bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cortisol metabolism in pregnancies with small for gestational age neonates
Authors: Siemiątkowska Anna , Kosicka Katarzyna , Szpera-Goździewicz Agata , Krzyścin Mariola , Bręborowicz Grzegorz H. , Główka Franciszek K. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractSmall for gestational age (SGA) newborns are often born from hypertensive pregnancies. This study aimed to compare the systemic metabolism of cortisol (F) in pregnancies with SGA and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants, considering both the normotensive (NT) and hypertensive patients. We hypothesized that the disturbances in systemic metabolism of F in pre-eclampsia (PE) might be attributed not to hypertension only, but to SGA. The study included 117 pregnants in the third trimester, divided into groups: NT pregnancy and SGA neonate (SGA-NT); NT pregnancy and AGA neonate (AGA-NT; controls), and respective groups with PE: SGA-PE and AGA-PE. We assessed the glucocorticoid balance with the function of enzymes involved in systemic metabolism of F: 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 and 2 (11β-HSD1 and 11β-HSD2), 5α- and 5β-reductase. The enzymes’ functions were estimated with the levels of F, cortisone (E), and their metabolites in plasma or urine, which we measured with HPLC-FLD and HPLC-MS/MS. The plasma F/E and urinary free F/E (UFF/UFE) ratios correlated significantly only in patients with the normal function of 5α- and 5β-reductase. The increased function of 11β-HSD2 was noted in all pre-eclamptic pregnancies. Increased function of 5α- and 5β-reductase was specific only for SGA-PE pregnancies, and the function of 5α-reductase was dependent on fetal sex. The SGA-NT pregnancies with male fetuses trended towards the higher function of renal 11β-HSD2 and 5β-reductase; SGA-NT pregnancies with female fetuses lacked any systemic glucocorticoid imbalance. In conclusion, systemic metabolism of F is the most intensive in pre-eclamptic pregnancies complicated by SGA with female fetuses. Our study supports the hypothesis about the different origins of PE and idiopathic intrauterine growth restriction and suggests the sex-specific mechanisms responsible for fetal growth restriction.
miR302a and 122 are deregulated in small extracellular vesicles from ARPE-19 cells cultured with H2O2
Authors: Oltra Maria , Vidal-Gil Lorena , Maisto Rosa , Oltra Sara S. , Romero Francisco Javier , Sancho-Pelluz Javier , Barcia Jorge Miguel 
Published: November 2019

AbstractAge related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common retina-related disease leading to blindness. Little is known on the origin of the disease, but it is well documented that oxidative stress generated in the retinal pigment epithelium and choroid neovascularization are closely involved. The study of circulating miRNAs is opening new possibilities in terms of diagnosis and therapeutics. miRNAs can travel associated to lipoproteins or inside small Extracellular Vesicles (sEVs). A number of reports indicate a significant deregulation of circulating miRNAs in AMD and experimental approaches, but it is unclear whether sEVs present a significant miRNA cargo. The present work studies miRNA expression changes in sEVs released from ARPE-19 cells under oxidative conditions (i.e. hydrogen peroxide, H2O2). H2O2 increased sEVs release from ARPE-19 cells. Moreover, 218 miRNAs could be detected in control and H2O2 induced-sEVs. Interestingly, only two of them (hsa-miR-302a and hsa-miR-122) were significantly under-expressed in H2O2-induced sEVs. Results herein suggest that the down regulation of miRNAs 302a and 122 might be related with previous studies showing sEVs-induced neovascularization after oxidative challenge in ARPE-19 cells.
High crop load and low temperature delay the onset of bud initiation in apple
Authors: Kofler Julian , Milyaev Anton , Capezzone Filippo , Stojnić Slobodan , Mićić Nikola , Flachowsky Henryk , Hanke Magda-Viola , Wünsche Jens-Norbert 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe reproductive cycle of apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) starts with the induction of floral development, however, first morphological changes within the bud appear during the following period of bud initiation. This study identifies the onset and duration of bud initiation in the apple cultivars ‘Fuji’ and ‘Gala’, characterized by biennial and non-biennial bearing behaviour, respectively, and describes the effect of crop load and heat accumulation on the temporal pattern of floral development. The onset of flower bud initiation in heavy cropping ‘Gala’ trees was delayed for 20 days compared to trees with no crop load, but the rate of initiation was not affected by crop load. Bud initiation on heavy cropping ‘Fuji’ trees was minor, whereas trees with no crop load started initiating buds 19 days earlier than those of ‘Gala’ despite the same cropping status and growing degree hours in a given year. The onset of bud initiation in ‘Fuji’ ‘off’ trees was 5 and 20 days after summer solstice, respectively, in two consecutive growing seasons, suggesting that this process is driven by heat accumulation rather than by daylength. The results indicate, that the genetic make-up of the cultivar determines the onset of bud initiation. This can be delayed by increasing crop loads and low temperatures at the beginning of the flower formation process.
Laryngeal vibration as a non-invasive neuromodulation therapy for spasmodic dysphonia
Authors: Khosravani Sanaz , Mahnan Arash , Yeh I-Ling , Aman Joshua E. , Watson Peter J. , Zhang Yang , Goding George , Konczak Jürgen 
Published: November 2019

AbstractSpasmodic dysphonia (SD) is an incurable focal dystonia of the larynx that impairs speech and communication. Vibro-tactile stimulation (VTS) alters afferent proprioceptive input to sensorimotor cortex that controls speech. This proof-of-concept study examined the effect of laryngeal VTS on speech quality and cortical activity in 13 SD participants who vocalized the vowel /a/ while receiving VTS for 29 minutes. In response to VTS, 9 participants (69%) exhibited a reduction of voice breaks and/or a meaningful increase insmoothed cepstral peak prominence, an acoustic measure of voice/speech quality. Symptom improvements persisted for 20 minutes past VTS. Application of VTS induced a significant suppression of theta band power over the left somatosensory-motor cortex and a significant rise of gamma rhythm over right somatosensory-motor cortex. Such suppression of theta oscillations is observed in patients with cervical dystonia who apply effective sensory tricks, suggesting that VTS in SD may activate a similar neurophysiological mechanism. Results of this feasibility study indicate that laryngeal VTS modulates neuronal synchronization over sensorimotor cortex, which can induce short-term improvements in voice quality. The effects of long-term VTS and its optimal dosage for treating voice symptoms in SD are still unknown and require further systematic study.
Open-Source Remote Gait Analysis: A Post-Surgery Patient Monitoring Application
Authors: Gurchiek Reed D. , Choquette Rebecca H. , Beynnon Bruce D. , Slauterbeck James R. , Tourville Timothy W. , Toth Michael J. , McGinnis Ryan S. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractCritical to digital medicine is the promise of improved patient monitoring to allow assessment and personalized intervention to occur in real-time. Wearable sensor-enabled observation of physiological data in free-living conditions is integral to this vision. However, few open-source algorithms have been developed for analyzing and interpreting these data which slows development and the realization of digital medicine. There is clear need for open-source tools that analyze free-living wearable sensor data and particularly for gait analysis, which provides important biomarkers in multiple clinical populations. We present an open-source analytical platform for automated free-living gait analysis and use it to investigate a novel, multi-domain (accelerometer and electromyography) asymmetry measure for quantifying rehabilitation progress in patients recovering from surgical reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Asymmetry indices extracted from 41,893 strides were more strongly correlated (r = −0.87, p < 0.01) with recovery time than standard step counts (r = 0.25, p = 0.52) and significantly differed between patients 2- and 17-weeks post-op (p < 0.01, effect size: 2.20–2.96), and controls (p < 0.01, effect size: 1.74–4.20). Results point toward future use of this open-source platform for capturing rehabilitation progress and, more broadly, for free-living gait analysis.
Amplified Spontaneous Emission Threshold Reduction and Operational Stability Improvement in CsPbBr3 Nanocrystals Films by Hydrophobic Functionalization of the Substrate
Authors: De Giorgi Maria Luisa , Krieg Franziska , Kovalenko Maksym V. , Anni Marco 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe use of lead halide perovskites in optoelectronic and photonic devices is mainly limited by insufficient long-term stability of these materials. This issue is receiving growing attention, mainly owing to the operational stability improvement of lead halide perosvkites solar cells. On the contrary, fewer efforts are devoted to the stability improvement of light amplification and lasing. In this report we demonstrate that a simple hydrophobic functionalization of the substrates with hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) allows to strongly improve the Amplified Spontaneous Emission (ASE) properties of drop cast CsPbBr3 nanocrystal (NC) thin films. In particular we observe an ASE threshold decrease down to 45% of the value without treatment, an optical gain increase of up to 1.5 times and an ASE operational stability increase of up to 14 times. These results are ascribed to a closer NC packing in the films on HMDS treated substrate, allowing an improved energy transfer towards the larger NCs within the NC ensemble, and to the reduction of the film interaction with moisture. Our results propose hydrophobic functionalization of the substrates as an easy approach to lower the ASE and lasing thresholds, while simultaneously increasing the active material stability.
Antennal transcriptome analyses and olfactory protein identification in an important wood-boring moth pest, Streltzoviella insularis (Lepidoptera: Cossidae)
Authors: Yang Yuchao , Li Wenbo , Tao Jing , Zong Shixiang 
Published: November 2019

AbstractOlfaction plays key roles in insect survival and reproduction, such as feeding, courtship, mating, and oviposition. The olfactory-based control strategies have been developed an important means for pest management. Streltzoviella insularis is a destructive insect pest of many street tree species, and characterization of its olfactory proteins could provide targets for the disruption of their odour recognition processes and for urban forestry protection. In this study, we assembled the antennal transcriptome of S. insularis by next-generation sequencing and annotated the main olfactory multi-gene families, including 28 odorant-binding proteins (OBPs), 12 chemosensory proteins (CSPs), 56 odorant receptors (ORs), 11 ionotropic receptors (IRs), two sensory neuron membrane proteins (SNMPs), and 101 odorant-degrading enzymes (ODEs). Sequence and phylogenetic analyses confirmed the characteristics of these proteins. We further detected tissue- and sex-specific expression patterns of OBPs, CSPs and SNMPs by quantitative real time-PCR. Most OBPs were highly and differentially expressed in the antennae of both sexes. SinsCSP10 was expressed more highly in male antennae than in other tissues. Two SNMPs were highly expressed in the antennae, with no significant difference in expression between the sexes. Our results lay a solid foundation for understanding the precise molecular mechanisms underlying S. insularis odour recognition.
Long range infrasound monitoring of Etna volcano
Authors: Marchetti E. , Ripepe M. , Campus P. , Le Pichon A. , Vergoz J. , Lacanna G. , Mialle P. , Héreil P. , Husson P. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractAmong ground-based volcano monitoring techniques, infrasound is the only one capable of detecting explosive eruptions from distances of thousands of kilometers. We show how infrasound array analysis, using acoustic amplitude and detection persistency, allows automatic, near-real-time identification of eruptions of Etna volcano (Italy), for stations at distances greater than 500 km. A semi-empirical attenuation relation is applied to recover the pressure time history at the source using infrasound recorded at global scale (>500 km). An infrasound parameter (IP), defined as the product between the number of detections, filtered for the expected back-azimuth of Etna volcano, and range corrected amplitude, is compared with the explosive activity at Etna volcano that was associated with aviation color code RED warnings. This shows that, during favourable propagation conditions, global arrays are capable of identifying explosive activity of Etna 87% of the period of analysis without negative false alerts. Events are typically not detected during unfavourable propagation conditions, thus resulting in a time variable efficiency of the system. We suggest that infrasound monitoring on a global scale can provide timely input for Volcanic Ash Advisory Centres (VAAC) even when a latency of ~1 hour, due to propagation time, is considered. The results highlight the capability of infrasound for near-real-time volcano monitoring at a regional and global scale.
Optimal timing of vitrectomy for severe mechanical ocular trauma: A retrospective observational study
Authors: Yu Honghua , Li Jianhua , Yu Ying , Li Guodong , Li Dongli , Guan Meng , Lu Li , Liu Ting , Luo Yujuan , Shen Lu , Wu Qiaowei , Liu Baoyi , Feng Songfu , Yuan Ling 
Published: November 2019

AbstractMechanical ocular trauma could lead to disastrous visual outcomes. There has been a controversy regarding the timing of vitrectomy for such cases. This study aimed to find out the optimal timing of vitrectomy for severe mechanical ocular trauma. Patients with severe mechanical ocular trauma who had undergone vitrectomy were enrolled and followed up for at least 6 months. Clinical data were collected including ocular trauma score (OTS), the timing of vitrectomy upon injury, visual acuity, vitrectomy results, post-operation complications and etc. All cases were classified according to the timing of vitrectomy upon injury into 3 groups: group A 1–7 days, group B 8–14 days, group C more than 14 days. A total of 62 cases were enrolled, including 20 eyes in group A, 25 eyes in group B, and 17 eyes in group C. No significant differences were shown of the gender, age or OTS among the 3 groups. Both functional success rate and visual outcome were optimal in group B, then in group A, and worst in group C. These results suggested that the best timing of vitrectomy for severe mechanical ocular trauma is 8–14 days upon injury; second best is 1–7 days; worst is after 14 days.
Clinical significance of positive fecal occult blood test in neonates
Authors: Wen Qiuping , Liu Kaizhen , Yue Weihong , Shao Shiqi , Zhang Shu , Li Xiaoqing , Hua Ziyu 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe fecal occult blood test (FOBT) is a screening tool for hematochezia. This study aims to summarize the clinical features associated with a positive FOBT in neonates and to explore some clues for the underlying causes. Combination with other clinical information, identifying the possible etiology is more likely and could be useful for choosing an effective therapeutic strategy. The medical records of 282 neonates with positive FOBTs from January 1 to July 31, 2016, were collected and retrospectively analyzed. The total incidence rate of FOBT positivity in neonates was 6.2%. Among these patients, 71 (25.2%) neonates had false-positive FOBTs, whereas 211 (74.8%) neonates had intraintestinal sources of hematochezia. Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC, 20.9%), structural abnormalities of gastrointestinal tract (SAGT, 12.4%), and suspected food allergy (sFA, 10.6%) were the most common causes of neonatal hematochezia. It indicated that FOBT-positive neonates with NEC were more likely to suffer due to a younger gestational age, lower birth weight, and lower weight on admission than the neonates with other conditions. The proportions of neonates with bloody stool (90.0%) and diarrhea (63.3%) in the sFA group were markedly higher than those in the other groups. However, in the SAGT group, emesis (94.3%) and abdominal distension (80.0%) were evidently higher, usually accompanied by a relatively poor response (60.0%) and weakened bowel sounds (48.6%). Furthermore, the higher incidences of poor response (72.1%), abdominal distension (71.2%), bloody stools (64.4%), and weakened bowel sounds (62.7%) were observed in the NEC group. Due to the complicated etiology associated with a positive FOBT, the analyzed indexes were combined with other clinical features to identify the likely causes of neonatal hematochezia. Because NEC, sFA and SAGT show similar clinical manifestations and can occasionally transform into each other, close and frequent observation is crucial for timely intervention to achieve a better prognosis. Although it failed to provide an early warning of severe disease through FOBT, and the early intervention for FOBT might not decrease NEC, sFA, structural bowel injuries, or any other complications, newborn FOBT positive reminds medical staff to be alert to the related diseases including NEC, SAGT and sFA, by closer observation and follow-up.
Comparative studies on population genetic structure of two closely related selfing and outcrossing Zingiber species in Hainan Island
Authors: Huang Rong , Chu Qing-Hua , Lu Guo-Hui , Wang Ying-Qiang 
Published: November 2019

AbstractHow mating system impacts the genetic diversity of plants has long fascinated and puzzled evolutionary biologists. Numerous studies have shown that self-fertilising plants have less genetic diversity at both the population and species levels than outcrossers. However, the phylogenetic relationships between species and correlated ecological traits have not been accounted for in these previous studies. Here, we conduct a comparative population genetic study of two closely related selfing and outcrossing Zingiber species, with sympatric distribution in Hainan Island, and obtain a result contrary to previous studies. The results indicate that selfing Z. corallinum can maintain high genetic diversity through differentiation intensified by local adaptation in populations across the species’ range. In contrast, outcrossing Z. nudicarpum preserves high genetic diversity through gene exchange by frequent export of pollen within or among populations. Contrary to expectations, the major portion of genetic variation of outcrossing Z. nudicarpum may exist among populations, depending on the dispersal ability of pollen and seed. Our results also reveal that the main factor affecting population structure of selfing Z. corallinum is mountain ranges, followed by a moist climate, while that of outcrossing Z. nudicarpum is likely moisture, but not mountain ranges, due to gene flow via pollen.
Variations in melatonin levels in preterm and term human breast milk during the first month after delivery
Authors: Qin Yishi , Shi Weiyang , Zhuang Jialu , Liu Yu , Tang Lili , Bu Jun , Sun Jianhua , Bei Fei 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe objectives of the present study were to examine the dynamic changes in breast milk melatonin throughout the course of lactation and to explore factors associated with changes in melatonin concentrations and rhythms in both preterm and term breast milk. Breast milk was collected sequentially at 03:00, 09:00, 15:00, and 21:00 in one day. Melatonin was analyzed in 392 breast milk samples from 98 healthy nursing mothers at 0 to 30 days postpartum. In both preterm and term breast milk, the melatonin concentration presented a circadian rhythm with the acrophase at around 03:00. Subgroup analysis showed the peak melatonin concentrations differed significantly across lactation stages, with the highest concentration in the colostrum, followed by transitional and mature breast milk. At 03:00, preterm breast milk had a higher concentration of melatonin than term breast milk in the colostrum (28.67 pg/mL vs. 25.31 pg/mL, p < 0.022), transitional breast milk (24.70 pg/mL vs. 22.55 pg/mL), and mature breast milk (22.37 pg/mL vs. 20.12 pg /mL). Further studies are warranted for their roles and significance on melatonin in breast milk in nutrition and metabolism of neonates.
Root and nitrate-N distribution and optimization of N input in winter wheat
Authors: Guo Bin-Bin , Liu Bei-Cheng , He Li , Wang Yang-Yang , Feng Wei , Zhu Yun-Ji , Jiao Nian-Yuan , Wang Chen-Yang , Guo Tian-Cai 
Published: November 2019

AbstractScientific management of nitrogen (N) fertilizer has a significant effect on yield while also reducing the environmental risks. In this study, we conducted field experiments over three years at two different sites (Zhengzhou and Shangshui) in Henan Province, China, using different N application rates (0, 90,180, 270, and 360 kg ha−1) to determine the relationships between soil N supply and N demand in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Optimal N input was then determined. Both sites showed the same trend. Namely, aboveground N uptake and soil nitrate N (NO3−-N) increased with increasing N, while NO3−-N decreased with increasing soil depth, gradually moving downwards with growth. A significant correlation (p < 0.001) between increasing aboveground N uptake and increasing NO3−-N was also observed under N application, with the best relationships occurring in the 20–60 cm layer during jointing-anthesis (R2 = 0.402–0.431) and the 20–80 cm layer at maturity (R2 = 0.474). Root weight density showed the same spatial-temporal characteristics as NO3−-N, following a unimodal trend with increasing N, and peaking at 90 kg ha−1. The root weight density was mainly distributed in the 0–60 cm layer (above 80%), with the 20–60 cm layer accounting for 30% of the total root system. In this layer, the root weight density was also significantly positively correlated with aboveground N uptake. Wheat yield reached saturation under high N (>270 kg ha−1), with a sharp decrease in N use efficiency (NUE) and linear increase in residual NO3−-N. To balance yield and the risk of environmental pollution in the experimental area, an N application rate of 180–270 kg ha−1 is recommended under sufficient irrigation, thereby supporting a well-developed root system while ensuring balance between N supply and demand.
Enrichment of persisters enabled by a ß-lactam-induced filamentation method reveals their stochastic single-cell awakening
Authors: Windels Etthel M. , Ben Meriem Zacchari , Zahir Taiyeb , Verstrepen Kevin J. , Hersen Pascal , Van den Bergh Bram , Michiels Jan 
Published: November 2019

AbstractWhen exposed to lethal doses of antibiotics, bacterial populations are most often not completely eradicated. A small number of phenotypic variants, defined as ‘persisters’, are refractory to antibiotics and survive treatment. Despite their involvement in relapsing infections, processes determining phenotypic switches from and to the persister state largely remain elusive. This is mainly due to the low frequency of persisters and the lack of reliable persistence markers, both hampering studies of persistence at the single-cell level. Here we present a highly effective persister enrichment method involving cephalexin, an antibiotic that induces extensive filamentation of susceptible cells. We used our enrichment method to monitor outgrowth of Escherichia coli persisters at the single-cell level, thereby conclusively demonstrating that persister awakening is a stochastic phenomenon. We anticipate that our approach can have far-reaching consequences in the persistence field, by allowing single-cell studies at a much higher throughput than previously reported.