bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Circular RNA circCCDC9 alleviates ischaemic stroke ischaemia/reperfusion injury via the Notch pathway
Authors: Wu Liquan , Xu Haitao , Zhang Wenfei , Chen Zhibiao , Li Wenlan , Ke Wei 
Published: October 2020

AbstractStroke is a leading cause of death and disability, while its pathophysiological mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we used the tMCAO mice model to investigate the role of circCCDC9 in the pathogenesis of stroke. We found that the expression of circCCDC9 was significantly decreased in the brains of tMCAO mice. The Evens blue and brain water content were significantly higher in the Pre‐IR and Pre‐IR+Vector mice, while these patterns were partially reversed by overexpression of circCCDC9. The nitrite content and eNOS expression were decreased in the Pre‐IR and Pre‐IR+Vector groups, which was restored by circCCDC9 overexpression. Overexpression of circCCDC9 also inhibited the expression of Caspase‐3, Bax/Bcl‐2 ratio and the expression of Notch1, NICD and Hes1 in tMCAO mice. Knockdown of circCCDC9 increased the expression of Caspase‐3, Bax/Bcl‐2 ratio and the expression of Notch1, NICD and Hes1. In summary, overexpression of circCCDC9 protected the blood‐brain barrier and inhibited apoptosis by suppressing the Notch1 signalling pathway, while knockdown of circCCDC9 had the opposite effects. Our findings showed that circCCDC9 is a potential novel therapeutic target for cerebrovascular protection in acute ischaemic stroke.
Enabling positive practice improvement through data‐driven feedback: A model for understanding how data and self‐perception lead to practice change
Authors: Kamhawy Rana , Chan Teresa M. , Mondoux Shawn 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPurposeThis article aims to identify the factors that affect physicians' experiences of receiving practice data and to use these data to develop a model describing how individuals interact with the data.MethodsWe designed an interview guide to study physicians' perspectives on audit and feedback. By intentional sampling, we recruited 15 physicians amongst gender groups, types of practice (academic vs community), and durations of practice. The interviews were conducted by a single author and transcribed without identifiers. We then began with an open coding analysis for all of the transcripts, and thereafter conducted axial coding to group the data into larger themes.ResultsSeveral attributes were identified as either enabling or counterproductive attributes for participant improvement. The final proposed model identifies different zones of engagement on the basis of both the individual practitioner's growth mindset and the quality of the existing data system. In the highest engagement zone, the mindset of the collective leadership is one of growth. Systemic supports are in place, which potentiates learning that may come from an individual motivated to use their own data.ConclusionOur novel model depicts the relationship between data feedback systems and individuals' mindsets interact to augment or hinder clinical practice improvement. This model may provide leaders with a framework to examine their academic and administrative structures and how they might interface with performance feedback systems with clinicians.
THE COMOVEMENTS OF STOCK, BOND, AND CDS ILLIQUIDITY BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER THE GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS
Authors: Wang Xinjie , Wu Yangru , Zhong Zhaodong (Ken) 
Published: October 2020

AbstractUsing both marketwide and firm‐level illiquidity measures of the stock, bond, and credit default swap markets, we find that comovements of illiquidity across markets increase significantly during the recent global financial crisis. Moreover, the degree of comovement remains significantly higher in the postcrisis period and regulatory period than in the precrisis period. Specifically, the distribution of firm‐level comovements is notably different before and after the crisis (e.g., a much larger portion of firms with positive pairwise correlations between illiquidity measures in the postcrisis period than in the precrisis period). Our results provide suggestive evidence of the financial crisis effects and the subsequent postcrisis regulations on the comovements of illiquidity across markets.
Quantification of the bone lacunocanalicular network from 3D X‐ray phase nanotomography images
Authors: YU BOLIANG , PACUREANU ALEXANDRA , OLIVIER CECILE , CLOETENS PETER , PEYRIN FRANCOISE 
Published: October 2020

SummaryThere is a growing interest in developing 3D microscopy for the exploration of thick biological tissues. Recently, 3D X‐ray nanocomputerised tomography has proven to be a suitable technique for imaging the bone lacunocanalicular network. This interconnected structure is hosting the osteocytes which play a major role in maintaining bone quality through remodelling processes. 3D images have the potential to reveal the architecture of cellular networks, but their quantitative analysis remains a challenge due to the density and complexity of nanometre sized structures and the need to handle and process large datasets, for example, 20483 voxels corresponding to 32 GB per individual image in our case. In this work, we propose an efficient image processing approach for the segmentation of the network and the extraction of characteristic parameters describing the 3D structure. These parameters include the density of lacunae, the porosity of lacunae and canaliculi, and morphological features of lacunae (volume, surface area, lengths, anisotropy etc.). We also introduce additional parameters describing the local environment of each lacuna and its canaliculi. The method is applied to analyse eight human femoral cortical bone samples imaged by magnified X‐ray phase nanotomography with a voxel size of 120 nm, which was found to be a good compromise to resolve canaliculi while keeping a sufficiently large field of view of 246 μm in 3D. The analysis was performed on a total of 2077 lacunae showing an average length, width and depth of 17.1 μm × 9.2 μm × 4.4 μm, with an average number of 58.2 canaliculi per lacuna and a total lacuno‐canalicular porosity of 1.12%. The reported descriptive parameters provide information on the 3D organisation of the lacuno‐canalicular network in human bones.
The follicle‐sinus complex of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). Functional anatomy and possible evolutional significance of its somato‐sensory innervation
Authors: Gerussi Tommaso , Graïc Jean‐Marie , De Vreese Steffen , Grandis Annamaria , Tagliavia Claudio , De Silva Margherita , Huggenberger Stefan , Cozzi Bruno 
Published: October 2020

AbstractVibrissae are tactile hairs found mainly on the rostrum of most mammals. The follicle, which is surrounded by a large venous sinus, is called "follicle‐sinus complex" (FSC). This complex is highly innervated by somatosensitive fibers and reached by visceromotor fibers that innervate the surrounding vessels. The surrounding striated muscles receive somatomotor fibers from the facial nerve. The bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), a frequently described member of the delphinid family, possesses this organ only in the postnatal period. However, information on the function of the vibrissal complex in this latter species is scarce. Recently, psychophysical experiments on the river‐living Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) revealed that the FSC could work as an electroreceptor in murky waters. In the present study, we analyzed the morphology and innervation of the FSC of newborn (n = 8) and adult (n = 3) bottlenose dolphins. We used Masson's trichrome stain and antibodies against neurofilament 200 kDa (NF 200), protein gene product (PGP 9.5), substance P (SP), calcitonin gene‐related peptide, and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) to characterize the FSC of the two age classes. Masson's trichrome staining revealed a structure almost identical to that of terrestrial mammals except for the fact that the FSC was occupied only by a venous sinus and that the vibrissal shaft lied within the follicle. Immunostaining for PGP 9.5 and NF 200 showed somatosensory fibers finishing high along the follicle with Merkel nerve endings and free nerve endings. We also found SP‐positive fibers mostly in the surrounding blood vessels and TH both in the vessels and in the mesenchymal sheath. The FSC of the bottlenose dolphin, therefore, possesses a rich somatomotor innervation and a set of peptidergic visceromotor fibers. This anatomical disposition suggests a mechanoreceptor function in the newborns, possibly finalized to search for the opening of the mother's nipples. In the adult, however, this structure could change into a proprioceptive function in which the vibrissal shaft could provide information on the degree of rotation of the head. In the absence of psychophysical experiments in this species, the hypothesis of electroreception cannot be rejected.
Cross talk between oxidative stress and inflammation in alopecia areata
Authors: Mustafa Amany Ibrahim , Khashaba Rana Atef , Fawzy Eman , Baghdady Shimaa Mohamad AbdElRahman , Rezk Shymaa Mostafa 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundAlthough the etiopathogenesis of alopecia areata (AA) is still unclear, inflammation, oxidative stress, and subsequent DNA damage might be considered role players in disease development.AimWe aimed at exploring the potential link between oxidative DNA damage and inflammation in AA patients through measuring 8‐hydroxy deoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG), high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1), and one of the inflammatory mediators, C‐reactive protein (CRP).MethodsA total of 79 subjects (49 AA patients in addition to 30 apparently healthy control subjects) were tested for serum levels of 8‐OHdG, HMBG1, and CRP.ResultsCompared with the control group, serum 8‐OHdG, HMBG1, and CRP levels were significantly elevated in the studied patients group (0.031, <0.001, and <0.001, respectively). Moreover, logistic regression analysis revealed that disease course, serum levels of 8‐OHdG, and HMBG1 were considered independent predictors for AA severity in both uni‐ and multivariable analyses.ConclusionOur results suggest a possible role of oxidative stress together with proinflammatory biomarkers in development of AA and their benefit in predicting a severe form of the disease.
1‐Methylcyclopropene suppressed the growth of Penicillium digitatum and inhibited the green mould in citrus fruit
Authors: Wang Zhiqiang , Yuan Guofeng , Pu Huili , Shan Shuangshuang , Zhang Zhengke , Song Hongmiao , Xu Xiangbin 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPostharvest green mould caused by Penicillium digitatum is one of the most important diseases in citrus fruit, which leads to fruit decay, green mould accumulation and huge economic losses. The inhibitory effect of 1‐methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP) on the postharvest green mould of citrus fruit was investigated. In vivo experiments showed that 1‐MCP significantly suppressed the green mould and the decay incidence in postharvest citrus fruit, and inhibited the mycelial growth and spore germination of P. digitatum. In vitro experiments, the lower integrity of plasma membrane, the higher content of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in spores and the higher content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in mycelium were detected in the 1‐MCP‐treated P. digitatum, showed that 1‐MCP increased oxidative damage and harmed the membrane integrity of P. digitatum. This study demonstrated that 1‐MCP inhibited postharvest green mould of citrus fruit by damaging the membrane integrity and influencing the growth of P. digitatum.
Mycorrhizal fungi control phosphorus value in trade symbiosis with host roots when exposed to abrupt ‘crashes’ and ‘booms’ of resource availability
Authors: van't Padje Anouk , Werner Gijsbert D. A. , Kiers E. Toby 
Published: October 2020

Summary

Biological market theory provides a conceptual framework to analyse trade strategies in symbiotic partnerships. A key prediction of biological market theory is that individuals can influence resource value – meaning the amount a partner is willing to pay for it – by mediating where and when it is traded. The arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis, characterised by roots and fungi trading phosphorus and carbon, shows many features of a biological market. However, it is unknown if or how fungi can control phosphorus value when exposed to abrupt changes in their trade environment.

We mimicked an economic ‘crash’, manually severing part of the fungal network (Rhizophagus irregularis) to restrict resource access, and an economic ‘boom’ through phosphorus additions. We quantified trading strategies over a 3‐wk period using a recently developed technique that allowed us to tag rock phosphate with fluorescing quantum dots of three different colours.

We found that the fungus: compensated for resource loss in the ‘crash’ treatment by transferring phosphorus from alternative pools closer to the host root (Daucus carota); and stored the surplus nutrients in the ‘boom’ treatment until root demand increased.

By mediating from where, when and how much phosphorus was transferred to the host, the fungus successfully controlled resource value.
Nighttime transpiration represents a negligible part of water loss and does not increase the risk of water stress in grapevine
Authors: Dayer Silvina , Herrera José Carlos , Dai Zhanwu , Burlett Régis , Lamarque Laurent J. , Delzon Sylvain , Bortolami Giovanni , Cochard Hervé , Gambetta Gregory A. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractNighttime transpiration has been previously reported as a significant source of water loss in many species; however, there is a need to determine if this trait plays a key role in the response to drought. This study aimed to determine the magnitude, regulation and relative contribution to whole plant water‐use, of nighttime stomatal conductance (gnight) and transpiration (Enight) in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.). Our results showed that nighttime water loss was relatively low compared to daytime transpiration, and that decreases in soil and plant water potentials were mainly explained by daytime stomatal conductance (gday) and transpiration (Eday). Contrary to Eday, Enight did not respond to VPD and possible effects of an innate circadian regulation were observed. Plants with higher gnight also exhibited higher daytime transpiration and carbon assimilation at midday, and total leaf area, suggesting that increased gnight may be linked with daytime behaviors that promote productivity. Modeling simulations indicated that gnight was not a significant factor in reaching critical hydraulic thresholds under scenarios of either extreme drought, or time to 20% of soil relative water content. Overall, this study suggests that gnight is not significant in exacerbating the risk of water stress and hydraulic failure in grapevine.
Treatment of alopecia areata in pre‐adolescent children with oral tofacitinib: A retrospective study
Authors: Jerjen Rebekka , Meah Nekma , Trindade de Carvalho Lara , Wall Dmitri , Eisman Samantha , Sinclair Rodney 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundAlopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune hair loss condition that affects people of all ages. Early age of onset and prolonged disease duration indicate poor prognosis. Janus kinase inhibitors are being investigated in phase 3 clinical trials in adolescents and adults with AAObjectiveTo evaluate the use of oral tofacitinib in pre‐adolescent patients with AA.MethodsA retrospective review of case records of all pre‐adolescent patients with AA treated with oral tofacitinib in a single center between 2018 and 2019.ResultsFourteen patients were identified, aged 7 to 11 years. Nine patients experienced clinically significant improvement in their SALT (Severity of Alopecia Tool) score. Three patients achieved complete remission (SALT score of 0), seven (63.6%) achieved over 50% improvement in SALT score from baseline. One patient had no change from baseline, another experienced additional hair loss. After an average of 9 months of treatment, the median SALT score improvement was 67.7%. The improvement was similar in patients with baseline SALT scores greater than 50 and those with baseline SALT scores below 10. Adverse events were mild.LimitationsThe retrospective nature of the data, small sample size, lack of a control group, referral bias to a specialist hair center, and concomitant use of other medications including oral minoxidil in all patients.ConclusionThere is a role for tofacitinib as a systemic therapy in AA and this should be further evaluated in prospective clinical trials in pre‐adolescents.
Mitogenomic phylogeny of Trochoidea (Gastropoda: Vetigastropoda): New insights from increased complete genomes
Authors: Guo Erfei , Yang Yi , Kong Lingfeng , Yu Hong , Liu Shikai , Liu Zhanjiang , Li Qi 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIncreased mitochondrial (mt) genomes can provide more sets of genome‐level characteristics for resolving deeper phylogeny. Limited information with respect to the Trochoidea mitochondrial genome organization is available; besides, monophyly and internal relationships of the superfamily still remain a matter of discussion. To resolve the monophyly and internal phylogenetic controversies of Trochoidea and expand our understanding for mt genomic characteristic evolution among Trochoidea, the phylogenetic trees were reconstructed using 13 newly sequenced complete mt genomes and 35 genomes from GenBank, and both the maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses were highly supported. Vetigastropoda phylogenetic analyses recovered the monophyly of Trochoidea. Trochoidea phylogenetic analyses and genetic distances supported the non‐monophyly of Tegulidae andTegula, indicating that the taxonomic status of several genera (Rochia,TectusandCittarium) should be revised andTegula,OmphaliusandChlorostomashould be placed as a same genus. The close affinity betweenTectus virgatusandRochiawas also revealed. Three‐nucleotide insertion innad1, nine‐nucleotide insertion and six‐nucleotide deletion innad5are detected in Tegulidae,TectusandRochia, respectively. Gene orders within Trochoidea are stable, with gene rearrangements exclusive to tRNA genes observed. Homoplasious convergences because of trnT rearrangement display translocation in Turbinidae and reversion in Trochidae and Calliostomatida. FortrnEandtrnG, we identify 11 arrangement types, suggesting that the gene rearrangement history needs to be further evaluated. Our study emphasizes the importance of mt genomes in resolving phylogenetic relationships within Trochoidea. In addition, the mt genomic characters would contribute new insights into the classification of Trochoidea.
Speciation in sympatric species of land snails from the genus Trochulus (Gastropoda, Hygromiidae)
Authors: Proćków Małgorzata , Kuźnik‐Kowalska Elżbieta , Pieńkowska Joanna R. , Żeromska Aleksandra , Mackiewicz Paweł 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe identification and designation of land snail species in the genus Trochulus on the basis of shell characteristics are problematic because of their great phenotypic plasticity. Some genetic analyses have proved inconclusive, with much variation within populations and apparent gene flow among them. We examined this issue by morphometric and molecular approaches on the morphologically similar species T. coelomphala, T. hispidus and T. striolatus, co‐occurring in the Alpenvorland of Germany. While these species differed in shell and reproductive system morphology, there were forms that turned out intermediate in shell characters between T. coelomphala and T. hispidus but had genital morphology similar to T. coelomphala. Phylogenetic analysis, however, showed that these forms clustered neither with T. coelomphala nor T. hispidus but are sister to T. striolatus from the same region, which suggests that they evolved by way of sympatric speciation. Further, these analyses suggest that T. coelomphala diverged within T. hispidus; a crossing experiment indicated that they were interfertile. Expanding the study to include all available Trochulus sequences enabled us to infer evolutionary relationships between them and showed that T. hispidus is polyphyletic. Some Trochulus samples of one nominal species were grouped within others. The combination of phenotypic plasticity and possible mitochondrial DNA introgression illustrates the complex nature of evolutionary processes and the need for caution in the application of traditional taxonomic practice.
Reduced activity of GIRK1‐containing heterotetramers is sufficient to affect neuronal functions, including synaptic plasticity and spatial learning and memory
Authors: Mett Alice , Karbat Izhar , Tsoory Michael , Fine Shachar , Iwanir Shachar , Reuveny Eitan 
Published: October 2020

Key points
G‐protein inwardly rectifying K+ (GIRK) channels consist of four homologous subunits (GIRK1‐4) and are essential regulators of electrical excitability in the nervous system.
GIRK2‐null mice have been widely investigated for their distinct behaviour and altered depotentiation following long‐term potentiation (LTP), whereas GIRK1 mice are less well characterized.
Here we utilize a novel knockin mouse strain in which the GIRK1 subunit is fluorescently tagged with yellow fluorescent protein (YFP‐GIRK1) and the GIRK1‐null mouse line to investigate the role of GIRK1 in neuronal processes such as spatial learning and memory, locomotion and depotentiation following LTP.
Neurons dissected from YFP‐GIRK1 mice had significantly reduced potassium currents and this mouse line phenotypically resembled GIRK1‐null mice, making it a ‘functional knockdown’ model of GIRK1‐containing channels.
YFP‐GIRK1 and GIRK1‐null mice had increased locomotion, reduced spatial learning and memory and blunted depotentiation following LTP.
AbstractGIRK channels are essential for the slow inhibition of electrical activity in the nervous system and heart rate regulation via the parasympathetic system. The implications of individual GIRK isoforms in specific physiological activities are based primarily on studies conducted with GIRK‐null mouse lines. Here we utilize a novel knockin mouse line in which YFP was fused in‐frame to the N‐terminus of GIRK1 (YFP‐GIRK1) to correlate GIRK1 spatial distribution with physiological activities. These mice, however, displayed spontaneous seizure‐like activity and thus were investigated for the origin of such activity. We show that GIRK tetramers containing YFP‐GIRK1 are correctly assembled and trafficked to the plasma membrane, but are functionally impaired. A battery of behavioural assays conducted on YFP‐GIRK1 and GIRK1‐null (GIRK1−/−) mice revealed similar phenotypes, including impaired nociception, reduced anxiety and hyperactivity in an unfamiliar environment. However, YFP‐GIRK1 mice exhibited increased home‐cage locomotion while GIRK1−/− mice did not. In addition, we show that the GIRK1 subunit is essential for intact spatial learning and memory and synaptic plasticity in hippocampal brain slices. This study expands our knowledge regarding the role of GIRK1 in neuronal processes and underlines the importance of GIRK1‐containing heterotetramers.