bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transcriptome analysis of miRNA and mRNA in the livers of pigs with highly diverged backfat thickness
Authors: Xing Kai , Zhao Xitong , Ao Hong , Chen Shaokang , Yang Ting , Tan Zhen , Wang Yuan , Zhang Fengxia , Liu Yibing , Ni HeMin , Guo Yong , Hou Zhuocheng , Wang Chuduan 
Published: November 2019

AbstractFat deposition is very important in pig production, and its mechanism is not clearly understood. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play critical roles in fat deposition and energy metabolism. In the current study, we investigated the mRNA and miRNA transcriptome in the livers of Landrace pigs with extreme backfat thickness to explore miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks related to lipid deposition and metabolism. A comparative analysis of liver mRNA and miRNA transcriptomes from pigs (four pigs per group) with extreme backfat thickness was performed. We identified differentially expressed genes from RNA-seq data using a Cufflinks pipeline. Seventy-one differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including twenty-eight well annotated on the porcine reference genome genes, were found. The upregulation genes in pigs with higher backfat thickness were mainly involved in fatty acid synthesis, and included fatty acid synthase (FASN), glucokinase (GCK), phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH), and apolipoprotein A4 (APOA4). Cytochrome P450, family 2, subfamily J, polypeptide 34 (CYP2J34) was lower expressed in pigs with high backfat thickness, and is involved in the oxidation of arachidonic acid. Moreover, 13 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified. Seven miRNAs were associated with fatty acid synthesis, lipid metabolism, and adipogenic differentiation. Based on comprehensive analysis of the transcriptome of both mRNAs and miRNAs, an important regulatory network, in which six DEGs could be regulated by differentially expressed miRNAs, was established for fat deposition. The negative correlate in the regulatory network including, miR-545-5p and GRAMD3, miR-338 and FASN, and miR-127, miR-146b, miR-34c, miR-144 and THBS1 indicate that direct suppressive regulation may be involved in lipid deposition and energy metabolism. Based on liver mRNA and miRNA transcriptomes from pigs with extreme backfat thickness, we identified 28 differentially expressed genes and 13 differentially expressed miRNAs, and established an important miRNA-mRNA regulatory network. This study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms that determine fat deposition in pigs.
Environmental sustainability assessment of tropical dairy buffalo farming vis-a-vis sustainable feed replacement strategy
Authors: Reddy P. Ravi Kanth , Kumar D. Srinivasa , Rao E. Raghava , Seshiah Ch. Venkata , Sateesh K. , Rao K. Ananda , Reddy Y. Pradeep Kumar , Hyder Iqbal 
Published: November 2019

AbstractFeeding management in dairy animals is crucial for ensuring optimal production apart from making the farming as a whole, a more sustainable activity. In our study we evaluated the production and environmental effects of two different feeding regimens i.e., one dominated by traditional cottonseed meal (CSM) and other with coated urea (slow release urea - SRU) as a replacement for CSM on dairy buffalo production. The SRU at 2% level was evaluated by conducting two different trials using twelve lactating Murrah buffaloes and four adult Murrah buffalo bulls. Neither diet nor dry period management showed any substantial effect on milk components, intakes, nutrients’ digestibility coefficients, and nutritive values. The SRU diet revealed increased (P < 0.01) rumen pH, ammonia nitrogen, volatile fatty acids, and microbial nitrogen yield, which were interacted with time of post-prandial sampling. The dynamics of nitrogen metabolism revealed unaltered N-based parameters, except for degradable-N intake and serum urea-N at 3 hr post-feeding. The CSM replacements did not influence (P > 0.05) the residual feed intake, but led to an enhanced milk retention efficiency of nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus contents, thus reducing their impact on soil pollution and eutrophication of water bodies. Despite an unaltered (P > 0.05) enteric methane emission, SRU diets achieved in decreasing manure methane and nitrous oxide emission. Furthermore, the virtual water flow and lifecycle assessment revealed a water sparing effect and low carbon foot print per unit milk production. In summary, the CSM replacements with SRU could achieve an economical and eco-friendly production system from animal nutrition perspective.
Time-lapse image analysis for whole colony growth curves and daily distribution of the cell number per colony during the expansion of mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Mizuno Mitsuru , Katano Hisako , Shimozaki Yuri , Sanami Sho , Ozeki Nobutake , Koga Hideyuki , Sekiya Ichiro 
Published: November 2019

AbstractMesenchymal stem cells from the synovium (synovial MSCs) are attractive for cartilage and meniscus regeneration therapy. We developed a software program that can distinguish individual colonies and automatically count the cell number per colony using time-lapse images. In this study, we investigated the usefulness of the software and analyzed colony formation in cultured synovial MSCs. Time-lapse image data were obtained for 14-day-expanded human synovial MSCs. The cell number per colony (for 145 colonies) was automatically counted from phase-contrast and nuclear-stained images. Colony growth curves from day 1 to day 14 (for 140 colonies) were classified using cluster analysis. Correlation analysis of the distribution of the cell number per colony at 14 days versus that number at 1–14 days revealed a correlation at 7 and 14 days. We obtained accurate cell number counts from phase-contrast images. Individual colony growth curves were classified into three main groups and subgroups. Our image analysis software has the potential to improve the evaluation of cell proliferation and to facilitate successful clinical applications using MSCs.
D-sorbitol can keep the viscosity of dispersive ophthalmic viscosurgical device at room temperature for long term
Authors: Nogami Eiji , Watanabe Ippei , Hoshi Hirotaka , Kasahara Masakazu , Honda Naoto , Sato Miwako , Suzuki Kiyoshi 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe combination of 3% sodium hyaluronate (HA) and 4% sodium chondroitin sulfate (CS) is used as a dispersive ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD) during cataract surgery. For most OVDs containing HA, storage at 2–8 °C is recommended to preserve product characteristics. In order to develop a dispersive OVD that can be stored at room temperature, in this study, we searched additives which can stably maintain the viscosity, a key parameter of OVD, under preservation stability testing at 60 °C. The addition of D-sorbitol to a combination OVD, 3% HA and 4% CS, suppressed the reduction in viscosity compared with other OVDs with or without additives. The addition of D-sorbitol was also effective in improving the residual viscosity of the combination OVD after thermal treatment and light irradiation. Moreover, the OVD containing D-sorbitol can be stored at 25 °C with stably maintaining the initial viscosity for at least 24 months. In conclusion, the new dispersive OVD, 3% HA, 4% CS, and 0.5% D-sorbitol, can be stored at room temperature instead of under cold conditions and may represent an attractive option for clinical use because it is not necessary to bring the product to room temperature prior to use.
Plant sphingolipids promote extracellular vesicle release and alleviate amyloid-β pathologies in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Yuyama Kohei , Takahashi Kaori , Usuki Seigo , Mikami Daisuke , Sun Hui , Hanamatsu Hisatoshi , Furukawa Junichi , Mukai Katsuyuki , Igarashi Yasuyuki 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe accumulation of amyloid-β protein (Aβ) in brain is linked to the early pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We previously reported that neuron-derived exosomes promote Aβ clearance in the brains of amyloid precursor protein transgenic mice and that exosome production is modulated by ceramide metabolism. Here, we demonstrate that plant ceramides derived from Amorphophallus konjac, as well as animal-derived ceramides, enhanced production of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in neuronal cultures. Oral administration of plant glucosylceramide (GlcCer) to APP overexpressing mice markedly reduced Aβ levels and plaque burdens and improved cognition in a Y-maze learning task. Moreover, there were substantial increases in the neuronal marker NCAM-1, L1CAM, and Aβ in EVs isolated from serum and brain tissues of the GlcCer-treated AD model mice. Our data showing that plant ceramides prevent Aβ accumulation by promoting EVs-dependent Aβ clearance in vitro and in vivo provide evidence for a protective role of plant ceramides in AD. Plant ceramides might thus be used as functional food materials to ameliorate AD pathology.
Prescribed fire maintains host plants of a rare grassland butterfly
Authors: Adamidis George C. , Swartz Mark T. , Zografou Konstantina , Sewall Brent J. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractAs grassland ecosystems transform globally due to anthropogenic pressures, improvements in our understanding of the effect of management on rare and threatened species in such landscapes has become urgent. Although prescribed fire is a very efficient tool for habitat restoration and endangered species management on fire-adapted ecosystems, the specific mechanisms underlying potential effects of burning on population dynamics of butterfly host plants are poorly understood. We analyzed a 12-year dataset (2004–2015), combining violet abundance, habitat physiognomy and fire history data from a fire-managed system, to determine factors influencing the spatiotemporal distribution and abundance of violets (Viola spp.), the host plants of the threatened eastern regal fritillary (Speyeria idalia idalia) butterfly. Our results demonstrate a critical role for fire in driving both presence and abundance of violets, suggesting management with prescribed fires can effectively promote butterfly host plants. In addition, we determined the character of habitats associated with violet presence and abundance, in particular a strong positive association with biocrusts. These results provide a roadmap for efficient site selection to increase the effectiveness of restoration efforts, including assessment of potential reintroduction sites for regal fritillary and other grassland butterflies and actions to promote the re-establishment of host plants in these sites.
Magnetic field assisted beam-scanning leaky-wave antenna utilizing one-way waveguide
Authors: Hong Lujun , You Yun , Shen Qian , Wang Yazhou , Liu Xing , Zhang Hang , Wu Chiaho , Shen Linfang , Deng Xiaohua , Xiao Sanshui 
Published: November 2019

AbstractWe propose a Leaky-Wave Antenna (LWA) based on one-way yttrium-iron-garnet (YIG)-air-metal waveguide. We first analyze the dispersion of the LWA, showing the one-way feature and the radiation loss. Owing to the unique one-way dispersive property, the beam radiated from the LWA can have very narrow beam width, at the same time having large scanning angle. The main beam angle obtained by full-wave simulation is consistent with our theoretical prediction with the aid of the dispersion. For a given frequency, we can realize continuous beam scanning by varying the magnetic field, where the 3 dB beam width is much narrower than previously demonstrated. Our results pave a new way to realize continuous angle scanning at a fix frequency for modern communications.
Brain surgery in combination with tyrosine kinase inhibitor and whole brain radiotherapy for epidermal growth factor receptor-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer with brain metastases
Authors: Lee Hsin-Hua , Chen Chien-Hung , Chuang Hung-Yi , Huang Yu-Wei , Huang Ming-Yii 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe role of brain surgery (BS) on the survival of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and brain metastases (BM), particularly those with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations under tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) is yet to be defined. We aimed to investigate whether BS could improve the survival of patients in addition to the combination of TKIs and whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT). A cohort of 1394 NSCLC patients between 2011 and 2016 was retrospectively studied. One hundred patients with BM receiving TKI + RT were enrolled. Forty patients (40%) received TKI + BS + RT, and 60 patients (60%) received TKI + RT. Survival time was calculated from the date of BM diagnoses to the date of death or last follow-up. With a median follow-up of 25.6 months (95% CI, 18.6–35.7), the median survival after BM was 18.2 months (95% CI, 10.8 to 27.4) in the TKI + BS + RT group and 11.8 months (95% CI, 5.2 to18) in the TKI + RT group. Cox proportional hazards regression model for the patients with the largest BM over 1 cm showed that TKI + BS + RT group was associated with improved survival relative to TKI + RT group (HR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.29 to 0.83; P = 0.008). BS adds significant survival benefits in addition to TKIs and WBRT, especially for patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLC and the largest BM over 1 cm.
Andean Tectonics and Mantle Dynamics as a Pervasive Influence on Amazonian Ecosystem
Authors: Bicudo Tacio Cordeiro , Sacek Victor , de Almeida Renato Paes , Bates John M. , Ribas Camila Cherem 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe Amazonian landscape evolution is the result of the combined effect of Andean tectonism, climate and the Earth’s interior dynamics. To reconstruct the landscape evolution and its influence on paleoenvironmental variations within Amazonia since the Oligocene, we conducted numerical experiments that incorporate different surface and geodynamic processes, reproducing many paleogeographic features as inferred from the sedimentary record. We show that the evolution of the drainage pattern gradually reduced the area of sedimentation derived from the Guiana and Brazilian shields while expanded the Andean derived deposits during the Miocene, affecting the nutrient availability. First order biotic habitats were inferred from these paleogeographical reconstructions, showing an eastward expansion of várzea and terra firme forests and consequent retraction of igapó forests, with a millennial-scale reconfiguration of a mosaic of habitats in the lowlands. We conclude that this dynamism probably guided the observed patterns of speciation in the most biodiverse biome on Earth.
TmDorX2 positively regulates antimicrobial peptides in Tenebrio molitor gut, fat body, and hemocytes in response to bacterial and fungal infection
Authors: Keshavarz Maryam , Jo Yong Hun , Park Ki Beom , Ko Hye Jin , Edosa Tariku Tesfaye , Lee Yong Seok , Han Yeon Soo 
Published: November 2019

AbstractDorsal, a member of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) family of transcription factors, is a critical downstream component of the Toll pathway that regulates the expression of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) against pathogen invasion. In this study, the full-length ORF of Dorsal was identified from the RNA-seq database of the mealworm beetle Tenebrio molitor (TmDorX2). The ORF of TmDorX2 was 1,482 bp in length, encoding a polypeptide of 493 amino acid residues. TmDorX2 contains a conserved Rel homology domain (RHD) and an immunoglobulin-like, plexins, and transcription factors (IPT) domain. TmDorX2 mRNA was detected in all developmental stages, with the highest levels observed in 3-day-old adults. TmDorX2 transcripts were highly expressed in the adult Malpighian tubules (MT) and the larval fat body and MT tissues. After challenging the larvae with Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, the TmDorX2 mRNA levels were upregulated 6 and 9 h post infection in the whole body, fat body, and hemocytes. Upon Candida albicans challenge, the TmDorX2 mRNA expression were found highest at 9 h post-infection in the fat body. In addition, TmDorX2-knockdown larvae exposed to E. coli, S. aureus, or C. albicans challenge showed a significantly increased mortality rate. Furthermore, the expression of 11 AMP genes was downregulated in the gut and fat body of dsTmDorX2-injected larvae upon E. coli challenge. After C. albicans and S. aureus challenge of dsTmDorX2-injected larvae, the expression of 11 and 10 AMPs was downregulated in the gut and fat body, respectively. Intriguingly, the expression of antifungal transcripts TmTenecin-3 and TmThaumatin-like protein-1 and -2 was greatly decreased in TmDorX2-silenced larvae in response to C. albicans challenge, suggesting that TmDorX2 regulates antifungal AMPs in the gut in response to C. albicans infection. The AMP expression profiles in the fat body, hemocytes, gut, and MTs suggest that TmDorX2 might have an important role in promoting the survival of T. molitor larvae against all mentioned pathogens.
Curcumin reduces malondialdehyde and improves antioxidants in humans with diseased conditions: a comprehensive meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Alizadeh Mohammad , Kheirouri Sorayya 
Published: November 2019

Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to collate the effects of curcumin on MDA and antioxidant markers in individuals with diseased conditions. In this study the research question was “does curcumin supplementation improves oxidative stress and antioxidant defense enzymes in human subjects compared to a group without curcumin supplementation?Methods: This research included randomized controlled trials published in English in any year, in which intervention with curcumin was compared to either placebo, or standard of care or no intervention. Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Central, Scopus and Google Scholar were searched. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan (version 5.3), with standardized mean differences (SMD) and random-effects models.Results: One hundred twenty-seven titles and abstracts were identified which 17 articles were included for final analysis. The number of participants ranged from 22 to 160 across the included studies. The duration of intervention, dose of curcumin and location of outcomes measurements varied across the studies. Curcumin significantly reduced MDA [SMD −0.46 (95% CI: −0.68 to −0.25)] and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) [0.82 (0.27 to 1.38)], catalase [10.26 (0.92 to 19.61)], and glutathione peroxidase [8.90 (6.62 to 11.19)] when compared with control group. Subgroup analyses displayed that curcumin could significantly reduce MDA levels with or without use of piperine, however it could increase SOD level in presence of piperine.Conclusions: These findings suggest that curcumin may be used as an adjunct therapy in individuals with oxidative stress. The administration of piperine with curcumin may enhance the efficacy of curcumin on antioxidant defense system.
Das Hautarztverfahren in der Praxis – ein persönlicher Erfahrungsbericht
Authors: Häberle M. 
Published: November 2019

ZusammenfassungDas Hautarztverfahren bietet seit 1972 Personen mit beruflich verursachten Hauterkrankungen viele Möglichkeiten zu Prävention, Diagnostik und Therapie. Schwere und/oder wiederholt rückfällige Hauterkrankungen (BK 5101) werden von allen 80 gelisteten Berufskrankheiten der Berufskrankheitenverordnung (BKV) in Deutschland am häufigsten gemeldet. Für keine andere Berufskrankheit (BK) existiert ein dem Hautarztverfahren vergleichbares vorgeschaltetes Programm, das die Tätigkeitsaufgabe verhindern soll. Das Leistungsspektrum der Unfallversicherungsträger (UVT) geht weit über das der gesetzlichen Krankenkasse hinaus. Dazu gehören die Behandlung der Hauterkrankung „mit allen geeigneten Mitteln“ gemäß § 3 BKV, Präventionsmaßnahmen, Schulungen und Arbeitsplatzanalysen mit Optimierung der persönlichen Schutzausrüstung (PSA). Gemäß § 41 des Vertrags Ärzte/Unfallversicherungsträger ist jeder Arzt verpflichtet, unverzüglich einen Versicherten dem Hautarzt vorzustellen, bei dem die Möglichkeit einer beruflichen Verursachung seiner Hauterkrankung besteht. Deshalb kommt dem niedergelassenen Dermatologen eine Schlüsselrolle in der Versorgung zu. Die Zahl der Erstmeldungen ist in jüngster Zeit rückläufig. Schilderungen aus dem Praxisalltag sollen Neu- und Wiedereinsteigern Mut machen, die Berufsdermatologie als wichtiges Segment unseres Fachgebietes zu praktizieren.
Vergleich der Spongiosamorphologie aus humaner Halswirbelsäule (HWS), Brustwirbelsäule (BWS) und Lendenwirbelsäule (LWS) einer 102-jährigen Körperspenderin
Authors: Schröder Guido , Wendig Detlef , Jabke Benjamin , Schulze Marko , Wree Andreas , Kundt Günther , Manhart Johannes , Martin Heiner , Sahmel Olga , Andresen Reimer , Schober Hans-Christof 
Published: November 2019

ZusammenfassungOsteoporose-typische Frakturen treten nicht in der Halswirbelsäule auf. Knochenhistologische und QCT-Untersuchungen zeigen eine höhere trabekuläre Dichte in der HWS im Vergleich zu den anderen Wirbelsäulenabschnitten. Mikro-CT-Untersuchungen (µ-CT) aller Wirbelkörper zu dieser Problematik sind uns nicht bekannt. Das Ziel der vorliegenden Untersuchung war der Vergleich von Spongiosa aus allen 24 Wirbelkörpern vom HWK 1 bis zum LWK 5 einer 102-jährigen Körperspenderin hinsichtlich Knochenmineralgehalt (KMG), Trabekeldicke (Tb.Th.) und deren Separation (Tb.Sp.). Mittels Jamshidi-Nadel® wurden die Proben gewonnen. Anschließend erfolgte eine µ-CT Analyse. Der höchste KMG fand sich in der HWS (81,8 ± 37,4 mg/cm3). Der Unterschied zu den anderen Abschnitten der Wirbelsäule – BWS (30,9 ± 27,0 mg/cm3, p = 0,005) und LWS (30,9 ± 19,4 mg/cm3, p = 0,048) war statistisch signifikant. Der Vergleich der Werte zwischen BWS und LWS ergab keinen signifikanten Unterschied (p > 0,05). Bezüglich der Tb. Th. und der Tb. Sp. in HWS, BWS und LWS ließen sich keine signifikanten Unterschiede feststellen (p > 0,05). Auch im Einzelfall einer 102-jährigen ist der mittels µ-CT gemessene KMG der HWS signifikant höher als in den anderen Wirbelsäulenabschnitten.
Deciduoma, a Large Intrauterine Mass of Deciduosis
Authors: Dasani Megha , Lee Hwa Jeong , Rijhsinghani Asha 
Published: November 2019

AbstractDeciduosis is the presence of ectopic decidual tissue outside the uterus, pelvic, or abdominal organs usually associated with pregnancy. It usually presents as smaller lesions but can be larger vascular lesions. Typically, these masses are detected incidentally during operative procedures. Our patient was referred at 14 weeks for a large intrauterine mass detected on ultrasound examination that was initially thought to be an acardiac twin. The mass was highly vascularized. However, since the patient was asymptomatic, she strongly desired to continue the pregnancy. The pregnancy was followed closely from 14 to 39 weeks with serial ultrasound examinations. The vascularity was documented to diminish overtime and the mass appeared to convolute as well. Due to the decrease in vascularity of the mass, the patient was allowed spontaneous vaginal delivery at term. Following delivery of the fetus and the placenta, the mass was easily extracted manually without any complications.