bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
SnoRNA signatures in cartilage ageing and osteoarthritis
Authors: Peffers Mandy J. , Chabronova Alzbeta , Balaskas Panagiotis , Fang Yongxiang , Dyer Philip , Cremers Andy , Emans Pieter J. , Feczko Peter Z. , Caron Marjolein M. , Welting Tim J. M. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractOsteoarthritis presents as a change in the chondrocyte phenotype and an imbalance between anabolic and catabolic processes. Age affects its onset and progression. Small nucleolar RNAs (SnoRNAs) direct chemical modification of RNA substrates to fine-tune spliceosomal and rRNA function, accommodating changing requirements for splicing and protein synthesis during health and disease. Articular cartilage from young, old and OA knees was used in a microarray study to identify alterations in snoRNA expression. Changes in snoRNAs in osteoarthritis-like conditions were studied in chondrocytes using interleukin-1 and osteoarthritic synovial fluid. SNORD26 and SNORD96A knockdown and overexpression were undertaken using antisense oligonucleotides and overexpression plasmids. We identified panels of snoRNAs differentially expressed due to ageing (including SNORD96A, SNORD44) and osteoarthritis (including SNORD26 and SNORD116). In vitro experiments using osteoarthritis-like conditions affected snoRNA expression. Knockdown or overexpression of SNORD26 or SNORD96A resulted in changes in chondrogenic, hypertrophic, rRNA and osteoarthritis related gene expression. We demonstrate that snoRNA expression changes in cartilage ageing, and osteoarthritis and in osteoarthritis-like conditions, and when the expression of these snoRNAs is altered this affects chondrogenic and hypertrophic gene expression. Thus, we propose an additional dimension in the molecular mechanisms underlying cartilage ageing and osteoarthritis through the dysregulation of snoRNAs.
Larval behaviour, dispersal and population connectivity in the deep sea
Authors: Gary Stefan F. , Fox Alan D. , Biastoch Arne , Roberts J. Murray , Cunningham Stuart A. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractEcosystem connectivity is an essential consideration for marine spatial planning of competing interests in the deep sea. Immobile, adult communities are connected through freely floating larvae, depending on new recruits for their health and to adapt to external pressures. We hypothesize that the vertical swimming ability of deep-sea larvae, before they permanently settle at the bottom, is one way larvae can control dispersal. We test this hypothesis with more than $$3\times 10^{8}$$3×108 simulated particles with a range of active swimming behaviours embedded within the currents of a high-resolution ocean model. Despite much stronger horizontal ocean currents, vertical swimming of simulated larvae can have an order of magnitude impact on dispersal. These strong relationships between larval dispersal, pathways, and active swimming demonstrate that lack of data on larval behaviour traits is a serious impediment to modelling deep-sea ecosystem connectivity; this uncertainty greatly limits our ability to develop ecologically coherent marine protected area networks.
Investigating the antifibrotic effect of the antiparasitic drug Praziquantel in in vitro and in vivo preclinical models
Authors: Nono Justin Komguep , Fu Kai , Mpotje Thabo , Varrone Georgianna , Aziz Nada Abdel , Mosala Paballo , Hlaka Lerato , Kamdem Severin Donald , Xu Daigen , Spangenberg Thomas , Brombacher Frank 
Published: June 2020

AbstractTissue fibrosis underlies the majority of human mortality to date with close to half of all reported deaths having a fibrotic etiology. The progression of fibrosis is very complex and reputed irreversible once established. Although some preventive options are being reported, therapeutic options are still scarce and in very high demand, given the rise of diseases linked to fibroproliferative disorders. Our work explored four platforms, complementarily, in order to screen preventive and therapeutic potentials of the antiparasitic drug Praziquantel as a possible antifibrotic. We applied the mouse CCl4-driven liver fibrosis model, the mouse chronic schistosomiasis liver fibrosis model, as well as novel 2D and 3D human cell-based co-culture of human hepatocytes, KCs (Kupffer cells), LECs (Liver Endothelial Cells), HSCs (Hepatic Stellate Cells) and/or myofibroblasts to mimic in vivo fibrotic responses and dynamics. Praziquantel showed some effect on fibrosis marker when preventively administered before severe establishment of fibrosis. However, it failed to potently reverse already established fibrosis. Together, we provided a novel sophisticated multi-assay screening platform to test preventive and therapeutic antifibrotic candidates. We further demonstrated a direct preventive potential of Praziquantel against the onset of fibrosis and the confirmation of its lack of therapeutic potential in reversing already established fibrosis.
The targeted overexpression of SlCDF4 in the fruit enhances tomato size and yield involving gibberellin signalling
Authors: Renau-Morata Begoña , Carrillo Laura , Cebolla-Cornejo Jaime , Molina Rosa V. , Martí Raúl , Domínguez-Figueroa José , Vicente-Carbajosa Jesús , Medina Joaquín , Nebauer Sergio G. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractTomato is one of the most widely cultivated vegetable crops and a model for studying fruit biology. Although several genes involved in the traits of fruit quality, development and size have been identified, little is known about the regulatory genes controlling its growth. In this study, we characterized the role of the tomato SlCDF4 gene in fruit development, a cycling DOF-type transcription factor highly expressed in fruits. The targeted overexpression of SlCDF4 gene in the fruit induced an increased yield based on a higher amount of both water and dry matter accumulated in the fruits. Accordingly, transcript levels of genes involved in water transport and cell division and expansion during the fruit enlargement phase also increased. Furthermore, the larger amount of biomass partitioned to the fruit relied on the greater sink strength of the fruits induced by the increased activity of sucrose-metabolising enzymes. Additionally, our results suggest a positive role of SlCDF4 in the gibberellin-signalling pathway through the modulation of GA4 biosynthesis. Finally, the overexpression of SlCDF4 also promoted changes in the profile of carbon and nitrogen compounds related to fruit quality. Overall, our results unveil SlCDF4 as a new key factor controlling tomato size and composition.
Sexual reproduction and genetic polymorphism within the cosmopolitan marine diatom Pseudo-nitzschia pungens
Authors: Kim Jin Ho , Ajani Penelope , Murray Shauna A. , Kim Joo-Hwan , Lim Hong Chang , Teng Sing Tung , Lim Po Teen , Han Myung-Soo , Park Bum Soo 
Published: June 2020

AbstractDifferent clades belonging to the cosmopolitan marine diatomPseudo-nitzschia pungensappear to be present in different oceanic environments, however, a ‘hybrid zone’, where populations of different clades interbreed, has also been reported. Many studies have investigated the sexual reproduction ofP. pungens,focused on morphology and life cycle, rather than the role of sexual reproduction in mixing the genomes of their parents. We carried out crossing experiments to determine the sexual compatibility/incompatibility between different clades ofP. pungens, and examined the genetic polymorphism in the ITS2 region. Sexual reproduction did not occur only between clades II and III under any of experimental temperature conditions. Four offspring strains were established between clade I and III successfully. Strains established from offspring were found interbreed with other offspring strains as well as viable with their parental strains. We confirmed the hybrid sequence patterns between clades I and III and found novel sequence types including polymorphic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the offspring strains. Our results implicate that gene exchange and mixing between different clades are still possible, and that sexual reproduction is a significant ecological strategy to maintain the genetic diversity within this diatom species.
Influence of surface defect density on the ultrafast hot carrier relaxation and transport in $${\hbox {Cu}}_2 {\hbox {O}}$$ photoelectrodes
Authors: Grad Lisa , Novotny Zbynek , Hengsberger Matthias , Osterwalder Jürg 
Published: June 2020

AbstractCuprous oxide ($${\hbox {Cu}}_2 {\hbox {O}}$$

Cu
2

O

) is a promising material for photoelectrochemical energy conversion due to its small direct band gap, high absorbance, and its Earth-abundant constituents. High conversion efficiencies require transport of photoexcited charges to the interface without energy loss. We studied the electron dynamics in $${\hbox {Cu}}_2 {\hbox {O}}$$

Cu
2

O

(111) by time-resolved two-photon photoemission for different surface defect densities in order to elucidate the influence on charge carrier transport. On the pristine bulk terminated surface, the principal conduction bands could be resolved, and ultrafast, elastic transport of electrons to the surface was observed. On a reconstructed surface the carrier transport is strongly suppressed and defect states dominate the spectra. Evidence for surface oxygen vacancies acting as efficient carrier traps is provided, what is important for further engineering of $${\hbox {Cu}}_2 {\hbox {O}}$$

Cu
2

O

based photoelectrodes.
Novel magnetic propylsulfonic acid-anchored isocyanurate-based periodic mesoporous organosilica (Iron oxide@PMO-ICS-PrSO3H) as a highly efficient and reusable nanoreactor for the sustainable synthesis of imidazopyrimidine derivatives
Authors: Akbari Arezoo , Dekamin Mohammad G. , Yaghoubi Amene , Naimi-Jamal Mohammad Reza 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIn this study, preparation and characterization of a new magnetic propylsulfonic acid-anchored isocyanurate bridging periodic mesoporous organosilica (Iron oxide@PMO-ICS-PrSO3H) is described. The iron oxide@PMO-ICS-PrSO3H nanomaterials were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy as well as thermogravimetric analysis, N2adsorption–desorption isotherms and vibrating sample magnetometer techniques. Indeed, the new obtained materials are the first example of the magnetic thermally stable isocyanurate-based mesoporous organosilica solid acid. Furthermore, the catalytic activity of the Iron oxide@PMO-ICS-PrSO3H nanomaterials, as a novel and highly efficient recoverable nanoreactor, was investigated for the sustainable heteroannulation synthesis of imidazopyrimidine derivatives through the Traube–Schwarz multicomponent reaction of 2-aminobenzoimidazole, C‒H acids and diverse aromatic aldehydes. The advantages of this green protocol are low catalyst loading, high to quantitative yields, short reaction times and the catalyst recyclability for at least four consecutive runs.
Clinicopathological characterization and prognostic implication of FOXP3 and CK19 expression in papillary thyroid carcinoma and concomitant Hashimoto's thyroiditis
Authors: Mohamed Salem Youssef , Ibrahim Taiseer R. , Elbasateeny Samah S. , Abdelaziz Lobna A. , Farouk Shaimaa , Yassin Mahmoud Abdou , Embaby Ahmed 
Published: June 2020

AbstractPapillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is considered the most prevalent thyroid malignancy. The association between Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) and PTC is still unclear. We aimed to examine the clinicopathological impact of immunohistochemical staining of FOXP3 and Cytokeratin 19 in PTC and concomitant HT and their correlation with patients' outcome and survival. Eighty thyroid biopsies obtained from patients with PTC were immunostained by FOXP3 and CK19.The patients were treated by radioactive iodine (I131) and followed up. FOXP3 and CK19 expression were detected in 45% and 80% studied cases of PTC respectively. 16.7% of PTC with associated HT showed FOXP3+ lymphocytes in lymphocytic infiltrate of HT, while most of PTC associated HT express cytoplasmic CK19 positive Hurtle cells. FOXP3 was more expressed in PTC female patients more than 45 years with higher stage, lymph node, and distant metastasis, extracapsular extension, number of I131doses, and cumulative radioiodine doses with a highly statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). The relation was significant between CK19 immunostaining as regard 10-year Overall Survival and death (p value = 0.027 and 0.036, respectively). HT represents a step in the process of autoimmune inflammatory disease ending by the evolution of PTC with better prognosis, therefore appropriate follow up of these cases is needed. FOXP3 tends to be more expressed in PTC cases with worse prognostic variables and is predictable to become a recent prognostic and targeted therapy for PTC. There was a significant relation between CK19 immunostaining and 10 year overall survival.
Spexin as an indicator of beneficial effects of exercise in human obesity and diabetes
Authors: Khadir Abdelkrim , Kavalakatt Sina , Madhu Dhanya , Devarajan Sriraman , Abubaker Jehad , Al-Mulla Fahd , Tiss Ali 
Published: June 2020

AbstractSpexin is a novel neuropeptide playing an emerging role in metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes via involvement in energy homeostasis and food intake. The present study investigated the effects of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) on circulating levels of spexin and its modulation by physical exercise. Normal-weight (n = 50) and obese adults with and without T2D (n = 69 and n = 66, respectively) were enrolled in the study. A subgroup of obese participants (n = 47) underwent a supervised 3-month exercise programme. Plasma spexin levels were measured by ELISA and correlated with various markers. Plasma spexin levels decreased in obese participants with or without T2D compared with those of normal-weight participants (0.43 ± 0.11, 0.44 ± 0.12 and 0.61 ± 0.23 ng/ml, respectively; P < 0.001). Spexin levels negatively correlated with adiposity markers and blood pressure in the whole study population (P < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis revealed blood pressure was the greatest predictive determinant of plasma spexin levels, which significantly increased in response to physical exercise in obese participants without and with T2D (P < 0.05). Spexin levels significantly increased only in responders to exercise (those with increased oxygen consumption, VO2 max) with a concomitant improvement in metabolic profile. In conclusion, plasma spexin levels may be an indicator of response to physical exercise.
Aerosol classification by dielectrophoresis: a theoretical study on spherical particles
Authors: Lorenz Malte , Weber Alfred P. , Baune Michael , Thöming Jorg , Pesch Georg R. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe possibilities and limitations using dielectrophoresis (DEP) for the dry classification of spherical aerosol particles was evaluated at low concentrations in a theoretical study. For an instrument with the geometry of concentric cylinders (similar to cylindrical DMA), the dependencies of target particle diameter $$d_{{\text {P}}}^*$$dP∗, resolution, and yield of the DEP classification on residence time, applied electric field strength, and pressure of the carrier gas were investigated. Further, the diffusion influence on the classification was considered. It was found that $$d_{{\text {P}}}^*$$dP∗ scales with the mean gas flow velocity $$u_{{\text {gas}}}$$ugas, classifier length L, and electric field strength E as $$d_{{\text {P}}}^*\propto (u_{{\text {gas}}}/L)^{0.5}E^{-1}$$dP∗∝(ugas/L)0.5E-1. The resolution of the classification depends on the particle diameter and scales proportionally to $${d_{{\text {P}}}^*}^{1.3}$$dP∗1.3. It is constrained by the flow ratio $$\beta $$β (i.e., sheath gas to aerosol flow), electrode diameters, and applied electric field strength. The classification yield increases with the ratio of the width of the extended outlet slit $$s_{{\text {e}}}$$se to the diffusion induced broadening $$\sigma _z$$σz. As expected, resolution and yield exhibit opposite dependencies on $$s_{{\text {e}}}/\sigma _z$$se/σz. Our simulations show that DEP classification can principally cover a highly interesting particle size range from 100 nm to $${10}\,\upmu \hbox {m}$$10μm while being directly particle size-selective and particle charge independent.
Candidate protein biomarkers in pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms grade 3
Authors: Ali Abir Salwa , Perren Aurel , Lindskog Cecilia , Welin Staffan , Sorbye Halfdan , Grönberg Malin , Janson Eva Tiensuu 
Published: June 2020

AbstractPancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PanNENs) are rare tumours that compose 1–2% of all pancreatic tumours. Patients with metastatic grade 3 neoplasia are usually treated with chemotherapy but have a poor progression-free and overall survival. According to the WHO 2017 classification, they are divided into neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) G3 and neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs). Despite the new classification, new diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers are needed to sub-categorise the patients and to help guide therapy decisions. Blood from 42 patients and 42 healthy controls were screened for the presence of 92 proteins with the Immuno-Oncology panel using the Proximity Extension Assay provided by Olink Biosciences. Immunohistochemical staining of FAS ligand (FASLG) was performed on 16 patient tumour specimens using a commercial antibody. Fifty-four out of 87 evaluable proteins differed significantly in concentration between blood from patients and blood from healthy controls. FASLG was the only protein for which the concentration in blood was significantly lower in patients compared to controls and the levels correlated negatively to Ki-67 index. Seven of 14 evaluable PanNEN G3 specimens showed FASLG immunoreactivity in the tumour cells while there was scattered immunoreactivity in immune cells. Positive FASLG immunoreactivity correlated to well-differentiated morphology. FASLG concentration in blood was significantly lower in patients with pancreatic NENs G3 compared to controls, and the expression in tumour tissue was variable. Furthermore, FASLG was negatively correlated to Ki-67 and was more frequently expressed in well-differentiated tumours. Taken together, these results may suggest a role of FASLG in PanNENs.
Differences in food consumption between patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and healthy individuals
Authors: Kaličanin Dean , Brčić Luka , Ljubetić Katija , Barić Ana , Gračan Sanda , Brekalo Marko , Torlak Lovrić Vesela , Kolčić Ivana , Polašek Ozren , Zemunik Tatijana , Punda Ante , Boraska Perica Vesna 
Published: June 2020

AbstractFood is considered as important environmental factor that plays a role in development of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). The goal of our study was to identify food groups, assessed by food frequency questionnaire, that differ in consumption frequency between 491 patients with HT and 433 controls. We also analysed association of food groups with the wealth of HT-related clinical traits and symptoms. We found significantly increased consumption of animal fat (OR 1.55, p < 0.0001) and processed meat (OR 1.16, p = 0.0012) in HT cases, whereas controls consumed significantly more frequently red meat (OR 0.80, p < 0.0001), non-alcoholic beverages (OR 0.82, p < 0.0001), whole grains (OR 0.82, p < 0.0001) and plant oil (OR 0.87, p < 0.0001). We also observed association of plant oil consumption with increased triiodothyronine levels in HT patients (β = 0.07, p < 0.0001), and, association of olive oil consumption with decreased systolic blood pressure (β = − 0.16, p = 0.001) in HT patients on levothyroxine (LT4) therapy. Analysis of food consumption between HT patients with and without LT4 therapy suggest that patients do not tend to modify their diet upon HT diagnosis in our population. Our study may be of relevance to nutritionists, nutritional therapists and clinicians involved in developing dietary recommendations for HT patients.
Risk analysis of maize yield losses in mainland China at the county level
Authors: Li Xuan , Fang Shibo , Wu Dong , Zhu Yongchao , Wu Yingjie 
Published: June 2020

AbstractFood security in China is under additional stress due to climate change. The risk analysis of maize yield losses is crucial for sustainable agricultural production and climate change impact assessment. It is difficult to quantify this risk because of the constraints on the high-resolution data available. Moreover, the current results lack spatial comparability due to the area effect. These challenges were addressed by using long-term county-level maize yield and planting area data from 1981 to 2010. We analyzed the spatial distribution of maize yield loss risks in mainland China. A new comprehensive yield loss risk index was established by combining the reduction rate, coefficient of variation, and probability of yield reduction after removing the area effect. A total of 823 counties were divided into areas of lowest, low, moderate, high, and highest risk. High risk in maize production occurred in Heilongjiang and Jilin Provinces, the eastern part of Inner Mongolia, the eastern part of Gansu-Xinjiang, west of the Loess Plateau, and the western part of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Most counties in Northeast China were at high risk, while the Loess Plateau, middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and Gansu-Xinjiang were at low risk.
Estimating and abstracting the 3D structure of feline bones using neural networks on X-ray (2D) images
Authors: Čavojská Jana , Petrasch Julian , Mattern Denny , Lehmann Nicolas Jens , Voisard Agnès , Böttcher Peter 
Published: June 2020

AbstractComputing 3D bone models using traditional Computed Tomography (CT) requires a high-radiation dose, cost and time. We present a fully automated, domain-agnostic method for estimating the 3D structure of a bone from a pair of 2D X-ray images. Our triplet loss-trained neural network extracts a 128-dimensional embedding of the 2D X-ray images. A classifier then finds the most closely matching 3D bone shape from a predefined set of shapes. Our predictions have an average root mean square (RMS) distance of 1.08 mm between the predicted and true shapes, making our approach more accurate than the average achieved by eight other examined 3D bone reconstruction approaches. Each embedding extracted from a 2D bone image is optimized to uniquely identify the 3D bone CT from which the 2D image originated and can serve as a kind of fingerprint of each bone; possible applications include faster, image content-based bone database searches for forensic purposes.