bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CoVidAffect, real-time monitoring of mood variations following the COVID-19 outbreak in Spain
Authors: Bailon Carlos , Goicoechea Carmen , Banos Oresti , Damas Miguel , Pomares Hector , Correa Angel , Sanabria Daniel , Perakakis Pandelis 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe COVID-19 outbreak and the ensuing confinement measures are expected to bear a significant psychological impact on the affected populations. To date, all available studies designed to investigate the psychological effects of this unprecedented global crisis are based on cross-sectional surveys that do not capture emotional variations over time. Here, we present the data from CoVidAffect, a nationwide citizen science project aimed to provide longitudinal data of mood changes following the COVID-19 outbreak in the spanish territory. Spain is among the most affected countries by the pandemic, with one of the most restrictive and prolonged lockdowns worldwide. The project also collected a baseline of demographic and socioeconomic data. These data can be further analyzed to quantify emotional responses to specific measures and policies, and to understand the effect of context variables on psychological resilience. Importantly, to our knowledge this is the first dataset that offers the opportunity to study the behavior of emotion dynamics in a prolonged lockdown situation.
Preparation, characterization and therapeutic properties of gum arabic-stabilized gallic acid nanoparticles
Authors: Hassani Abdelkader , Azarian Mohammad Mahdi Sabaghpour , Ibrahim Wisam Nabeel , Hussain Siti Aslina 
Published: October 2020

AbstractGallic acid (GA) is a natural phenolic compound with therapeutic effects that are often challenged by its rapid metabolism and clearance. Therefore, GA was encapsulated using gum arabic into nanoparticles to increase its bioavailability. The formulated nanoparticles (GANPs) were characterized for physicochemical properties and size and were then evaluated for antioxidant and antihypertensive effects using various established in vitro assays, including 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide scavenging (NO), β-carotene bleaching and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory assays. The GANPs were further evaluated for the in vitro cytotoxicity, cell uptake and cell migration in four types of human cancer cell lines including (MCF-7, MDA-MB231) breast adenocarcinoma, HepG2 hepatocellular cancer, HT-29 colorectal adenocarcinoma, and MCF-10A breast epithelial cell lines. The GANPs demonstrated potent antioxidant effects and have shown promising anti-cancer properties in a dose-dependent manner with a predilection toward HepG2 and MCF7 cancer cells. The uptake of GANPs was successful in the majority of cancer cells with a propensity to accumulate in the nuclear region of the cells. The HepG2 and MCF7 cancer cells also had a significantly higher percentage of apoptosis and were more sensitive to gallic acid nanoparticle treatment in the cell migration assay. This study is the first to confirm the synergistic effects of gum arabic in the encapsulation of gallic acid by increasing the selectivity towards cancer cells and enhancing the antioxidant properties. The formulated nanoparticles also had remarkably low toxicity in normal cells. Based on these findings, GANPs may have promising therapeutic applications towards the development of more effective treatments with a probable targeting precision in cancer cells.
Improving gait classification in horses by using inertial measurement unit (IMU) generated data and machine learning
Authors: Serra Bragança F. M. , Broomé S. , Rhodin M. , Björnsdóttir S. , Gunnarsson V. , Voskamp J. P. , Persson-Sjodin E. , Back W. , Lindgren G. , Novoa-Bravo M. , Gmel A. I. , Roepstorff C. , van der Zwaag B. J. , Van Weeren P. R. , Hernlund E. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractFor centuries humans have been fascinated by the natural beauty of horses in motion and their different gaits. Gait classification (GC) is commonly performed through visual assessment and reliable, automated methods for real-time objective GC in horses are warranted. In this study, we used a full body network of wireless, high sampling-rate sensors combined with machine learning to fully automatically classify gait. Using data from 120 horses of four different domestic breeds, equipped with seven motion sensors, we included 7576 strides from eight different gaits. GC was trained using several machine-learning approaches, both from feature-extracted data and from raw sensor data. Our best GC model achieved 97% accuracy. Our technique facilitated accurate, GC that enables in-depth biomechanical studies and allows for highly accurate phenotyping of gait for genetic research and breeding. Our approach lends itself for potential use in other quadrupedal species without the need for developing gait/animal specific algorithms.
Habitat complexity and lifetime predation risk influence mesopredator survival in a multi-predator system
Authors: Gigliotti Laura C. , Slotow Rob , Hunter Luke T. B. , Fattebert Julien , Sholto-Douglas Craig , Jachowski David S. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractVariability in habitat selection can lead to differences in fitness; however limited research exists on how habitat selection of mid-ranking predators can influence population-level processes in multi-predator systems. For mid-ranking, or mesopredators, differences in habitat use might have strong demographic effects because mesopredators need to simultaneously avoid apex predators and acquire prey. We studied spatially-explicit survival of cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) in the Mun-Ya-Wana Conservancy, South Africa, to test hypotheses related to spatial influences of predation risk, prey availability, and vegetation complexity, on mesopredator survival. For each monitored cheetah, we estimated lion encounter risk, prey density, and vegetation complexity within their home range, on short-term (seasonal) and long-term (lifetime) scales and estimated survival based on these covariates. Survival was lowest for adult cheetahs and cubs in areas with high vegetation complexity on both seasonal and lifetime scales. Additionally, cub survival was negatively related to the long-term risk of encountering a lion. We suggest that complex habitats are only beneficial to mesopredators when they are able to effectively find and hunt prey, and show that spatial drivers of survival for mesopredators can vary temporally. Collectively, our research illustrates that individual variation in mesopredator habitat use can scale-up and have population-level effects.
How drain flies manage to almost never get washed away
Authors: Speirs Nathan B. , Mahadik Gauri A. , Thoroddsen Sigurdur T. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractDrain flies, Psychodidae spp. (Order Diptera, Family Psychodidae), commonly reside in our homes, annoying us in our bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. They like to stay near drains where they lay their eggs and feed on microorganisms and liquid carbohydrates found in the slime that builds up over time. Though they generally behave very sedately, they react quite quickly when threatened with water. A squirt from the sink induces them to fly away, seemingly unaffected, and flushing the toilet with flies inside does not necessarily whisk them down. We find that drain flies’ remarkable ability to evade such potentially lethal threats does not stem primarily from an evolved behavioral response, but rather from a unique hair covering with a hierarchical roughness. This covering, that has never been previously explored, imparts superhydrophobicity against large droplets and pools and antiwetting properties against micron-sized droplets and condensation. We examine how this hair covering equips them to take advantage of the relevant fluid dynamics and flee water threats in domestic and natural environments including: millimetric-sized droplets, mist, waves, and pools of water. Our findings elucidate drain flies’ astounding ability to cope with a wide range of water threats and almost never get washed down the drain.
Targeting interleukin-17 receptor B enhances gemcitabine sensitivity through downregulation of mucins in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Tsai Lung-Hung , Hsu Kai-Wen , Chiang Cheng-Ming , Yang Hsiu-Ju , Liu Yu-Huei , Yang Shun-Fa , Peng Pei-Hua , Cheng Wei-Chung , Wu Heng-Hsiung 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide due to its poorest prognoses with a 7% 5-year survival rate. Eighty percent of pancreatic cancer patients relapse after chemotherapy and develop early metastasis and drug resistance. Resistance to nucleoside analog gemcitabine frequently used in first-line therapy is an urgent issue in pancreatic cancer treatment. Expression of mucin (MUC) glycoproteins has been shown to enhance chemoresistance via increased cell stemness. Here we show interlukine-17 receptor B (IL-17RB) expression is positively correlated with MUC1 and MUC4 expression in pancreatic cancer cells and tumor tissue. Moreover, IL-17RB transcriptionally up-regulates expression of MUC1 and MUC4 to enhance cancer stem-like properties and resistance to gemcitabine. These results suggest IL-17RB can be a potential target for pancreatic cancer therapy. Indeed, treatment with IL-17RB-neutralizing antibody has a synergistic effect in combination with gemcitabine for killing pancreatic cancer cells. Altogether, these findings provide feasible applications for IL-17RB-targeting therapy in pancreatic cancer treatment.
Importance of cholesterol-rich microdomains in the regulation of Nox isoforms and redox signaling in human vascular smooth muscle cells
Authors: Anagnostopoulou Aikaterini , Camargo Livia L. , Rodrigues Daniel , Montezano Augusto C. , Touyz Rhian M. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractVascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) function is regulated by Nox-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) and redox-dependent signaling in discrete cellular compartments. Whether cholesterol-rich microdomains (lipid rafts/caveolae) are involved in these processes is unclear. Here we examined the sub-cellular compartmentalization of Nox isoforms in lipid rafts/caveolae and assessed the role of these microdomains in VSMC ROS production and pro-contractile and growth signaling. Intact small arteries and primary VSMCs from humans were studied. Vessels from Cav-1−/− mice were used to test proof of concept. Human VSMCs express Nox1, Nox4, Nox5 and Cav-1. Cell fractionation studies showed that Nox1 and Nox5 but not Nox4, localize in cholesterol-rich fractions in VSMCs. Angiotensin II (Ang II) stimulation induced trafficking into and out of lipid rafts/caveolae for Nox1 and Nox5 respectively. Co-immunoprecipitation studies showed interactions between Cav-1/Nox1 but not Cav-1/Nox5. Lipid raft/caveolae disruptors (methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MCD) and Nystatin) and Ang II stimulation variably increased O2− generation and phosphorylation of MLC20, Ezrin-Radixin-Moesin (ERM) and p53 but not ERK1/2, effects recapitulated in Cav-1 silenced (siRNA) VSMCs. Nox inhibition prevented Ang II-induced phosphorylation of signaling molecules, specifically, ERK1/2 phosphorylation was attenuated by mellitin (Nox5 inhibitor) and Nox5 siRNA, while p53 phosphorylation was inhibited by NoxA1ds (Nox1 inhibitor). Ang II increased oxidation of DJ1, dual anti-oxidant and signaling molecule, through lipid raft/caveolae-dependent processes. Vessels from Cav-1−/− mice exhibited increased O2− generation and phosphorylation of ERM. We identify an important role for lipid rafts/caveolae that act as signaling platforms for Nox1 and Nox5 but not Nox4, in human VSMCs. Disruption of these microdomains promotes oxidative stress and Nox isoform-specific redox signalling important in vascular dysfunction associated with cardiovascular diseases.
Targeting c-Myc with a novel Peptide Nuclear Delivery Device
Authors: Ting Trinda Anne , Chaumet Alexandre , Bard Frederic Andre 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBiologics such as peptides and antibodies are a well-established class of therapeutics. However, their intracellular delivery remains problematic. In particular, methods to efficiently inhibit intra-nuclear targets are lacking. We previously described that Pseudomonas Exotoxin A reaches the nucleoplasm via the endosomes-to-nucleus trafficking pathway. Here, we show that a non-toxic truncated form of PE can be coupled to peptides and efficiently reach the nucleoplasm. It can be used as a Peptide Nuclear Delivery Device (PNDD) to deliver polypeptidic cargos as large as Glutathione- S-transferase (GST) to the nucleus. PNDD1 is a fusion of PNDD to the c-myc inhibitor peptide H1. PNDD1 is able to inhibit c-Myc dependent transcription at nanomolar concentration. In contrast, H1 fused to various cell-penetrating peptides are active only in the micromolar range. PNDD1 attenuates cell proliferation and induces cell death in various tumor cell lines. In particular, several patient-derived Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphomas cell lines die after exposure to PNDD1, while normal B-cells survive. Altogether, our data indicate that PNDD is a powerful tool to bring active cargo to the nucleus and PNDD1 could be the basis of a new therapy against lymphoma.
Assessing regulatory features of the current transcriptional network of Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Monteiro Pedro T. , Pedreira Tiago , Galocha Monica , Teixeira Miguel C. , Chaouiya Claudine 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe capacity of living cells to adapt to different environmental, sometimes adverse, conditions is achieved through differential gene expression, which in turn is controlled by a highly complex transcriptional network. We recovered the full network of transcriptional regulatory associations currently known for Saccharomyces cerevisiae, as gathered in the latest release of the YEASTRACT database. We assessed topological features of this network filtered by the kind of supporting evidence and of previously published networks. It appears that in-degree distribution, as well as motif enrichment evolve as the yeast transcriptional network is being completed. Overall, our analyses challenged some results previously published and confirmed others. These analyses further pointed towards the paucity of experimental evidence to support theories and, more generally, towards the partial knowledge of the complete network.
Association of multiple sclerosis with vitiligo: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Shen Meng-Han , Ng Chau Yee , Chang Kuo-Hsuan , Chi Ching-Chi 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPolyautoimmunity implicates that some autoimmune diseases share common etiopathogenesis. Some studies have reported an association between multiple sclerosis (MS) and vitiligo; meanwhile, other studies have failed to confirm this association. We performed a systemic review and meta-analysis to examine the association of MS with vitiligo. We searched the MEDLINE and Embase databases on March 8, 2020 for relevant case–control, cross-sectional, and cohort studies. The Newcastle–Ottawa Scale was used to evaluate the risk of bias of the included studies. Where applicable, we performed a meta-analysis to calculate the pooled odds ratio (OR) for case–control/cross-sectional studies and risk ratio for cohort studies with 95% confidence interval (CI). Our search identified 285 citations after removing duplicates. Six case–control studies with 12,930 study subjects met our inclusion criteria. Our meta-analysis found no significant association of MS with prevalent vitiligo (pooled OR 1.33; 95% CI 0.80‒2.22). Analysis of the pooled data failed to display any increase of prevalent vitiligo in MS patients compared with controls. Ethnic and genetic factors may play an important role for sporadically observed associations between MS and vitiligo. Future studies of this association should therefore consider stratification by ethnic or genetic factors.
Occurrence and genotypes of Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, and Blastocystis sp. in household, shelter, breeding, and pet market dogs in Guangzhou, southern China
Authors: Liao Shenquan , Lin Xuhui , Sun Yongxiang , Qi Nanshan , Lv Minna , Wu Caiyan , Li Juan , Hu Junjing , Yu Linzeng , Cai Haiming , Xiao Wenwan , Sun Mingfei , Li Guoqing 
Published: October 2020

AbstractCryptosporidiumspp., Giardia duodenalis, andBlastocystissp. are common intestinal protozoans that infect humans and animals worldwide. A survey that assessed the prevalence, molecular characteristics, and zoonotic potential of these pathogens was conducted on a variety of dogs in Guangzhou, southern China. A total of 651 canine stool samples from household (n = 199), shelter (n = 149), breeding (n = 237), and pet market dogs (n = 66) were collected from eight districts in Guangzhou.Cryptosporidiumspp., Giardia duodenalis, andBlastocystissp. were detected by PCR amplification of theSSUrRNA gene.Giardia duodenalis-positive specimens were further assigned into assemblages using the glutamate dehydrogenase gene. Cryptosporidiumspp.,G. duodenalis, andBlastocystissp. were found in 21 (3.2%), 20 (3.1%), and 35 (5.4%) samples, respectively. The overall prevalence of shelter dogs (40.28%, 60/149) was significantly higher than that of household (3.0%, 6/199), breeding (2.1%, 5/237), and pet market dogs (7.5%, 5/66) (χ2 = 154.72, df = 3,P < 0.001). Deworming in the past 12 months had a strong protective effect on the risk of contracting parasite infections (P < 0.001). No significant differences were detected between age or sex groups (P > 0.05). Dog-specificC. canis(n = 19) and zoonoticC. parvum(n = 2) were the only twoCryptosporidiumspecies. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of threeG. duodenalisassemblages: dog-specific assemblages D (n = 14) and C (n = 5), and cat-specific F (n = 1). ZoonoticBlastocystisST3 (n = 28) was the dominant subtype, followed by ST1 (n = 6) and ST10 (n = 1). To our knowledge, this is the first large-scale investigation on the occurrence and molecular characteristics ofBlastocystissp. in dogs in China. Our results indicated that the dogs seemed to play a negligible role as reservoirs forCryptosporidiumspp. andG. duodenalistransmission to humans, but they are potential novel suitable hosts ofBlastocystissp. A strict sentinel surveillance system of dogs should be established to minimise the zoonotic risk of spreading blastocystosis among humans and dogs.
Compostable, fully biobased foams using PLA and micro cellulose for zero energy buildings
Authors: Oluwabunmi Kayode , D’Souza Nandika Anne , Zhao Weihuan , Choi Tae-Youl , Theyson Thomas 
Published: October 2020

AbstractEcological, health and environmental concerns are driving the need for bio-resourced foams for the building industry. In this paper, we examine foams made from polylactic acid (PLA) and micro cellulose fibrils (MCF). To ensure no volatile organic compounds in the foam, supercritical CO2 (sc-CO2) physical foaming of melt mixed systems was conducted. Mechanical and thermal conductivity properties were determined and applied to a net zero energy model house. The results showed that MCF had a concentration dependent impact on the foams. First structurally, the presence of MCF led to an initial increase followed by a decrease of open porosity, higher bulk density, lower expansion ratios and cell size. Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Scanning Electron Microscopy revealed that MCF decreased the glass transition of PLA allowing for a decrease in cell wall thickness when MCF was added. The mechanical performance initially increased with MCF and then decreased. This trend was mimicked by thermal insulation which initially improved. Biodegradation tests showed that the presence of cellulose in PLA improved the compostability of the foams. A maximum comparative mineralization of 95% was obtained for the PLA foam with 3 wt.% MCF when expressed as a fractional percentage of the pure cellulose reference. Energy simulations run on a model house showed that relative to an insulation of polyurethane, the bio-resourced foams led to no more than a 12% increase in heating and cooling. The energy efficiency of the foams was best at low MCF fractions.
Unsupervised geochemical classification and automatic 3D mapping of the Bolshetroitskoe high-grade iron ore deposit (Belgorod Region, Russia)
Authors: Kalashnikov Andrey O. , Nikulin Ivan I. , Stepenshchikov Dmitry G. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWe stated and solved three successive problems concerning automatization of geological mapping using the case of the Bolshetroitskoe high-grade iron ore deposit in weathered crust of Banded Iron Formation (Kursk Magnetic Anomaly, Belgorod Region, Russia). (1) Selecting a classification (clustering) method of geochemical data without reference sampling, i.e., solution of an “unsupervised clustering task”. We developed 5 rock classifications based on different principles, i.e., classification by visual description, by distribution of economic component (Fe2O3), by cluster analysis of raw data and centered log-ratio transformation of the raw data, and by artificial neural network (Kohonnen’s self-organized map). (2) Non-parametric comparison of quality of the classifications and revealing the best one. (3) Automatic 3D geological mapping in accordance with the best classification. The developed approach of automatic 3D geological mapping seems to be rather simple and plausible.
Expamers: a new technology to control T cell activation
Authors: Poltorak Mateusz P. , Graef Patricia , Tschulik Claudia , Wagner Michaela , Cletiu Vlad , Dreher Stefan , Borjan Bojana , Fraessle Simon P. , Effenberger Manuel , Turk Martin , Busch Dirk H. , Plitzko Juergen , Kugler David G. , Ragan Seamus , Schmidt Thomas , Stemberger Christian , Germeroth Lothar 
Published: October 2020

AbstractT cell activation is a cornerstone in manufacturing of T cell-based therapies, and precise control over T cell activation is important in the development of the next generation T-cell based therapeutics. This need cannot be fulfilled by currently available methods for T cell stimulation, in particular not in a time dependent manner. Here, we describe a modular activation reagent called Expamers, which addresses these limitations. Expamers are versatile stimuli that are intended for research and clinical use. They are readily soluble and can be rapidly bound and removed from the cell surface, allowing nearly instantaneous initiation and termination of activation signal, respectively. Hence, Expamers enable precise regulation of T cell stimulation duration and provide promise of control over T cell profiles in future products. Expamers can be easily adopted to different T cell production formats and have the potential to increase efficacy of T cell immunotherapeutics.
Expression of SARS-CoV-2 entry factors in lung epithelial stem cells and its potential implications for COVID-19
Authors: Valyaeva Anna A. , Zharikova Anastasia A. , Kasianov Artem S. , Vassetzky Yegor S. , Sheval Eugene V. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractSARS-CoV-2 can infiltrate the lower respiratory tract, resulting in severe respiratory failure and a high death rate. Normally, the airway and alveolar epithelium can be rapidly reconstituted by multipotent stem cells after episodes of infection. Here, we analyzed published RNA-seq datasets and demonstrated that cells of four different lung epithelial stem cell types express SARS-CoV-2 entry factors, including Ace2. Thus, stem cells can be potentially infected by SARS-CoV-2, which may lead to defects in regeneration capacity partially accounting for the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection and its consequences.