bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of gut microbiota‐derived metabolites on vascular calcification in CKD
Authors: Yin Li , Li XiaoXue , Ghosh Sounak , Xie Changming , Chen Jie , Huang Hui 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe interaction between gut microbiota and the host has gained widespread concern. Gut microbiota not only provides nutrients from the ingested food but also generates bioactive metabolites and signalling molecules to impact host physiology, especially in chronic kidney disease (CKD). The development of CKD, accompanied by changed diet and medication, alters the gut flora and causes the effect in distant organs, leading to clinical complications. Vascular calcification (VC) is an actively regulated process and a high prevalence of VC in CKD has also been linked to an imbalance in gut microbiota and altered metabolites. In this review, we focused on gut microbiota‐derived metabolites involved in VC in CKD and explained how these metabolites influence the calcification process. Correcting the imbalance of gut microbiota and regulating microbiota‐derived metabolites by dietary modification and probiotics are new targets for the improvement of the gut‐kidney axis, which indicate innovative treatment options of VC in CKD.
Age of walking and intellectual ability in autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental disorders: a population‐based study
Authors: Havdahl Alexandra , Farmer Cristan , Schjølberg Synnve , Øyen Anne‐Siri , Surén Pål , Reichborn‐Kjennerud Ted , Magnus Per , Bresnahan Michaeline , Hornig Mady , Susser Ezra , Lipkin W. Ian , Lord Catherine , Stoltenberg Camilla , Thurm Audrey , Bishop Somer 
Published: December 2020

BackgroundDelayed walking is common in intellectual disability (ID) but may be less common when ID occurs with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Previous studies examining this were limited by reliance on clinical samples and exclusion of children with severe motor deficits.ObjectiveTo examine in a population‐based sample if age of walking is differentially related to intellectual ability in children with ASD versus other neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD).MethodsParticipants were from the nested Autism Birth Cohort Study of the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). Cox proportional hazards regression assessed if diagnosis (ASD n = 212 vs. NDD n = 354), continuous nonverbal IQ, and their interaction, were associated with continuous age of walking.ResultsThe relationship between nonverbal IQ and age of walking was stronger for NDD than for ASD (Group × nonverbal IQ interaction, χ2 = 13.93, p = .0002). This interaction was characterized by a 21% decrease in the likelihood of walking onset at any given time during the observation period per 10‐point decrease in nonverbal IQ (hazard ratio = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.78–0.85) in the NDD group compared to 8% (hazard ratio = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.86–0.98) in the ASD group.ConclusionsThe finding that age of walking is less strongly related to low intellectual ability in children with ASD than in children without other NDDs supports the hypothesis that ID in ASD may result from heterogeneous developmental pathways. Late walking may be a useful stratification variable in etiological research focused on ASD and other NDDs.
Staphylococcal bacterial contamination of portable electronic devices in a large veterinary hospital
Authors: Vinall G. , Cogan T. , Jeffery A. , Tivers M. 
Published: December 2020

BackgroundPortable electronic devices are used regularly within the veterinary and medical environments. Use of these in clinical areas may predispose them to bacterial contamination and they could act as fomites, transmitting infection between clinicians and patients.AimTo determine the prevalence, origin and nature of Staphylococcal bacterial contamination on the surface of portable electronic devices used in a large small animal hospital.Materials and MethodsStaff were surveyed on the frequency of portable electronic device use and device‐cleaning routines. Portable electronic devices were swabbed for staphylococcus species. Cultured cocci were tested for antimicrobial resistance and identified at the species level to help determine the likely source (human or animal).FindingsForty one of 48 (85%) of staff used a portable electronic device every day within the hospital. Useable swabs were obtained from 47 portable electronic devices. Staphylococci were found on 68% of portable electronic devices. Vancomycin and Oxacillin resistance were seen in 17 of 46 (37%) and 1 of 46 (2%) isolated colonies respectively, including four vancomycin resistant, coagulase‐positive staphylococci. 44% of staff never cleaned their device.Clinical SignificancePortable electronic devices are commonly used in veterinary hospitals, but few staff routinely disinfect them. The use of disinfectant to reduce colony counts should be implemented when forming protocols for these devices in the hospital. The majority of staphylococci found were of likely human origin. It is suggested that contamination is therefore more likely to be originating from staff rather than patients.
Remote, non‐invasive photogrammetry for measuring physical traits in wildlife
Authors: Smith A. F. , Bongi P. , Ciuti S. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractMorphometric measurements in wildlife are essential data needed to link behaviour and ecology to life‐history traits. However, acquisition of such data, especially in large vertebrates, is a challenging and limiting aspect in many studies due to associated capture and handling. Ultimately, this prevents testing important hypotheses in wildlife ecology. We demonstrate how to overcome some of these challenges by improving the far‐reaching potential of photogrammetry for wildlife. We validate a methodology using photogrammetry to acquire measurements of complex, curvilinear, morphometric traits (deer antlers) at long range (up to 200 m), providing a methodological foundation for further application to numerous physical attributes and species. We calibrated and validated two different photogrammetric camera systems and applied long‐range photogrammetry to measure a suite of antler features from deer trophies positioned analogous to free‐living, wild deer. We also developed, validated and described an efficient correction protocol to overcome the complexity of three‐dimensional antler features. This complexity previously biased the acquisition of absolute measurements. Our measurement estimates were characterized by mean errors lower than 5% when compared to true sizes, with our correction protocol for antlers particularly effective and validated with independent antler sizes. Importantly, the estimated size rankings based on the true sizes were identical to the rankings estimated by photogrammetry in all cases. We measured antlers in free‐living, wild fallow deer as a field validation and demonstration, showing how we were able to collect physical trait measurements of 230 antlers without capture. This non‐invasive, remote and fast technique can provide valuable and accurate data allowing researchers to address new hypotheses by linking life‐history traits to wildlife ecology, behaviour and management.
Erythropoietin promotes functional recovery in a mouse model of postoperative ileus
Authors: Elfar Walaa , Gurjar Anagha A. , Talukder M. A. Hassan , Noble Mark , Di Lorenzo Carlo , Elfar John 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundDysmotility and postoperative ileus (POI) are major clinical problems after surgical trauma and it is associated with increased intestinal inflammation and oxidative stress. Despite the high occurrence of POI following intra‐abdominal surgeries, no effective treatment is currently available. Erythropoietin (EPO) is a multifunctional tissue‐protective cytokine with potent anti‐inflammatory and anti‐oxidative properties, and it is an FDA approved medicine for clinical use. While both EPO and EPO receptors (EPOR) are widely expressed in the gut, the role of EPO in POI is largely unknown. This study was designed to explore the possible beneficial effect of EPO in a mouse model of POI.MethodsMice were subjected to intestinal manipulation to induce standard POI and intestinal transit time was determined at 24‐h post‐injury with or without EPO treatment (5000 units/kg, once, IP, immediately after intestinal trauma). Intestinal samples were harvested for histological and immunohistochemical analysis.ResultsSystemic EPO significantly improved intestinal transit time compared with control group and it was associated with significantly increased levels of tissue macrophages and reduced levels of oxidative stress.Conclusions and InferencesThis is the first pre‐clinical study to document novel beneficial effects of EPO in gut dysmotility and our findings suggest that the beneficial effects of EPO in POI is predominantly mediated by its anti‐oxidative and immunomodulatory properties.
Exploring joint patterns of brain structure and function in inflammatory bowel diseases using multimodal data fusion
Authors: Thomann Anne Kerstin , Schmitgen Mike Michael , Kmuche Dagny , Ebert Matthias Philip , Thomann Philipp Arthur , Szabo Kristina , Gass Achim , Griebe Martin , Reindl Wolfgang , Wolf Robert Christian 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundA growing number of neuroimaging studies suggest distinct neural changes in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Whether such changes may show similar spatial patterns across distinct neural features within and between specific IBD is unclear. To address this question, we used multivariate multimodal data fusion analysis to investigate structure/function modulation in remitted patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC).MethodsPatients with IBD (n = 46; n = 31 with CD, n = 15 with UC) in stable remission and 17 healthy controls (HC) underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) and resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs‐fMRI) as well as cognitive testing. Anxiety, depression, and fatigue were assessed using self‐rating questionnaires. sMRI data were analyzed via voxel‐based morphometry (VBM) and rs‐fMRI data via amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuations (ALFFs) and regional homogeneity (ReHo). Detection of cross‐information between VBM, ALFF, and ReHo was conducted by means of a joint independent component analysis (jICA), followed by group‐inference statistics.Key resultsJoint independent component analysis detected structural alterations in middle frontal and temporal regions (VBM), and functional changes in the superior frontal gyrus (ReHo) and the medial as well as inferior frontal, inferior temporal, rectal, and subcallosal gyrus (ALFF). One joint component of extracted features of the three modalities differed significantly between IBD patients and controls (p = 0.03), and most distinctly between HC and patients with UC.Conclusions and inferencesUsing a multivariate data fusion technique, this study provides further evidence to brain alterations in IBD. The data suggest distinct neural differences between CD and UC, particularly in frontotemporal regions.
Incisive canal remodelling following maximum anterior retraction reduces apical root resorption
Authors: Chung Chooryung J. , Nguyen Tung , Lee Jee‐Hyun , Kim Kyung‐Ho 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIntroductionThe objectives were to visualize the incisive canal (IC) remodelling following maximum incisor retraction and to evaluate its impact on canal‐invasion‐associated apical root resorption.MethodsPre‐ and post‐treatment CBCT images of 34 adult orthodontic patients (age 18‐47 years) with a large amount of maxillary incisor retraction (>4 mm) using temporary anchorage devices (TADs) were retrospectively evaluated. Maxillary regional superimpositions and 3D models of the IC along with central incisors were used to measure the changes in IC dimension, IC invasion by the roots and IC remodelling. In addition, the association of the amount of apical root resorption with the root‐IC relationship and IC remodelling were evaluated.ResultsIC invasion by the incisor roots following maximum retraction was seen in 53% (18 out of 34) of the cases. IC with larger volume and area showed more invasions compared with those with smaller volume and area (P < .01). The amount of root resorption was significantly higher with IC invasion than without invasion (2.39 mm vs 0.82 mm, P < .0001). IC remodelling following maximum retraction was seen in 24% of the subjects. IC remodelling group demonstrated less apical root resorption than the non‐remodelling group (0.98 mm vs 3.27 mm, P < .0001).ConclusionIC with larger volume and surface area before treatment were more likely to show canal invasion by the incisor roots after maximum retraction. IC invasion resulted in apical root resorption. However, approximately one‐fourth of cases showed remodelling of the IC, which reduced the amount of root resorption.
A novel motif in the 5’‐UTR of an orphan gene ‘Big Root Biomass’ modulates root biomass in sesame
Authors: Dossa Komivi , Zhou Rong , Li Donghua , Liu Aili , Qin Lu , Mmadi Marie A. , Su Ruqi , Zhang Yujuan , Wang Jianqiang , Gao Yuan , Zhang Xiurong , You Jun 
Published: December 2020

SummaryDeveloping crops with improved root system is crucial in current global warming scenario. Underexploited crops are valuable reservoirs of unique genes that can be harnessed for the improvement of major crops. In this study, we performed genome‐wide association studies on seven root traits in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) and uncovered 409 significant signals, 19 quantitative trait loci containing 32 candidate genes. A peak SNP significantly associated with root number and root dry weight traits was located in the promoter of the gene named ‘Big Root Biomass’ (BRB), which was subsequently validated in a bi‐parental population. BRB has no functional annotation and is restricted to the Lamiales order. We detected the presence of a novel motif ‘AACACACAC’ located in the 5’‐UTR of BRB in single and duplicated copy in accessions with high and small root biomass, respectively. A strong expression level of BRB was negatively correlated with high root biomass, and this was attributed to the gene SiMYB181 which represses the activity of BRB by binding specifically to the single motif but not to the duplicated one. Curiously, the allele that enhanced BRB expression has been intensively selected by modern breeding. Overexpression of BRB in Arabidopsis modulates auxin pathway leading to reduced root biomass, improved yield parameters under normal growth conditions and increased drought stress sensitivity. Overall, BRB represents a solid gene model for improving the performance of sesame and other crops.
Association of lead, mercury, and cadmium with metabolic syndrome of young adults in South Korea: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2016
Authors: Park YoonJin , Oh Chung Uk 
Published: December 2020

AbstractObjectiveThis study examines the relations between blood lead, mercury, and cadmium levels, affect metabolic syndrome of young adults.Study Design and ParticipantsThis study is a descriptive study on verifying the relation between blood lead, mercury, cadmium level, and subcategories of metabolic syndrome. A total of 823 respondents’ data of 19~29 years were sampled of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2016 conducted under the National Health Promotion Law.MeasurementTo identify the predictive risk factors of metabolic syndromes, the subcategories of metabolic syndromes and the lead, mercury, and cadmium levels were analyzed using logistic regression. Pearson's correlation was used to identify correlations among the factors.ResultsAn analysis of the correlations among the metabolic syndromes and blood levels of lead, mercury, and cadmium showed significant relationships between blood lead level and systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, waist circumference, and triglyceride level; also between blood mercury level and waist measurement and triglyceride level; and between blood cadmium level and waist circumference and triglyceride level (p < .05).ConclusionThis study is significant in that it provides basic data on the correlation between metabolic syndromes and heavy metals among young adults.
Nitric Oxide‐elicited Resistance to Antitumor Photodynamic Therapy via Inhibition of Membrane Free Radical‐mediated Lipid Peroxidation
Authors: Girotti Albert W. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThis review focuses on the ability of nitric oxide (NO) to antagonize antitumor photodynamic therapy (PDT). NO’s anti‐PDT effects were recognized relatively recently and require a better mechanistic understanding for developing new strategies to improve PDT efficacy. Many PDT sensitizers (PSs) are amphiphilic and tend to localize in membrane compartments of tumor cells. Unsaturated lipids in these compartments can undergo peroxidative degradation after PS photoactivation. Primary Type I (free radical) vs. Type II (singlet oxygen) photochemistry of lipid peroxidation is discussed, along with light‐independent turnover of primary lipid hydroperoxides to free radical species. Chain lipid peroxidation mediated by the latter exacerbates membrane damage and cytotoxicity after a PDT challenge. Our studies have shown that NO from chemical donors can suppress chain peroxidation by intercepting lipid‐derived free radical intermediates, thereby protecting cancer cells against photokilling. More recent evidence has revealed that inducible NO synthase (iNOS) is dramatically upregulated in several cancer cell types after a photodynamic challenge, and that iNOS‐derived NO enhances resistance as well as growth and migratory aggressiveness of surviving cells. Chain breaking by NO and other possible NO‐based resistance mechanisms are discussed, along with novel pharmacologic approaches for overcoming these negative effects.
Exploring the alpha‐gliadin locus: the 33‐mer peptide with six overlapping coeliac disease epitopes in Triticum aestivum is derived from a subgroup of Aegilops tauschii
Authors: Schaart Jan G. , Salentijn Elma M. J. , Goryunova Svetlana V. , Chidzanga Charity , Esselink Danny G. , Gosman Nick , Bentley Alison R. , Gilissen Luud J. W. J. , Smulders Marinus J. M. 
Published: December 2020

SummaryMost alpha‐gliadin genes of the Gli‐D2 locus on the D genome of hexaploid bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) encode for proteins with epitopes that can trigger coeliac disease (CD), and several contain a 33‐mer peptide with six partly overlapping copies of three epitopes, which is regarded as a remarkably potent T‐cell stimulator. To increase genetic diversity in the D genome, synthetic hexaploid wheat lines are being made by hybridising accessions of Triticum turgidum (AB genome) and Aegilops tauschii (the progenitor of the D genome). The diversity of alpha‐gliadins in A. tauschii has not been studied extensively. We analysed the alpha‐gliadin transcriptome of 51 A. tauschii accessions representative of the diversity in A. tauschii. We extracted RNA from developing seeds and performed 454 amplicon sequencing of the first part of the alpha‐gliadin genes. The expression profile of allelic variants of the alpha‐gliadins was different between accessions, and also between accessions of the Western and Eastern clades of A. tauschii. Generally, both clades expressed many allelic variants not found in bread wheat. In contrast to earlier studies, we detected the 33‐mer peptide in some A. tauschii accessions, indicating that it was introduced along with the D genome into bread wheat. In these accessions, transcripts with the 33‐mer peptide were present at lower frequencies than in bread wheat varieties. In most A. tauschii accessions, however, the alpha‐gliadins do not contain the epitope, and this may be exploited, through synthetic hexaploid wheats, to breed bread wheat varieties with fewer or no coeliac disease epitopes.
Whole blood donor behavior and availability after deferral: Consequences of a new ferritin monitoring policy
Authors: Spekman Marloes L.C. , Ramondt Steven , Sweegers Maike G. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundTo prevent (negative consequences of) temporary deferral due to low hemoglobin, the Dutch national blood service Sanquin introduced a ferritin monitoring policy in 2017. Ferritin is measured after the donation (as opposed to before donation for hemoglobin), and low ferritin levels lead to deferral of 6 (ferritin 15‐30 ng/mL) or 12 months (ferritin <15 ng/mL). We explored the consequences of this policy on donor behavior and availability.Study Design and MethodsWe included all Dutch whole blood donors who made a donation (attempt) between 13 November and 31 December 2017. At that point, the ferritin monitoring policy was randomly implemented in 8 of 29 regional clusters of collection centers. We extracted information from Sanquin's donor database about donors' deferrals, subsequent donation attempts, and donation cessation (up to 31 December 2019). Donors deferred for low ferritin were compared to those deferred for low hemoglobin or other reasons, as well as to donors who were not deferred.ResultsA total of 55 644 donors were included (11% deferred). For donor behavior, we found that donors deferred for low ferritin less often unsubscribed and switched to other donation types, yet also made fewer donations in the follow‐up period. For availability, we found they were less often deferred, yet they were unavailable to donate for a longer period.ConclusionResults suggest that the implementation of a ferritin monitoring policy may lead to a decrease in donor availability and reduced donations. However, the policy is successful in retaining more donors and reducing low hemoglobin deferrals.
Evaluation of the cutaneous inflammatory cells in dogs with leishmaniosis and in dogs without the disease that were naturally infected by Leishmania infantum (syn. L. chagasi)
Authors: Hernandez‐Bures Andrea , Gillen James , Apostolidis Kosmas , Saridomichelakis Manolis , Di Loria Antonio , Santoro Domenico 
Published: December 2020

BackgroundCanine leishmaniosis (CanL) is associated with an aberrant cutaneous immune response. Few studies have compared cutaneous immune cells among dogs with leishmaniosis or infected without leishmaniosis, and noninfected dogs.Hypothesis/ObjectiveEvaluate the number of neutrophils, histiocytes, T lymphocytes, T‐bet‐positive, GATA3‐positive, FoxP3‐positive and interleukin (IL)‐17‐positive cells, in lesional (Group A) and normal‐looking (Group B) skin of nine dogs with stage II/III leishmaniosis; in normal‐looking PCR‐positive (Group C; n = 6) or PCR‐negative (Group D; n = 6) skin of infected dogs; and in the normal‐looking skin of 12 noninfected dogs (Group E).Methods and materialsDiagnosis of CanL considered clinical signs, clinicopathological abnormalities, detection of Leishmania amastigotes in lymph nodes, and/or bone marrow and positive serological results. Paraffin‐embedded skin biopsies were processed for routine immunofluorescence and positive cells were identified using commercially available anti‐canine antibodies.ResultsIn Group A, there was a significantly higher number of neutrophils (P < 0.001), histiocytes (P = 0.012), T lymphocytes (P = 0.011), GATA3‐positive (P = 0.02) and IL‐17A‐positive (P = 0.002) cells compared to Group E. In Group B, there was a significantly higher number of histiocytes (P = 0.02), T lymphocytes (P = 0.004), GATA3‐positive (P = 0.006) and FoxP3‐positive (P = 0.028) cells compared to Group E. There was no difference in between groups A and B and between groups C or D and E.Conclusions and clinical importanceIn the lesional and/or normal‐looking skin of dogs with moderate/severe CanL there is an infiltration of neutrophils, histiocytes, T lymphocytes, GATA3‐, FoxP3‐ and IL17A‐positive cells. By contrast, the number of these cells is not increased in the normal‐looking skin of infected dogs without CanL compared to the skin of noninfected dogs.