bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of long‐term ethanol ingestion on hepatic iron metabolism in two mouse strains
Authors: Bloomer Steven A. , Broadhurst Kimberly A. , Maleah Mathahs M. , Brown Kyle E. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe mechanisms responsible for dysregulation of iron metabolism in response to ethanol ingestion are poorly understood. Relatively brief ethanol exposures in rodents are associated with reduced hepatic hepcidin expression without increases in hepatic iron content. This study evaluated the effects of long‐term ethanol treatment on hepatic iron metabolism in two mouse strains. Ethanol was administered in the drinking water to C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice for up to 11 months. Hepatic histology and iron concentrations (HIC) were assessed, along with expression of relevant genes and proteins by real‐time RT‐PCR and western blot, respectively. The livers of ethanol‐consuming mice of both strains showed mild steatosis without inflammation or fibrosis. Stainable hepatocyte iron was modestly increased in both strains ingesting ethanol, although hepatic iron concentrations were significantly higher only in C57BL/6 mice. Long‐term ethanol did not affect hepcidin mRNA (Hamp1 or Hamp2) in either strain, nor was the expression of several oxidative stress‐responsive genes (glutamate cysteine ligase, gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase, heme oxygenase‐1 and growth differentiation factor 15) altered in response to ethanol, suggesting that oxidative stress and suppression of hepcidin expression in short‐term ethanol feeding models may be transient phenomena that resolve as mice adapt to ethanol exposure. This murine model of chronic ethanol ingestion demonstrates modest increases in hepatic iron without changes in hepcidin expression, markers of oxidative stress or significant histologic liver injury. Further investigations are needed to characterize the mechanisms of dysregulated iron metabolism resulting from chronic ethanol ingestion.
Understanding the complexities of unexplained stillbirth in sub‐Saharan Africa: a mixed‐methods study
Authors: Bedwell C , Blaikie K , Actis Danna V , Sutton C , Laisser R , Tembo Kasengele C , Wakasiaka S , Victor S , Lavender T 
Published: December 2020

ObjectiveTo understand the complexities surrounding unexplained stillbirth for the development and implementation of culturally acceptable interventions to underpin care in Tanzania and Zambia.DesignMixed‐methods study.SettingTertiary, secondary and primary care facilities in Mansa, Zambia, and Mwanza, Tanzania.SampleQuantitative: 1997 women giving birth at two tertiary care facilities (one in each country). Qualitative: 48 women and 19 partners from tertiary, secondary and primary care facilities.MethodsCase review using data from a target of 2000 consecutive case records. Qualitative interviews with a purposive sample of women and partners, using a grounded theory approach.ResultsA total of 261 stillbirths were recorded, with a rate of 16% in Tanzania and 10% in Zambia, which is higher than the previous estimates of 2.24 and 2.09%, respectively, for those countries. Women in both countries who reported a previous stillbirth were more likely to have stillbirth (RR 1.86, 95% CI 1.23–2.81). The cause of death was unexplained in 28% of cases. Qualitative findings indicated that not knowing what caused the baby to be stillborn prevented women from grieving. This was compounded by the poor communication skills of health professionals, who displayed little empathy and skill when counselling bereaved families.ConclusionsThe stillbirth risk in both facilities was far higher than the risk recorded from national data, with women reporting a previous stillbirth being at higher risk. Women want to know the cause of stillbirth and an exploration of appropriate investigations in this setting is required. Providing health professionals with support and continuing training is key to improving the experiences of women and future care.Tweetable abstractStillbirths receive little investigation and are often unexplained. Communication with women about the death of their baby is limited.
Concordance testing between Powerplex ESI 16 Fast System and VeriFiler Express
Authors: Schayek Hagit , Waiskopf Ortal , Rashkovski Ksenia , Amiel Merav , Wolf Ehud , Avlas Orna 
Published: December 2020

AbstractDNA profiles generated by different STR kits may show different alleles for identical amplified loci. This well‐known phenomenon affects the smooth transition of data generated by new STR kits to a database or casework laboratory or cross‐laboratory comparison of STR profiles. As in other DNA databases throughout the world, it has become clear that the number of the analyzed loci should be expanded for a variety of reasons, such as partial profiles resulting from low copy‐number DNA template or degraded samples, working with mixtures or when prevalence of familial inbreeding. In the course of introducing a new STR kit, VeriFiler™ Express (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, USA), we compared genotyping data of 1568 samples amplified by the VeriFiler™ Express with the data generated on the same samples by the Powerplex™ ESI FAST (Promega, Madison WI, USA) kit. Discordance was noted in 20 samples (1.27%), 14 (0.89%) of them showing allele dropout mismatch and six (0.38%) showing an additional fixed‐size third allele. These rates are well above the reported rates of 0.4% for this kit. Since correct genotyping and accurate consistent allele assignment is of paramount importance, it seems timely to recommend for DNA laboratories and genetic‐match search systems to take these possible inconsistencies into account.
Identification of candidate odorant‐degrading enzyme genes in the antennal transcriptome of Aphidius gifuensis
Authors: Kang Zhi‐Wei , Liu Fang‐Hua , Xu Yong‐Yu , Cheng Jia‐Hui , Lin Xiao‐Li , Jing Xiang‐Feng , Tian Hong‐Gang , Liu Tong‐Xian 
Published: December 2020

AbstractOdorant‐degrading enzymes (ODEs) have been found in insect antennae and play a critical role in signal chemical degradation once the message is conveyed. Significant progress has been made in characterizing ODEs in a variety of pests but very little is known in their natural enemies. We have carried out an antennae‐ and sex‐specific transcriptome of Aphidius gifuensis, a natural enemy of aphid, to identify the candidate ODEs. Based on the antennae‐ and sex‐specific transcriptome, a total of 100 putative ODEs were identified including one aldehyde oxidase (AOX), four alcohol dehydrogenases (ADs), eight UDP‐glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs), 45 cytochrome P450 (P450s), nine glutathione S‐transferases (GSTs) and 40 carboxylesterases (CCEs or CXEs). Additionally, we used RT‐qPCR to determine the expression profiles of these genes in tissues of both sexes. Based on the phylogenic analysis and tissue‐expression patterns, AgifEstE4, AgifCXE3, AgifCCE4, AgifCCE7, and AgifCCE18 were suggested as key ODEs in A. gifuensis. In addition, the female or male specifically enriched genes, such as AgifCCE17, AgifEstB1, AgifCYP18a1, AgifUGT2C2, were also considered to involve in the chemosensory processing in A. gifuensis. This study not only identified the candidate ODEs in A. gifuensis but also provided source for further exploration of the molecular mechanisms of chemical signal transductions in A. gifuensis, as well as other hymenopteran species.
Untargeted metabolite profiling of liver in mice exposed to 2‐methylfuran
Authors: Hu Chuanqin , Li Ren , Wang Jiahui , Liu Yingli , Wang Jing , Sun Baoguo 
Published: December 2020

AbstractFuran, a significant food contaminant, was found in many cooked foods. In most cooked foods, furan has been found to be coexisted with some alkylated derivatives such as 2‐methylfuran. 2‐methylfuran was found to be potent hepatotoxins. Little toxicological data is available for 2‐methylfuran. The objective of this study was to investigate metabolite changes in the liver samples from mice fed with 2‐methylfuran by untargeted metabolomic approach. Metabolomic analysis was conducted by using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). Twenty‐four metabolites were identified as differential metabolites. The important metabolic pathway was linoleic acid metabolism, glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism, methane metabolism, ascorbate, and aldarate metabolism, valine, leucine, and isoleucine biosynthesis, arachidonic acid metabolism, alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism, aminoacyl‐tRNA biosynthesis, cysteine, and methionine metabolism, inositol phosphate metabolism, and pyruvate metabolism. These newly identified pathways provide evidence for investigating toxic mechanism of 2‐methylfuran.Practical ApplicationFuran in foods has caused public health concern for its hepatotoxicity and hepatic carcinogenicity in rodents. The metabolomics method was constructed to find more biomarkers to study underlying hepatotoxic mechanisms of 2‐methylfuran. It will offer important information for official limits of 2‐methylfuran in foods.
Regional collaboration to improve quality of radiation therapy in Asia
Authors: Gondhowiardjo Soehartati A , Handoko  , Tham Ivan , Giselvania Angela , Bilimagga Ramesh S , Octavianus Steven , Hiraoka Masahiro , Jayalie Vito Filbert , Tamaki Tomoaki , Calaguas Miriam , Nakano Takashi 
Published: December 2020

SummaryIn Asia, several challenges hinder the delivery of high‐quality cancer treatment, especially radiation therapy (RT). Many Asian countries face large‐scale shortage of RT centres and treatment machines. Additionally, there is also a significant technological gap, with many RT centres in Asia still using outdated technology. There is an urgent need to improve radiation treatment quality in Asia. The Federation of Asian Organizations for Radiation Oncology (FARO) was set up to foster regional collaboration, which we believe can help to identify and solve some of these issues collectively. This report describes the background and rationale of starting FARO, and puts forth some of the early achievements of the group, including fact‐finding and educational activities. Finally, we discuss future possibilities, including strategic proposals that may benefit the RT community and our patients in Asia.
Pore Characteristics and Factors Controlling Lacustrine Shales from the Upper Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation of the Songliao Basin, Northeast China: A Study Combining SEM, Low‐temperature Gas Adsorption and MICP Experiments
Authors: HAN Hui , DAI Jie , GUO Chen , ZHONG Ningning , PANG Peng , DING Zhengang , CHEN Jianping , HUANG Zhenkai , GAO Yuan , LUO Jinyu , LI Qirui , ZHANG Zhaokun 
Published: December 2020

AbstractTo investigate pore characteristics and the factors controlling lacustrine shales, geochemical, mineralogical and petrophysical experiments were performed on 23 shale samples from the Qingshankou Formation of the Songliao Basin, China. A comparison of mercury injection capillary pressure (MICP) and low‐temperature N2 adsorption pore‐size distribution showed that MICP has a higher pore‐size distribution (PSD) line in its overlapping pore diameter range, which may be elevated by the higher pressure of MICP. Therefore, in the overlapping range, low‐temperature N2 adsorption data were preferred in pore characterization. Negative correlations were observed between pore volumes and TOC content, indicating organic matter pores are not well‐developed in the studied samples. This may be related to their low grade of maturity and type I kerogens. There existed negative relationships between pore volumes and S1, which illustrated that liquid hydrocarbons occupied some pore space. Micropore volume had a better correlation with S1 than mesopore and macropore volumes, which suggests that liquid hydrocarbons preferentially occur in micropores. No obvious relationships between pore volumes and quartz or feldspar were observed, while pore volumes increased with the increasing clay mineral content. These relationships indicate that intraparticle pores in clay minerals represent the principal pore type.
Targeted Geoengineering: Local Interventions with Global Implications
Authors: Moore John C. , Mettiäinen Ilona , Wolovick Michael , Zhao Liyun , Gladstone Rupert , Chen Ying , Kirchner Stefan , Koivurova Timo 
Published: December 2020

AbstractTargeted geoengineering aims to tackle a global scale impact of climate warming by addressing local or regional systemic interventions. We consider three examples: conserving the West Antarctic ice sheet by limiting rates of ice discharge or increasing snow accumulation, thereby reducing global sea level rise; transforming the Arctic permafrost zone into steppe grassland; raising the albedo of Arctic sea ice. There are important differences between targeted interventions and archetypal solar geoengineering, which ideally would have global governance structures, while some targeted interventions may be done entirely under the accepted purview of small numbers of nation states. For example, the West Antarctic ice sheet is governed by the consultative members of the Antarctic Treaty. Of the interventions we look at, only ice sheet conservation seems viable and efficient relative to solar geoengineering. Many important treaties and conventions rely on the precautionary approach. While at first glance this principle seems to argue against targeted interventions, we argue that it may in fact do the opposite. Given the existence of irreversible thresholds in many natural systems, the precautionary approach may be better upheld by a targeted intervention that prevents a system from changing in ways that cannot be undone.
Functional inhibition of heat shock protein 70 by VER‐155008 suppresses pleural mesothelioma cell proliferation via an autophagy mechanism
Authors: Sakai Kosuke , Inoue Maya , Mikami Shintaro , Nishimura Hiroaki , Kuwabara Yoshiki , Kojima Akitoshi , Toda Maiko , Ogawa‐Kobayashi Yumiko , Kikuchi Satoshi , Hirata Yusuke , Mikami‐Saito Yuriko , Kyoyama Hiroyuki , Moriyama Gaku , Shiibashi Michio , Seike Masahiro , Gemma Akihiko , Uematsu Kazutsugu 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackground: Pleural mesothelioma, a devastating asbestos‐associated malignancy, urgently requires a novel effective therapy. Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), which is synthesized in the cell response to protein damage, is expected to be a new target for antitumor treatment. In addition to its well‐known protein refolding function, HSP70 regulates cell proliferation through different pathways, including PI3K/AKT/mTOR, and autophagy in malignant cells. In this study, we attempted to clarify the effects of VER‐155008, an HSP70 inhibitor, on pleural mesothelioma.Methods: Human pleural mesothelioma cell lines 211H, H2452 and H28 were cultured with VER‐155008, and protein expression, cell proliferation, colony formation, cell cycle, synergistic effect with cisplatin, and autophagy induction were analyzed.Results: In mesothelioma cell lines, VER‐155008 (5.0 μM or more) inhibited cell growth and colony formation, accompanied by G1 cell cycle arrest. According to western blot analysis, VER‐155008 reduced p‐AKT expression. However, VER‐155008 failed to show a synergistic effect with cisplatin on cell growth. Mesothelioma cells transfected with the novel plasmid pMRX‐IP‐GFP‐LC3‐RFP‐LC3ΔG, which was developed for the quantitative and statistical estimation of macroautophagy, showed enhanced macroautophagy upon treatment with VER‐155008 and gefitinib which is an EGFR‐tyrosine kinase inhibitor. In addition, fetal bovine serum deprivation induced macroautophagy was further enhanced by VER‐155008.Conclusions: On the basis of these results, functional HSP70 inhibition by VER‐155008 suppressed cell growth in pleural mesothelioma cells, accompanied by enhanced macroautophagy. HSP70 inhibition is thus expected to become a new strategy for treating mesothelioma.Key pointsSignificant findings of the studyIn pleural mesothelioma cells, inhibition of HSP70 function by VER‐155008 suppressed cell proliferation accompanied by induction of autophagy which was synergistically enhanced under the starvation condition, whereas gefitinib, an EGFR‐TKI, did not show the same synergistic effect in autophagy.What this study addsThe inhibition of HSP70 induced autophagy and suppressed cell proliferation in mesothelioma cells.
Postwar wildlife recovery in an African savanna: evaluating patterns and drivers of species occupancy and richness
Authors: Gaynor K. M. , Daskin J. H. , Rich L. N. , Brashares J. S. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractAs local and global disturbances reshape African savannas, an understanding of how animal communities recover and respond to landscape features can inform conservation and restoration. Here, we explored the spatial ecology of a wildlife community in Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique, where conservation efforts have fostered the recovery of large mammal populations after their near‐extirpation during Mozambique’s civil war. We deployed a grid of 60 camera traps and used a hierarchical, multi‐species occupancy modeling approach to examine patterns of occupancy and its environmental and anthropogenic correlates for different functional groups and species. Our survey provides strong evidence that wildlife in Gorongosa is recovering. Throughout the study area, modeled species richness was comparable to richness in less‐disturbed savanna systems in Tanzania and Botswana, and exceeded estimates of richness from a mixed‐use landscape outside the park and from postwar (1997–2002) aerial surveys. However, the mammal community in Gorongosa differs from prewar conditions and from those of more intact systems, with few large carnivores, low occupancy probabilities for large ungulate species that were dominant prior to the war, and high occupancy for other ungulates that are now ubiquitous. Associations with tree cover varied among species and guilds. Contrary to our expectation, there was no effect of lake proximity on community and group‐level occupancy, and previously dominant floodplain ungulate species now occupy more wooded areas. Mammals were more likely to occupy areas that burned frequently, as post‐fire vegetation regrowth provides high‐quality forage, highlighting the importance of Gorongosa’s fire regime. Occupancy was lower in areas with more illegal hunting, and higher closer to roads, potentially because roads were established in areas of high wildlife density and facilitate animal movement. Continued multi‐species monitoring in Gorongosa can shed light on the different recovery trajectories of ungulate species and the consequences of ongoing large carnivore restoration, guiding conservation interventions.
Have Confidence in the Sea: Maritime Maroons and Fugitive Geographies
Authors: Dunnavant Justin P. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractSince the birth of the Transatlantic slave trade, enslaved Africans have exploited their geographic circumstances to obtain liberation, effectively transforming them into maroons. However, geographies of marronage have disproportionately investigated terrestrial landscapes to understand how self‐liberated Africans made life in the Atlantic world. Turning our attention to the sea, I use geospatial analyses to map ocean currents and explore routes of passage for maritime maroons from the island of St. Croix (Ay Ay). Mapping this oceanic cartography of Black fugitivity provides renewed insight into the ways in which maroons used oceanic literacy to actualise their quest for freedom and their experiences in their new homes.
Giant circumferential esophageal leiomyoma successfully treated by thoracoscopic enucleation with the patient in a prone position: A case report
Authors: Higuchi Tadashi , Koyanagi Kazuo , Ozawa Soji , Ninomiya Yamato , Yatabe Kentaro , Yamamoto Miho 
Published: December 2020

AbstractEsophageal leiomyomas are common benign tumors. Although surgical resection is warranted in symptomatic patients, the procedure used to enucleate a giant, circumferential tumor is complicated. A 38‐year‐old man was referred to our institution with a diagnosis of submucosal esophageal tumor. An endoscopic examination revealed a protruding submucosal mass in the lower third of the esophagus. Computed tomography scans demonstrated a circumferential mass measuring 90 × 40 mm. Examination of the biopsy specimens resulted in a diagnosis of leiomyoma of the esophagus, and thoracoscopic enucleation of the tumor via the right thorax with the patient in the prone position was planned. Histopathological and immunohistochemical staining of the surgical specimen confirmed the preoperative diagnosis of benign leiomyoma. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 7 without any complications.
Distinct JNK/VEGFR signaling on angiogenesis of breast cancer‐associated pleural fluid based on hormone receptor status
Authors: Changchien Chih‐Ying , Chang Hsin‐Han , Dai Ming‐Shen , Tsai Wen‐Chiuan , Tsai Hao‐Chung , Wang Chieh‐Yung , Shen Ming‐Sheng , Cheng Li‐Ting , Lee Herng‐Sheng , Chen Ying , Tsai Chen‐Liang 
Published: December 2020

AbstractMalignant pleural effusion is a common complication in metastatic breast cancer (MBC); however, changes in the pleural microenvironment are poorly characterized, especially with respect to estrogen receptor status. Histologically, MBC presents with increased microvessels beneath the parietal and visceral pleura, indicating generalized angiogenic activity. Breast cancer‐associated pleural fluid (BAPF) was collected and cultured with HUVECs to recapitulate the molecular changes in subpleural endothelial cells. The clinical progression of triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) is much more aggressive than that of hormone receptor‐positive breast cancer (HPBC). However, BAPF from HPBC (BAPF‐HP) and TNBC (BAPF‐TN) homogeneously induced endothelial proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis. In addition, BAPF elicited negligible changes in the protein marker of endothelial‐mesenchymal transition. Both BAPF‐HP and BAPF‐TN exclusively upregulated JNK signaling among all MAPKs in HUVECs. By contrast, the response to the JNK inhibitor was insignificant in Transwell and tube formation assays of the HUVECs cultured with BAPF‐TN. The distinct contribution of p‐JNK to endothelial angiogenesis was consequently thought to be induced by BAPF‐HP and BAPF‐TN. Due to increased angiogenic factors in HUVECs cultured with BAPF, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) inhibitor was applied accordingly. Responses to VEGFR2 blockade were observed in both BAPF‐HP and BAPF‐TN concerning endothelial migration and angiogenesis. In conclusion, the above results revealed microvessel formation in the pleura of MBC and the underlying activation of p‐JNK/VEGFR2 signaling. Distinct responses to blocking p‐JNK and VEGFR2 in HUVECs cultured with BAPF‐HP or BAPF‐TN could lay the groundwork for future investigations in treating MBC based on hormone receptor status.