bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification of potential candidate genes and pathways in atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia by whole‐exome sequencing
Authors: Luo Rong , Zheng Chenqing , Yang Hao , Chen Xuepin , Jiang Panpan , Wu Xiushan , Yang Zhenglin , Shen Xia , Li Xiaoping 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundAtrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT) is the most common manifestation of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT). Increasing data have indicated familial clustering and participation of genetic factors in AVNRT, and no pathogenic genes related to AVNRT have been reported.MethodsWhole‐exome sequencing (WES) was performed in 82 patients with AVNRT and 100 controls. Reference genes, genome‐wide association analysis, gene‐based collapsing, and pathway enrichment analysis were performed. A protein‐protein interaction (PPI) network was then established; WES database in the UK Biobank and one only genetic study of AVNRT in Denmark were used for external data validation.ResultsAmong 95 reference genes, 126 rare variants in 48 genes were identified in the cases (minor allele frequency < 0.001). Gene‐based collapsing analysis and pathway enrichment analysis revealed six functional pathways related to AVNRT as with neuronal system/neurotransmitter release cycles and ion channel/cardiac conduction among the top 30 enriched pathways, and then 36 candidate pathogenic genes were selected. By combining with PPI analysis, 10 candidate genes were identified, including RYR2, NOS1, SCN1A, CFTR, EPHB4, ROBO1, PRKAG2, MMP2, ASPH, and ABCC8. From the UK Biobank database, 18 genes from candidate genes including SCN1A, PRKAG2, NOS1, and CFTR had rare variants in arrhythmias, and the rare variants in PIK3CB, GAD2, and HIP1R were in patients with PSVT. Moreover, one rare variant of RYR2 (c.4652A > G, p.Asn1551Ser) in our study was also detected in the Danish study. Considering the gene functional roles and external data validation, the most likely candidate genes were SCN1A, PRKAG2, RYR2, CFTR, NOS1, PIK3CB, GAD2, and HIP1R.ConclusionThe preliminary results first revealed potential candidate genes such as SCN1A, PRKAG2, RYR2, CFTR, NOS1, PIK3CB, GAD2, and HIP1R, and the pathways mediated by these genes, including neuronal system/neurotransmitter release cycles or ion channels/cardiac conduction, might be involved in AVNRT.
Effect of local toroidal flow on double‐tearing modes in cylindrical geometry
Authors: Zhang Ruibo , Lu Xingqiang , Guo Wei , Yin Chenyan , Gong Xueyu 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe effect of local toroidal flow (LTF) on double‐tearing modes (DTMs) is investigated in cylindrical geometry using the reduced magnetohydrodynamics (RMHD) model. The results indicate that the LTF between the two rational surfaces is the dominant suppression effect on DTMs. The suppression effect is enhanced with the flow width increasing, and the DTMs become more stable with the increase of the shear of the LTF between the two rational surfaces. So, in the reversed shear magnetic field configuration, the local flow is driven between the two rational surfaces, which can effectively suppress the development of DTMs and maintain the high‐performance state.
An outlook on procedures of conjugating folate to (co)polymers and drugs for effective cancer targeting
Authors: Kharkar Prashant S. , Soni Govind , Rathod Vaibhavi , Shetty Saritha , Gupta M. K. , Yadav Khushwant S. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractFolate receptors (FRs) are expressed in vast majority of cancers. Selective targeting of the FRs is, therefore, one of the most popular and sought‐after strategies for improving the efficacy of cancer therapeutics. Variety of approaches involving folate conjugation to several well‐known and novel, nontoxic, biodegradable, and biocompatible (co)polymers have been attempted and successfully applied to a large number of nanoparticulate drug delivery systems (micelles, liposomes, nanoparticles, quantum dots, mesoporous silica‐based materials, and others) in the last decade‐and‐a‐half. Standard and novel synthetic approaches were utilized for the conjugation, followed by the formulation of the drug delivery modality. In most of the cases, the targeted system lived up to its reputation, validating its usefulness in targeted cancer therapeutics. The present review summarizes the progress and state‐of‐the‐art synthetic methodologies for folate conjugation to (co)polymers, drugs, and nucleic acids. The limitations of the FR targeting are discussed in brief to give the reader the other side of the story. Finally, the information on marketed folic acid conjugates highlight their industrial applications.
Direct and indirect effect of cannibalism and intraguild predation in the two siblingHarmonialadybird beetles
Authors: Rasekh Arash , Osawa Naoya 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIn this study, we focused on the direct (i.e., predation) and indirect (i.e., potential threat from coexisting with a larger individual) effects of cannibalism and intraguild predation (IGP) during larval stages of two sibling ladybird beetles. These effects play an important role in the coexistence of the generalist–commonHarmonia axyridisand specialist–rareH. yedoensis(Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Direct predation effect of cannibalism and IGP was asymmetric in the two sibling ladybird beetles; the fourth instar larvae ofH.axyridiswere better intraguild predators than cannibals, while the reverse was true in the larvae ofH. yedoensis. Neither cannibalism nor IGP significantly affected female body weight in either species. LarvalH.axyridissurviving exposure to cannibalism or IGP had a reduced number of ovarioles as adults, whereas adultH. yedoensisovarioles were not affected. For the indirect effects, longer developmental times in males and females and a lower total number of ovarioles in females were detected inH.axyridis. InH. yedoensis, shorter developmental time of males, lighter adult weight and fewer total ovarioles in females were observed. Olfactometer choice experiments clarified that the fourth instar larvae ofH.axyridisavoided the first instar conspecific larvae, while those ofH. yedoensiswere attracted to the odors fromH.axyridisand conspecifics. Thus,H.axyridishas an avoidance mechanism only for cannibalism but not for IGP,whereasH. yedoensisdoes not have any avoidance mechanism. These different behaviors in the direct and indirect effects of cannibalism and IGP observed in the laboratory may play important roles in the coexistence of generalist–commonH.axyridisand specialist–rareH. yedoensisin natural conditions, compensating for the large handicap ofH. yedoensisat reproductive interference fromH.axyridis.
Lunar synchronization of daily activity patterns in a crepuscular avian insectivore
Authors: Evens Ruben , Kowalczyk Céline , Norevik Gabriel , Ulenaers Eddy , Davaasuren Batmunkh , Bayargur Soddelgerekh , Artois Tom , Åkesson Susanne , Hedenström Anders , Liechti Felix , Valcu Mihai , Kempenaers Bart 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBiological rhythms of nearly all animals on earth are synchronized with natural light and are aligned to day‐and‐night transitions. Here, we test the hypothesis that the lunar cycle affects the nocturnal flight activity of European Nightjars (Caprimulgus europaeus). We describe daily activity patterns of individuals from three different countries across a wide geographic area, during two discrete periods in the annual cycle. Although the sample size for two of our study sites is small, the results are clear in that on average individual flight activity was strongly correlated with both local variation in day length and with the lunar cycle. We highlight the species’ sensitivity to changes in ambient light and its flexibility to respond to such changes in different parts of the world.
Population status and ecology of theSalmo truttacomplex in an Italian river basin under multiple anthropogenic pressures
Authors: Carosi Antonella , Ghetti Lucia , Padula Rosalba , Lorenzoni Massimo 
Published: June 2020

AbstractSalmonids inhabiting Mediterranean rivers are of particular concern for biodiversity conservation, as they are threatened by various stressors, including habitat alterations, overfishing, climate change, and introgressive hybridization with alien species. In the Tiber River basin (Central Italy), genetic introgression phenomena of the nativeSalmo cettiiwith the non‐nativeSalmo truttahinder the separate analysis of the two species, which are both included in theS. truttacomplex. Little is known about the factors currently limiting the trout populations in this area, particularly with respect to climate change. With the intention of filling this gap, the aims of the current study were to (a) quantify changes in the climate and (b) analyze the distribution, status, and ecology of trout populations, in the context of changing abiotic conditions over the last decades. Fish stock assessments were carried out by electrofishing during three census periods (1998–2004, 2005–2011, and 2012–2018) at 129 sites. The trend over time of meteorological parameters provided evidence for increased air temperature and decreased rainfall. Multivariate analysis of trout densities and environmental data highlighted the close direct correlation of trout abundance with water quality, altitude, and current speed. Climate‐induced effects observed over time in the sites where trout were sampled have not yet led to local extinctions or distribution shifts, indicating a marked resilience of trout, probably due to the buffering effect of intrinsic population dynamics. Decreasing body conditions over time and unbalanced age structures support the hypothesis that variations in hydraulic regime and water temperature could overcome these compensatory effects, which may lead to a severe decline in trout populations in the near future. In a climate change context, habitat availability plays a key role in the distribution of cold‐water species, which often do not have the possibility to move upstream to reach their thermal optimum because of water scarcity in the upper river stretches.
A novel approach for multimodality medical image fusion over secure environment
Authors: Kumar Pardeep , Diwakar Manoj 
Published: June 2020

SummaryAn emerging trend to deal with the issue of multimodality medical image fusion over the secure communication environment is required. Hence, this paper presents a human visual fusion algorithm for medical images such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging which is based on the nonsubsampled shearlet transform (NSST) over the secure environment. Initially, the images are decayed through NSST into low and detailed highlights. The neighborhood aggregate of correlation‐based movement measures is proposed to intertwine the low frequency and sum‐modified‐Laplacian‐based fusion is utilized on detail subbands of NSST. After getting a fused image, a method noise thresholding approach is utilized to improve the accuracy of the proposed method. As a result, more accurate fused images is received. To measure the proposed method accuracy, the results of the fused images are also tested over the secure environment where encrypted/decrypted fused images are obtained using the random generator method. These decrypted fused images are also analyzed with original fused images with the proposed method as well as existing methods. From result analysis, it is observed that the proposed technique is better in holding a bone, calcification, cerebrospinal liquid, edema, and tumor subtleties of the source images and is more accurate than other existing fusion methods.
In vitro fermentation and camellia oil emulsification characteristics of konjac glucomannan octenyl succinate
Authors: Meng Fan‐Bing , Zhang Qian , Li Yun‐Cheng , Liu Shu‐Yan , Liu Da‐Yu , Yu Hua 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIt is important to select an appropriate emulsifier to overcome the poor stability and dispersibility of the vegetable oils in food system. Previous studies suggest that OSA‐modified konjac glucomannan (KGOS) has potential to be used as a food emulsifier. In this study, in vitro fermentation suggested that KGOS could promote the growth of the important intestinal probiotics Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium and then promote intestinal fermentation to produce gas and short chain fatty acids. The emulsification experiments indicated that KGOS had good emulsification ability and stability for camellia oil. Under 40 MPa for 90 s homogenization, 0.2% (w/w) KGOS could encapsulate 20% (w/w) camellia oil. The nanoemulsion was stable at a low pH and high concentration of NaCl and ethanol. Konjac glucomannan octenyl succinate encapsulation could prevent the oxidation of camellia oil at 25°C and storage for 30 days.
Heat and mass transfer flow over a stretching surface with Ohmic heating and chemical reaction
Authors: Mishra Satyaranjan , Mohanty Banani 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe present study analyzes the effect of chemical reaction on an unsteady magnetohydrodynamic boundary layer viscous fluid over a stretching surface embedded in a porous medium with a uniform transverse magnetic field. A Darcy‐Forchheimer drag force model is employed to simulate the effect of second‐order porous resistance. Dissipative heat energy based on both viscous and Joule dissipation along with a heat source/sink is considered to enhance the energy equation. Similarity analysis is imposed to transform the governing differential equations into a set of nonlinear coupled ordinary differential equations. These sets of equations are solved numerically using the Runge‐Kutta fourth‐order scheme followed by the shooting algorithm. The effects of physical parameters such as magnetic field, Prandtl number, Eckert number, Schmidt number, unsteadiness parameter, and chemical reaction parameters have been discussed on velocity, temperature, and concentration fields. Computation for the coefficient of skin friction, rate of heat and mass transfer is done and presented in a table for validation of the present outcomes.
Role of microRNAs in Staphylococcus aureus infection: Potential biomarkers and mechanism
Authors: Mirzaei Rasoul , Mohammadzadeh Rokhsareh , Mirzaei Hamed , Sholeh Mohammad , Karampoor Sajad , Abdi Milad , Alikhani Mohammad Yousef , Kazemi Sima , Ahmadyousefi Yaghoub , Jalalifar Saba , Yousefimashouf Rasoul 
Published: June 2020

AbstractStaphylococcus aureus is known as a common pathogen that colonizes 30% of healthy humans. Additionally, this bacterium can cause a number of serious infections, that is, endocarditis, bacteremia, pneumonia, wound, skin infections, and tissue abscesses. A variety of cellular and molecular pathways and targets are involved in response against S. aureus. Among them, microRNAs (miRNAs) have crucial roles in response against S. aureus. In this regard, it has been shown that these molecules exert their regulatory roles via modulating a wide range of events, such as inflammatory reactions, host innate, and adaptive immunity. Current works have provided insight into the crucial involvement of miRNAs in immune defense toward Staphylococcal infections. Herein, we highlighted the current findings on the deregulation of different miRNAs in S. aureus‐infected cells. Moreover, we summarized the mechanisms and targets of miRNAs in S. aureus infections.
Splintered politics of memory and community resistance
Authors: Cornell Josephine , Seedat Mohamed , Malherbe Nick , Suffla Shahnaaz 
Published: June 2020

AbstractOral history presents an especially effective way of exploring the multitudinous, contradictory, and contextual meanings that are attached to the notion of community. In this study, we argue for narrative‐discourse analysis as a critical means of studying contested community memories. We rely on focus group discussions and individual interviews to explore oral histories of state‐sanctioned relocation of residents of Thembelihle, a low‐income community in Johannesburg, South Africa. Our analysis revealed the sharply splintered politics that characterizes oral histories of this community. We argue that oral histories, in their contradictory and visceral fullness, are able to point toward a politics of resistance that is sensitive to inequalities, and that are willed toward emancipatory future‐building. We conclude by underlining the need for community psychologists to engage with a politics of memory that is sensitive to power differentials, historiography, and broader currents of oppression.
Decrease in fasting insulin secretory function correlates with significant liver fibrosis in Japanese non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease patients
Authors: Araki Norimasa , Takahashi Hirokazu , Takamori Ayako , Kitajima Yoichiro , Hyogo Hideyuki , Sumida Yoshio , Tanaka Saiyu , Anzai Keizo , Aishima Shinichi , Chayama Kazuaki , Fujimoto Kazuma , Eguchi Yuichiro 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackground and AimNon‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is typically associated with metabolic syndrome and diabetes, and insulin resistance is involved in its pathogenesis. However, the relationship between insulin secretion and NAFLD is unclear. We aimed to characterize the relationship between fasting insulin secretory function (ISF), evaluated using the homeostatic model assessment‐beta cell function (HOMA‐β) and the severity of fibrosis during NAFLD.MethodsA‐β was calculated in 188 patients with biopsy‐confirmed NAFLD, and the correlations between Log HOMA‐β and clinical parameters, including hepatic fibrosis, were calculated.ResultsLog HOMA‐β was significantly lower in NAFLD patients with significant fibrosis (stages 2–4) than in those in the early stages (stages 0–1) (median [interquartile range]) (2.1 [1.9–2.4] vs 2.0 [1.8–2.2], P = 0.04). The prevalence of significant fibrosis decreased with increasing Log HOMA‐β: it was 59.2% in participants with low ISF (Log HOMA‐β < 1.85), 43.6% in those with intermediate ISF (1.85 ≤ Log HOMA‐β < 2.25), and 68.0% in those with high ISF (Log HOMA‐β ≥ 2.25). Patients with lower Log HOMA‐β had lower current body mass index (BMI), BMI at 20 years of age, and peak lifetime BMI than patients with intermediate or high Log HOMA‐β.ConclusionsFasting ISF decreased alongside the development of liver fibrosis in NAFLD, suggesting that an impaired β cell function has a characteristic finding of significant liver fibrosis in relatively nonobese Japanese patients.
Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of 320 deceased patients with COVID‐19 in an Italian Province: A retrospective observational study
Authors: Biagi Andrea , Rossi Luca , Malagoli Alessandro , Zanni Alessia , Sticozzi Concetta , Comastri Greta , Gandolfi Stefano , Villani Giovanni Quinto 
Published: June 2020

AbstractStudies have described clinical features of patients with coronavirus disease (COVID‐19). However, limited data concerning the clinical characteristics of the Italian deaths are available. We aim to describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of 320 deceased from the Italian experience. We retrospectively collected all consecutive non‐survivor patients with laboratory‐confirmed COVID‐19 infection admitted to the Emergency Rooms (ERs) Piacenza Hospital Network during the first month of COVID‐19 pandemic in Italy. Clinical history, comorbidities, laboratory findings and treatment were recorded for each patient. A total of 1050 patients with confirmed COVID‐19 pneumonia were admitted to the ERs between 24 February and 22 March 2020. Three hundred and twenty (30.5%) patients died with a median age of 78.0 years, 205 (64%) non‐survivors were above 65 years old, 230 (71.9%) were male. Non‐survivor patients showed frequently several coexisting medical conditions, with hypertension being the most common comorbidity (235 patients, 73.4%). The in‐hospital mortality did not change during the progression of the pandemic. In this retrospective Italian study, most of COVID‐19 deceased patients were elderly male aged over than 65 years. Hypertension was the most common coexisting disease. In‐hospital mortality was high and showed no variation during the first month of the COVID‐19 italian epidemic.
Fibrinolytic protease fromBacillus cereusS46: Purification, characterization, and evaluation of its in vitro thrombolytic potential
Authors: D'Souza Desrie H. , Bhattacharya Sourav , Das Arijit 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIntravascular thrombosis is a prime cause of cardiac complications worldwide. Microbial fibrinolytic proteases are of clinical significance in thrombosis treatment. The present study discusses the purification and characterization of a protease fromBacillus cereusS46, ascertaining its in vitro thrombolytic activity against a blood clot. By the three‐step purification involving precipitation, dialysis, and diethylaminoethyl‐cellulose ion‐exchange chromatography, a 12.37‐fold purification of the enzyme to homogeneity was achieved. The apparent molecular mass of the protease was 30 kDa, as found by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The optimum activity of the enzyme was observed at pH 8.0 and 40°C. The enzyme retained an 82.19% residual activity at pH 8.0 and 40°C for 1 h. TheKmandVmaxvalues of the protease with casein were 0.0027 mM and 9.712 µmol/min, respectively. In an in vitro assay, the purified protease resulted in 97.02% lysis of the blood clot. The fibrinolytic potential of the enzyme, together with its characteristics of being active and stable under near‐physiological conditions, may suggest its application as a therapeutic agent.
Fighting big data and ensemble fatigue in climate change impact studies: Can we turn the ensemble cascade upside down?
Authors: Van Uytven E. , De Niel J. , Meert P. , Wolfs V. , Willems P. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractClimate change impact modellers consider the availability of large ensembles of climate model results more and more as problematic. They experience big data or ensemble fatigue and face computational limits. This study proposes an ensemble design approach based on clustering of the climate model skill, climate change signals and statistical downscaling skill, and investigates its potential for ensemble size reduction. The proposed approach is demonstrated for river and urban hydrological impact studies in Belgium, considering the average winter (summer) precipitation amount and extreme daily winter (summer) precipitation amount with a 10‐year return period. The analysis starts from an original 240 membered multi‐ensemble (48 climate models and 5 statistical downscaling methods) and is reduced to 8 (12) members for the average seasonal winter (summer) precipitation amount and 18 (22) for the extreme daily winter (summer) precipitation amount. The range of the impact results by the original multi‐ensemble is generally preserved. However, in some cases, the reduced ensemble shows biased impact results. The cluster analysis confirms the dependence between statistical downscaling methods and points to the interaction between climate models and statistical downscaling methods.