bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
RORγt antagonist improves Sjögren's syndrome‐like sialadenitis through downregulation of CD25
Authors: Ono Yuko , Tsuboi Hiroto , Moriyama Masafumi , Asashima Hiromitsu , Kudo Hanae , Takahashi Hiroyuki , Honda Fumika , Abe Saori , Kondo Yuya , Takahashi Satoru , Matsumoto Isao , Nakamura Seiji , Sumida Takayuki 
Published: December 2019

AbstractObjectiveWe reported previously that T‐cell‐specific RORγt‐transgenic mice under human CD2 promoter (RORγt‐Tg mice) developed severe spontaneous Sjögren's syndrome (SS)‐like sialadenitis, induced by RORγt‐overexpressing CD4+T cells and reduced regulatory T cells. The purpose of this study was to clarify the effectiveness and mechanisms of action of A213, a RORγt antagonist, in RORγt‐Tg mice with SS‐like sialadenitis.MethodsSix‐week‐old RORγt‐Tg mice were administered orally of A213 or phosphate‐buffered saline every 3 days for 2 weeks. We analyzed saliva volume, histopathology of salivary glands, populations of T cells in splenocytes and cervical lymph nodes (cLNs), and the protein expression levels of CD69 on CD4+CD25+Foxp3− and CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ cells in cLNs. We also investigated in vitro the potential immunomechanisms of action of A213.ResultsA213 significantly increased saliva volume, reduced mononuclear cell infiltration in salivary glands, and reduced the focus score of sialadenitis. Analysis of the immunomechanisms using cLNs showed A213 significantly reduced the proportion of CD4+CD25+/CD4+ T cells and the protein expression levels of CD69 on CD4+CD25+Foxp3− cells. In vitro experiments showed that A213 suppressed CD25 expression on CD4+ T cells and reduced IL‐2 production from CD4+ T cells derived from RORγt‐Tg mice.ConclusionA213 improves SS‐like sialadenitis through the inhibition of CD4+CD25+ cells in cLNs.
Infection by Neopestalotiopsis spp. occurs on unwounded eucalyptus leaves and is favoured by long periods of leaf wetness
Authors: Belisário R. , Aucique‐Pérez C. E. , Abreu L. M. , Salcedo S. S. , Oliveira W. M. de , Furtado G. Q. 
Published: December 2019

Brazil is the leader in the global ranking of forest productivity; however, one of the major challenges to eucalyptus production is the existence of fungal diseases. A severe epidemic caused by pestalotiopsis‐like fungi was observed in a forest nursery in Brazil, causing a huge impact on the eucalyptus micropropagation stages. The aims of the present study were to identify the causal agents associated with pestalotiopsis leaf spot and dieback in eucalyptus, assess their pathogenicity to different commercial clones, and evaluate which conditions favour conidial germination and infection by the pathogens. Multilocus phylogenetic analyses using ITS, TEF and TUB identified the isolates as members of Neopestalotiopsis and segregated them into three species. Isolates from all Neopestalotiopsis spp. caused symptoms on unwounded eucalyptus leaves and disease development was strongly dependent on long leaf wetness periods (≥72 h). All four commercial clones tested were susceptible to the pathogen. These results clearly dispute the commonly held assumption that pestalotioid fungi are weak and opportunistic pathogens. This is the first report of different phylogenetic species of Neopestalotiopsis causing dieback, leaf and stem lesions in eucalyptus cuttings and provides a basis for developing novel disease management strategies in forest nurseries.
Potassium and storage root development: focusing on photosynthesis, metabolites and soluble carbohydrates in cassava
Authors: Omondi John Okoth , Lazarovitch Naftali , Rachmilevitch Shimon , Kukew Titaya , Yermiyahu Uri , Yasuor Hagai 
Published: December 2019

The linkage between K and the development of storage roots in root crops is partially understood, hence this experiment determined some of the mechanisms involved in cassava. The effects of 10, 40, 70, 100, 150 and 200 mg K l−1 fertigation on photosynthetic attributes, soluble carbohydrates, starch, metabolites, growth and yield were studied in a greenhouse. Storage root yield, number of storage roots, stomatal conductance and net photosynthesis reached maximum at 150 mg K l−1. However, soluble carbohydrates and starch in the leaves significantly declined with an increasing concentration of K solution, similarly to the trend of glycerol in the leaves. Conversely, malic acid, citric acid and propionic acid gradually increased reaching maximum at 150, 150 and 70 mg K l−1 respectively. Combined, these results suggest that sugars were transported from the leaves to a stronger sink – the bulking storage roots. This and the increase of intermediate metabolites of tricarboxylic acid cycle provided the energy required for the bulking process and the development of the storage roots. Although the measured parameters indirectly link K to storage root development, they nonetheless form a basis for studies on direct interactions.
A piperic acid CoA ligase produces a putative precursor of piperine, the pungent principle from black pepper fruits
Authors: Schnabel Arianne , Cotinguiba Fernando , Athmer Benedikt , Yang Changqing , Westermann Bernhard , Schaks Angela , Porzel Andrea , Brandt Wolfgang , Schumacher Frank , Vogt Thomas 
Published: December 2019

SummaryBlack pepper (Piper nigrum L.) is known for its high content of piperine, a cinnamoyl amide derivative regarded as largely responsible for the pungent taste of this widely used spice. Despite its long history and worldwide use, the biosynthesis of piperine and related amides has been enigmatic up to now. In this report we describe a specific piperic acid CoA ligase from immature green fruits of P. nigrum. The corresponding enzyme was cloned and functionally expressed in E. coli. The recombinant enzyme displays a high specificity for piperic acid and does not accept the structurally related feruperic acid characterized by a similar C‐2 extension of the general C6–C3 phenylpropanoid structure. The enzyme is also inactive with the standard set of hydroxycinnamic acids tested including caffeic acid, 4‐coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and sinapic acid. Substrate specificity is corroborated by in silico modelling that suggests a perfect fit for the substrate piperic acid to the active site of the piperic acid CoA ligase. The CoA ligase gene shows its highest expression levels in immature green fruits, is also expressed in leaves and flowers, but not in roots. Virus‐induced gene silencing provided some preliminary indications that the production of piperoyl‐CoA is required for the biosynthesis of piperine in black pepper fruits.
Isoagglutinin‐reduced immunoglobulin retains efficacy in mouse models of immune thrombocytopenia and rheumatoid arthritis and is less likely to cause intravenous immunoglobulin–associated hemolysis
Authors: Cen Selena Y. , Branch Donald R. 
Published: December 2019

BACKGROUNDImmunoglobulin therapy including intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) has been used as an effective treatment for autoimmune/inflammatory conditions with few side effects. However, high‐dose IVIg (1‐2 g/kg) has been recognized as a cause of hemolytic anemia in non–blood group O patients. Hemolysis when observed has been due to anti‐A/anti‐B isoagglutinins contained in the IVIg. Recently, an isoagglutinin‐reduced IVIg, whereby the anti‐A and anti‐B titers have been reduced by immunoaffinity chromatography, has been introduced; however, whether this new product is as efficacious as nonreduced immunoglobulin (Ig) or will result in less IVIg‐associated hemolysis has not been resolved.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSWe used in vitro phagocytosis by monocytes and proinflammatory/anti‐inflammatory macrophages, with isoagglutinin‐reduced and ‐nonreduced Ig opsonized group A1, B, and A1B red blood cells, to estimate clinical significance of the IgG isoagglutinins. We also used immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) mouse models to examine the in vivo efficacy of isoagglutinin‐reduced versus ‐nonreduced Ig on the amelioration of the diseases.RESULTSIn contrast to nonreduced Ig, phagocytosis was largely absent when isoagglutinin‐reduced Ig was used at a concentration equivalent to a patient receiving 2 g/kg.The in vivo efficacy of isoagglutinin‐reduced versus nonreduced Ig on the amelioration of experimental ITP and RA was similar, indicating no loss of efficacy due to the chromatographic removal of isoagglutinins.CONCLUSIONIsoagglutinin‐reduced Ig should have efficacy similar to nonreduced Ig and result in less IVIg‐associated hemolysis.
Blood product transfusion and mortality in neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Authors: Keene Sarah D. , Patel Ravi Mangal , Stansfield Brian K. , Davis Joel , Josephson Cassandra D. , Winkler Anne M. 
Published: December 2019

BACKGROUNDNeonates receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support are transfused large volumes of red blood cells (RBCs) and platelets (PLTs). Transfusions are often administered in response to specific, but largely unstudied thresholds. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between RBC and PLT transfusion rates and mortality in neonates receiving ECMO support.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSWe retrospectively examined outcomes of neonates receiving ECMO support in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for respiratory failure between 2010 and 2016 at a single quaternary‐referral NICU. We examined the association between RBC and PLT transfusion rate (mL per kg per day) and in‐hospital mortality, adjusting for confounding by using a validated composite baseline risk score (Neo‐RESCUERS).RESULTSAmong the 110 neonates receiving ECMO support, in‐hospital mortality was 28%. The median RBC transfusion rate (mL/kg/d) after cannulation was greater among non‐survivors, compared to survivors: 12.4 (IQR 9.3‐16.2) versus 7.3 (IQR 5.1‐10.3), p < 0.001. Similarly, PLT transfusion rate was greater among non‐survivors: 22.9 (9.3‐16.2) versus 12.1 (8.4‐20.1), p = 0.02. After adjusting for baseline mortality risk, both RBC transfusion (adjusted relative risk per 5 mL/kg/d increase: 1.33; 95% CI 1.05‐1.69, p = 0.02) and PLT transfusion (adjusted relative risk per 5 mL/kg/d increase: 1.12; 95% CI 1.02‐1.23, p = 0.02) were both associated with in‐hospital mortality.CONCLUSIONSRBC and PLT transfusion rates are associated with in‐hospital mortality among neonates receiving ECMO. These data provide a basis for future studies evaluating more restrictive transfusion practices for neonates receiving ECMO support.
The impact of age and sex on first‐time donor return behavior
Authors: Masser Barbara M. , Wright Stephen , Germain Marc , Grégoire Yves , Goldman Mindy , O'Brien Shelia F. , Kamel Hany , Bravo Marjorie , Merz Eva‐Maria , van den Hurk Katja , Prinsze Femmeke , Takanashi Minoko , Wilder Zoe , Shaz Beth ,   on behalf of the Biomedical Excellence for Safer Transfusion (BEST) Collaborative
Published: December 2019

BACKGROUNDThis study examined the impact of age and sex of first‐time donors who had not experienced an adverse event or deferral on their likelihood of and time to return.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSOn behalf of the Biomedical Excellence for Safer Transfusion (BEST) Collaborative, international blood collection agencies (BCAs) were invited to provide data on first‐time whole blood donors in 2014, including initial presentation date, collection site type, age, sex, blood type, return to donate within 24 months (yes/no), and subsequent presentation date.RESULTSEight BCAs contributed 706,789 records. The overall odds of returning to donate were slightly lower in female versus male donors, and the overall age trend was U‐shaped with younger and older donors having higher odds for returning relative to middle‐aged donors. However, variations by BCA were observed. Specifically, in three BCAs, women had higher odds of returning to donate than men. Further, while across seven BCAs the smallest cohort of older first‐time donors returned at a higher rate and returned more quickly than middle‐aged first‐time donors, the behavior of younger donors varied substantially between BCAs.CONCLUSIONWhile older first‐time donors are more likely to return and return more quickly than middle‐aged donors they make up only a small proportion of first‐time donors, whereas the larger group of younger donors exhibits less clear patterns of return compared to middle‐aged donors. Further research is needed to determine whether targeting the recruitment of older donors or bolstering retention of middle‐aged donors would be most effective in maintaining the blood supply.
Can text messages save lives? A field experiment on blood donor motivation
Authors: Fosgaard Toke , Hansen Lars , Jacobsen Catrine , Sørensen Erik , Romose Merle , Ullum Henrik 
Published: December 2019

BACKGROUNDContinuous effort around the globe is exerted into donor management, with the overall aim of keeping a constant flow of new donations. To achieve this goal, blood banks and blood donor associations are taking initiatives to get the same donor to make repeated donations. In general, such initiatives are implemented without proper evaluation. This study circumvents this trend and evaluates the effect on donations from sending blood donors a text message when their donation has helped a patient.METHODS AND MATERIALSIn a large‐scale field experiment (n = 20,365), we randomized donors such that half are sent a text message when their donation was used. Among those who were randomized to the text message, we also randomized the time of day the text message was sent.RESULTSThe messages increased subsequent donations by 3.6% (p = 0.023), compared with donors who did not get the message. It was also shown that optimizing the time of day when the text messages were sent increased the effect substantially. Text messages sent in the evening increased donations by 6.5% (p = 0.011). Finally, it was found that, among whole blood donors, the text messages did not have a significant effect (p = 0.554), whereas it did among the plasma donors (p = 0.003).CONCLUSIONSeveral blood banks have adopted the strategy of sending blood donors a text message that acknowledges that donors' contributions helped a patient. This study is the first to formally test the effects of such a message with a control group.
Lymphoma with Mott cell differentiation and validation of immunohistochemical lymphoid markers in an African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)
Authors: Cazzini Paola , Richardson Jenna , Smith Nicola , Lodzinska Joanna , Robinson Amy L. , Philbey Adrian W. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractA 2‐year‐old female intact African pygmy hedgehog was presented for diagnostic investigation of a 2‐month reduction in appetite, with weight loss and recent vomiting. Clinical examination revealed a large, firm mass originating from the left cranial abdomen. Ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspirates of the mass, liver, and mesenteric lymph nodes revealed a population of pleomorphic round cells, some of which contained variable numbers of round, clear vacuoles, consistent with a diagnosis of lymphoma with Mott cell differentiation. At postmortem examination, there was marked diffuse splenic enlargement, with infiltration by a soft tissue mass. There were multiple coalescing liver masses, kidney pallor, and mesenteric lymph node enlargements. On histologic examination, the spleen, lymph nodes, and masses in the liver were extensively infiltrated by proliferating lymphoid cells that had plasmacytoid and Mott cell differentiation. Cells with Mott cell morphology had an accumulation of periodic acid‐Schiff–positive material in cytoplasmic inclusions and were positive for cytoplasmic nucleic acids when stained with methyl green pyronin. In the population of neoplastic lymphoid cells, a majority of cells expressed the transcription factor Pax5, which drives B‐cell differentiation, and a minority expressed transcription factor IRF4/MUM‐1, which drives plasma cell differentiation, indicating B‐cell lymphoma with plasmacytoid differentiation.
A corpus‐based method for identifying word class in an English lexified extended pidgin
Authors: FitzGerald Sarah 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThis paper outlines an innovative corpus‐based method for establishing word class using as a case study the verbal status of the locative copula in Cameroon Pidgin English. The corpus‐based methodology outlined here uses a combination of distributional, sociolinguistic, and frequency analysis to establish that the Cameroon Pidgin English locative copula,deiy, is a verb and in doing so outlines a blueprint for establishing word class in under described languages. Pidgin creole languages are often under described and identifying the word class of multifunctional words can be particularly challenging. The methodology presented here can resolve such ambiguity by basing the classification on the language in which the word occurs rather than on typological generalisations. This corpus‐based methodology has wide ranging applicability and could be especially useful in establishing word class in lesser described world English varieties and pidgin creole languages.
Cavitating Flow Suppression for a Two-Phase Liquefied Natural Gas Expander Through Collaborative Fine-Turning Design Optimization of Impeller and Exducer Geometric Shape
Authors: Song Peng , Sun Jinju , Huo Changjiang 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Cryogenic liquid turbine expanders have been increasingly used in liquefied natural gas (LNG) production plants to save energy. However, high-pressure LNG commonly needs to be throttled to or near a two-phase state, which makes the LNG turbine expander more vulnerable to cavitation. Although some work has been reported on cryogenic turbomachine cavitation, no work has been reported on designing a cavitation-resistant two-phase LNG liquid turbine expander. Motivated by the urgent requirement for two-phase liquid turbine expanders, an effective design optimization method is developed that is well-suited for designing the cavitation-resistant two-phase liquid turbine expanders. A novel optimization objective function is constituted by characterizing the cavitating flow, in which the overall efficiency and local cavitation flow behavior are incorporated. The adaptive-Kriging surrogate model and cooperative coevolutionary algorithm (CCEA) are incorporated to solve the highly nonlinear design optimization problem globally and efficiently. The former maintains high-level prediction accuracy of the objective function but uses much reduced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations while the later solves the complex optimization problem at a high convergence rate through decomposing them into some readily solved parallel subproblems. By means of the developed optimization method, the impeller and exducer blade geometries and their axial gap and circumferential indexing are fine-tuned. Consequently, cavitating flow in both the impeller and exducer of the two-phase LNG expander is effectively mitigated.
Analysis and Optimization of Staggered Partial Diffuser Vanes in a Centrifugal Pump
Authors: Shim Hyeon-Seok , Kim Sang-Hoon , Kim Kwang-Yong 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
A performance analysis and three-objective design optimization were performed for the staggered partial diffuser vanes in a centrifugal pump using three-dimensional Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations. First, the performance of the diffuser vanes was evaluated for four different arrangements: full-height diffuser vanes, vaneless diffuser, half vanes attached to the hub, half vanes attached to the shroud, and staggered vanes attached alternately to the hub and the shroud. The staggered partial diffuser vanes were optimized using the following design variables: the installation angle of the vanes, the heights of the vanes attached to the hub and shroud, and the angle of rotation of the straight part on the pressure surface of the vanes. The objective functions were the hydraulic efficiency, the flowrate of the maximum pressure recovery, and the operating range of the diffuser. The Kriging model was used to construct surrogate models of the objective functions based on the results at the design points obtained by Latin hypercube sampling. The Pareto-optimal solutions were obtained by a multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA). The representative Pareto-optimal solutions for the staggered diffuser vanes obtained by the K-means clustering showed the improved performances in terms of both the hydraulic performance and operating range compared with the full-height diffuser vanes and the baseline design.
Recent Milestones in Unraveling the Full-Field Structure of Dynamic Shear Cracks and Fault Ruptures in Real-Time: From Photoelasticity to Ultrahigh-Speed Digital Image Correlation
Authors: Rosakis A. J. , Rubino V. , Lapusta N. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe last few decades have seen great achievements in dynamic fracture mechanics. Yet, it was not possible to experimentally quantify the full-field behavior of dynamic fractures, until very recently. Here, we review our recent work on the full-field quantification of the temporal evolution of dynamic shear ruptures. Our newly developed approach based on digital image correlation combined with ultrahigh-speed photography has revolutionized the capabilities of measuring highly transient phenomena and enabled addressing key questions of rupture dynamics. Recent milestones include the visualization of the complete displacement, particle velocity, strain, stress and strain rate fields near growing ruptures, capturing the evolution of dynamic friction during individual rupture growth, and the detailed study of rupture speed limits. For example, dynamic friction has been the biggest unknown controlling how frictional ruptures develop but it has been impossible, until now, to measure dynamic friction during spontaneous rupture propagation and to understand its dependence on other quantities. Our recent measurements allow, by simultaneously tracking tractions and sliding speeds on the rupturing interface, to disentangle its complex dependence on the slip, slip velocity, and on their history. In another application, we have uncovered new phenomena that could not be detected with previous methods, such as the formation of pressure shock fronts associated with “supersonic” propagation of shear ruptures in viscoelastic materials where the wave speeds are shown to depend strongly on the strain rate.