bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immunophenotypic shift in the B‐cell precursors from regenerating bone marrow samples: A critical consideration for measurable residual disease assessment in B‐lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Chatterjee Gaurav , Sriram Harshini , Ghogale Sitaram , Deshpande Nilesh , Khanka Twinkle , Panda Devasis , Pradhan Shiv Narayan , Girase Karishma , Narula Gaurav , Dhamane Chetan , Malik Nirmlya Roy , Banavali Shripad , Patkar Nikhil V. , Gujral Sumeet , Subramanian Papagudi G. , Tembhare Prashant R. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAccurate knowledge of expression patterns/levels of commonly used MRD markers in regenerative normal‐B‐cell‐precursors (BCP) is highly desirable to distinguish leukemic‐blasts from regenerative‐BCP for multicolor flow cytometry (MFC)‐based measurable residual disease (MRD) assessment in B‐lymphoblastic leukemia (B‐ALL). However, the data highlighting therapy‐related immunophenotypic‐shift in regenerative‐BCPs is scarce and limited to small cohort. Herein, we report the in‐depth evaluation of immunophenotypic shift in regenerative‐BCPs from a large cohort of BALL‐MRD samples. Ten‐color MFC‐MRD analysis was performed in pediatric‐BALL at the end‐of‐induction (EOI), end‐of‐consolidation (EOC), and subsequent‐follow‐up (SFU) time‐points. We studied normalized‐mean fluorescent intensity (nMFI) and coefficient‐of‐variation of immunofluorescence (CVIF) of CD10, CD19, CD20, CD34, CD38, and CD45 expression in regenerative‐BCP (early, BCP1 and late, BCP2) from 200 BALL‐MRD samples, and compared them with BCP from 15 regenerating control (RC) TALL‐MRD samples and 20 treatment‐naïve bone‐marrow control (TNSC) samples. Regenerative‐BCP1 showed downregulation in CD10 and CD34 expression with increased CVIF and reduced nMFI (p < 0.001), upregulation of CD20 with increased nMFI (p = 0.014) and heterogeneous CD45 expression with increased CVIF (p < 0.001). Immunophenotypic shift was less pronounced in the BCP2 compared to BCP1 compartment with increased CVIF in all but CD45 (p < 0.05) and reduced nMFI only in CD45 expression (p = 0.005). Downregulation of CD10/CD34 and upregulation of CD20 was higher at EOI than EOC and SFU time‐points (p < 0.001). Regenerative‐BCPs are characterized by the significant immunophenotypic shift in commonly used B‐ALL‐MRD markers, especially CD10 and CD34 expression, as compared to treatment‐naïve BCPs. Therefore, the templates/database for BMRD analysis must be developed using regenerative‐BCP.
Amyloid goiter diagnosis by ultrasound‐guided fine needle aspiration performed by interventional pathologist
Authors: Celis Pinto Juan Carlos , Torres‐Rivas Héctor‐Enrique , Fernández Fernández Luis Manuel , Villar Zarra Karen , de la Paz González Gutiérrez María 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAmyloid goiter (AG) (primary or secondary) is extremely rare. An abdominal fat pad core needle biopsy (CNB) is the diagnostic gold standard for secondary amyloidosis. Although CNB is useful to detect amyloid infiltration of a specific organ, fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) is proven to be the best diagnostic method for thyroid disorders. Guidelines recommend an ultrasound‐guided FNA (US‐FNA) whenever possible. This procedure is usually performed by various interventional specialists, including pathologists, who perform the procedure in addition to validating the adequacy of the sample. We report a rare case of AG diagnosed using US‐FNA performed by a pathologist in a 39‐year‐old patient with systemic amyloidosis. US‐FNA performed by pathologists is a proven, less‐invasive, and cost‐effective tool that ensures acquisition of adequate specimens and reduces nondiagnostic rates of this procedure to ensure timely cytological diagnosis.
Osteoarthritis: Prognosis and emerging therapeutic approach for disease management
Authors: Kumar Amresh , Palit Partha , Thomas Sabu , Gupta Gaurav , Ghosh Parasar , Goswami Rudra Prosad , Kumar Maity Tapan , Dutta Choudhury Manabendra 
Published: September 2020

AbstractOsteoarthritis (OA), a disorder of joints, is prevalent in older age. The contemporary cure for OA is aimed to confer symptomatic relief, consisting of temporary pain and swelling relief. In this paper, we discuss various modalities responsible for the onset of OA and associated with its severity. Inhibition of chondrocytes receptors such as DDR2, SDF‐1, Asporin, and CXCR4 by specific pharmacological inhibitors attenuates OA, a critical step for finding potential disease modifying drugs. We critically analyzed recent OA studies with an emphasis on intermediate target molecules for OA intervention. We also explored some novel and safe treatments for OA by considering disease prognosis crosstalk with cellular signaling pathways.
Improving area of occupancy estimates for parapatric species using distribution models and support vector machines
Authors: Kass Jamie M. , Meenan Sarah I. , Tinoco Nicolás , Burneo Santiago F. , Anderson Robert P. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAs geographic range estimates for the IUCN Red List guide conservation actions, accuracy and ecological realism are crucial. IUCN’s extent of occurrence (EOO) is the general region including the species’ range, while area of occupancy (AOO) is the subset of EOO occupied by the species. Data‐poor species with incomplete sampling present particular difficulties, but species distribution models (SDMs) can be used to predict suitable areas. Nevertheless, SDMs typically employ abiotic variables (i.e., climate) and do not explicitly account for biotic interactions that can impose range constraints. We sought to improve range estimates for data‐poor, parapatric species by masking out areas under inferred competitive exclusion. We did so for two South American spiny pocket mice: Heteromys australis (Least Concern) and Heteromys teleus (Vulnerable due to especially poor sampling), whose ranges appear restricted by competition. For both species, we estimated EOO using SDMs and AOO with four approaches: occupied grid cells, abiotic SDM prediction, and this prediction masked by approximations of the areas occupied by each species’ congener. We made the masks using support vector machines (SVMs) fit with two data types: occurrence coordinates alone; and coordinates along with SDM predictions of suitability. Given the uncertainty in calculating AOO for low‐data species, we made estimates for the lower and upper bounds for AOO, but only make recommendations for H. teleus as its full known range was considered. The SVM approaches (especially the second one) had lower classification error and made more ecologically realistic delineations of the contact zone. For H. teleus, the lower AOO bound (a strongly biased underestimate) corresponded to Endangered (occupied grid cells), while the upper bounds (other approaches) led to Near Threatened. As we currently lack data to determine the species’ true occupancy within the post‐processed SDM prediction, we recommend that an updated listing for H. teleus include these bounds for AOO. This study advances methods for estimating the upper bound of AOO and highlights the need for better ways to produce unbiased estimates of lower bounds. More generally, the SVM approaches for post‐processing SDM predictions hold promise for improving range estimates for other uses in biogeography and conservation.
Jumping the green wall: The use of PNA‐DNA clamps to enhance microbiome sampling depth in wildlife microbiome research
Authors: Víquez‐R Luis , Fleischer Ramona , Wilhelm Kerstin , Tschapka Marco , Sommer Simone 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAs microbiome research moves away from model organisms to wildlife, new challenges for microbiome high‐throughput sequencing arise caused by the variety of wildlife diets. High levels of contamination are commonly observed emanating from the host (mitochondria) or diet (chloroplast). Such high contamination levels affect the overall sequencing depth of wildlife samples thus decreasing statistical power and leading to poor performance in downstream analysis. We developed an amplification protocol utilizing PNA‐DNA clamps to maximize the use of resources and to increase the sampling depth of true microbiome sequences in samples with high levels of plastid contamination. We chose two study organisms, a bat (Leptonyteris yerbabuenae) and a bird (Mimus parvulus), both relying on heavy plant‐based diets that sometimes lead to traces of plant‐based fecal material producing high contamination signals from chloroplasts and mitochondria. On average, our protocol yielded a 13‐fold increase in bacterial sequence amplification compared with the standard protocol (Earth Microbiome Protocol) used in wildlife research. For both focal species, we were able to increase significantly the percentage of sequences available for downstream analyses after the filtering of plastids and mitochondria. Our study presents the first results obtained by using PNA‐DNA clamps to block the PCR amplification of chloroplast and mitochondrial DNA from the diet in the gut microbiome of wildlife. The method involves a cost‐effective molecular technique instead of the filtering out of unwanted sequencing reads. As 33% and 26% of birds and bats, respectively, have a plant‐based diet, the tool that we present here will optimize the sequencing and analysis of wild microbiomes.
Long‐term effects of tree expansion and reduction on soil climate in a semiarid ecosystem
Authors: Roundy Bruce A. , Miller R. F. , Tausch R. J. , Chambers J. C. , Rau B. M. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIn sagebrush ecosystems, pinyon and juniper tree expansion reduces water available to perennial shrubs and herbs. We measured soil water matric potential and temperatures at 13–30 and 50–65 cm soil depths in untreated and treated plots across a range of environmental conditions. We sought to determine the effects of tree expansion, tree reduction treatments, and expansion phase at time of treatment over 12–13 yr post‐treatment. Because the effects of tree reduction on vegetation can vary with the soil temperature/moisture regime, we also analyzed differences in soil climate variables between the mesic/aridic‐xeric and frigid/xeric regime classifications for our sites. Growing conditions during all seasons except spring were greatly limited by lack of available water, low temperatures, or both. Advanced tree expansion reduced wet days (total hours per 24 hr when hourly average soil water matric potential >−1.5 MPa), especially in early spring. Fire and mechanical tree reduction increased wet days and wet degree days (sum of hourly soil temperatures >0°C when soil is wet per 24 hr) compared with no treatment for most seasons. Burning resulted in higher soil temperatures than untreated or mechanically treated woodlands. Tree reduction at advanced expansion phases increased wet days in spring more than when implemented at earlier phases of expansion. Added wet days from tree reduction were negatively associated with October through June precipitation and vegetation cover, rather than time since treatment, with more wet days added on drier sites and years. The longer period of water availability in spring supports increased growth and cover of not only shrubs and perennial herbs, but also invasive weeds on warmer and drier sites, for many years after tree reduction. We found that sites classified as mesic/aridic‐xeric had warmer soil temperatures all seasons and were drier in spring and winter than sites classified as frigid/xeric. Land managers should consider reducing trees at earlier phases of expansion or consider revegetation when treating at advanced phases on these warmer and drier sites that lack perennial herb potential.
Interspecific facilitation mediates the outcome of intraspecific interactions across an elevational gradient
Authors: Raath‐Krüger Morgan J. , Schöb Christian , McGeoch Melodie A. , le Roux Peter C. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractWhere interspecific facilitation favors the establishment of high densities of a beneficiary species, strong intraspecific competition may subsequently impede beneficiary performance. Consequently, the negative influence of intraspecific competition between beneficiary individuals could potentially outweigh the positive influence of interspecific facilitation when, for example, higher densities of a beneficiary are negated by the negative effect of crowding on beneficiary reproduction. The aim of this study was, therefore, to examine the impact of an interspecific interaction on the outcome of intraspecific interactions within the context of plant–plant facilitation. We used the cushion‐forming Azorella selago and a commonly co‐occurring dominant perennial grass species, Agrostis magellanica, on sub‐Antarctic Marion Island as a model system. We assessed the impact of an interspecific interaction (between A. selago and A. magellanica) on the outcome of intraspecific interactions (between A. magellanica individuals), by testing if the impact of A. magellanica density on A. magellanica performance is mediated by its interaction with A. selago. We observed evidence for competition among A. magellanica conspecifics, with a decreasing proportion of A. magellanica individuals being reproductive under higher conspecific density. This negative intraspecific effect was greater on A. selago than on the adjacent substrate, suggesting that the facilitative effect of A. selago changes the intensity of intraspecific interactions between A. magellanica individuals. However, experimentally reducing A. magellanica density did not affect the species’ performance. We also observed that the effect of A. selago on A. magellanica was positive, and despite the negative effect of intraspecific density on the proportion of reproductive A. magellanica individuals, the net reproductive effort of A. magellanica (i.e., the density of reproductive individuals) was significantly greater on A. selago than on the adjacent substrate. These results highlight that, in abiotically severe environments, the positive effects of interspecific facilitation by a benefactor species may outweigh the negative effects of intraspecific competition among beneficiaries. More broadly, these results suggest that both positive inter‐ and intraspecific biotic interactions may be key to consider when examining spatial and temporal variation in species’ performance.
Negative effects of an allelopathic invader on AM fungal plant species drive community‐level responses
Authors: Roche Morgan D. , Pearse Ian S. , Bialic‐Murphy Lalasia , Kivlin Stephanie N. , Sofaer Helen R. , Kalisz Susan 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe mechanisms causing invasive species impact are rarely empirically tested, limiting our ability to understand and predict subsequent changes in invaded plant communities. Invader disruption of native mutualistic interactions is a mechanism expected to have negative effects on native plant species. Specifically, disruption of native plant‐fungal mutualisms may provide non‐mycorrhizal plant invaders an advantage over mycorrhizal native plants. InvasiveAlliaria petiolata(garlic mustard) produces secondary chemicals toxic to soil microorganisms including mycorrhizal fungi, and is known to induce physiological stress and reduce population growth rates of native forest understory plant species. Here, we report on a 11‐yr manipulative field experiment in replicated forest plots testing if the effects of removal of garlic mustard on the plant community support the mutualism disruption hypothesis within the entire understory herbaceous community. We compare community responses for two functional groups: the mycorrhizal vs. the non‐mycorrhizal plant communities. Our results show that garlic mustard weeding alters the community composition, decreases community evenness, and increases the abundance of understory herbs that associate with mycorrhizal fungi. Conversely, garlic mustard has no significant effects on the non‐mycorrhizal plant community. Consistent with the mutualism disruption hypothesis, our results demonstrate that allelochemical producing invaders modify the plant community by disproportionately impacting mycorrhizal plant species. We also demonstrate the importance of incorporating causal mechanisms of biological invasion to elucidate patterns and predict community‐level responses.
Dual‐Carbon‐Confined SnS Nanostructure with High Capacity and Long Cycle Life for Lithium‐ion Batteries
Authors: Lin Min , Cheng Deliang , Liu Jiangwen , Ouyang Liuzhang , Hu Renzong , Liu Jun , Yang Lichun , Zhu Min 
Published: September 2020

SnS with high theoretical capacity is a promising anode material for lithium‐ion batteries. However, dramatic volume changes of SnS during repeated discharge/charge cycles result in fractures or even pulverization of electrode, leading to rapid capacity degradation. To solve this problem, we construct a dual‐carbon‐confined SnS nanostructure (denoted as SnS@C/rGO) by depositing semi‐graphitized carbon layers on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) supported SnS nanoplates during high‐temperature reduction. The dual carbon of rGO and in situ formed carbon coating confines growth of SnS during the high‐temperature calcination. Moreover, during the reversible Li+ storage the dual‐carbon modification enables good electronic conductivity, relieves the volume effect, and provides double insurance for the electrical contact of SnS even after repeated cycles. Benefiting from the dual‐carbon confinement, SnS@C/rGO exhibits significantly enhanced rate capability and cycling stability compared with the bare and single carbon modified SnS. SnS@C/rGO presents reversible capacity of 1029.8 mAh g−1 at 0.2 A g−1. Even at a high current density of 1 A g−1, it initially delivers reversible capacity of 934.0 mAh g−1 and retains 98.2% of the capacity (918.0 mAh g−1) after 330 cycles. This work demonstrates potential application of dual‐carbon modification in the development of electrode materials for high‐performance lithium‐ion batteries.
Reverse electromechanical modelling of diastolic dysfunction in spontaneous hypertensive rat after sacubitril/valsartan therapy
Authors: Sung Yen‐Ling , Lin Ting‐Tse , Syu Jhen‐Yang , Hsu Hung‐Jui , Lin Kai‐Yuan , Liu Yen‐Bin , Lin Shien‐Fong 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAimsHypertension is a significant risk for the development of left ventricular hypertrophy, diastolic dysfunction, followed by heart failure and sudden cardiac death. While therapy with sacubitril/valsartan (SV) reduces the risk of sudden cardiac death in patients with heart failure and systolic dysfunction, the effect on those with diastolic dysfunction remains unclear. We hypothesized that, in the animal model of hypertensive heart disease, treatment with SV reduces the susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmia.Methods and resultsYoung adult female spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHRs) were randomly separated into three groups, which were SHRs, SHRs treated with valsartan, and SHRs treated with SV. In addition, the age‐matched and weight‐matched Wistar Kyoto rats were considered as controls, and there were 12 rats in each group. In vivo ventricular tachyarrhythmia induction and in vitro optical mapping were used to measure the inducibility of ventricular arrhythmias and to characterize the dynamic properties of electrical propagation. The level of small‐conductance Ca2+‐activated potassium channel type 2 (KCNN2) was analysed in cardiac tissue. Compared with SHR with left ventricular hypertrophy, treatment with SV significantly improved cardiac geometry (relative wall thickness, 0.68 ± 0.11 vs. 0.76 ± 0.13, P < 0.05) and diastolic dysfunction (isovolumetric relaxation time, 59.4 ± 3.2 vs. 70.5 ± 4.2 ms, P < 0.05; deceleration time of mitral E wave, 46 ± 4.8 vs. 42 ± 3.8, P < 0.05). The incidence of induced ventricular arrhythmia was significantly reduced in SHR treated with SV compared with SHR (ventricular tachycardia, 1.14 ± 0.32 vs. 2.91 ± 0.5 episodes per 10 stimuli, P < 0.001; ventricular fibrillation, 1.72 ± 0.31 vs. 5.81 ± 0.42 episodes per 10 stimuli, P < 0.001). The prolonged action potential duration (APD) and increase of the maximum slope of APD restitution were observed in SHR, while the treatment of SV improved the arrhythmogeneity (APD, 37.12 ± 6.18 vs. 92.41 ± 10.71 ms at 250 ms pacing cycle length, P < 0.001; max slope 0.29 ± 0.01 vs. 1.48 ± 0.04, P < 0.001). These effects were strongly associated with down‐regulation of KCNN2 (0.38 ± 0.07 vs. 0.74 ± 0.12 ng/ml, P < 0.001). The treatment of SV also decreased the level of N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide, cardiac bridging integrator‐1, and intramyocardial fibrosis of SHR.ConclusionsIn conclusion, synergistic blockade of the neprilysin and the renin–angiotensin system by SV in SHRs results in KCNN2‐associated electrical remodelling in ventricle, which stabilizes electrical dynamics and attenuates arrhythmogenesis.
SECM for Studying the Immobilization and Repartition of a Redox Anti‐tetracycline Aptamer on Screen‐printed Carbon Electrodes
Authors: Alawad Ahmad , Latapie Laure , Evrard David , Gros Pierre , Istamboulie Georges , Noguer Thierry , Calas‐Blanchard Carole 
Published: September 2020

AbstractScanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) is discussed as a versatile tool to provide a unique approach of localized electrochemical information in the context of biosensing research. The step‐by‐step immobilization of DNA aptamer with intrinsic redox activity on screen‐printed carbon electrode (SPCE) was successfully monitored using SECM imaging tool. Control experiments were performed with a non‐electroactive aptamer. After immobilization of these aptamers, SECM images showed the repartition of the electroactive anti‐tetracycline aptamer when comparing with images produced for control and for all modification steps of SPCE. The possibility of tetracycline detection was also proved by causing a decrease in recorded current.
Graphene‐functionalised Olivine Lithium Manganese Phosphate Derivatives for High Performance Lithium‐ion Capacitors
Authors: Hlongwa Ntuthuko W. , Ikpo Chinwe O. , Ndipingwi Miranda M. , Nolly Christopher , Raleie Naledi , Dywili Nomxolisi , Iwuoha Emmanuel I. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractLithium manganese phosphate nanoparticles (LiMnPO4; LMP) as well as the nickel‐doped (LMNP) and graphenised derivatives (G‐LMNP) were synthesized. Electrochemical characteristics of the materials were examined using cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and galvanostatic charge‐discharge. Lithium ion capacitors (LIC) fabricated using LMP and composite materials as positive electrodes and activated carbon as the negative electrode, exhibited a specific capacitance of 60 F g−1 at a current load of 0.1 A g−1 for the AC//G‐LMNP LIC. Capacitance retention of 83 % was obtained by the AC//G‐LMNP LIC after 750 cycles, with a high specific power of 19 kW kg−1 at 0.5 A g−1.