bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is fully expressed in the genital tract, seminal plasma and spermatozoa of male pigs
Authors: Padilla Lorena , Martínez-Hernández Jesús , Barranco Isabel , Lucas Xiomara , Pastor Luis M. , Rodriguez-Martínez Heriberto , Roca Jordi , Parrilla Inmaculada 
Published: August 2020

AbstractGranulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine identified in boar seminal plasma (SP) but until now unexplored in terms of place of production and its association to spermatozoa. This study aimed to explore these aspects by evaluating the presence of GM-CSF in porcine reproductive organs (testes, epididymis and accessory sex glands), SP and mature spermatozoa (from cauda epididymis and ejaculated) using Western blot (WB), immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry. Positive labelling was obtained in tissues, SP and spermatozoa. In reproductive organs, WB revealed three forms of GM-CSF with different glycosylation degrees (15, 31 and 40 kDa). In SP and epididymal fluid, the GM-CSF appeared only in its active form while in spermatozoa the GM-CSF form present varied among sperm sources. Non-viable spermatozoa showed more GM-CSF than viable spermatozoa (14.87 ± 1.98 RU vs. 7.25 ± 0.52 RU) of fluorescence intensity. In conclusion, GM-CSF is widely present in the reproductive tract of male pigs, attached to the spermatozoa already in the epididymis as well as verted to SP. Consequently, the GM-CSF ought to regulate male genital tract and sperm function as well as mediating initial inflammatory responses and further mediating later immune actions by the female to semen deposition.
Manganese-contaminated groundwater treatment by novel bacterial isolates: kinetic study and mechanism analysis using synchrotron-based techniques
Authors: Therdkiattikul Nakharin , Ratpukdi Thunyalux , Kidkhunthod Pinit , Chanlek Narong , Siripattanakul-Ratpukdi Sumana 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe occurrence of manganese in groundwater causes coloured water and pipe rusting in water treatment systems. Consumption of manganese-contaminated water promotes neurotoxicity in humans and animals. Manganese-oxidizing bacteria were isolated from contaminated areas in Thailand for removing manganese from water. The selected bacterium was investigated for its removal kinetics and mechanism using synchrotron-based techniques. Among 21 isolates, Streptomyces violarus strain SBP1 (SBP1) was the best manganese-oxidizing bacterium. At a manganese concentration of 1 mg L−1, SBP1 achieved up to 46% removal. The isolate also successfully removed other metal and metalloid, such as iron (81%) and arsenic (38%). The manganese concentration played a role in manganese removal and bacterial growth. The observed self-substrate inhibition best fit with the Aiba model. Kinetic parameters estimated from the model, including a specific growth rate, half-velocity constant, and inhibitory constant, were 0.095 h−1, 0.453 mg L−1, and 37.975 mg L−1, respectively. The synchrotron-based techniques indicated that SBP1 removed manganese via combination of bio-oxidation (80%) and adsorption (20%). The study is the first report on biological manganese removal mechanism using synchrotron-based techniques. SBP1 effectively removed manganese under board range of manganese concentrations. This result showed the potential use of the isolate for treating manganese-contaminated water.
Transcriptomic analysis delineates potential signature genes and miRNAs associated with the pathogenesis of asthma
Authors: Singh Prithvi , Sharma Archana , Jha Rishabh , Arora Shweta , Ahmad Rafiq , Rahmani Arshad Husain , Almatroodi Saleh A. , Dohare Ravins , Syed Mansoor Ali 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAsthma is a multifarious disease affecting several million people around the world. It has a heterogeneous risk architecture inclusive of both genetic and environmental factors. This heterogeneity can be utilised to identify differentially expressed biomarkers of the disease, which may ultimately aid in the development of more localized and molecularly targeted therapies. In this respect, our study complies with meta-analysis of microarray datasets containing mRNA expression profiles of both asthmatic and control patients, to identify the critical Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs) involved in the pathogenesis of asthma. We found a total of 30 DEGs out of which 13 were involved in the pathway and functional enrichment analysis. Moreover, 5 DEGs were identified as the hub genes by network centrality-based analysis. Most hub genes were involved in protease/antiprotease pathways. Also, 26 miRNAs and 20 TFs having an association with these hub genes were found to be intricated in a 3-node miRNA Feed-Forward Loop. Out of these, miR-34b and miR-449c were identified as the key miRNAs regulating the expression of SERPINB2 gene and SMAD4 transcription factor. Thus, our study is suggestive of certain miRNAs and unexplored pathways which may pave a way to unravel critical therapeutic targets in asthma.
No association between proton pump inhibitor use and ALS risk: a nationwide nested case–control study
Authors: Cetin Hakan , Sun Jiangwei , Almqvist Catarina , Reichardt Berthold , Tomschik Matthias , Zimprich Fritz , Fang Fang , Ingre Caroline 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) has been proposed as a potential risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases, but little is known regarding its role in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We therefore aimed to assess the association of PPI use with the subsequent risk of ALS, and performed a register-based nationwide nested case–control study, including 2,484 ALS cases diagnosed during July 2006–December 2013 in Sweden and 10 population controls per case that were individually matched to the case by sex, age, and area of residence. Dispenses and cumulative defined daily doses (cDDDs) of PPIs were extracted from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register. The association of PPI use with the risk of ALS was assessed using conditional logistic regression, after applying different lag windows to avoid reverse causation. ALS patients were more likely to be dispensed with PPIs before diagnosis than controls. However, previous PPI use was not associated with an increased risk of ALS (OR = 1.08, 95% CI 0.97–1.19), and there was no dose–response relationship between cDDDs of PPIs and ALS risk (p = 0.0874), after excluding dispenses during the year before ALS diagnosis. The results were similar after excluding dispenses during the 2 or 3 years before ALS diagnosis.
Characterization of complex fluvio–deltaic deposits in Northeast China using multi-modal machine learning fusion
Authors: Boateng Cyril D. , Fu Li-Yun , Danuor Sylvester K. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractDue to the lack of petroleum resources, stratigraphic reservoirs have become an important source of future discoveries. We describe a methodology for predicting reservoir sands from complex reservoir seismic data. Data analysis involves a bio-integrated framework called multi-modal machine learning fusion (MMMLF) based on neural networks. First, acoustic-related seismic attributes from post-stack seismic data were used to characterize the reservoirs. They enhanced the understanding of the structure and spatial distribution of petrophysical properties of lithostratigraphic reservoirs. The attributes were then classified as varied modal inputs into a central fusion engine for prediction. We applied the method to a dataset from Northeast China. Using seismic attributes and rock physics relationships as input data, MMMLF was performed to predict the spatial distribution of lithology in the Upper Guantao substrata. Despite the large scattering in the acoustic-related data properties, the proposed MMMLF methodology predicted the distribution of lithological properties through the gamma ray logs. Moreover, complex stratigraphic traps such as braided fluvial sandstones in the fluvio–deltaic deposits were delineated. These findings can have significant implications for future exploration and production in Northeast China and similar petroleum provinces around the world.
Experimental and numerical investigations on the failure processes and mechanisms of composite coal–rock specimens
Authors: Gao Fuqiang , Kang Hongpu , Yang Lei 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBrittle failure is a fundamental failure pattern in many different materials, from small nanoscale materials with single crystals to the large earth crust. Many efforts have been dedicated to understanding the brittle failure mechanisms of individual brittle and semi-brittle materials. Limited studies have been conducted on the brittle failure of composite materials with interaction and energy feedback between different materials. Here we investigated the brittle failure pattern of coal–rock composite materials under uniaxial compression by laboratory tests and numerical simulations. We used a high-speed camera to capture the failure of coal–rock specimens. For all three tested coal–rock combined specimens, the rock failed with a splitting pattern that resulted from a single tensile fracture that developed sub-parallel to the loading direction. We regarded this brittle failure as a sliding-induced tensile fracture from frictional drag that was caused by unequal lateral deformation of the rock and coal under identical axial loading. The tensile crack propagated stably at ~ 0.05 times the Rayleigh wave speed cR. We observed an unstable failure pattern of the coal samples that was characterized by the ejection of small pieces from the coal specimen surface. This behavior is attributed to the strain energy that is stored in the rock specimen, which releases when the coal fails. The excessive strain energy transitions into dynamic energy during coal failure. Our findings provide insight into the brittle failure mechanisms of composite materials and have significant implications at scales relevant to seismicity, engineering applications and geohazards.
A computational structural study on the DNA-protecting role of the tardigrade-unique Dsup protein
Authors: Mínguez-Toral Marina , Cuevas-Zuviría Bruno , Garrido-Arandia María , Pacios Luis F. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe remarkable ability of tardigrades to withstand a wide range of physical and chemical extremes has attracted a considerable interest in these small invertebrates, with a particular focus on the protective roles of proteins expressed during such conditions. The discovery that a tardigrade-unique protein named Dsup (damage suppressor) protects DNA from damage produced by radiation and radicals, has raised expectations concerning its potential applications in biotechnology and medicine. We present in this paper what might be dubbed a “computational experiment” on the Dsup-DNA system. By means of molecular modelling, calculations of electrostatic potentials and electric fields, and all-atom molecular dynamics simulations, we obtained a dynamic picture of the Dsup-DNA interaction. Our results suggest that the protein is intrinsically disordered, which enables Dsup to adjust its structure to fit DNA shape. Strong electrostatic attractions and high protein flexibility drive the formation of a molecular aggregate in which Dsup shields DNA. While the precise mechanism of DNA protection conferred by Dsup remains to be elucidated, our study provides some molecular clues of their association that could be of interest for further investigation in this line.
Hemispheric asymmetry in hand preference of right-handers for passive vibrotactile perception: an fNIRS study
Authors: Jin Sang Hyeon , Lee Seung Hyun , Yang Seung Tae , An Jinung 
Published: August 2020

AbstractHemispheric asymmetry in hand preference for passive cutaneous perception compared to active haptic perception is not well known. A functional near-infrared spectroscopy was used to evaluate the laterality of cortical facilitation when 31 normal right-handed participants were involved in 205 Hz passive vibrotactile cutaneous stimuli on their index fingers of preferred and less-preferred hand. Passive cutaneous perception resulted that preferred (right) hand stimulation was strongly leftward lateralized, whereas less-preferred (left) hand stimulation was less lateralized. This confirms that other manual haptic exploration studies described a higher hemispheric asymmetry in right-handers. Stronger cortical facilitation was found in the right primary somatosensory cortex (S1) and right somatosensory association area (SA) during left-hand stimulation but not right-hand stimulation. This finding suggests that the asymmetric activation in the S1 and SA for less-preferred (left) hand stimulation might contribute to considerably reinforce sensorimotor network just with passive vibrotactile cutaneous stimulation.
The Rnf complex is a Na+ coupled respiratory enzyme in a fermenting bacterium, Thermotoga maritima
Authors: Kuhns Martin , Trifunović Dragan , Huber Harald , Müller Volker 
Published: August 2020

Abstractrnf genes are widespread in bacteria and biochemical and genetic data are in line with the hypothesis that they encode a membrane-bound enzyme that oxidizes reduced ferredoxin and reduces NAD and vice versa, coupled to ion transport across the cytoplasmic membrane. The Rnf complex is of critical importance in many bacteria for energy conservation but also for reverse electron transport to drive ferredoxin reduction. However, the enzyme has never been purified and thus, ion transport could not be demonstrated yet. Here, we have purified the Rnf complex from the anaerobic, fermenting thermophilic bacterium Thermotoga maritima and show that is a primary Na+ pump. These studies provide the proof that the Rnf complex is indeed an ion (Na+) translocating, respiratory enzyme. Together with a Na+-F1FO ATP synthase it builds a simple, two-limb respiratory chain in T. maritima. The physiological role of electron transport phosphorylation in a fermenting bacterium is discussed.
Civic Responsibility and Global Health Care: Audiology Service Learning in Africa
Authors: Pillay Mershen , Ramkissoon Ishara 
Published: August 2020

PurposeMany health professions engage service learning via international humanitarian health care or study abroad programs toward an improved sense of civic responsibility, an aspect that has been inadequately analyzed in hearing health care. The purpose of this study is to evaluate how the curriculum of an international humanitarian health care program in South Africa influenced U.S. graduate students' civic responsibility and their educators' perspectives on audiology study abroad service learning programs.MethodParticipants (n= 14) in this study abroad program included seven female graduate audiology students, five community partners, and two educators. Quantitative data were derived from pre- and postprogram administration of the Public Affairs Scale (Levesque-Bristol & Cornelius-White, 2012). Qualitative data sources included student journals, student exit interview, educator field notes and discussions, and responses to the community partner evaluation survey completed by host site personnel.ResultsA comparison of pre- and postprogram Public Affairs Scale ratings revealed that students demonstrated a significant increase in community engagement, cultural competence, and ethical leadership. Qualitative data revealed themes referenced to practitioners, clients, and context. Further thematic analysis identified three key results including foregrounding health as a development of people, educators and students as critically oriented public intellectuals, and global dialogue for pedagogic (audiology) justice.Discussion and ConclusionCarefully designed study abroad curricular contributed to audiology graduate students' increased service learning, civic responsibility, and civic engagement. Quantitative and qualitative analyses revealed that student service learning experiences were mediated by resources and people in the local context. This study abroad curriculum facilitated educators' thinking regarding the placement of audiology health services and audiology educational models in a globalized world. Health professional pedagogic considerations should be designed for humanitarian health care so that service learning focuses the production of critically oriented practitioners who are competent at enacting practices in global service learning programs.
Determining mass-accretion and jet mass-loss rates in post-asymptotic giant branch binary systems
Authors: Bollen D. , Kamath D. , De Marco O. , Van Winckel H. , Wardle M. 
Published: August 2020

Aims. In this study we determine the morphology and mass-loss rate of jets emanating from the companion in post-asymptotic giant branch (post-AGB) binary stars with a circumbinary disc. In doing so we also determine the mass-accretion rates onto the companion, and investigate the source feeding the circum-companion accretion disc.
Methods. We perform a spatio-kinematic modelling of the jet of two well-sampled post-AGB binaries, BD+46°442 and IRAS 19135+3937, by fitting the orbital phased time series of Hα spectra. Once the jet geometry, velocity, and scaled density structure are computed, we carry out radiative transfer modelling of the jet for the first four Balmer lines to determine the jet densities, thus allowing us to compute the jet mass-loss rates and mass-accretion rates. We distinguish the origin of the accretion by comparing the computed mass-accretion rates with theoretically estimated mass-loss rates, both from the post-AGB star and from the circumbinary disc.
Results. The spatio-kinematic model of the jet reproduces the observed absorption feature in the Hα lines. The jets have an inner region with extremely low density in both objects. The jet model for BD+46°442 is tilted by 15° with respect to the orbital axis of the binary system. IRAS 19135+3937 has a smaller tilt of 6°. Using our radiative transfer model, we find the full 3D density structure of both jets. By combining these results, we can compute the mass-loss rates of the jets, which are of the order of 10−7 − 10−5 M⊙ yr−1. From this we estimate mass-accretion rates onto the companion of 10−6 − 10−4 M⊙ yr−1.
Conclusions. Based on the mass-accretion rates found for these two objects, we conclude that the circumbinary disc is most likely the source feeding the circum-companion accretion disc. This is in agreement with the observed depletion patterns in post-AGB binaries, which is caused by re-accretion of gas from the circumbinary disc that is under-abundant in refractory elements. The high accretion rates from the circumbinary disc imply that the lifetime of the disc will be short. Mass transfer from the post-AGB star cannot be excluded in these systems, but it is unlikely to provide a sufficient mass-transfer rate to sustain the observed jet mass-loss rates.
Analyse élémentaire : Des matériaux sans étalonnage
Authors: Hermann Jörg , Shen Chao , Hermann Antonio , Aleixo da Luz Olivier , Taleb Aya , Pelascini Frédéric 
Published: August 2020

La mesure de la composition élémentaire d’un matériau nécessite habituellement un étalonnage à l’aide de références de composition proche du matériau à analyser. Cela implique de connaître la composition du matériau et d’avoir à disposition des étalons adéquats.
La spectroscopie du plasma induit par laser permet de s’affranchir de cette étape d’étalonnage et de réaliser une analyse basée sur la comparaison d’un spectre mesuré avec le spectre calculé à l’aide d’un modèle : c’est l’approche « calibration-free ».
Wirtschaftliche Aspekte in der Mikrochirurgie: Bericht zum Konsensus-Workshop der Deutschsprachigen Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Mikrochirurgie der peripheren Nerven und Gefäße – (DAM)
Authors: Braig David , Behr Björn , Cerny Michael K. , Harder Yves , Schaefer Dirk Johannes , Giunta Riccardo , Radtke Christine , Bergmeister Konstantin D , Klein Holger J. , Taeger Christian D. , Bader Rolf-Dieter , Eisenhardt Steffen U. 
Published: August 2020

ZusammenfassungIm Zuge des zunehmenden Kostendrucks im Gesundheitssystem werden Therapien neben ihrer Qualität zunehmend auch hinsichtlich ihrer Wirtschaftlichkeit bewertet. Mikrochirurgische Eingriffe haben sich vor allem im Langzeitverlauf in vielen Bereichen als funktionell und ästhetisch überlegen gezeigt. Im Vergleich zu Alternativeingriffen sind sie aber auf Grund ihrer Komplexität sowie langen Operationszeiten und stationären Verweildauern mit hohen Kosten verbunden. Damit diese langfristig in hoher Qualität angeboten werden können, muss entsprechend von Seiten der Kostenträger, insbesondere auch bei interdisziplinären Eingriffen, eine adäquate, kostendeckende Vergütung erfolgen. Um einen korrekten DRG-Erlös zu erhalten sollten daher neben der Hauptdiagnose auch die relevanten Nebendiagnosen und Prozeduren richtig und vollständig dokumentiert werden. Auch der finanzielle Mehrwert eines interdisziplinären Eingriffs lässt sich durch die Erhöhung des Erlöses mit mikrochirurgischem Operationsanteil errechnen.Zwischen den Kliniken eines Krankenhauses sollte daher eine interdisziplinäre Erlösaufteilung stattfinden. Für eine faire und transparente interdisziplinäre Leistungsverrechnung existieren mehrere Modelle, mit denen alle beteiligten Kliniken einen Mehrwert erwirtschaften können. Leider bestehen an vielen Krankenhäusern unzureichende interdisziplinäre Vergütungsmodelle, welche eine qualitativ hochwertige, kostendeckende Patientenversorgung mit mikrochirurgischen Eingriffen erschweren. Ungeachtet des zunehmenden Kostendrucks und nicht medizinischer wirtschaftlicher Aspekte muss unser Handeln als Arzt immer die bestmögliche Patientenversorgung sicherstellen.
Therapeutic Patient Education for Adrenal Insufficiency under
COVID-19 Pandemic Conditions
Authors: Kienitz Tina , Hahner Stefanie , Burger-Stritt Stephanie , Quinkler Marcus 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAdrenal insufficiency (AI) requires life-long treatment with glucocorticoid
replacement therapy. Over- or under-substitution carries the risk of
increased morbidity in the form of side effects or adrenal crises.
Glucocorticoid replacement therapy needs to be flexible with dose adaptation
in special situations. This could not be managed by medical personnel on a
daily basis, but requires an educated patient who has a good knowledge of
the disease, understands his medical therapy and is able to perform
situational dose adaptation. The rarity of the disease in combination with
the need to respond to stressful situations with rapid glucocorticoid dose
adjustment underlines that a well-trained patient is crucial for optimal
management of the disease.In this literature review we provide background information further
clarifying the need of education in patients with AI including the current
shortcomings of medical therapy and of the treatment of patients with AI. We
outline the aims of therapeutic patient education, present the concept of
structured patient education in Germany, and discuss available results of
patient group education programs. Furthermore, we propose strategies how
therapeutic patient education for adrenal insufficiency can be organized
under COVID-19 pandemic conditions.