bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impaired myosin isoform shift and calcium transients contribute to cellular pathogenesis of rat cirrhotic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Honar Hooman , Liu Hongqun , Zhang Mei L. , Glenn Tamara K. , ter Keurs Henk E. D. J. , Lee Samuel S. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackground & AimsCirrhotic cardiomyopathy is a recently recognized entity, but detailed cellular and molecular mechanisms remain unclarified. We aimed to elucidate the role of myosin heavy chain isoform shifts and their relation to calcium transients in the contractile kinetics of cirrhotic rats.MethodsCirrhosis was induced in male Lewis Brown‐Norway rats by bile duct ligation (BDL). Myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform distribution was evaluated by gel electrophoresis. Contractile force, Ca2+ transients and cell shortening were studied at varied frequency and extracellular [Ca2+]. T‐tubular integrity was analysed by power spectrum analysis of images of myocytes stained with di‐8‐ANEPPS.ResultsCompared with sham controls, the phenotypes of cirrhotic rats were as follows: (a) alpha‐myosin heavy chain shifted to beta‐MHC isoform; (b) mild loss of T‐tubular integrity in myocytes; (c) a reduced maximum and rate of rise of the Ca2+ transient (max F/Fo); (d) a reduction in both the rate of rise and fall of contraction; (e) decreased maximal force‐generating capacity; (f) loss of the inotropic effect of increased stimulus frequency; (g) unchanged sensitivity of force development to varied extracellular [Ca2+] and (h) increased spontaneous diastolic sarcomere length fluctuations.ConclusionCardiomyocytes and ventricular trabeculae in a cirrhotic rat model showed features of typical heart failure including systolic and diastolic prolongation, impaired force‐frequency relation and decreased force‐generating capacity. Impaired myosin isoform shift and calcium transients are important contributory mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of the heart failure phenotype seen in cirrhosis.
Climate and phylogenetic history structure morphological and architectural trait variation among fine‐root orders
Authors: McCormack M. Luke , Kaproth Matthew A. , Cavender‐Bares Jeannine , Carlson Eva , Hipp Andrew L. , Han Ying , Kennedy Peter G. 
Published: July 2020

Summary

Fine roots mediate below‐ground resource acquisition, yet understanding of how fine‐root functional traits vary along environmental gradients, within branching orders and across phylogenetic scales remains limited.

Morphological and architectural fine‐root traits were measured on individual root orders of 20 oak species (genus Quercus) from divergent climates of origin that were harvested after three growing seasons in a glasshouse. These were then compared with similar measurements obtained from a phylogenetically diverse dataset of woody species from the Fine‐Root Ecology Database (FRED).

For the oaks, only precipitation seasonality and growing season moisture availability were correlated to aspects of root diameter and branching. Strong correlations among root diameters and architecture of different branch orders were common, while correlations between diameter and length were weakly negative. By contrast, the FRED dataset showed strong positive correlations between diameter and length and fewer correlations between root diameter and architectural traits.

Our findings suggest that seasonal patterns of water availability are more important drivers of root adaptation in oaks than annual averages in precipitation and temperature. Furthermore, contrasting patterns of trait relationships between the oak and FRED datasets suggest that branching patterns are differentially constrained at narrow vs broad phylogenetic scales.
R2R3 MYB‐dependent auxin signalling regulates trichome formation, and increased trichome density confers spider mite tolerance on tomato
Authors: Yuan Yujin , Xu Xin , Luo Yingqing , Gong Zehao , Hu Xiaowei , Wu Mengbo , Liu Yudong , Yan Fang , Zhang Xiaolan , Zhang Wenfa , Tang Yuwei , Feng Bihong , Li Zhengguo , Jiang Cai‐Zhong , Deng Wei 
Published: July 2020

SummaryUnicellular and multicellular tomato trichomes function as mechanical and chemical barriers against herbivores. Auxin treatment increased the formation of II, V and VI type trichomes in tomato leaves. The auxin response factor gene SlARF4, which was highly expressed in II, V and VI type trichomes, positively regulated the auxin‐induced formation of II, V and VI type trichomes in the tomato leaves. SlARF4 overexpression plants with high densities of these trichomes exhibited tolerance to spider mites. Two R2R3 MYB genes, SlTHM1 and SlMYB52, were directly targeted and inhibited by SlARF4. SlTHM1 was specifically expressed in II and VI type trichomes and negatively regulated the auxin‐induced formation of II and VI type trichomes in the tomato leaves. SlTHM1 down‐regulation plants with high densities of II and VI type trichomes also showed tolerance to spider mites. SlMYB52 was specifically expressed in V type trichomes and negatively regulated the auxin‐induced formation of V type trichome in the tomato leaves. The regulation of SlARF4 on the formation of II, V and VI type trichomes depended on SlTHM1 and SlMYB52, which directly targeted cyclin gene SlCycB2 and increased its expression. In conclusion, our data indicates that the R2R3 MYB‐dependent auxin signalling pathway regulates the formation of II, V and VI type trichomes in tomato leaves. Our study provides an effective method for improving the tolerance of tomato to spider mites.
High‐resolution temporal dynamic transcriptome landscape reveals a GhCAL‐mediated flowering regulatory pathway in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)
Authors: Cheng Shuaishuai , Chen Pengyun , Su Zhengzheng , Ma Liang , Hao Pengbo , Zhang Jingjing , Ma Qiang , Liu Guoyuan , Liu Ji , Wang Hantao , Wei Hengling , Yu Shuxun 
Published: July 2020

SummaryThe transition from vegetative to reproductive growth is very important for early maturity in cotton. However, the genetic control of this highly dynamic and complex developmental process remains unclear. A high‐resolution tissue‐ and stage‐specific transcriptome profile was generated from six developmental stages using 72 samples of two early‐maturing and two late‐maturing cotton varieties. The results of histological analysis of paraffin sections showed that flower bud differentiation occurred at the third true leaf stage (3TLS) in early‐maturing varieties, but at the fifth true leaf stage (5TLS) in late‐maturing varieties. Using pairwise comparison and weighted gene co‐expression network analysis, 5312 differentially expressed genes were obtained, which were divided into 10 gene co‐expression modules. In the MElightcyan module, 46 candidate genes regulating cotton flower bud differentiation were identified and expressed at the flower bud differentiation stage. A novel key regulatory gene related to flower bud differentiation, GhCAL, was identified in the MElightcyan module. Anti‐GhCAL transgenic cotton plants exhibited late flower bud differentiation and flowering time. GhCAL formed heterodimers with GhAP1‐A04/GhAGL6‐D09 and regulated the expression of GhAP1‐A04 and GhAGL6‐D09. GhAP1‐A04‐ and GhAGL6‐D09‐silenced plants also showed significant late flowering. Finally, we propose a new flowering regulatory pathway mediated by GhCAL. This study elucidated the molecular mechanism of cotton flowering regulation and provides good genetic resources for cotton early‐maturing breeding.
IL17RA variations showed no associations with post‐bronchiolitis asthma or lung function
Authors: Lauhkonen Eero , Holster Annukka , Teräsjärvi Johanna , Nuolivirta Kirsi , He Qiushui , Korppi Matti 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundInterleukin‐17A (IL‐17A) and IL‐17F are involved in the pathogenesis of asthma and allergy. Interleukin‐17 receptor A (IL‐17RA), encoded by the IL17RA gene, is a common receptor for IL‐17A and IL‐17F. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association of IL17RA gene variations with asthma, allergy, and lung function at school age in children prospectively followed up after hospitalization for bronchiolitis in early infancy.MethodsData on IL17RA rs4819553, rs4819554, and rs4819558 polymorphisms and clinical outcomes, including asthma and allergic rhinitis, were available for 145 former bronchiolitis patients at 5–7 years and for 125 at 11–13 years of age. One hundred children underwent impulse oscillometry at 5‐7 years and 84 underwent flow‐volume spirometry at 11–13 years of age. The IL17RA rs4819553, rs4819554 and rs4819558 were completely co‐segregating in Finnish children in our previous studies.ResultsThe distributions of the studied IL17RA wild versus variant genotypes and major versus minor allele frequencies did not differ between bronchiolitis cases and population controls. These variations showed no significant association with asthma or allergic rhinitis nor with lung function reduction at 5–7 or 11–13 years of ages. Only 5.6% to 6.4% of the variations were homozygous.ConclusionsThe IL17RA gene variations that were studied showed no association with susceptibility to severe bronchiolitis in infancy, nor with post‐bronchiolitis asthma or lung function at school age. Future studies should evaluate other IL17RA polymorphisms and include more cases, and especially cases with homozygous variations.
Awareness and concerns about novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) among parents of pediatric liver transplant recipients
Authors: Menon Jagadeesh , Shanmugam Naresh , Patel Kinisha , Hakeem Abdul , Reddy Mettu Srinivas , Rela Mohamed 
Published: July 2020

AbstractObjectivesPediatric transplant recipients may be at increased risk of developing serious infections due to COVID‐19. We undertook a web‐based survey among parents of post–liver transplant pediatric patients to assess knowledge and concerns regarding COVID‐19 pandemic and impact of social media on them.MethodsThis cross‐sectional online survey was conducted between March 21 and March 26, 2020. A 19‐item questionnaire was sent to 172 parents of post–liver transplant children.Results106 (62%) of parents responded. Median time since transplant was 31 (12‐52) months. The majority of parents had good understanding regarding symptomatology and routes of transmission. Only 27% were aware of feco‐oral transmission, and 34% knew about gastrointestinal symptoms of COVID‐19. 100% of parents understood concept of social distancing, and 70% knew that asymptomatic individuals can transmit the virus. Television followed by newspapers was the main source of their information, though over 40% claim to regularly receive information through social media. 87% would consult their doctor if the child had flu‐like symptoms rather than modify immunosuppression or try alternative medications. Parental concerns mainly revolved around early recognition of symptoms, queries on unconventional treatments circulating over social media, and supply of medications during the lockdown period.ConclusionsThe majority of parents had basic understanding of COVID‐19 pandemic. Social media appeared to be an important source of information. Results from this survey helped us in modifying patient care protocols to ensure continuity of care while maintaining social distancing.
Global data of unprotected skin minimal erythema dose relationship to Individual Typology Angle
Authors: Cole Curtis 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundDetermination of the Minimal Erythema Dose (MEDu) of unprotected skin is perhaps the most critical aspect of the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) value and disproportionately influences the SPF. Individual Typology Angle (ITA°), a skin reflectance measure of the skin's pigmentation, has been used by many clinical laboratories to estimate the MEDu values for SPF testing.MethodsIndividual Typology Angle and unprotected MEDu data on 9931 individuals were received from 12 laboratories located on 5 continents to determine MEDu values in prospective sunscreen testing studies.ResultsThese data were compiled and normalized by laboratory (to account for differences in number of subjects within each laboratory). A polynomial regression best fits the relationship between ITA° and their MEDu and may be used to accurately predict the MEDu of an unknown test subject.ConclusionThe regression data have been incorporated into the latest ISO24444 (Cosmetics – Protection test methods – in vivo determination of the sun protection factor (SPF), 2019) in vivo Sunscreen testing method that must be utilized to determine a subject's provisional MEDu for the testing procedure. Use of this common ITA°‐MEDu relationship will help to minimize SPF variability between testing laboratories due to use of widely varying MEDu values.
The Historical Presidency: “No Man Is Big Enough”: President Harding's Defense of the Proto‐Modern Executive
Authors: Palmer Niall 
Published: July 2020

AbstractWarren Harding's administration was not, as is widely perceived, a failed experiment in executive whiggism but a surprisingly spirited defense of presidential authority against the strongest anti‐executive backlash since Reconstruction. His support for active‐interventionist conservatism and a modified style of “steward” leadership separated him from his traditionalist Republican predecessors—William McKinley and William H. Taft—and successor—Calvin Coolidge. Ambitiously, Harding sought to fuse elements of the Roosevelt–Wilson experiments in presidential leadership with his own, less egocentric view of “balanced” constitutional government. His adaptability helped maintain the expansion of the administrative state and of the “institutional” and “rhetorical” aspects of presidential power, albeit at more modest rates than under Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson. By initiating, or further enabling, growth trends in cabinet government, media influence, and institutional reform, he developed operational templates used by later Republican presidents, notably, Dwight D. Eisenhower and Ronald Reagan. Rather than being dismissed as irrelevant, therefore, Harding’s tenure should be credited both for its innovation and flexibility at a time of institutional crisis and for its contribution to the development of post‐1930s Republican presidential leadership.
Does health‐related quality of life in Asian informal caregivers differ between early‐onset dementia and late‐onset dementia?
Authors: Wang Vivian W. , Kandiah Nagaendran , Lin Xuling , Wee Hwee‐Lin 
Published: July 2020

AimEarly‐onset dementia (EOD) (defined as dementia onset before age 65) presents specific challenges and issues, adding to the negative impact of dementia on the health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) of both patients and their caregivers. However, very few published studies have specifically compared the HRQOL of caregivers of people with EOD and late‐onset dementia (LOD). This information is critical in allocating and prioritizing scarce health‐care resources. We aimed to assess the HRQOL of primary informal caregivers of community‐dwelling individuals with EOD in Singapore and compare it with that of caregivers of individuals with LOD.MethodsThis was a cross‐sectional study of consecutive patient–caregiver dyads from a tertiary dementia clinic.ResultsNo significant differences in disease severity were found between the 111 EOD and 235 LOD patient–caregiver dyads. The mean Mental Component Summary score of the 36‐item Short‐Form Health Survey version 2 was significantly worse in caregivers of EOD patients than in LOD caregivers (mean: 41.42 vs 45.12, P = 0.001), although the mean Physical Component Summary scores were comparable (49.71 vs 49.53, P = 0.934). However, the impact of dementia early onset on caregivers' mental health diminished immediately after adjustment for the disease severity indicators, of which the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire distress score was the only significant clinical factor (regression coefficient β = −0.29, P < 0.001). The amount of variability in the HRQOL of the caregivers explained by patient and caregiver factors across all the models was rather small (adjusted R2 = 19.3% for the Mental Composite Score, 5.2% for Physical Composite Score).ConclusionCaregivers of EOD patients had worse mental health than LOD caregivers probably because individual with EOD have more behavioural disturbances. This reinforces the indispensable role of managing behavioural problems when caring for a family member with dementia, especially for EOD. HRQOL ideally needs to be assessed based on self‐report rather than inferences from indirect data such as the subjective caregiver burden.
The decline of mussel aquaculture in the European Union: causes, economic impacts and opportunities
Authors: Avdelas Lamprakis , Avdic‐Mravlje Edo , Borges Marques Ana Cristina , Cano Suzana , Capelle Jacob J. , Carvalho Natacha , Cozzolino Maria , Dennis John , Ellis Tim , Fernández Polanco José M. , Guillen Jordi , Lasner Tobias , Le Bihan Véronique , Llorente Ignacio , Mol Arie , Nicheva Simona , Nielsen Rasmus , van Oostenbrugge Hans , Villasante Sebastian , Visnic Svjetlana , Zhelev Kolyo , Asche Frank 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIn contrast to the increasing aquaculture production of mussels worldwide, production in the European Union (EU) has shown a decreasing trend over the last two decades. Aquaculture production of mussels in the EU peaked in the late 1990s at more than 600 000 tonnes; by 2016, production volume had dropped by 20% to 480 000 tonnes. As mussel production represents more than ⅓ of EU aquaculture production, this decrease is an important contributor to the stagnation of EU aquaculture. Previous studies have suggested diseases, lack of mussel seed (spat), and low profitability as the main causes of the EU mussel production decrease. In this study, we investigate how economic and environmental factors have contributed. Moreover, we examine if the different mussel production techniques (raft, longline, on‐bottom, and ‘bouchot’) have been differently affected, by analysing the economic performance and cost structure evolution for the period 2010–2016. We complement these results with a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis of the EU mussel sector based on expert knowledge.
Chemical oceanographic influences on sediment accumulations of a carbonate ramp: Holocene Yucatan Shelf, Mexico
Authors: Rankey Eugene C. , Garza‐Perez Rodrigo , Eltom Hassan A. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractGlobal controls on the oceanographic influences on the nature of carbonate factories are broadly understood. The details of the influences of changes in temperature and nutrients across individual carbonate shelves are less well constrained, however. This study explores spatial and temporal variations in chemical oceanography along and across the Yucatan Shelf, a modern carbonate ramp, and how these factors relate to variable bottom character, sediment and sediment geochemistry. In‐situ sensors and remote‐sensing data indicate the sporadic presence of cool, upwelled water with low dissolved oxygen and elevated Chlorophyll‐a. This current‐driven, westward flow of upwelled water is most evident in a zone just offshore of the northern peninsular shoreline, but its influence wanes ca 75 km offshore and as the shore turns southward. The impacts of this water mass include a transitional photozoan–heterozoan assemblage with biosiliceous components, relict grains and common thin Holocene sediment accumulations nearshore; further offshore are coralgal reefs and expansive sand plains. Geochemical proxies of bulk sediment, including high δ18O and elevated HREE/LREE (heavy rare‐earth element/light rare‐earth element) ratios near, and downcurrent of, the upwelling source, are interpreted to represent the signal of nearshore, westward movement of the cool and nutrient‐rich, upwelled water. Collectively, these data emphasize how local processes such as upwelling and longshore transport can variably influence carbonate sediment accumulations and their geochemical signatures, both along and across individual shelves. These data and insights provide an analogue for the influences of spatial variability of water masses in the geological record, and for accurate interpretation of stratigraphic changes of sedimentary and geochemical proxy data in carbonate archives.
Microvascular effects of microneedle application
Authors: Hackethal Johannes , Iredahl Fredrik , Henricson Joakim , Anderson Chris D. , Tesselaar Erik 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe efficiency of transdermal drug delivery may be increased by pretreating the skin with microneedles, but distinct effects of microneedles and the microneedle‐enhanced delivery of vasoactive drugs on the skin microvasculature are still not well investigated.Materials and MethodsIn eight healthy human subjects, we measured the microvascular response to microneedle‐induced microtraumas in the skin microvasculature using polarized light spectroscopy imaging (Tissue Viability imaging, TiVi). The microvascular response was assessed for up to 48 hours for three microneedle sizes (300 µm, 500 µm, and 750 µm) and for different pressures and application times.ResultsIn our results, microneedle application increased the local red blood cell (RBC) concentration for up to 24 hours dependent on the needle lengths, applied time, and force.ConclusionOptimization of microneedles size, pressure, and application time should be taken into account for future protocols for drug delivery and experimental provocations.
Proposing a novel unsupervised stack ensemble of deep and conventional image segmentation (SEDCIS) method for localizing vitiligo lesions in skin images
Authors: Khatibi Toktam , Rezaei Niloofar , Ataei Fashtami Leila , Totonchi Mehdi 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundVitiligo is an acquired pigmentary skin disorder characterized by depigmented macules and patches which brings many challenges for the patients suffering from. For vitiligo severity assessment, several scoring methods have been proposed based on morphometry and colorimetry. But, all methods suffer from much inter‐ and intra‐observer variations for estimating the depigmented area. For all mentioned assessment methods of vitiligo disorder, accurate segmentation of the skin images for lesion detection and localization is required. The image segmentation for localizing vitiligo skin lesions has many challenges because of illumination variation, different shapes and sizes of vitiligo lesions, vague lesion boundaries and skin hairs and vignette effects. The manual image segmentation is a tedious and time‐consuming task. Therefore, using automatic image segmentation methods for lesion detection is necessarily required.Materials and methodsIn this study, a novel unsupervised stack ensemble of deep and conventional image segmentation (SEDCIS) methods is proposed for localizing vitiligo lesions in skin images. Unsupervised segmentation methods do not require prior manual segmentation of vitiligo lesions which is a tedious and time‐consuming task with intra‐ and inter‐observer variations.ResultsOur collected dataset includes 877 images taken from 21 patients with the resolution of 5760*3840 pixels suffering from vitiligo disorder. Experimental results show that SEDCIS outperforms the compared methods with accuracy of 97%, sensitivity of 98%, specificity of 96%, area overlapping of 94%, and Dice index of 97%.ConclusionThe proposed method can segment vitiligo lesions with highly reasonable performance and can be used for assessing the vitiligo lesion surface.