bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing the systematics of Tylodinidae in the Mediterranean Sea and Eastern Atlantic Ocean: resurrectingTylodina rafinesquiiPhilippi, 1836 (Heterobranchia: Umbraculida)
Authors: Fernández-Vilert Robert , Giribet Gonzalo , Salvador Xavi , Moles Juan 
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACTThe systematics of the gastropod clade Umbraculida, particularly the family Tylodinidae, has been a matter of debate. The Tylodinidae of the Mediterranean Sea are a case in point, with no comprehensive molecular assessment of diversity having been carried out to date. Several species and genera have been erected and synonymized in the course of the last two centuries and only a single species from each of the genera Tylodina and Anidolyta are considered to be present in these waters. In order to shed light on the controversial taxonomy of the group, we carried out both morpho-anatomical study and molecular analyses using fragments of two mitochondrial genes, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and 16S rRNA, and the nuclear gene histone H3. Phylogenetic analyses and species delimitation tests clearly recovered two independent lineages of Tylodina from the Mediterranean and Eastern Atlantic coast, the type species T. perversa and the resurrected T. rafinesquii. We found clear differences in shell and radular morphology between both species, as well as differences in their habitat and food preferences. Interestingly, we found strong evidence that T. rafinesquii is sister to T. fungina from the Eastern Pacific rather than to the sympatric T. perversa. Furthermore, the new morphological data strongly encourage the suppression of the genus Anidolyta, which should be considered a junior synonym of Tylodina.
The expression of long non-coding RNAs is associated with H3Ac and H3K4me2 changes regulated by the HDA6-LDL1/2 histone modification complex in Arabidopsis
Authors: Hung Fu-Yu , Chen Chen , Yen Ming-Ren , Hsieh Jo-Wei Allison , Li Chenlong , Shih Yuan-Hsin , Chen Fang-Fang , Chen Pao-Yang , Cui Yuhai , Wu Keqiang 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
In recent years, eukaryotic long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been identified as important factors involved in a wide variety of biological processes, including histone modification, alternative splicing and transcription enhancement. The expression of lncRNAs is highly tissue-specific and is regulated by environmental stresses. Recently, a large number of plant lncRNAs have been identified, but very few of them have been studied in detail. Furthermore, the mechanism of lncRNA expression regulation remains largely unknown. Arabidopsis HISTONE DEACETYLASE 6 (HDA6) and LSD1-LIKE 1/2 (LDL1/2) can repress gene expression synergistically by regulating H3Ac/H3K4me. In this research, we performed RNA-seq and ChIP-seq analyses to further clarify the function of HDA6-LDL1/2. Our results indicated that the global expression of lncRNAs is increased in hda6/ldl1/2 and that this increased lncRNA expression is particularly associated with H3Ac/H3K4me2 changes. In addition, we found that HDA6-LDL1/2 is important for repressing lncRNAs that are non-expressed or show low-expression, which may be strongly associated with plant development. GO-enrichment analysis also revealed that the neighboring genes of the lncRNAs that are upregulated in hda6/ldl1/2 are associated with various developmental processes. Collectively, our results revealed that the expression of lncRNAs is associated with H3Ac/H3K4me2 changes regulated by the HDA6-LDL1/2 histone modification complex.
ComBat-seq: batch effect adjustment for RNA-seq count data
Authors: Zhang Yuqing , Parmigiani Giovanni , Johnson W Evan 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe benefit of integrating batches of genomic data to increase statistical power is often hindered by batch effects, or unwanted variation in data caused by differences in technical factors across batches. It is therefore critical to effectively address batch effects in genomic data to overcome these challenges. Many existing methods for batch effects adjustment assume the data follow a continuous, bell-shaped Gaussian distribution. However in RNA-seq studies the data are typically skewed, over-dispersed counts, so this assumption is not appropriate and may lead to erroneous results. Negative binomial regression models have been used previously to better capture the properties of counts. We developed a batch correction method, ComBat-seq, using a negative binomial regression model that retains the integer nature of count data in RNA-seq studies, making the batch adjusted data compatible with common differential expression software packages that require integer counts. We show in realistic simulations that the ComBat-seq adjusted data results in better statistical power and control of false positives in differential expression compared to data adjusted by the other available methods. We further demonstrated in a real data example that ComBat-seq successfully removes batch effects and recovers the biological signal in the data.
Tobacco Products and the Risks of SARS-CoV-2 Infection and COVID-19
Authors: Samet Jonathan M 
Published: September 2020

AbstractImplications: This commentary addresses the state of the evidence on tobacco products, nicotine, and COVID-19. The evidence of the effects of smoking on respiratory infections and the immune system in general are examined and the current understanding of tobacco products and risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection and the course of COVID-19 is addressed.
The European Union as a Global Regulatory Power†
Authors: Hadjiyianni Ioanna 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Global regulatory interdependence is increasingly prevalent, with decision makers often affected by choices of jurisdictions in faraway places. Anu Bradford’s The Brussels Effect makes a significant contribution to our understanding of power in contemporary societies, which extends beyond military and normative power to power defined by regulatory capacity and market forces. Bradford empirically traces the global regulatory power of the European Union, which affects foreign business practices and policy choices, and theoretically identifies the prerequisites for the emergence of this phenomenon. This review article further situates the Brussels effect, perceived by Bradford as a passive process, within the context of other kinds of unilateral mechanisms that actively extend EU regulation beyond EU borders. This contextualisation demonstrates that law is a significant explanatory factor for its emergence. Both the legal design of measures with extraterritorial reach and the Court of Justice’s permissive stance often determine the extent of the Brussels effect. Also, analysing the Brussels effect alongside more active mechanisms of the extraterritorial reach of EU law reveals important normative questions regarding the legitimacy of the EU as a global regulatory power.
Quantitative and semi-quantitative assessment of synovitis on MRI and the relationship with symptoms in symptomatic knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Perry Thomas A , Yang Xiaotian , van Santen James , Arden Nigel K , Kluzek Stefan 
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Objectives
Synovitis in symptomatic knee OA (KOA) is common and is associated with joint symptoms. Optimal synovial measurement on MRI is, however, unclear. Our aims were to examine the relationship between MRI measures of synovitis and knee symptoms in symptomatic KOA.

Methods
Data from a randomized, multicentre, placebo-controlled trial (UK-VIDEO) of vitamin-D therapy in symptomatic KOA were utilized. Participants reported knee symptoms using WOMAC at baseline and annually. On contrast-enhanced (CE) MRI, synovial thickness was measured using established, semi-quantitative methods whilst synovial tissue volume (STV) was assessed as absolute STV (aSTV) and relative to the width of femoral condyle (rSTV). STV of the infrapatellar region was also assessed. Associations between synovial measures and symptoms were analysed using multiple linear regression modelling.

Results
No linear association was observed between knee symptoms and synovitis thickness scores. Whole-joint aSTV (0.88, 95% CI: 0.17, 1.59) and infrapatellar aSTV (5.96, 95% CI: 1.22, 10.7) were positively associated with knee pain. Whole-joint rSTV had a stronger association with pain (7.96, 95% CI: 2.60, 13.33) and total scores (5.63, 95% CI: 0.32, 10.94). Even stronger associations were found for infrapatellar rSTV with pain (55.47, 95% CI: 19.99, 90.96), function (38.59, 95% CI: 2.1, 75.07) and total scores (41.64, 95% CI: 6.56, 76.72).

Conclusions
Whole-joint and site-specific infrapatellar STV measures on CE-MRI were associated with knee pain, respectively. Volumes relative to the size of the femoral condyle may be promising outcome measures in KOA trials.
Safety and therapeutic value of radiosynoviorthesis with yttrium-90: a Canadian single-centre experience
Authors: Zeiadin Nadil , Rampakakis Emmanouil , Turcotte Eric , Senta Helena , Sampalis John S , Thorne Carter 
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Background
Yttrium-90 (90Y) is approved in several countries as a radiosynoviorthesis agent in the intra-articular treatment of synovitis, however, no such radiopharmaceuticals are approved in Canada. The aim of this Health Canada–approved study was to examine the safety and efficacy of 90Y synovectomy among patients with refractory synovitis.

Methods
We performed a subset analysis of a prospective, phase III, single-arm, pan-Canadian trial. Large and medium-sized joints of adults with refractory inflammatory mono- or oligo-arthritis and minimal cartilage/bone destruction who failed treatment with two intra-articular corticosteroid injections were eligible. Patient follow-up was at 3, 6 and 12 months. Outcome measures included joint tenderness, swelling, effusion, joint function and bone scans.

Results
A total of 79 joints were included (90% knees). The underlying diagnosis included SpA (35.2% of patients), RA (26.8%), JIA (8.5%) and other (29.6%). Non-biologic DMARDs were concurrently used in 59.2% of patients and biologic/targeted synthetic DMARDs in 31%. Five adverse events occurred, including one serious radiation burn requiring surgery. All events were non-life-threatening and resolved. Significant improvements in joint tenderness, swelling and effusion were achieved at 3 months (P &lt; 0.001), which were maintained until 12 months. During follow-up, 92.3% of joints did not show radiographic progression. Per the treating physician, clinically important improvement in joint function was observed in 90% of joints.

Conclusion
Our results confirm the safety of 90Y radiosynoviorthesis in refractory synovitis and provide preliminary evidence supporting its clinical efficacy with sustained benefit at 12 months, suggesting that it is a safe alternative to surgical synovectomy in such cases. This is the first such study in a Canadian cohort.
Stridor during sleep: description of 81 consecutive cases diagnosed in a tertiary sleep disorders center
Authors: Silva Cristiana , Iranzo Alex , Maya Gerard , Serradell Mónica , Muñoz-Lopetegi Amaia , Marrero-González Paula , Gaig Carles , Santamaría Joan , Vilaseca Isabel 
Published: September 2020

AbstractStudy ObjectivesTo describe the characteristics of stridor during sleep (SDS) in a series of adults identified by video-polysomnography (V-PSG).MethodsRetrospective clinical, V-PSG, laryngoscopic, and therapeutic data of patients diagnosed with SDS in a tertiary referral sleep disorders center between 1997 and 2017.ResultsA total of 81 patients were identified (56.8% males, age 61.8 ± 11.2 years). Related etiologies were multiple system atrophy (MSA), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinocerebellar ataxia type 1, anti-IgLON5 disease, fatal familial insomnia, brainstem structural lesions, vagus nerve stimulation, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, the effect of radiotherapy on the vocal cords, cervical osteophytes, and others. Stridor during wakefulness coexisted in 13 (16%) patients and in MSA was only seen in the parkinsonian form. Laryngoscopy during wakefulness in 72 (88.9%) subjects documented vocal cord abductor impairment in 65 (90.3%) and extrinsic lesions narrowing the glottis in 2 (2.4%). The mean apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) was 21.4 ± 18.6 and CT90 was 11.5 ± 19.1. Obstructive AHI &gt; 10 occurred in 52 (64.2%) patients and central apnea index &gt;10 in 2 (2.4%). CPAP abolished SDS, obstructive apneic events and oxyhemoglobin desaturations in 58 of 60 (96.7%) titrated patients with optimal pressure of 9.0 ± 2.3 cm H20. Tracheostomy in 19 (23.4%) and cordotomy in 3 (3.7%) subjects also eliminated SDS.ConclusionsSDS in adults is linked to conditions that damage the brainstem, recurrent laryngeal nerve, and vocal cords. V-PSG frequently detects obstructive sleep apnea and laryngoscopy usually shows vocal cord abductor dysfunction. CPAP, tracheostomy, and laryngeal surgery abolish SDS.
Sleep quality and risk of cancer: findings from the English longitudinal study of aging
Authors: Song Chenxi , Zhang Rui , Wang Chunyue , Fu Rui , Song Weihua , Dou Kefei , Wang Shuang 
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Study Objective
To prospectively examine the association between sleep quality and incident cancer risk in the elderly.

Methods
A total of 10,036 participants aged ≥50 years free of cancer at baseline from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing at wave 4 (2008) were included, and followed up until 2016. The primary endpoint was new onset physician-diagnosed cancer. Sleep quality was assessed by four questions regarding the frequency of sleep problems and overall subjective feeling of sleep quality in the last month, with higher score denoting poorer sleep quality. The multivariable Cox regression model was used to calculate hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for incident cancer risk according to sleep quality.

Results
At 8-year follow-up, a total of 745 (7.4%) participants developed cancer. Compared with good sleep quality at baseline, HR (95% CI) for incident cancer risk was 1.328 (1.061, 1.662) for intermediate quality, 1.586 (1.149, 2.189) for poor quality. Similarly, compared with maintaining good sleep quality in the first 4 years, HR (95% CI) for incident cancer risk was 1.615 (1.208, 2.160) for maintaining intermediate quality and 1.608 (1.043, 2.480) for maintaining poor quality. The exclusion of participants with family history of cancer or abnormal sleep duration yielded consistent results.

Conclusions
Poor sleep quality is positively associated with the long-term risk of developing cancer in an elderly cohort. Both medical staffs and the general public should pay more attention to improving sleep hygiene.
Alzheimer’s disease neuropathology in the hippocampus and brainstem of people with obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Owen Jessica E , Benediktsdottir Bryndis , Cook Elizabeth , Olafsson Isleifur , Gislason Thorarinn , Robinson Stephen R 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) involves intermittent cessations of breathing during sleep. People with OSA can experience memory deficits and have reduced hippocampal volume; these features are also characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), where they are accompanied by neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques in the hippocampus and brainstem. We have recently shown reduced hippocampal volume to be related to OSA severity, and although OSA may be a risk factor for AD, the hippocampus and brainstems of clinically verified OSA cases have not yet been examined for NFTs and Aβ plaques. The present study used quantitative immunohistochemistry to investigate postmortem hippocampi of 34 people with OSA (18 females, 16 males; mean age 67 years) and brainstems of 24 people with OSA for the presence of NFTs and Aβ plaques. OSA severity was a significant predictor of Aβ plaque burden in the hippocampus after controlling for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) use. OSA severity also predicted NFT burden in the hippocampus, but not after controlling for age. Although 71% of brainstems contained NFTs and 21% contained Aβ plaques, their burdens were not correlated with OSA severity. These results indicate that OSA accounts for some of the “cognitively normal” individuals who have been found to have substantial Aβ burdens, and are currently considered to be at a prodromal stage of AD.
Regional Differences in the Structure of Juglans nigra Phytobiome Reflect Geographical Differences in Thousand Cankers Disease Severity
Authors: Onufrak Aaron J. , Williams Geoffrey M. , Klingeman William E. , Cregger Melissa A. , Klingeman Dawn M. , DeBruyn Jennifer M. , Ginzel Matthew D. , Hadziabdic Denita 
Published: September 2020

Thousand cankers disease threatens Juglans nigra (Eastern Black Walnut) in urban and natural landscapes. Incidence and severity of thousand cankers disease is higher in the host’s introduced range in the western United States. We hypothesized that these differences are driven partly by geographical variation in the host phytobiome due to its roles in host stress tolerance, nutrient acquisition, and defense. To evaluate the role of the phytobiome in mediating thousand cankers disease, we characterized the J. nigra phytobiome of diseased and healthy trees in portions of its native (Indiana and Tennessee) and introduced (Washington) ranges. Grafted clones present in each state and open-pollinated populations were sampled. DNA was extracted from soil and branch (caulosphere) tissues and internal transcribed spacer and 16s regions were sequenced for characterization of fungal and bacterial communities. We found that microbial communities in the caulosphere and soil differ between native and introduced ranges of J. nigra and harbor different mutualistic and pathogenic microorganisms. Additionally, caulosphere microbial communities were more species rich and diverse in the native range of J. nigra, suggesting greater levels of functional redundancy and multifunctionality in the native-range phytobiome compared with the introduced range. We also found higher network complexity in the caulosphere of trees in the introduced range and evidence for two alternative stable community states associated with diseased and healthy trees. Our results provide support for the hypothesis that geographical variation in thousand cankers disease incidence and severity is partially driven by differences in the phytobiome of J. nigra in its introduced and native ranges. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2020 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Does Sex Discordance on Antenatal Ultrasound Always Predict Dichorionicity?
Authors: Chen Kai , Merrill David C , Luo Guo-Yang 
Published: September 2020

AbstractMonochorionic dizygotic twin gestation is clinically very uncommon but poses significant antenatal and postnatal complications. Here we review the diagnosis, mechanism, perinatal management, and pregnant outcomes of monochroic dizygotic twin gestation.
Successful Deliveries of Twins from Two Pregnant Women Following Preterm Prelabor Rupture of Membranes in the Early Second-Trimester Pregnancy
Authors: Xing Dingxiang , Li Junnan 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
The management of preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) before 34 weeks of gestation is intractable, due to pulmonary immaturity, many complications, poor pregnancy outcomes. In particular, the pre-viable PPROM (<23 weeks of gestation) is much more difficult to be treated. The clinical recommendation is to terminate the pregnancy as soon as possible. The pregnancy outcomes of PPROM in the early second-trimester of two twin pregnant women in our hospital were reported to explore the treatment protocols. The pregnancies of the two women developed PROM at 12 and 16 weeks of gestation, respectively. After expectant treatment, they were delivered successfully at 34+6 and 34+4 weeks of gestation, respectively. The assessment of growth and development of infants was normal during the following six months after birth. Therefore, if PPROM occurs in the early second-trimester of pregnancy, the management of PPROM should be individualized, it's a long process which should include comprehensive communication between patients and families regarding alternative treatment options (including expectant management) and risks and benefits of the procedure. In the absence of spontaneous labor or occurrence of complications that would prompt delivery (intra-amniotic infection, abruptio placenta, cord prolapse), and fetal status is normal, the patients should proceed with expectant treatment, induction of labor is commonly performed in pregnancies with PPROM ≥34 weeks of gestation.
Low Expression of FGF23 and Its Effect on Rats with Intrauterine Growth Retardation
Authors: Gui Shun-Ping , Zou Heng , Bai Yi , Liu Min , Wang Tao , Zhou Rong 
Published: September 2020

AbstractObjective:To explore the levels of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) during pregnancy and its relationship with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).Methods:Pregnant rats were classified into an ad libitum rat chow group (ad libitum rat chow, AD group,n = 25) and an undernutrition group (50% of their daily food requirement, UN group,n = 25). The levels of maternal serum FGF23, tissue homogenate FGF23, and bone gla protein in fetal rats, and placental FGF23 mRNA and protein expression were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, real-time qPCR analysis respectively. Finally, the effect of recombinant FGF23 on the viability of MG-63 cells was determined by cell proliferation assay. Data were analyzed with independent two-tailedttest and one-way analysis of variance. Spearman rank- order correlation coefficients (continuous variables) was performed to determine the relationship of results.Results:The diet restriction induced IUGR in rat offsprings, and the UN group exhibited a significantly lower FGF23 level (P < 0.05,n = 25). The FGF23 level was increased and peaked in maternal serum on gestation day (GD) 15, but peaked in fetal and placenta on GD20. Moreover, the tissue homogenate levels of FGF23 and bone gla protein in fetal rats in both groups were positively correlated (r = 0.923,P < 0.05;r = 0.925,P < 0.05, respectively,n = 25), FGF23 was localized to both decidual and labyrinth zones, with remarkably higher expression on GD20,P < 0.05,n = 25. In vitro, recombinant human FGF23 enhanced MG-63 cell viability,P < 0.05,n = 25.Conclusion:Prenatal undernutrition could decrease the FGF23 expression in fetal rats caused by the mother through the placenta, and induced the IUGR and hindered the ossification. And the FGF23 levels are peaked on GD15 mother but peaked on GD20 placenta and fetuses, these might be associated with the over compensation of maternal placenta on GD20.