bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of sensory neuron membrane proteins (SNMPs) in cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Xu Wei , Zhang Huijie , Liao Yalin , Papanicolaou Alexie 
Published: May 2020

AbstractSensory neuron membrane proteins (SNMPs) play a critical role in insect chemosensory system. Previously, three SNMPs were identified, characterized and functionally investigated in a lepidopteran model insect, Bombyx mori. However, whether these results are consistent across other lepidopteran species are unknown. Here genome and transcriptome data analysis, expression profiling, quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR) and the yeast hybridization system were utilized to examine snmp genes of Helicoverpa armigera, one of the most destructive lepidopteran pests in cropping areas. In silico expression and qRT‐PCR analyses showed that, just as the B. mori snmp genes, H. armigera snmp1 (Harmsnmp1) is specifically expressed in adult antennae. Harmsnmp2 is broadly expressed in multiple tissues including adult antennae, tarsi, larval antennae and mouthparts. Harmsnmp3 is specifically expressed in larval midguts. Further RNAseq analysis suggested that the expression levels of Harmsnmp2 and Harmsnmp3 differed significantly depending on the plant species on which the larvae fed, indicating they may be involved in plant‐feeding behaviours. Yeast hybridization results revealed a protein–protein interaction between HarmSNMP1 and the sex pheromone receptor, HarmOR13. This study demonstrated that SNMPs may share same functions and mechanisms in different lepidopteran species, which improved our understanding of insect snmp genes and their functions in lepidopterans.
Effects of diacylglycerol and triacylglycerol from peanut oil and coconut oil on lipid metabolism in mice
Authors: Lu Han , Guo Tingting , Fan Yawei , Deng Zeyuan , Luo Ting , Li Hongyan 
Published: May 2020

AbstractDifferent chain lengths diacylglycerols (DAG) (long‐ and medium‐chain) were synthesized from peanut and coconut oils. The effects of DAG with different chain lengths on body fat, blood lipids, and lipid metabolism‐related enzymes in the liver and adipose tissue of C57BL/6J mice were investigated. Compared to peanut and coconut oils containing triacylglycerol (TAG), DAG‐rich oils can significantly reduce the body weight, kidney weight, serum triglyceride (TG) content, hepatic fatty acid synthase (FAS), and Acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACC) enzyme levels (p < 0.05) in C57BL/6J mice. Therefore, the effect of coconut oil DAG on improving body fat metabolism was probably due to the impact of DAG. Meanwhile, the body weight and serum TG content in coconut oil DAG group were lower than those in peanut oil DAG group. In addition, the spleen weight, hepatic ACC, and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) enzymes in coconut oil DAG group (0.07 ± 0.01 g, 2.08 ± 0.42 ng/mg pro, and 18.44 ± 5.23 ng/mg pro, respectively) were significantly lower than those in peanut oil DAG group. Although coconut oil DAG and peanut oil DAG have different fatty acid compositions, their effects on lipid metabolism showed no significant changes. Coconut oil DAG (peanut oil DAG) showed the improved lipid metabolism than that of coconut oil (peanut oil), which was probably due to the effect of DAG.Practical ApplicationPeanut and coconut oils are common edible oils. The oil containing DAG synthesized decreased the body weight and lipid accumulation in mice. Coconut oil is rich in medium‐chain fatty acids, while peanut oil mainly consists of long‐chain fatty acids. Due to the different contents of fatty acids, the synthesized structural lipids have different effects on lipid metabolism. Medium‐chain triglycerides were considered as agents to alleviate obesity.
Increased placental macrophages and a pro‐inflammatory profile in placentas and maternal serum in infants with a decreased growth rate in the third trimester of pregnancy
Authors: Sharps Megan C. , Baker Bernadette C. , Guevara Tatiana , Bischof Helen , Jones Rebecca L. , Greenwood Susan L. , Heazell Alexander E. P. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractProblemThere is growing evidence for the role of placental inflammation in the pathophysiology of pregnancy complications including fetal growth restriction (FGR). This study aimed to characterize the inflammatory profile in the maternal circulation and the placenta of infants who were growth restricted and those that were small for gestational age (SGA).Method of studyPlacental villous tissue and maternal serum were obtained from pregnancies where infants were SGA at birth or who had a decreasing growth rate (≥25 centiles) across the third trimester. Immunohistochemical and histological analyses of placental samples were conducted for macrophage number, alongside vascular and cell turnover analysis. Inflammatory profile was analyzed in maternal and placental compartments via ELISAs and multiplex assays.ResultsThere were significantly more CD163+ macrophages in placentas of infants with a decreased growth rate compared to controls, but not in SGA infants (median 8.6/ nuclei vs 3.8 and 2.9, P = .008 and P = .003, respectively). Uric acid (P = .0007) and IL‐8 (P = .0008) were increased in placentas, and S100A8 (P < .0002) was increased in maternal serum of infants with decreased growth rate. No changes in the maternal serum or placental lysates of SGA infants were observed.ConclusionThe evidence of an altered inflammatory profile in infants with a decreasing growth rate, but not in those that were born SGA, provides further evidence that inflammation plays a role in true FGR. It remains unclear whether the increased placental macrophages occur as a direct result, or as a consequence of the pro‐inflammatory environment observed in fetal growth restriction.
Impact of vitamin D deficiency on mouse sperm structure and function
Authors: Shahreza Fatemeh Dehghan , Hajian Mehdi , Gharagozloo Parvis , Drevet Joël R. , Nasr‐Esfahani Mohammad Hossein 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundIn rodents and humans, vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is associated with altered sperm structure and function (primarily decreased motility and morphological abnormalities) that are primarily attributed to VDD‐induced hypocalcemia. However, it is suspected that VDD has much more drastic effects on mammalian spermatozoa.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to illustrate that VDD, depending on its severity and duration, can alter sperm nuclear integrity and can also lead to the loss of spermatozoa's ability to support embryonic development.Materials and methodsA mouse model of induced VDD combining the action of a vitamin D‐deficient diet, UV exposure limitation, and paricalcitol injections; a vitamin D2 analog that catabolizes endogenous vitamin D by increasing the expression of CYP24A, a member of the cytochrome P450 family, has been used to create different grades of VDD.ResultsWe show that the most significant sperm defect recorded concerns the integrity of the paternal nucleus, which is both decondensed and fragmented in moderate‐to‐severe VDD situations. Consistent with the known consequences of fertilization with DNA‐damaged spermatozoa, we show that paternal VDD decreases the ability of spermatozoa to optimally support fertilization and embryonic development.Discussion and ConclusionGiven the worldwide high prevalence of VDD in humans, and although obtained in an animal model, the data presented here suggest that subfertile/infertile males may benefit from VDD testing and that attempts to correct serum vitamin D levels could be considered prior to conception, either naturally or through ART.
How will increasing surgical volume affect mortality in the Pacific, Papua New Guinea and Timor Leste?
Authors: Nagra Sonal , Kaur Balbindar , Singh Sheetal , Tangi Viliame , Mccaig Eddie , Stupart Douglas , Moore Eileen M. , Meara John G. , Guest Glenn D. , Watters David A. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundNine South Pacific nations, Papua New Guinea and Timor Leste, have collaborated to report and publish their surgical metrics as recommended by the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery (LCoGS). Currently, these countries experience about 750 postoperative deaths per year, representing 1% of crude mortality in the region. Given that more than 400 000 annual procedures are needed in the nine nations to reach the LCoGS target of 5000/100 000, we aimed to calculate the potential contribution of perioperative mortality to national mortality where these procedures are performed.MethodsWe utilized reported surgical metrics with current rates for surgical volume (SV) and perioperative mortality (POMR), as well as World Bank/WHO mortality statistics, to predict the likely impact of surgical scale‐up to recommended targets by 2030. We tested correlations between SV and POMR in countries from our region using Pearson's r statistic. Funnel plots were used to evaluate the dataset for outliers.ResultsSurgical scale up would result in perioperative mortality contributing on average to 3.3% of all national crude mortality. This prediction assumes POMR stays the same, which is challenging to predict. In our region countries that achieved the LCoGS target (n = 5) had a lower POMR than countries that did not (n = 8).ConclusionsSurgical volumes in the South Pacific region must increase to meet the LCoGS target. Postoperative mortality as a proportion of all mortality may increase with the surgical scale up, however, the overall number of premature deaths is expected to reduce with better access to timely and safe surgical care.
Ocular manifestations and clinical characteristics of 535 cases of COVID‐19 in Wuhan, China: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Chen Liwen , Deng Chaohua , Chen Xuhui , Zhang Xian , Chen Bo , Yu Huimin , Qin Yuanjun , Xiao Ke , Zhang Hong , Sun Xufang 
Published: May 2020

AbstractPurposeTo investigate the ocular manifestations and clinical characteristics of COVID‐19 patients caused by SARS‐CoV‐2 in Wuhan, China.MethodsA total of 535 COVID‐19 patients were recruited at Mobile Cabin Hospital and Tongji Hospital. Information on demographic characteristics, exposure history, ocular symptoms, eye drop medication, eye protections, chronic eye diseases, systemic concomitant symptoms, radiologic findings and SARS‐CoV‐2 detection in nasopharyngeal swabs by real‐time PCR was collected from questionnaires and electronic medical records.ResultsOf 535 patients, 27 patients (5.0%) presented with conjunctival congestion and 4 patients had conjunctival congestion as the initial symptom. The average duration of conjunctival congestion was 5.9 ± 4.5 days (mean [SD]). The other ocular symptoms, including increased conjunctival secretion, ocular pain, photophobia, dry eye and tearing, were also found in patients with conjunctival congestion. Notably, hand–eye contact was independently correlated with conjunctival congestion in COVID‐19 patients. We also found that some COVID‐19 patients had chronic eye diseases, including conjunctivitis (33, 6.2%), xerophthalmia (24, 4.5%) and keratitis (14, 2.6%). Similar to the published studies, the most common clinical symptoms were fever, cough and fatigue. A total of 343 patients (64.1%) had positive SARS‐CoV‐2 detection in nasopharyngeal swabs.ConclusionsConjunctival congestion is one of the COVID‐19‐related ocular symptoms, which could occur as the initial symptoms. Frequent hand–eye contact may be the risk factor for conjunctival congestion in COVID‐19 patients. Screening of patients with conjunctival congestion by ophthalmologists is advocated during the outbreak of COVID‐19. It is essential to provide eye‐care equipment and strengthen education on eye protection.
Fasting with adrenal insufficiency: Practical guidance for healthcare professionals managing patients on steroids during Ramadan
Authors: Hussain Sufyan , Hussain Shazia , Mohammed Ruzwan , Meeran Karim , Ghouri Nazim 
Published: May 2020

SummaryThere are limited recommendations for fasting in many chronic diseases such as adrenal insufficiency (AI). Research in such situations highlights potential for complications and need for education for patients with AI undertaking fasting during Ramadan. This article aimed to provide up‐to‐date guidance for healthcare professionals to educate, discuss and manage patients with AI who are considering fasting in Ramadan and is religiously compatible. Latest guidance on this topic and the evidence base for steroid dosing are reviewed and discussed. Risk stratification for patients with AI and optimal strategies for management, including steroid dosing, are detailed. Our review highlights that patients with AI wishing to fast should undergo a thorough risk assessment ideally several months before Ramadan. ‘High risk’ and ‘Very high risk’ patients should be encouraged to explore alternative options to fasting discussed below. Prior to the commencement of Ramadan, all patients must receive up‐to‐date education on sick day rules, instructions on when to terminate their fast or abstain from fasting, carry steroid warning information and must have a valid intramuscular (IM) hydrocortisone pack and know how to administer this. Switching patients with AI desiring to fast from multiple daily hydrocortisone replacement to prednisolone 5 mg once daily at dawn (during Suhoor or Sehri) is recommended and discussed. Patients on fludrocortisone for AI should be advised to take their total dose at dawn. We provide practically relevant case‐based scenarios to help with the application of this guidance. Future efforts need to focus on healthcare professional awareness and further research in this setting.
TNF‐α/HMGB1 inflammation signalling pathway regulates pyroptosis during liver failure and acute kidney injury
Authors: Wang Yao , Zhang Haiyue , Chen Qian , Jiao Fangzhou , Shi Chunxia , Pei Maohua , Lv Jian , Zhang Hong , Wang Luwen , Gong Zuojiong 
Published: May 2020

AbstractObjectiveAcute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication of acute liver failure (ALF). Pyroptosis is a necrosis type related to inflammation. This study aimed to investigate the role of TNF‐α/HMGB1 pathway in pyroptosis during ALF and AKI.MethodsAn ALF and AKI mouse model was generated using LPS/D‐Gal, and a TNF‐α inhibitor, CC‐5013, was used to treat the mice. THP‐1 cells were induced to differentiate into M1 macrophages, then challenged with either CC‐5013 or an HMGB1 inhibitor, glycyrrhizin. pLVX‐mCMVZsGreen‐PGK‐Puros plasmids containing TNF‐α wild‐type (WT), mutation A94T of TNF‐α and mutation P84L of TNF‐α were transfected into M1 macrophages.ResultsTreatment with CC‐5013 decreased the activation of TNF‐α/HMGB1 pathway and pyroptosis in the treated mice and cells compared with the control mice and cells. CC‐5013 also ameliorated liver and kidney pathological changes and improved liver and renal functions in treated mice, and the number of M1 macrophages in the liver and kidney tissues also decreased. The activation of TNF‐α/HMGB1 pathway and pyroptosis increased in the M1 macrophage group compared with the normal group. Similarly, the activation of TNF‐α/HMGB1 pathway and pyroptosis in the LPS + WT group also increased. By contrast, the activation of the TNF‐α/HMGB1 pathway and pyroptosis decreased in the LPS + A94T and LPS + P84L groups. Moreover, glycyrrhizin inhibited pyroptosis.ConclusionThe TNF‐α/HMGB1 inflammation signalling pathway plays an important role in pyroptosis during ALF and AKI.
Machine learning to quantify habitual physical activity in children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Goodlich Benjamin I , Armstrong Ellen L , Horan Sean A , Baque Emmah , Carty Christopher P , Ahmadi Matthew N , Trost Stewart G 
Published: May 2020

AimTo investigate whether activity‐monitors and machine learning models could provide accurate information about physical activity performed by children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) who use mobility aids for ambulation.MethodEleven participants (mean age 11y [SD 3y]; six females, five males) classified in Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels III and IV, completed six physical activity trials wearing a tri‐axial accelerometer on the wrist, hip, and thigh. Trials included supine rest, upper‐limb task, walking, wheelchair propulsion, and cycling. Three supervised learning algorithms (decision tree, support vector machine [SVM], random forest) were trained on features in the raw‐acceleration signal. Model‐performance was evaluated using leave‐one‐subject‐out cross‐validation accuracy.ResultsCross‐validation accuracy for the single‐placement models ranged from 59% to 79%, with the best performance achieved by the random forest wrist model (79%). Combining features from two or more accelerometer placements significantly improved classification accuracy. The random forest wrist and hip model achieved an overall accuracy of 92%, while the SVM wrist, hip, and thigh model achieved an overall accuracy of 90%.InterpretationModels trained on features in the raw‐acceleration signal may provide accurate recognition of clinically relevant physical activity behaviours in children and adolescents with CP who use mobility aids for ambulation in a controlled setting.What this paper adds

Machine learning may assist clinicians in evaluating the efficacy of surgical and therapy‐based interventions.
Machine learning may help researchers better understand the short‐ and long‐term benefits of physical activity for children with more severe motor impairments.
Perfect timing: Mobile brain/body imaging scaffolds the 4E‐cognition research program
Authors: Parada Francisco J. , Rossi Alejandra 
Published: May 2020

AbstractRecent technological advancements encompassed under the Mobile Brain/Body Imaging (MoBI) framework have produced exciting new experimental results linking mind, brain and behaviour. Nevertheless, novel hypotheses, measures and experimental paradigms are needed in order to tackle MoBI’s ultimate goal: to model and understand cognition, behaviour and experience as it emerges and unfolds unto and from the world. Such a goal is not completely novel or unique to the MoBI framework; it is at the core of a long‐standing scientific and philosophical challenge. The ages‐long debate revolves around the role of the body and the world on the emergence of the mind. Considering this, the present work has two goals. Our first goal is to briefly summarize some of the main ideas encompassed by the materialist/naturalist view of cognition as a complex emergent phenomenon. Our second and main goal is to argue that thanks to both MoBI and recent theoretical advances encompassed under the 4E‐Cognition banner, theory and methodology might be finally synchronized, giving way to a revitalized form of emergentism, which lays new grounds for the understanding of cognitive phenomena. Finally, we offer the reader what we consider to be the main objective for the MoBI/4E framework and the understanding of the functional role of brain/body/world couplings in the emergence of cognition.
The rapid Bethesda assay is equivalent to the standard Bethesda assay for detection of factor IX inhibitors in patients with severe haemophilia B
Authors: Sahud Mervyn , Zhukov Olga , Naides Stanley J. , Serrano Cynthia , Wong Edward , Dlott Jeffrey , Racke Frederick 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIntroductionThe time‐dependent nature of factor VIII (FVIII) inhibitors is well described, and the standard FVIII Bethesda assay used to measure inhibitors incorporates a 2‐hour incubation. Despite case reports and reviews describing the immediate‐acting nature of factor IX (FIX) inhibitors, many coagulation laboratories continue to use a traditional prolonged incubation for FIX Bethesda assays. To our knowledge, a comprehensive evaluation of the FIX Bethesda assay without incubation has not been reported.AimThe goal of this study was to evaluate the performance of a rapid FIX Bethesda (ie no incubation) compared with the standard Bethesda assay (2‐hour incubation).MethodsThe analysis used a Bethesda assay configured for either immediate testing or a 2‐hour incubation. Samples from 14 haemophilia B patients with inhibitors and 9 non‐human controls were tested.ResultsThe two assays yielded similar performance overall. The average per cent difference in inhibitor titre between the rapid and standard FIX Bethesda assay was −3% (range −15% to +13%; P = .175) for patient samples and −2% (range −17% to +14%; P = .376) for controls.ConclusionThe rapid Bethesda assay showed good agreement with the standard Bethesda assay for determination of inhibitor levels in patients with severe haemophilia B. The rapid assay allows for faster assessment of inhibitors in patients with severe haemophilia B and has the potential to improve the ability of the coagulation laboratory to perform testing from a logistical viewpoint. Further studies involving larger numbers of patients would be important to confirm our findings.
Evaluating the profile of myofibrillar proteins and its relationship with tenderness among five styles of dry‐cured hams
Authors: Zhou Yang , Wang Ying , He Jun , Pan Daodong , Wang Hongfei , Cao Jinxuan 
Published: May 2020

SummaryIn order to investigate the relationship between profile of myofibrillar proteins and tenderness among 2 kinds of Chinese hams (Jinhua and Xuanwei) and 3 kinds of European hams (Iberian, Serrano and Parma), shear force, myofibril fragmentation index (MFI), SDS‐PAGE, carbonyls content and Raman spectroscopy were investigated. The shear force and salt content of Chinese hams were significantly higher than that of European hams, while moisture content was lower than that of European hams (p < 0.05). MFI values and SDS‐PAGE profile revealed that the degradation of myofibrillar proteins in Chinese hams was lower than in European hams. In addition, Chinese hams showed significantly higher carbonyls content and β‐sheet content compared with European hams, indicated that proteins aggregation intensively inhibited the degradation of myofibrillar proteins in Chinese hams. These results indicated that the higher shear force in Chinese style hams could be attributed to the lower moisture content and limited proteolysis.
Improving storage property of wheat bran by steam explosion
Authors: Kong Feng , Wang Lan , Chen Hongzhang , Zhao Xuan 
Published: May 2020

AbstractSteam explosion (SE) was exploited for stabilizing wheat bran (WB), and its effects on nutrients retention of WB were investigated. Result showed that SE could effectively inactivate lipase and peroxidase of WB at 0.8 MPa (170 °C) for 5 min while lipid and protein were not loss. Total flavonoids, phenolics contents, soluble dietary fibre content and DPPH radical scavenging activity in WB after SE increased by 198%, 83%, 27% and 21% respectively compared with those after conventional thermal sterilization (0.1 MPa (121 °C) for 20 min), while fatty acid value and peroxide value and insoluble dietary fibre content deceased by 21%, 75% and 24%, respectively. SE inhibited hydrolysis rancidity of wheat bran and reconstituted whole wheat flour (wholemeal) in the accelerated storage test. Therefore, SE may be a new efficient technology that could stabilize cereal bran and further promote its products development.