bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evidence for recombination variability in purebred swine populations
Authors: Lozada‐Soto Emmanuel A. , Maltecca Christian , Wackel Hanna , Flowers William , Gray Kent , He Yuqing , Huang Yijian , Jiang Jicai , Tiezzi Francesco 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate interpopulation variation due to sex, breed and age, and the intrapopulation variation in the form of genetic variance for recombination in swine. Genome‐wide recombination rate and recombination occurrences (RO) were traits studied in Landrace (LR) and Large White (LW) male and female populations. Differences were found for sex, breed, sex‐breed interaction, and age effects for genome‐wide recombination rate and RO at one or more chromosomes. Dams were found to have a higher genome‐wide recombination rate and RO at all chromosomes than sires. LW animals had higher genome‐wide recombination rate and RO at seven chromosomes but lower at two chromosomes than LR individuals. The sex‐breed interaction effect did not show any pattern not already observable by sex. Recombination increased with increasing parity in females, while in males no effect of age was observed. We estimated heritabilities and repeatabilities for both investigated traits and obtained the genetic correlation between male and female genome‐wide recombination rate within each of the two breeds studied. Estimates of heritability and repeatability were low (h2 = 0.01–0.26; r = 0.18–0.42) for both traits in all populations. Genetic correlations were high and positive, with estimates of 0.98 and 0.94 for the LR and LW breeds, respectively. We performed a GWAS for genome‐wide recombination rate independently in the four sex/breed populations. The results of the GWAS were inconsistent across the four populations with different significant genomic regions identified. The results of this study provide evidence of variability for recombination in purebred swine populations.
Landscape of associations between long non‐coding RNAs and infiltrating immune cells in liver hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Li Li , Song Xiaowei , Lv Yanju , Jiang Qiuying , Fan Chengjuan , Huang Dayong 
Published: September 2020

AbstractLiver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) can be detected by the immune system; however, it acquires features for evasion of immune surveillance during its origin and development. Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are critical as immune regulators in cancers; nevertheless, the biological functions and mechanisms of lncRNAs in evasion of immune system by LIHC remain unclear. In this study, an integrated and computational approach was developed to identify immune‐related lncRNAs and to divide LIHC patients into diverse immune‐related risk groups based on the expression profiles of coding genes and lncRNAs. LIHC‐specific genes and lncRNAs in 17 immune cell populations were identified and analysed. Gene and lncRNA co‐expressing networks for diverse immune cell populations were constructed and analysed. Some imported immune‐related lncRNAs, such as MIR9‐3HG, were also identified. The LIHC patients comprised three different groups based on immune‐related risk. LIHC patients possessing a greater diversity of immune cell populations had better survival prognosis. The collective data are evidence of a credible computational model that can prioritize novel immune‐related lncRNAs and depict the atlas of immune‐related lncRNAs in LIHC. These findings will further the understanding of lncRNA function and advance the identification of immunotherapy targets in LIHC.
Knockdown of circ_0060745 alleviates acute myocardial infarction by suppressing NF‐κB activation
Authors: Zhai Changlin , Qian Gang , Wu Huajun , Pan Haihua , Xie Shuoyin , Sun Zhewei , Shao Pingyang , Tang Guanmin , Hu Huilin , Zhang Song 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIt has been shown that circRNAs are involved in the development of heart diseases. However, few studies explored the role of circRNAs in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The present study aims to investigate the role of circ_0060745 in the pathogenesis of AMI. We found that the expression of circ_0060745 was significantly increased in the myocardium of AMI mice and was mainly expressed in myocardial fibroblasts. The knockdown of circ_0060745 decreased myocardial infarct size and improved systolic cardiac functions after AMI. The knockdown of circ_0060745 in cardiac fibroblasts inhibited the migration of peritoneal macrophage, the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes and the expressions of IL‐6, IL‐12, IL‐1β, TNF‐α and NF‐κB under hypoxia. Overexpression of circ_0060745 caused an increase in infarct size and worsened cardiac functions after AMI. In summary, our findings showed that knockdown of circ_0060745 mitigates AMI by suppressing cardiomyocyte apoptosis and inflammation. These protective effects could be attributed to inhibition of NF‐κB activation.
Depletion of multidrug‐resistant uropathogenic Escherichia coli BC1 by ebselen and silver ion
Authors: Wang Peng , Wang Jun , Xie Zonglan , Zhou Jingxuan , Lu Qianqian , Zhao Ying , Dong Chuanjiang , Zou Lili 
Published: September 2020

AbstractEbselen, an organo‐selenium compound with well‐characterized toxicology and pharmacology, recently exhibited potent antibacterial activity against glutathione (GSH)‐negative bacteria by disrupting redox homeostasis. In this paper, we show that ebselen and silver ion in combination exert strong bactericidal activity against multidrug‐resistant (MDR) uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) BC1, a model MDR GSH‐positive bacterium. The mechanisms were found to involve consumption of total intracellular GSH and inhibition of thioredoxin reductase activity, which was highly related to reactive oxygen species up‐regulation. Furthermore, the therapeutic efficacy of ebselen and silver ion against UPEC‐induced cystitis was assessed in a mouse model. Treatment with ebselen and silver ion significantly reduced bacterial loads, down‐regulated the expression levels of tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) on‐site and decreased white/red blood cell counts in mild cystitis model mice, which demonstrated the anti‐inflammatory property of these agents. In addition, ebselen and silver ion also exhibited significantly high protective ability (100%) against acute cystitis infections. These results together may lay the foundation for further analysis and development of ebselen and silver ion as antibacterial agents for treatment of MDR UPEC infections.
Repeatable social network node‐based metrics across populations and contexts in a passerine
Authors: Plaza Mireia , Burke Terry , Cox Tara , Flynn‐Carroll Alexander , Girndt Antje , Halford Georgina , Martin Dominic A. , Sanchez‐Fortún Moises , Sánchez‐Tójar Alfredo , Somerville Jasmine , Schroeder Julia 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBehavioural traits are considered animal personality traits when individuals differ consistently in their expression across time and across context. Here, we test this idea on three metrics derived from social interaction networks (strength, betweenness and closeness). Using experimental data from house sparrows in captive populations, and observational data from house sparrows in a wild population, we show that all three metrics consistently exhibit repeatability across both study populations and two methods of recording interactions. The highest repeatability values were estimated in male‐only captive groups, whereas repeatabilities estimated in single‐sex networks subsetted from mixed‐sex groups showed no sex specificity. We also show that changes in social group composition led to a decrease in repeatability for up to six months. This work provides substantial and generalizable support for the notion that social network node‐based metrics can be considered animal personalities. Our work suggests that social network traits may be heritable and thus could be selected for.
Factors associated with older patients' misunderstandings of medication dosage regimen instructions after consultation in primary care in Brazil
Authors: Amorim Welma W. , Passos Luiz C. , Gama Romana S. , Souza Renato M. , Oliveira Marcio G. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractRationale, aims, and objectivesMisunderstanding medication dosage regimen instructions can lead to unintentional misuse of a prescribed medicine, non‐adherence to providers' instructions, and other treatment‐related issues. We aimed to evaluate the frequency of and factors associated with older patients' misunderstanding of medication dosage regimen instructions after consultation with a general practitioner.MethodThis cross‐sectional study was conducted in 22 primary‐care facilities in Brazil. Data were collected from September 2016 to December 2017 using a multidimensional questionnaire. Patients who were 60 years old or older who visited primary care units were included in the study (n = 416).ResultsOf the older patients interviewed, 38.2% had a misunderstanding of medication dosage regimen instructions; being female was a protective factor against the misunderstanding of medication dosage regimen instructions (prevalence ratio [PR] = 0.63; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.45‐0.89). In relation to other factors with an important association, misunderstanding medication dosage regimen instructions was 71% higher among illiterate participants (PR = 1.71; 95% CI = 1.25‐2.35), 39% higher among people who considered their memory to be poor (PR = 1.39; 95% CI = 1.01‐1.91), 49% higher in those who did not have a job at the time of the interview (PR = 1.49; 95% CI = 1.01‐2.19), and 50% higher in patients who had been prescribed five or more medications (PR = 1.50; 95% CI = 1.02‐2.20).ConclusionsThe results showed that older people's misunderstandings of medication dosage regimen instructions after consultation with a general practitioner was greater than expected due to a range of factors, especially polypharmacy, poor literacy, poor memory, and having a job at the time of the interview. Health services and professionals should implement strategies to increase the quality of the guidance given to elderly individuals and to ensure their adherence to the regimen instructions of their medications.
Determinants that influence knowledge brokers' and opinion leaders' role to close knowledge practice gaps in rehabilitation: A realist review
Authors: Gaid Dina , Ahmed Sara , Alhasani Rehab , Thomas Aliki , Bussières André 
Published: September 2020

AbstractRationaleDespite the available evidence to support optimal practices in rehabilitation, significant knowledge practice gaps persist. Opinion leaders (OLs) and knowledge brokers (KBs) can enhance the success of knowledge translation (KT) interventions and improve uptake of best practices among clinicians. However, the literature on the mechanisms underpinning OLs'/KBs' activities, and guidance on the type of support needed for successful implementation of these roles in rehabilitation contexts is scarce. This research aimed to highlight the differences and similarities between OLs and KBs with respect to context, mechanism, and outcomes as well as describe the common patterns of OLs and KBs by creating a context‐mechanism‐outcomes configuration.MethodsWe conducted a realist review to synthesize the available evidence on OLs/KBs as active KT strategies. A search was conducted across five databases up to November 2019. Two independent reviewers extracted the data using a structured form. A context‐mechanism‐outcome configuration was used to conceptualize a cumulative portrait of the features of OLs/KBs roles.ResultsThe search identified 3282 titles after removing duplicates. Seventeen studies (reported in 20 articles) were included in the review. Findings suggest a number of desirable features of OLs/KBs roles that may maximize the achievement of targeted outcomes namely being (a) embedded within their organization as “insiders”; (b) adequately skilled to perform their role; (c) identified as able to fulfil the role; (d) appropriately trained; and (e) able to use different KT interventions.ConclusionFindings of this realist review converge to create a context‐mechanism‐outcomes configuration with suggestions to optimally utilize OLs/KBs in rehabilitation. The configurations suggest desirable features that can lead to a greater potential to achieve targeted goals. It is preferable that OLs/KBs be embedded in the organization and that they are adequately skilful and well‐trained. Also, OLs/KBs should perform the required roles using KT interventions adapted to the local context.
Combining thermization and evaporative cooling toward milk freshness preservation at the smallholder farm level
Authors: Sempiira Edison J. , Mugisa Dana J. , Galiwango Joseph , Kisaalita William S. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThermization and low‐cost evaporative cooling have been seamlessly combined (evakuuling process) to preserve milk freshness for next day market. For proper regulation, a more exact profile of thermized milk in the hands of smallholders is needed. The purpose of this paper was to establish the milk quality‐profile of “evakuuled” milk. Thermization was done using temperatures between 55 and 70°C. Evakuuled milk quality‐profile (total viable and psychotrophic microbial counts, fat, protein, and pH) was compared to chilled and fresh milk. A consumer sensory test was also performed to evaluate consumer preference. The results showed that the quality‐profile of milk thermized at 65°C, followed by evaporative cooling (evakuuled) was indistinguishable from chilled and fresh milk. A consumer preference test scored evakuuled, fresh and chilled milks on average equal in terms of taste, appearance, aroma, and general acceptability.Practical applicationsThe finding of evakuuled milk having the same quality attributes as fresh or chilled milk and meeting consumer preference in terms of aroma, taste appearance and general acceptability has potential practical significance. These results provide evidence in support of inclusion of evakuuled milk in the East African raw milk standard.
An analysis of Dow 30 global core indicator disclosures and environmental, social, and governance‐related ratings
Authors: Calvin Christopher G. , Street Donna L. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractWe examine the extent to which US Dow 30 companies disclose the Global Core Indicators (GCIs), which are measures to assess companies’ contribution toward the United Nation’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We find that the Dow 30 are generally compliant with disclosing GCIs that align with US capital market reporting expectations, high‐profile current events, and issues that are financially relevant. We also find the Dow 30 are more likely to disclose institutional and economic issues, rather than environmental and social issues, and note disclosure variation across industries in which the Dow 30 operate. Supplemental analyses indicate that GCI disclosure levels are generally higher when those GCIs are associated with financially relevant ESG issues, suggesting companies are more amenable to addressing sustainability when doing so aligns with their mandate to shareholders. Correlation analyses reveal that the GCI indices moderately or strongly correlate with two of three MSCI sustainability ratings, highlighting companies’ focus on financially relevant areas, and weakly correlate with companies’ CDP climate change ratings, highlighting the limited scope of the GCIs in capturing detailed environmentally focused sustainability efforts. We also show that the MSCI sustainability ratings of the Dow 30 have generally trended higher over time, with increases driven by companies in the manufacturing, financial, and retail industries. Our findings help fill a void in sustainability literature on US company reporting of the GCIs and may be informative to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development as it reviews the GCIs in support of the 2030 Agenda.
The Arabidopsis R‐SNARE protein YKT61 is essential for gametophyte development
Authors: Ma Ting , Li En , Li Lu‐Shen , Li Sha , Zhang Yan 
Published: September 2020

AbstractGametophyte development is a pre‐requisite for plant reproduction and seed yield; therefore, studies of gametophyte development help us understand fundamental biological questions and have potential applications in agriculture. The biogenesis and dynamics of endomembrane compartments are critical for cell survival, and their regulatory mechanisms are just beginning to be revealed. Here, we report that the Arabidopsis thaliana SNARE (soluble N‐ethylmaleimide sensitive factor attachment protein receptor) protein YKT61 is essential for both male and female gametogenesis. By using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR‐associated protein 9 (Cas9)‐based genome editing, we demonstrated that male and female gametophytes carrying YKT61 loss‐of‐function alleles do not survive. Specifically, loss of YKT61 function resulted in the arrest of male gametophytic development at pollen mitosis I and the degeneration of female gametophytes. A three‐base‐pair deletion in YKT61 in the ykt61‐3 mutant resulted in a single‐amino acid deletion in the longin domain of YKT61; the resulting mutant protein does not interact with multiple SNAREs and showed substantially reduced membrane association, suggesting that the N‐terminal longin domain of YKT61 plays multiple roles in its function. This study demonstrates that Arabidopsis YKT61 is essential for male and female gametogenesis and sets an example for functional characterization of essential genes with the combination of Cas9‐mediated editing and expression from a Cas9‐resistant transgene.
The Limits of Limited Liability: Evidence from Industrial Pollution
Authors: AKEY PAT , APPEL IAN 
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACTWe study how parent liability for subsidiaries' environmental cleanup costs affects industrial pollution and production. Our empirical setting exploits a Supreme Court decision that strengthened parent limited liability protection for some subsidiaries. Using a difference‐in‐differences framework, we find that stronger liability protection for parents leads to a 5% to 9% increase in toxic emissions by subsidiaries. Evidence suggests the increase in pollution is driven by lower investment in abatement technologies rather than increased production. Cross‐sectional tests suggest convexities associated with insolvency and executive compensation drive heterogeneous effects. Overall, our findings highlight the moral hazard problem associated with limited liability.
Cardiovascular safety of mirabegron add‐on therapy to tamsulosin for the treatment of overactive bladder in men with lower urinary tract symptoms: A post hoc analysis from the MATCH study
Authors: Katoh Takao , Kakizaki Hidehiro , Lee Kyu‐Sung , Ishida Kota , Katou Daisuke , Yamamoto Osamu , Jong Jar Jar , Sumarsono Budiwan , Uno Satoshi , Yamaguchi Osamu 
Published: September 2020

AbstractObjectivesTo investigate the cardiovascular safety of mirabegron add‐on treatment to tamsulosin in male patients with residual overactive bladder symptoms.MethodsThis was a post hoc analysis of MATCH, the first double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study comparing mirabegron and placebo as add‐on therapy to tamsulosin for treatment of overactive bladder in men with lower urinary tract symptoms. The analysis focused on treatment‐emergent adverse events relating to the cardiovascular system or blood pressure, and changes in vital signs during 12 weeks of follow‐up.ResultsCardiovascular‐related treatment‐emergent adverse events were reported by 6/566 patients, although only one serious treatment‐emergent adverse event was related to treatment (unstable angina in the tamsulosin + placebo group). Hypertension (two patients) and increased blood pressure (one patient) were reported in the tamsulosin + placebo group, but there were no blood pressure‐related treatment‐emergent adverse events among tamsulosin + mirabegron patients. There were no clinically meaningful changes from baseline in blood pressure, and changes in pulse rate were small (+1.2 bpm in the tamsulosin + mirabegron group). Increased pulse rate was more frequent with tamsulosin + mirabegron than with tamsulosin + placebo in older patients, although within the normal range.ConclusionsCardiovascular‐related adverse events were uncommon in both treatment groups. Mirabegron is a well‐tolerated add‐on therapy to tamsulosin in Japanese and Korean males with residual overactive bladder symptoms.
Trait‐based diversity of deep‐sea benthic megafauna communities near the Deepwater Horizon oil spill site
Authors: Nunnally Clifton C. , Benfield Mark C. , McClain Craig R. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractDeep‐sea ecosystems are fragile yet diverse habitats that are sensitive to disturbance. In the northern Gulf of Mexico deepwater extraction of hydrocarbons led to the accidental release of four million barrels of oil from the Macondo wellhead in 2010. The release of oil combined with the addition of dispersant at depth and the resulting delivery of oiled “marine snow” led to dramatic disruptions of diversity and ecosystem services within the near field deep‐sea benthic communities. Analysis of the biological trait diversity of the surrounding megabenthos reveals notable loss of traits that may explain the stunted recovery of communities within 2 km of the wellhead. The present megafauna show complete loss of some traits relating to tier, motility, and feeding mechanisms. Functional evenness was higher than in surveyed unaffected sites, highlighting some loss of trait space, reflecting increasing abundances of scavengers and the loss of sessile invertebrates. Loss of biological traits that aid in ecosystem resilience has impeded recovery of benthic communities severely impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
On the way to specificity ‐ Microbiome reflects sponge genetic cluster primarily in highly structured populations
Authors: Díez‐Vives Cristina , Taboada Sergi , Leiva Carlos , Busch Kathrin , Hentschel Ute , Riesgo Ana 
Published: September 2020

AbstractMost animals, including sponges (Porifera), have species‐specific microbiomes. Which genetic or environmental factors play major roles structuring the microbial community at the intraspecific level in sponges is, however, largely unknown. In this study, we tested whether geographic location or genetic structure of conspecific sponges influences their microbial assembly. For that, we used three sponge species with different rates of gene flow, and collected samples along their entire distribution range (two from the Mediterranean and one from the Southern Ocean) yielding a total of 393 samples. These three sponge species have been previously analysed by microsatellites or single nucleotide polymorphisms, and here we investigate their microbiomes by amplicon sequencing of the microbial 16S rRNA gene. The sponge Petrosia ficiformis, with highly isolated populations (low gene flow), showed a stronger influence of the host genetic distance on the microbial composition than the spatial distance. Host‐specificity was therefore detected at the genotypic level, with individuals belonging to the same host genetic cluster harbouring more similar microbiomes than distant ones. On the contrary, the microbiome of Ircinia fasciculata and Dendrilla antarctica ‐ both with weak population structure (high gene flow) ‐ seemed influenced by location rather than by host genetic distance. Our results suggest that in sponge species with high population structure, the host genetic cluster influence the microbial community more than the geographic location.