioinformatic analyses were carried out to identify biological processes and pathways enriched in this dataset. Real‐time RT‐PCR using two different normalization processes confirmed increased expression of matrix metallopeptidase 13 (MMP13) and platelet‐derived growth factor subunit B (PDGFB), in patients with AC, while tumor necrosis factor α (TNFA) expression was reduced. These findings provide a comprehensive assessment of transcriptional changes associated with AC that give insights into the aetiology of the disease and provides a resource for molecular targets to better diagnose and treat this condition.
Gelatin hydrogels with eicosapentaenoic acid can prevent osteoarthritis progression in vivo in a mouse model
Authors: Tsubosaka Masanori , Kihara Shinsuke , Hayashi Shinya , Nagata Junpei , Kuwahara Toshie , Fujita Masahiro , Kikuchi Kenichi , Takashima Yoshinori , Kamenaga Tomoyuki , Kuroda Yuichi , Takeuchi Kazuhiro , Fukuda Koji , Takayama Koji , Hashimoto Shingo , Matsumoto Tomoyuki , Niikura Takahiro , Tabata Yasuhiko , Kuroda Ryosuke 
Published: April 2020

AbstractEicosapentanoic acid (EPA) is an antioxidant and omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acid that reduces inflammatory cytokine production. Gelatin hydrogel can be used as a carrier of a physiologically active substance that release it gradually for an average of ~3 weeks. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the effect of EPA‐incorporating gelatin hydrogels on osteoarthritis (OA) progression in vivo. Ten‐week‐old male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into six groups (n = 6): Sham, destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM), Corn: DMM + 2 µL corn oil, EPA injection alone (EPA‐I): DMM + 2 µL corn oil + 125 μg/μL EPA, Gel: DMM + gelatin hydrogels, and EPA‐G: DMM + 125 μg/μL EPA‐incorporating gelatin hydrogels. The mice were euthanized at 8 weeks after DMM or Sham surgery, and subjected to histological evaluation. Matrix‐metalloproteinases‐3 (MMP‐3), MMP‐13, interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), p‐IKK α/β, CD86, and CD163 protein expression in the synovial cartilage was detected by immunohistochemical staining. F4/80 expression was also assessed using the F4/80 score of macrophage. Histological score was significantly lower in EPA‐G than in EPA‐I. MMP‐3‐, MMP‐13‐, IL‐1β‐, and p‐IKK α/β‐positive cell ratio was significantly lower in EPA‐G than in EPA‐I. However, CD86‐ and CD163‐positive cell ratio was not significantly different between EPA‐I and EPA‐G. The average‐sum F4/80 score of macrophage in EPA‐G was significantly lower than that in EPA‐I. EPA‐incorporating gelatin hydrogels were shown to prevent OA progression in vivo more effectively than EPA injection alone. Our results suggested that intra‐articular administration of controlled‐release EPA can be a new therapeutic approach for treating OA.
Maternal Vitamin D Deficiency Increases Intestinal Permeability and Programs Wnt/β‐Catenin Pathway in BALB/C Mice
Authors: Yang Kefeng , Zhu Jie , Wu Jiang , Zhong Yan , Shen Xiuhua , Petrov Brawnie , Cai Wei 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundRecent studies suggest that vitamin D deficiency is associated with intestinal dysfunctions, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether maternal vitamin D deficiency increases intestinal permeability in offspring and its related mechanism.MethodsTimed‐pregnant mice were fed with either a standard chow diet (SC) or a vitamin D–deprived chow diet (VD‐) 6 weeks prior to breeding and kept on the same diet until the end of gestation. All offspring were fed an SC for 3 weeks after weaning and then observed for effects associated with maternal vitamin D deficiency.ResultsMaternal vitamin D deficiency increased intestinal permeability in offspring, which corresponded with the decreased expression of the tight junction protein claudin‐1. Maternal vitamin D deficiency also repressed the messenger RNA expression of wingless/integrated family member 3a (Wnt3a) and the protein expression of nuclear β‐catenin. The decreased Wnt3a gene expression in male was concurrent with the changes in histone H4 acetylation at either promoter or coding regions. The activation of the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway protected against the impairment of intestinal permeability induced by maternal vitamin D deficiency.ConclusionsMaternal vitamin D deficiency increased intestinal permeability and decreased tight junction protein expression in offspring. The suppression of the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway through histone modification might be involved in the underlying mechanism.
Synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy combined with chemometrics for determination of total phenolic content and antioxidant activity in different tea types
Authors: Bilge Gonca , Özdemir Kübra S 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe aim of this study is to monitor the antioxidant activity (AA) and total phenolic content (TPC) variations of different kinds of teas depending on the infusion temperature and time by using synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (SFS) combined chemometrics as a rapid method. In this study, black tea, oolong tea, green tea, and green tea powder (matcha) samples were brewed at 80 °C and 96 °C for 2.5 to 30 min. Synchronous fluorescence spectra were recorded at different wavelength interval (Δλ) values for optimal models. AA and TPC of tea samples were determined by 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and Folin–Ciocalteu methods as reference methods, respectively. Partial least square (PLS) method was used for correlation between reference methods and SFS method.RESULTSResults showed that SFS combined with chemometrics could be an alternative rapid way to monitor TPC and AA of teas with 0.932 and 0.918 of validation R2 values in fermented teas (black tea–oolong) while with 0.961 and 0.860 of validation R2 values in non‐fermented teas (green tea and green tea powder), respectively. Limit of detection (LOD) and root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) values were ≤ 6.61 μg mL−1 and ≤ 17.42, respectively.CONCLUSIONBased on the lowest R2 value (0.860) on TPC analysis, the proposed method is more appropriate for AA analysis of green tea and green tea powder. Furthermore, infusion time was more effective for obtaining different amounts of TPC and AA in fermented tea types while only infusion temperature was effective on green tea and green tea powder samples. Therefore, obtained calibration‐validation models gave better results for fermented tea types.
Black Bear Movement and Food Conditioning in an Exurban Landscape
Authors: Braunstein Jessica L. , Clark Joseph D. , Williamson Ryan H. , Stiver William H. 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTConflicts between humans and wildlife have become increasingly important challenges for resource managers along the urban‐wildland interface. Food conditioning (i.e., reliance by an animal on anthropogenic foods) of American black bears (Ursus americanus) is related to conflict behavior (i.e., being bold or aggressive toward humans, consuming human food or garbage, causing property damage) and often occurs in communities adjacent to Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM or Park), USA. The goal of our study was to evaluate black bear space use in GRSM and in exurban areas on surrounding private lands and to identify factors associated with food conditioning and conflict behavior. We radio‐collared 53 bears (29 males, 24 females) from 2015 to 2017 to compare space use characteristics and used carbon isotopic signatures (δ13C) from bear hair to assess food conditioning. We then performed an integrated step selection function (iSSF) analysis to characterize and compare movement and resource use as related to food conditioning. Based on the stable isotope analyses, 24 bears were classified as food conditioned (FC; 16 males and 8 females) and 37 were not food conditioned (NFC; 14 males and 23 females). Annual 95% kernel density estimate (KDE) home ranges and 50% KDE core area estimates of female and male bears did not differ by level of food conditioning (i.e., mean δ13C), but 95% and 50% home ranges of FC females were smaller than NFC females when data from 2015, a year of food scarcity and abnormally large home ranges, were excluded. The mean proportion of exurban development (e.g., roads, buildings, openings) within 95% KDE and 50% KDE home ranges of females increased with mean δ13C (i.e., greater food conditioning). The iSSF models indicated that FC bears were more likely to use forest openings associated with higher levels of development than NFC bears. We used those models to demonstrate how landscape modifications can reduce bear use of exurban areas, particularly for NFC bears. Our stable isotope, movement, and resource use data indicate that conflict behaviors displayed by many bears within GRSM were learned in areas outside Park boundaries. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.
Anatomical Factors that Can Predict the Structure of Lamina Papyracea for Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
Authors: Ohira Shinya , Matsuura Kentaro , Matsui Hidehito , Nakamura Mitsuto , Kamiyama Kazuhisa , Kajiwara Riko , Inoue Akiko , Wada Kota 
Published: April 2020

ObjectivesThis study investigated morphological variations of lamina papyracea, the structure that should be carefully considered when opening posterior ethmoid sinus during endoscopic sinus surgery, to avoid injury.Study designThis study employed axial, coronal, and sagittal computed tomography.MethodsUsing computed tomography images of 228 face‐sides, various anatomical parameters were determined: distances of the anterior and posterior ethmoid arteries from the skull base, and from the third lamella; changes in the angles of the lamina papyracea at the anterior and posterior ethmoid sinuses; and presence or absence of supraorbital ethmoid cell (SECs), Onodi cell, and Haller cell. The relationship between the distances which indicate the point of maximum projection by the lamina papyracea among third lamina and posterior ethmoid artery into the posterior ethmoid sinus and these anatomical factors were analyzed statistically.ResultsThe projection distance of lamina papyracea into the posterior ethmoid sinus was −2.6 mm to 3.4 mm, and in 41.2% of cases, projection in the direction of the nasal cavity was greater than that of the lamina papyracea at the anterior ethmoid sinus. This distance increased with increasing distance of the maximum projection point from the skull base and increasing floating distances of the anterior and posterior ethmoid arteries. The number of subjects with large projection distances was increased among those with floating posterior ethmoid arteries. In addition, subjects with SECs had significantly greater projection distances.ConclusionsParticular care should be taken to avoid injury to the lamina papyracea when opening the posterior ethmoid sinus in subjects with floating anterior or posterior ethmoid arteries, and/or SEC.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 131:E19–E25, 2021
The challenges of the COVID‐19 pandemic: Approaches for the elderly and those with Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Zhang Qing , Song Weihong 
Published: April 2020

AbstractCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is an infectious disease that since its outbreak in December 2019 has become a global pandemic. COVID‐19 is caused by the previously unknown coronavirus SARS‐CoV‐2. The elderly are the most vulnerable to COVID‐19, and have the highest mortality of the afflicted. Similar patterns have been observed in epidemics and pandemics throughout the 20th and the beginning of the 21st centuries. In this article, we review some unique challenges the elderly and people with Alzheimer's disease face during the COVID‐19 pandemic and suggest approaches that could be taken from healthcare and social approaches to better handle this pandemic.