bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The mechanism of Arhalofenate in alleviating hyperuricemia―Activating PPARγ thereby reducing caspase‐1 activity
Authors: Wang Guihong , Zuo Ting , Li Ran 
Published: June 2020

AbstractHyperuricemia (HUA) is an important risk factor for renal diseases and contributes to gout. Arhalofenate (Arha) has been proved to have uricosuric activity as an inhibitor of URAT1, organic anion transporter 4 (OAT4) and OAT10. However, the effects of Arha on HUA remain unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate whether Arha could alleviate HUA and uncovered the underlying mechanism in vitro. HK‐2 cells were exposed to uric acid (UA) to simulate HUA in vitro. Then cells were treated with Arha, caspase‐1 inhibitor Belnacasan (Beln), caspase‐11 inhibitor Wedelolactone (Wede) and PPARγ inhibitor Mifobate, respectively. The alteration of cell proliferation, inflammation, pyroptosis and expression of related proteins were detected. Results showed that UA exposure inhibited cell viability and increased IL‐1β and IL‐18 generation in a concentration dependent manner. Meanwhile, UA activated the cleavage of gasdermin D (GSDMD), enhanced the protein expression of URAT1, OAT4, TLR4, caspase‐1, and caspase‐11 and reduced PPARγ expression. While the presence of Arha or Beln enhanced cell viability and inhibited cleavage of GSDMD. Wede slightly increased cell viability but failed to prevent GSDMD cleavage. The expression of related proteins except caspase‐11was also recovered by Arha. Beln and Wede partially rescued related proteins level except PPARγ compared with model group. Besides, the co‐treatment of Mifobate blunted the effects of Arha on cell viability and expression of GSDMD, TLR4, and caspase‐1. In conclusion, Arha inhibited UA transport as well as preventing inflammation and pyroptosis via activating PPARγ thereby blocking caspase‐1 activation of HUA in vitro.
Sex differences in the acoustic features of social play‐induced 50‐kHz ultrasonic vocalizations: A detailed spectrographic analysis in wild‐type Sprague–Dawley and Cacna1c haploinsufficient rats
Authors: Kisko Theresa M. , Schwarting Rainer K. W. , Wöhr Markus 
Published: June 2020

AbstractSexual dimorphisms are widespread in the animal kingdom. At the behavioral level, there is evidence for sex differences in social play behavior. In rats, males typically engage more in rough‐and‐tumble play than females. One prominent component of the rough‐and‐tumble play repertoire in rats is the emission of 50‐kHz ultrasonic vocalizations (USV). Such 50‐kHz USV reflect the rewarding nature of play and serve as socioaffective signals. Here, we provide evidence for sexual dimorphisms within rough‐and‐tumble play‐induced 50‐kHz USV in juvenile rats. Specifically, females displayed reduced 50‐kHz USV emission during playful interactions. This reduction was associated with changes in 50‐kHz USV emission rates and subtype profiles during specific rough‐and‐tumble components, i.e., pinning, wrestling, and chasing, as well as differences in acoustic parameters. Interestingly, sex differences were modulated by Cacna1c, a gene strongly implicated in major neuropsychiatric disorders, often characterized by prominent sex biases, most notably autism. Specifically, Cacna1c haploinsufficiency affected the emission of 50‐kHz USV during rough‐and‐tumble play in female rats and we provide evidence supporting the notion that such effects of Cacna1c haploinsufficiency are driven by male‐typical features of 50‐kHz USV emission. This is in line with the hypermasculinized social play repertoire previously observed in juvenile Cacna1c haploinsufficient females.
Vitamin D deficiency is associated with painful diabetic neuropathy
Authors: Alam Uazman , Petropoulos Ioannis N. , Ponirakis Georgios , Ferdousi Maryam , Asghar Omar , Jeziorska Maria , Marshall Andrew , Boulton Andrew J. M. , Efron Nathan , Malik Rayaz A. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe aetiology of painful diabetic neuropathy is unclear. We have evaluated vitamin D levels in diabetic patients with and without painful neuropathy.MethodsForty‐three patients with type 1 diabetes and painless (DPN) (n = 20) or painful (PDN) (n = 23) neuropathy and 14 non‐diabetic healthy control subjects (C) underwent assessment of neurologic deficits, quantitative sensory testing (QST), electrophysiology, skin biopsy, corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) and measurement of serum 25(OH)D.ResultsThere were no significant differences for age, BMI, HbA1c, lipids, neurological deficits, QST, electrophysiology, intra‐epidermal nerve fibre density (IENFD) and corneal nerve morphology between patients with DPN and PDN. Both positive (hyperalgesia and allodynia) and negative symptoms (paraesthesia and numbness) of diabetic neuropathy were greater in PDN compared with DPN (P= .009 andP= .02, respectively). Serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly lower in PDN (24.0 ± 14.1 ng/mL) compared with DPN (34.6 ± 15.0 ng/mL,P= .01) and controls (34.1 ± 8.6 ng/mL,P= .03). The odds ratio in favour of painful diabetic neuropathy was 9.8 [P= .003 (95% CI, 2.2–76.4)] for vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL) and 4.4 [P= .03 (95% CI, 1.1‐19.8)] for vitamin D insufficiency (<30 ng/mL).ConclusionsThis study suggests that vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are associated with painful diabetic neuropathy.
Anabasine‐based measurement of cigarette consumption using wastewater analysis
Authors: Bade Richard , White Jason M. , Tscharke Benjamin J. , Ghetia Maulik , Abdelaziz Ahmed , Gerber Cobus 
Published: June 2020

AbstractCommunity tobacco use can be monitored over time using wastewater‐based epidemiological approaches by estimating the mass loads of nicotine and its metabolites, cotinine, or hydroxycotinine, in wastewater. However, due to the use of nicotine in smoking cessation products, other sources of nicotine contribute to cotinine and hydroxycotinine loads. The use of nicotine replacement therapies could vary in space and time and mask the true rates of tobacco consumption. Therefore, this work evaluated the content of tobacco specific markers, anatabine and anabasine, in cigarettes, in urine of smokers, and in wastewater. The results indicated that the anabasine content in both licit and illicit cigarettes in Australia is less variable than anatabine and is therefore considered a better measure of tobacco consumption. A study determining the excretion of tobacco‐specific alkaloids of smoking and non‐smoking volunteers gave an average urinary mass load of anabasine of 4.38 μg/L/person and a daily mass load of 1.13 μg/day/person. Finally, this was compared with the mass loads of anabasine from wastewater‐based epidemiology data of 3 μg/day/person to estimate cigarette rates in a South Australian city: equivalent to 2.6 cigarettes/person/day. The rate of decline of cigarette use was greater when using anabasine as a measure of consumption compared with cotinine. This is the first study to estimate the rate of anabasine excretion, which can be used to estimate tobacco use independent of therapeutically prescribed nicotine.
GFP expression pattern in pituitary and gonads under the control of nuclear progesterone receptor promoter in transgenic zebrafish
Authors: Huang Jing , Zhang Ting Ting , Jiang Ke , Hong Wan Shu , Chen Shi Xi 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe nuclear progesterone receptor (Pgr) is a ligand‐dependent transcription factor primarily responsible for mediating progesterone actions relevant for reproduction across vertebrates. Information on the cellular localization of Pgr expression in the reproductive system is required for developing a comprehensive approach to elucidate the role of Pgr in reproduction.ResultsWe generated transgenic zebrafish Tg(pgr:eGFP) that express enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) driven by promoter sequence of pgr gene. The tissue distribution pattern of egfp mRNA is consistent with the pgr mRNA expression in Tg(pgr:eGFP). In the pituitary, GFP signals are found in the proximal pars distalis. In order to better discern the cellular localization of GFP signals in gonads, Tg(pgr:eGFP) line was crossed with Tg(gsdf:nfsB‐mCherry) line, specifically expressing nitroreductase‐mCherry fusion protein in granulosa and Sertoli cells in ovary and testis, respectively. Imaging of testis tissue showed that GFP expression was confined to Leydig cells. In the ovary, GFP expression colocalized with the mCherry signal in granulosa cells. Intriguingly, we also identified some non‐granulosa cells close to where blood vessels branched, expressing stronger GFP signals than granulosa cells.ConclusionsAnalyzing Tg(pgr:eGFP) expression in zebrafish provided leads toward new routes to study the role of Pgr in reproduction.
Spliceosomopathies: Diseases and mechanisms
Authors: Griffin Casey , Saint‐Jeannet Jean‐Pierre 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe spliceosome is a complex of RNA and proteins that function together to identify intron‐exon junctions in precursor messenger‐RNAs, splice out the introns, and join the flanking exons. Mutations in any one of the genes encoding the proteins that make up the spliceosome may result in diseases known as spliceosomopathies. While the spliceosome is active in all cell types, with the majority of the proteins presumably expressed ubiquitously, spliceosomopathies tend to be tissue‐specific as a result of germ line or somatic mutations, with phenotypes affecting primarily the retina in retinitis pigmentosa, hematopoietic lineages in myelodysplastic syndromes, or the craniofacial skeleton in mandibulofacial dysostosis. Here we describe the major spliceosomopathies, review the proposed mechanisms underlying retinitis pigmentosa and myelodysplastic syndromes, and discuss how this knowledge may inform our understanding of craniofacial spliceosomopathies.
Resting energy expenditure in acutely ill and stabilized patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa
Authors: Kochavi Brigitte , Mendelowitsch Shiri , Enoch‐Levy Adi , Yaroslavsky Amit , Toledano Anat , Modan‐Moses Dalit , Stein Daniel 
Published: June 2020

AbstractObjectiveDetermining resting energy expenditure (REE) may be important in the nutritional assessment of adolescents with eating disorders (EDs). Calculated equations assessing REE, developed according to data from healthy people, may under‐ or overestimate REE in EDs. We have sought to compare the REE measured in clinical settings to that calculated using equations in actively ill adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN), and following stabilization of weight and disordered eating.MethodsThirty‐five female adolescents with AN and 25 with BN were assessed at admission to inpatient treatment and at discharge. REE was measured using indirect calorimetry (DELTATRAC Metabolic Monitor). Expected REE was calculated using the Harris–Benedict equation.ResultsAn overestimation of expected versus measured REE was found for both patients with AN and BN, both at admission and discharge. Second, the differences between expected and measured REE were significantly less robust in BN versus AN. Third, REE before renourishing was lower in inpatients with AN versus BN. Fourth, the REE of patients with AN (both measured and expected) increased from admission to discharge, to a greater extent than expected solely from the increase in weight. The difference between admission and discharge expected and measured REE was significant also in patients with BN.DiscussionOur findings suggest that predicted and measured REE are different in both AN and BN, and that both expected and measured REE are not useful in the planning of renourishing programs in patients with AN.
Reproductives and eggs trigger worker vibration in a subterranean termite
Authors: Ruhland Fanny , Moulin Marion , Choppin Marina , Meunier Joël , Lucas Christophe 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIn insect societies, the presence of reproductives or eggs has been shown to shape several biological traits in the colony members. Social interactions are one of these traits that involve modification of the communication system of the entire colony. Many studies described the role of chemical compounds and dominance behaviors in the presence of reproductive but vibratory behaviors received very few investigations. Yet, vibratory behaviors are ideal candidates, particularly for subterranean species like termites, as they could be quickly transmitted through the substrate and could be very diversified (origin, modulation). Here, we investigated whether the presence of reproductives/eggs affects the vibratory behavior (body‐shaking) of workers in the subterranean termite Reticulitermes flavipes. Our results reveal that the presence of reproductives or eggs triggers an increase of workers' body‐shaking, independent of their colony of origin after 24 hr. We hypothesize that vibratory communication could be used to transfer information about the presence of reproductives and eggs to the entire colony, suggesting that vibratory behaviors could serve as an important yet neglected mediator of social regulation.
Application of eDNA as a tool for assessing fish population abundance
Authors: Spear Michael J. , Embke Holly S. , Krysan Patrick J. , Vander Zanden M. Jake 
Published: June 2020

AbstractEstimating the abundance of organisms is fundamental to the study and management of ecological systems. However, accurately and precisely estimating organism abundance is challenging, especially in aquatic systems where organisms are hidden underwater. Estimating the abundance of fish is critical for the management of fisheries which relies on accurate assessment of population status to maximize yield without overharvesting populations. Monitoring population status is particularly challenging for inland fisheries in which populations are distributed among many individual waterbodies. Environmental DNA (eDNA) may offer a cost‐effective way to rapidly estimate populations across a large number of systems if eDNA quantity correlates with the abundance of its source organisms. Here, we test the ability of quantities of eDNA recovered from surface water to estimate the abundance of walleye (Sander vitreus), a culturally and economically important sportfish, in lakes in northern Wisconsin (USA). We demonstrate a significant, positive relationship between traditional estimates of adult walleye populations (both number of individuals and biomass) and eDNA concentration (R2 = .81; n = 22). Our results highlight the utility of eDNA as a population monitoring tool that can help guide and inform inland fisheries management.
Contribution of the Internal and External Oxygen to the Oxidation of Microencapsulated Fish Oil
Authors: Linke Annika , Linke Tobias , Kohlus Reinhard 
Published: June 2020

AbstractMicroencapsulation aims to protect polyunsaturated fatty acids against oxidation by embedding oil droplets in a solid matrix. In such a system the internal (dissolved and entrapped) and external (in the environment) oxygen can be differentiated. The study aims to quantify the impact of both oxygen sources on the oxidation of microencapsulated fish oil. The impact of the solubilized oxygen in bulk fish oil is investigated by saturating the oil with nitrogen, synthetic air, and pure oxygen. Even though more dissolved oxygen results in more oxidation products, the difference between the oxidation of the nitrogen and air saturated oil is significant but low. For encapsulated fish oil powders, the internal oxygen is modified by preparing oil‐in‐water emulsions under atmospheric and inert conditions. The feed is atomized and spray dried with either nitrogen or air. Powders are stored under vacuum and in vials and the hydroperoxides and anisidine value are determined in the total‐ and encapsulated oil. The internal oxygen has a minor impact, whereas the external oxygen is the main determinant for autoxidation. Apart from oxidizing the non‐encapsulated oil, the external O2 penetrates into the particle and reacts with the encapsulated oil.Practical Applications: Comparing the contribution of the internal and external oxygen to the oxidative stability shows that the internal O2 plays a minor role and can be neglected. This means that the emulsion preparation as well as the spray drying process can be conducted under ambient conditions. An inert production is not extending the shelf life significantly as long as the external O2 determines oxidation. The focus should be on optimizing the diffusion barrier properties of the wall matrix to reduce the penetration of the external oxygen into the particle system. Alternatively, packaging solution reducing the external O2 will extend the shelf life of the microencapsulated oil.
Opioid use trajectories after thoracic surgery among veterans in the United States
Authors: Bishop Michael O. , Bayman Emine O. , Hadlandsmyth Katherine , Lund Brian C. , Kang Sinyoung 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundOpioid use has increased to epidemic levels over the past decade within the United States, particularly among vulnerable populations. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate rates of prolonged opioid use in the Veteran population after thoracic surgery and identify specific risk clusters.MethodsVeterans Administration data on patients who underwent thoracic surgery between January 1, 2006 and September 30, 2015 included preoperative opioid use information for stratification of patients to preoperative chronic opioid use (PCOU; nPCOU = 16,612) versus patients without preoperative chronic opioid use (WPCOU; nWPCOU = 2,328). A Poisson regression model and prior literature were used to identify variables for use in a Latent Class Analysis (LCA) model for each stratum. Three‐cluster models were selected, and identified as ‘low‐’, ‘intermediate‐’ and ‘high‐’ risk groups.ResultsCluster interpretations included: (a) Low risk: no psychiatric diagnoses, preoperative medication use, or preoperative chronic pain, (b) Intermediate risk: no psychiatric diagnoses, but had preoperative medication use and some preoperative chronic pain and (c) High risk: psychiatric diagnoses, preoperative medication use and preoperative chronic pain. For the PCOU stratum, rates of prolonged opioid use 1 year after surgery were as follows: 46.3%, 61.9% and 66.0%. For the WPCOU stratum, the observed rates were 4.7%, 8.3% and 9.2%.ConclusionsProlonged opioid use trajectories obviously differ by PCOU status, as well as preoperative psychosocial diagnoses, medication use and chronic pain. This is a first step in population‐level research to curb the rate of prolonged opioid use in Veterans following thoracic surgery.SignificanceThis article presents population‐level chronic opioid use trajectories after thoracic surgery, using latent class structures. Demographics, preoperative psychological diagnoses, medication usage and chronic pain variables were utilized to identify population‐level clusters. The cluster identified as highest risk had preoperative chronic opioid use, psychological diagnoses, other medication prescriptions and chronic pain.
Experimental study of biosorption of fluoride by immobilized beads of zeolite NaA and Nostoc sp. (BTA394) using a continuous flow system
Authors: Mukherjee Shraboni , Khan Anoar Ali , Barman Sanghamitra , Halder Gopinath 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe current experiment investigated the fluoride sorptive efficacies of immobilized beads of zeolite NaA and Nostoc sp. (BTA394) from simulated wastewater in column reactor. Influence of crucial kinetic parameters viz. initial concentration (10, 15, and 20 mg/L), bed height (4, 6, and 8 cm) and flow rate (2, 4, and 6 ml/min) on F− uptake was examined. Influence of these parameters on breakthrough curves was also determined. These breakthrough curves were further estimated by Adams–Bohart's and Thomas models. Spent column was eluted with 0.01 M NaCl, Ca(OH)2, Na2SO4, or NaOH solution to assess column regeneration efficacy. The Thomas model satisfactorily explained the sorption dynamics but Adams–Bohart model could only explicate preliminary portion of the column sorption mechanism. The exhaustion and breakthrough time shortened with increased flow rate, decreased bed height and increased F− concentration. Safe disposal of spent biosorbents were also performed. From the results obtained, it can be said that these biosorbents could be used effectively in treatment of simulated wastewater in continuous flow, although further experiments are being carried out to assess their defluoridation capabilities for real wastewater in large‐scale operations.
High‐efficiency preparation of Fe–Al based flocculants from red mud by microwave selective carbothermic reduction and magnetic separation
Authors: Zhang Junhong , Guo Qing , Tian Chen , Zhan Wenlong , Chen Shuwen , He Zhijun 
Published: June 2020

AbstractFe–Al based flocculants (PAFC) have been widely used in sewage treatment. In this article, a new method for preparing PAFC from red mud was proposed, the magnetic product was upgraded and “downgrading Fe of red mud” was obtained based on a microwave selective carbothermic reduction and magnetic separation technique. The results showed that the Fe and Al contents in “downgrading Fe of red mud” were determined to be 24.60% and 22.27%, respectively. The Fe and Al digestion rates of “downgrading Fe of red mud” were 81.24% and 28.55% during the preparation of PAFC, respectively. The prepared PAFC can effectively achieve the effect of sewage treatment, and the turbidity removal rate of sewage reached 88.17%. In addition, microwave can realize rapid reduction at low temperature, and the magnetite obtained by magnetic separation can be used in the iron‐making process to realize the recycling of resources.
Fire hazard of compressed straw as an insulation material for wooden structures
Authors: Blondin Frederic , Blanchet Pierre , Dagenais Christian , Triantafyllidis Zafiris , Bisby Luke 
Published: June 2020

SUMMARYThe construction sector continues to adapt to the challenges posed by climate change. Architects and engineers aim to build sustainable, energy, resource, and cost‐efficient structures by increasingly using bio‐based building materials. However, fire safety has always been a significant concern for timber building construction internationally. The objective of the study presented in this article is to document fire hazards of compressed straw when used as thermal and acoustic insulation within wood‐framed building assemblies. Three densities of compressed straw (75, 125, and 175 kg/m3) were selected and their combustion and thermal responses were evaluated at various scales, in attempt to define the optimal density considering various factors. The performance of the straw was also compared with commercially available insulation materials and then tested under exposure to severe heating in medium‐scale wood‐framed assemblies to evaluate the impacts of the straw as compared with a noncombustible insulation. The compressed straw with a density of 75 kg/m3 was found to have the best behavior with respect to both reactions to fire and insulation properties. The results suggest that compressed may have similar or better behavior under the heating conditions investigated when compared to a commercially available combustible insulation material. The use of this material as a primary insulation in a buildings is considered manageable by thoughtful design, construction, and building use without unduly increasing risks associated with fire.