bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chronopharmacology of simvastatin on hyperlipidaemia in high‐fat diet‐fed obese mice
Authors: Li Huan , Rabearivony Anjara , Zhang Wenxiang , Chen Siyu , An Xiaofei , Liu Chang 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe chronopharmacology refers to the utilization of physiological circadian rhythms to optimize the administration time of drugs, thus increasing their efficacy and safety, or reducing adverse effects. Simvastatin is one of the most widely prescribed drugs for the treatment of hypercholesterolaemia, hyperlipidemia and coronary artery disease. There are conflicting statements regarding the timing of simvastatin administration, and convincing experimental evidence remains unavailable. Thus, we aimed to examine whether different administration times would influence the efficacy of simvastatin. High‐fat diet‐fed mice were treated with simvastatin at zeitgeber time 1 (ZT1) or ZT13, respectively, for nine weeks. Simvastatin showed robust anti‐hypercholesterolaemia and anti‐hyperlipidemia effects on these obese mice, regardless of administration time. However, simvastatin administrated at ZT13, compared to ZT1, was more functional for decreasing serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, non‐esterified free fatty acids and LDL cholesterol, as well as improving liver pathological characteristics. In terms of possible mechanisms, we found that simvastatin did not alter the expression of hepatic circadian clock gene in vivo, although it failed to change the period, phase and amplitude of oscillation patterns in Per2::Luc U2OS and Bmal1::Luc U2OS cells in vitro. In contrast, simvastatin regulated the expression of Hmgcr, Mdr1 and Slco2b1 in a circadian manner, which potentially contributed to the chronopharmacological function of the drug. Taken together, we provide solid evidence to suggest that different administration times affect the lipid‐lowering effects of simvastatin.
Determining the minimal important difference of the Oral Health Impact Profile for Chronic Periodontitis
Authors: He Song‐lin , Hou Hai‐juan , Wang Jin‐hua 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAimBuilding on previous psychometric work, we aimed to further assess the minimally important difference (MID) of the Oral Health Impact Profile for Chronic Periodontitis (OHIP‐CP).MethodsIn total, 240 consecutive patients with chronic periodontitis were recruited in the study. The OHIP‐CP was completed at baseline and after six weeks. Methodology testing included the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and MID. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to assess the fit of the previously proposed three‐factor model. The MID of this questionnaire was determined by applying anchor‐based and distribution‐based approaches.ResultsThe CFA supported a three‐factor model for the OHIP‐CP with acceptable fit to the data. The fit indices were χ2/df = 2.231, GFI = 0.935, TLI = 0.969 and CFI = 0.976, RMSEA = 0.076. The OHIP‐CP scores showed significant improvements after treatment (p < .001). The anchor‐based MIDs of OHIP‐CP for “oral function restriction,” “oral pain” and “psychological and social impact,” and total score were 2, 1, 4 and 7 points, respectively. The effect sizes (ES) and standardized response mean (SRM) for the OHIP‐CP were moderate to large.ConclusionsThe MID of the OHIP‐CP is recommended for interpreting clinically meaningful change in oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) over time.
ABNORMAL SHOOT 6 interacts with KATANIN 1 and SHADE AVOIDANCE 4 to promote cortical microtubule severing and ordering in Arabidopsis
Authors: Li Yuanfeng , Deng Meng , Liu Haofeng , Li Yan , Chen Yu , Jia Min , Xue Hui , Shao Jingxia , Zhao Jun , Qi Yafei , An Lijun , Yu Fei , Liu Xiayan 
Published: August 2020

AbstractPlant interphase cortical microtubules (cMTs) mediate anisotropic cell expansion in response to environmental and developmental cues. In Arabidopsis thaliana, KATANIN 1 (KTN1), the p60 catalytic subunit of the conserved MT‐severing enzyme katanin, is essential for cMT ordering and anisotropic cell expansion. However, the regulation of KTN1‐mediated cMT severing and ordering remains unclear. In this work, we report that the Arabidopsis IQ67 DOMAIN (IQD) family gene ABNORMAL SHOOT 6 (ABS6) encodes a MT‐associated protein. Overexpression of ABS6 leads to elongated cotyledons, directional pavement cell expansion, and highly ordered transverse cMT arrays. Genetic suppressor analysis revealed that ABS6‐mediated cMT ordering is dependent on KTN1 and SHADE AVOIDANCE 4 (SAV4). Live imaging of cMT dynamics showed that both ABS6 and SAV4 function as positive regulators of cMT severing. Furthermore, ABS6 directly interacts with KTN1 and SAV4 and promotes their recruitment to the cMTs. Finally, analysis of loss‐of‐function mutant combinations showed that ABS6, SAV4, and KTN1 work together to ensure the robust ethylene response in the apical hook of dark‐grown seedlings. Together, our findings establish ABS6 and SAV4 as positive regulators of cMT severing and ordering, and highlight the role of cMT dynamics in fine‐tuning differential growth in plants.
UNC‐5 netrin receptor B regulates adipogenesis of human adipose–derived stem cells through JNK pathway
Authors: Hu Xinyi , Liu Xuejiao , Lv Longwei , Zhang Xiao , Liu Yunsong , Zhang Ping , Zhou Yongsheng 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundThere is a balance between adipogenic differentiation and osteogenic differentiation of human adipose–derived stem cells (hASCs). It is essential to explore the mechanism of hASCs lineage commitment. In our previous study, UNC‐5 netrin receptor B (UNC5B) was identified as a positive regulator for osteogenesis.ObjectiveTo further explore the potential roles and mechanisms of UNC5B during adipogenic differentiation and to provide a new method to regulate adipogenesis and osteogenesis of hASCs.MethodsLentivirus containing UNC5B shRNA was used for UNC5B knockdown. Plasmids overexpressing UNC5B gene were used for UNC5B upregulation. To investigate the role of UNC5B in adipogenesis in vitro and in vivo, Oil Red O staining, RT‐qPCR and transplantation into nude mice were performed. Western blotting analyses were performed to explore the mechanisms of UNC5B in adipogenic differentiation.ResultsUNC5B expression in hASCs was significantly increased during adipogenic differentiation. Knockdown of UNC5B enhanced adipogenic differentiation in vitro. Both H&E staining and Oil Red O staining showed more adipose tissue–like constructs in UNC5B‐knockdown cells in vivo. Upregulation of UNC5B significantly impaired adipogenic differentiation in vitro. Downregulation of UNC5B could increase phosphorylation of JNK in hASCs. JNK inhibitors reduced adipogenic differentiation of hASCs.ConclusionOur findings showed that UNC5B inhibited adipogenesis of hASCs through JNK signalling. As a whole, UNC5B regulates both adipogenesis and osteogenesis of hASCs.
Functions of pipecolic acid on induced resistance against Botrytis cinerea and Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 in tomato plants
Authors: Zhang Huijuan , Qiu Yating , Li Miao , Song Fengming , Jiang Ming 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAmino acid metabolic pathways are involved in the plant immune system. Pipecolic acid (Pip), a lysine‐derived non‐protein amino acid, acts as an important regulator of disease resistance. Here, we report the functions of Pip on tomato disease resistance. Tomato seedlings treated with 0.5 mM Pip showed increased resistance to Pst DC3000 and B. cinerea compared with the control. After pathogen infection, the expression of defence‐related genes increased in plants pretreated with Pip, while reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation decreased. These data demonstrated that exogenous application of Pip induced resistance against Pst DC3000 and B. cinerea in tomatoes, possibly through the regulation of ROS accumulation and defence‐related gene expression.
Steppe islands in a sea of fields: Where island biogeography meets the reality of a severely transformed landscape
Authors: Dembicz Iwona , Moysiyenko Ivan I , Kozub Łukasz , Dengler Jürgen , Zakharova Maryna , Sudnik‐Wójcikowska Barbara 
Published: August 2020

AbstractQuestionsSteppes are among the most transformed and fragmented biomes in the world, but studies on the impact of habitat loss and fragmentation on these zonal grasslands are scarce. In many regions, steppe has survived only on small habitat islands, particularly on kurgans (ancient burial mounds) surrounded by intensive croplands. We asked how the size of kurgans, their isolation and other landscape and local factors influence their species richness.LocationSouthern Ukraine.MethodsWe recorded all species of vascular plants and assessed local (area, steepness, disturbance level), landscape (distance to the nearest habitat patch, habitat amount in the surroundings, surrounding type, distance to settlements) and climatic (precipitation) conditions of 112 kurgans. We analysed species–area relationships (SARs) for total richness, habitat specialists and generalists. Then, we assessed importance of environmental factors in explaining the residuals of the SAR models.ResultsPatch area explained more than 50% of variance in total and specialist species richness. The slopes of the power function SAR (z‐values) were higher for specialists than for generalists. Connectivity measures (the distance to the nearest large habitat enclave and share of habitat in the surroundings) were more important for richness of specialists than for that of generalists, which were more controlled by the kurgan's surroundings.ConclusionsWe found that for specialist species the steppe “islands” follow the theory of island biogeography closely, but less so for generalist species. Combined with the revealed importance of connectivity for specialist species richness, we conclude that the conservation value of the kurgans in the long term likely can only be achieved with larger steppe areas in the surroundings.
Reproductive interference between Aedes albopictus and Aedes flavopictus at a place of their origin
Authors: Sultana A. , Sunahara T. , Tsurukawa C. , Tuno N. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAedes (Stegomyia) albopictus and Aedes (Stegomyia) flavopictus are related species that have overlapping distributions from southern to central Japan. To understand how they interact, we studied reproductive interference between them, particularly focusing on the body size difference between the mating pair. Here, we examined the effects of conspecific, heterospecific and double mating (i.e. heterospecific mating followed by conspecific mating) on copulation duration, egg production and hatchability of eggs using mosquitoes that varied in body size. Females mated only with heterospecific males produced few viable eggs, indicating that post‐mating isolation is almost complete. When mated with heterospecific males before conspecific mating, the production of viable eggs was lower than when mated only with conspecific males, revealing the occurrence of reproductive interference. The degree of reproductive interference was larger in Ae. flavopictus than in Ae. albopictus when the female size was small but did not differ between them when the female size was large. Aedes albopictus females appear to be able to distinguish Ae. flavopictus males from conspecific males and larger females are more successful in the rejection of heterospecific males. On the other hand, Ae. flavopictus were not able to discriminate between conspecific and heterospecific males.
Evaluation of the occurrence of work‐related musculoskeletal pain among anesthesiology, intensive care, and surgical nurses: An observational and descriptive study
Authors: Rypicz Łukasz , Karniej Piotr , Witczak Izabela , Kołcz Anna 
Published: August 2020

AbstractClinical nurses can encounter musculoskeletal pain episodes stemming from regular exposure to workplace risk factors that contribute to overloads. This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence and location of work‐related musculoskeletal pain among Polish nurses. An observational and descriptive survey study was conducted among 136 nurses working in the anesthesiology, intensive care, and surgery units. An extended version of the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was used to investigate musculoskeletal pain. Only 8% of the participating nurses experienced no musculoskeletal pain, while 85% suffered from pain in more than one location. The lower back (67%), upper back (59%), and neck (66%) were the most common pain locations. In summary, nurses experienced multiple musculoskeletal pain episodes, occurring most frequently in the spinal region (lower and upper back and neck). It is crucial to determine the real causes of musculoskeletal pain and to take appropriate preventive measures to improve workplace ergonomics.
Using historical sources to supplement climate site histories: A case study of Auckland's Albert Park
Authors: Fowler Anthony M. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractNew Zealand's best‐known record of surface air temperature is the partially homogenised seven‐station series of the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research. The homogeneity analysis used in constructing this series depends on the completeness of the site histories and issues arise if relevant information is missing. Recent developments in the online availability of searchable historical records provide an opportunity to supplement early metadata. This potential is explored here using Albert Park (Auckland) as a case study. A wealth of relevant historical information about Albert Park was found in online archives, especially related to a major episode of site disturbance, evolving site environment and instrumentation changes.
Application of Laminoplasty Combined with ARCH Plate in the Treatment of Lumbar Intraspinal Tumors
Authors: Wang Zhi‐Chao , Li Shu‐Zhong , Sun Yuan‐Liang , Yin Chu‐Qiang , Wang Yue‐Lei , Wang Jie , Liu Chen‐Jing , Cao Zhen‐Lu , Wang Ting 
Published: August 2020

ObjectiveTo investigate the bone fusion and clinical effect of laminoplasty combined with ARCH plate fixation in the treatment of lumbar intraspinal tumors.MethodsThis was a clinical study. From June 2017 to January 2019, 24 patients (seven males and 17 females, average age 40 ± 16 years) with lumbar intraspinal tumors underwent laminoplasty combined with ARCH plate fixation in our hospital. The bone fusion was evaluated by X‐ray and computed tomography (CT) scans that were taken 15.2 ± 2.17 months postoperatively. Each segment showed a bone bridge on one side, which was classified as “segmental partial fusion.” Each segment showed bilateral bone bridges, which were classified as “segmental complete fusion”. When all segments of the patient showed bilateral bone bridging so that the replanted lamina and the host lamina became a unit on the CT scan, it was defined as “complete fusion”. In addition, the operation time and blood loss were recorded. Fisher's exact test was used to analyze the potential influencing factors of bone healing, including age (≤40 years vs >40 years), gender, number of operated levels (single vs two). Paired t‐test was used to analyze pre‐ and postoperative Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scale and low back and leg pain visual analog scale (VAS).ResultsA total of 33 segments of laminoplasty were successfully performed in 24 patients. The average operation time was 128 ± 18 minutes. The average blood loss was 110 ± 19 mL. All patients were followed up at least 12 months after operation (average, 15.2 ± 2.17 months). At the final follow‐up, according to the definition of this study, the proportion of “segmental partial fusion” and “segmental complete fusion” were 30.3% (10/33) and 69.7% (23/33), respectively. And the proportion of patients with “complete fusion” was 70.8% (17/24). Age, gender, and number of operated levels were not associated with the fusion (P = 1.0, 0.37, and 0.06, respectively). ODI and VAS were much better at 1 month after operation and the final follow‐up than those before the operation (P < 0.01). At 6 months after operation, the results of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed that the supraspinous ligament was repaired, and there were no complications, such as spinal epidural scar recompression.ConclusionsLaminoplasty combined with ARCH plate was a better surgical method, and 70.8% of the patients showed complete bone fusion and there was no case of bilateral nonunion.
Occlusal support and postural stability in children: An observational study
Authors: Tanaka Yuto , Yoshino Noritaka , Sako Kazuki , Ono Yoshiaki , Maeda Yoshinobu 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe relationship between uneven occlusal contact and fall risk has been described in elderly participants; however, multiple confounding factors, such as systemic disease or deterioration in vestibular function, have not been well considered. This study aimed to investigate this relationship in pediatric participants at the age of approximately 9–12, where these confounding factors are absent and the replacement of primary molars by permanent ones generally occurs and transiently results in uneven occlusal contact.MethodsSixty‐five children (36 boys and 29 girls, mean age: 9.5 ± 1.5 years) were enrolled in this study. Participants were asked whether they had experienced at least two falls within the past 1 year. The occlusal contact area ratio was calculated by dividing the greater half (right or left dental arch) by the smaller half (the other half) with U‐shaped pressure sensor sheet. The total length and rectangular area of the center of pressure while standing upright for 10 s were measured with a stabilometer and used as postural sway parameters.ResultsThe occlusal contact area ratio significantly correlated with the postural sway parameters. Comparison between those who had experienced the fall incidences and those who had not after propensity score matching that adjusts their overall physical function revealed that there were no significant differences in the postural sway parameters and occlusal contact area ratio regardless of the history of fall incidence.ConclusionsUneven occlusal contact leads to an increase in postural sway in children; however, this may not be associated with fall incidence.
Validation of a SCID mouse model for transfusion by concurrent comparison of circulation kinetics of human platelets, stored under various temperature conditions, between human volunteers and mice
Authors: Gelderman Monique P. , Cheng Chunrong , Xu Fei , Skripchenko Andrey , Ryan Johannah , Li Ying , Whitley Pamela , Wagner Stephen J. , Vostal Jaroslav G. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundInitial evaluation of new platelet (PLT) products for transfusion includes a clinical study to determine in vivo recovery and survival of autologous radiolabeled PLTs in healthy volunteers. These studies are expensive and do not always produce the desired results. A validated animal model of human PLTs in vivo survival and recovery used pre‐clinically could reduce the risk of failing to advance product development.Study Design and MethodsAn immunodeficient (SCID) mouse model to evaluate recovery of human PLTs was compared to a radiolabeling study in human volunteers. Autologous apheresis PLTs stored for 7 days at room temperature (RT), thermo‐cycled (TC), and cold temperature (CT) were radiolabeled and infused into healthy humans (n = 16). The same PLTs, non‐radiolabeled, were also infused into mice (n = 160) on the same day. Blood samples from humans and mice were collected to generate clearance curves of PLTs in circulation. Flow cytometry was used to detect human PLTs in mouse blood.ResultsHuman and mouse PLTs were cleared with one phase exponential clearance. Relative differences for initial recovery and AUC, expressed as ratio of test and control PLTs, were similar in humans and mice. The initial recovery ratio of TC/RT was 0.73 ± 0.07 in humans and 0.67 ± 0.14 in mice. The ratio for CT/TC was 0.53 ± 0.06 in humans and 0.75 ± 0.18 in mice.ConclusionThe SCID mouse model can provide information on relative differences of initial in vivo recovery and AUC between control and alternatively stored/processed human PLTs that is predictive of performance in healthy human volunteers.
A Framework of Optimal Design of Thermal Management System for Lithium-Ion Battery Pack Using Multi-Objectives Optimization
Authors: Liao Xiangping , Ma Chong , Peng Xiongbin , Li Yuwu , Duan Lianfeng , Garg Akhil , Gao Liang 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Battery thermal management system is critical to prevent the battery pack from such safety issues as overheating, thermal runaway, and spontaneous combustion. Many research works have been done to improve the thermal performance of the thermal management system by reducing the maximum temperature of the battery pack. However, the temperature difference and energy consumption were not discussed in most of the researches. This paper proposed a framework of optimal design of the battery thermal management system using surrogate model and multi-objective optimization methodology. The accuracy of this method was then validated through two cases. The proposed framework aims to find a way to design a battery pack with at least two types of the following objectives: the smallest maximum temperature, smallest temperature deviation, and the lowest energy consumption. The framework can be divided into five steps: the structural design of the battery thermal management system; the fluid–solid coupled heat transfer modeling using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method; the design of experiments and selection of surrogate models; the multi-objective optimization algorithm based on Pareto optimal solution; and the experimental verification. The optimized designs showed significant improvement by decreasing both the temperature rise and the energy consumption.
Development, Validation, and Application of an Optimization Scheme for Impellers of Centrifugal Fans Using Computational Fluid Dynamics-Trained Metamodels
Authors: Bamberger Konrad , Carolus Thomas , Belz Julian , Nelles Oliver 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
A quick method for the design of efficiency-optimal centrifugal fan impellers is presented. It is based on an evolutionary optimization algorithm that identifies the optimal geometrical parameters for a given aerodynamic objective function. The range of the geometrical parameters considered allows covering aerodynamic design points appropriate for the complete class of centrifugal fans. The quickness of the method stems from evaluating the objective function using metamodels. In total, four metamodels, based on local model networks (LMN) and multi-layer perceptrons (MLP), were trained and eventually aggregated to reduce the variance (stochastic) error. The training data consist of approximately 4000 characteristic curves obtained from automated numerical steady-state Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) flow simulations. The computational domain as well as the number of grid nodes and their distribution in the domain were optimized in a pre-study. For verification, a grid independence study was carried out. In addition, two criteria were defined to detect aerodynamic operating points associated with non-physical performance predictions. Finally, validation was secured with experimental data from three exemplary impeller designs. The proposed optimization scheme requires a costly initial one-time computational fluid dynamics (CFD) effort, but then allows a quick design of centrifugal fan impellers for arbitrary design points. The search for an optimal centrifugal impeller requires less than 1 min on a standard personal computer, while allowing up to 105 objective function evaluations for one search. Moreover, predicted performance curves that always come along with each design were found to be very reliable in comparison with experiments.