bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Setd5 is required in cardiopharyngeal mesoderm for heart development and its haploinsufficiency is associated with outflow tract defects in mouse
Authors: Cheung Michelle Yu‐Qing , Roberts Catherine , Scambler Peter , Stathopoulou Athanasia 
Published: June 2021

SummaryCongenital heart defects are a feature of several genetic haploinsufficiency syndromes, often involving transcriptional regulators. One property of haploinsufficient genes is their propensity for network interactions at the gene or protein level. In this article we took advantage of an online dataset of high throughput screening of mutations that are embryonic lethal in mice. Our aim was to identify new genes where the loss of function caused cardiovascular phenotypes resembling the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome models, that is, heterozygous and homozygous loss of Tbx1. One gene with a potentially haploinsufficient phenotype was identified, Setd5, thought to be involved in chromatin modification. We found murine Setd5 haploinsufficiency to be associated with double outlet right ventricle and perimembranous ventricular septal defect, although no genetic interaction with Tbx1 was detected. Conditional mutagenesis revealed that Setd5 was required in cardiopharyngeal mesoderm for progression of the heart tube through the ballooning stage to create a four‐chambered heart.
Evidence of spontaneous selfing and disomic inheritance in Geranium robertianum
Authors: Van Rossum Fabienne , Raspé Olivier , Vandelook Filip 
Published: June 2021

AbstractKnowing species’ breeding system and mating processes occurring in populations is important not only for understanding population dynamics, gene flow processes, and species' response to climate change, but also for designing control plans of invasive species. Geranium robertianum, a widespread biennial herbaceous species showing high morphological variation and wide ecological amplitude, can become invasive outside its distribution range. A mixed‐mating system may be expected given the species’ floral traits. However, autonomous selfing is considered as a common feature. Genetic variation and structure, and so population mating processes, have not been investigated in wild populations. We developed 15 polymorphic microsatellite markers to quantify genetic variation and structure in G. robertianum. To investigate whether selfing might be the main mating process in natural conditions, we sampled three generations of plants (adult, F1, and F2) for populations from the UK, Spain, Belgium, Germany, and Sweden, and compared open‐pollinated with outcrossed hand‐pollinated F2 progeny. The highly positive Wright's inbreeding coefficient (FIS) values in adults, F1, and open‐pollinated F2 progeny and the low FIS values in outcross F2 progeny supported autonomous selfing as the main mating process for G. robertianum in wild conditions, despite the presence of attractive signals for insect pollination. Genetic differentiation among samples was found, showing some western–eastern longitudinal trend. Long‐distance seed dispersal might have contributed to the low geographic structure. Local genetic differentiation may have resulted not only from genetic drift effects favored by spontaneous selfing, but also from ecological adaptation. The presence of duplicate loci with disomic inheritance is consistent with the hypothesis of allotetraploid origin of G. robertianum. The fact that most microsatellite markers behave as diploid loci with no evidence of duplication supports the hypothesis of ancient polyploidization. The differences in locus duplication and the relatively high genetic diversity across G. robertianum range despite spontaneous autonomous selfing suggest multiple events of polyploidization.
Size compartmentalization of energy channeling in terrestrial belowground food webs
Authors: Potapov Anton M. , Rozanova Oksana L. , Semenina Eugenia E. , Leonov Vladislav D. , Belyakova Olga I. , Bogatyreva Varvara Yu. , Degtyarev Maxim I. , Esaulov Anton S. , Korotkevich Anastasiya Yu. , Kudrin Alexey A. , Malysheva Elena A. , Mazei Yuri A. , Tsurikov Sergey M. , Zuev Andrey G. , Tiunov Alexei V. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractSize‐structured food webs form integrated trophic systems where energy is channeled from small to large consumers. Empirical evidence suggests that size structure prevails in aquatic ecosystems, whereas in terrestrial food webs trophic position is largely independent of body size. Compartmentalization of energy channeling according to size classes of consumers was suggested as a mechanism that underpins functioning and stability of terrestrial food webs including those belowground, but their structure has not been empirically assessed across the whole size spectrum. Here we used stable isotope analysis and metabolic regressions to describe size structure and energy use in eight belowground communities with consumers spanning 12 orders of magnitude in living body mass, from protists to earthworms. We showed a negative correlation between trophic position and body mass in invertebrate communities and a remarkable nonlinearity in community metabolism and trophic positions across all size classes. Specifically, we found that the correlation between body mass and trophic level is positive in the small‐sized (protists, nematodes, arthropods below 1 μg in body mass), neutral in the medium‐sized (arthropods of 1 μg to 1 mg), and negative in the large‐sized consumers (large arthropods, earthworms), suggesting that these groups form compartments with different trophic organization. Based on this pattern, we propose a concept of belowground food webs being composed of (1) size‐structured micro‐food web driving fast energy channeling and nutrient release, for example in microbial loop; (2) arthropod macro‐food web with no clear correlation between body size and trophic level, hosting soil arthropod diversity and subsidizing aboveground predators; and (3) “trophic whales,” sequestering energy in their large bodies and restricting its propagation to higher trophic levels in belowground food webs. The three size compartments are based on a similar set of basal resources, but contribute to different ecosystem‐level functions and respond differently to variations in climate, soil characteristics and land use. We suggest that the widely used vision of resource‐based energy channeling in belowground food webs can be complemented with size‐based energy channeling, where ecosystem multifunctionality, biodiversity, and stability are supported by a balance across individual size compartments.
Metabarcoding as a tool to examine cryptic algae in the diets of two common grazing surgeonfishes, Acanthurustriostegus and A. nigrofuscus
Authors: Nalley Eileen M. , Donahue Megan J. , Toonen Robert J. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractSurgeonfishes (Acanthuridae) are an important group of herbivores that are abundant on reefs globally. Acanthurids consume macroalgae that can compete with corals for space, turf algae that can proliferate on degraded reefs, and detritus that may smother adult corals or inhibit settlement. For these reasons, they are of particular interest at present to resource managers seeking to restore and conserve reefs that are facing a myriad of stressors. To contribute to our understanding of the diet breadth and potential vulnerability of these important fishes, we employed metabarcoding to identify and compare the algal diets of two common Hawaiian surgeonfishes, the convict tang or manini (Acanthurus triostegus) and the brown surgeonfish or maʻiʻiʻi (A. nigrofuscus). These species serve important biological and cultural roles in Hawaiian coral reef ecosystems, and manini, in particular, constitute an essential component of traditional Hawaiian diets. Although diet richness was not significantly different between the species, with 64 unique taxa identified from the gut contents of 89 A. triostegus and 57 taxa from 73 A. nigrofuscus, A. nigrofuscus exhibited greater diet diversity as measured by the Simpson's Diversity Index. A. nigrofuscus had a greater relative read abundance of brown algae, cyanobacteria, and material from the epilithic algal matrix. A. triostegus had a taxonomically more specialized diet, consuming primarily red algae. A. triostegus showed greater variability between sites in diet composition than A. nigrofuscus, and when grouped at the site, shore, or species level, A. triostegus tended to have greater diet overlap among individuals. Conversely, A. nigrofuscus exhibited greater variation in diet among individuals, with less diet variability between sites. Grazing surgeonfishes such as these are critical components of existing and future herbivore management plans, making their diet breadth and consequent vulnerability to habitat loss or disturbance of great interest to resource managers.
Silica Support Affects the Catalytic Hydrogen Evolution by Silver
Authors: Rolly Gifty Sara , Sermiagin Alina , Meyerstein Dan , Zidki Tomer 
Published: June 2021

AbstractSilica supported silver nanoparticles, SiO2‐Ag0‐NPs, catalyze the hydrolysis of BH4−. A comparison of the isotopic composition of the hydrogen formed in the hydrolysis of BD4− points out that the contribution of hydrides, the Heyrovsky mechanism, rather than that of hydrogen atoms, the Tafel mechanism, to the hydrogen evolution is considerably larger for the SiO2‐Ag0‐NPs catalyzed process than for the Ag0‐NPs catalyzed process. This indicates some electron transfer from the SiO2 to the silver that increases the negative charge on the Ag0‐NPs.
Electrochemical Detection of Tryptophan Metabolites via Kynurenine Pathway by Using Nanocarbon Films
Authors: Kato Dai , Kamata Tomoyuki , Sumimoto Michinori 
Published: June 2021

AbstractWe studied nanocarbon film electrodes with the aim of detecting tryptophan metabolites via the kynurenine pathway. The nanocarbon films were formed by using unbalanced magnetron sputtering, and they exhibited superior electrode properties including a wide potential window and a low background current as a result of the sp3‐containing structure and ultraflat surface. These properties allowed us to detect certain tryptophan metabolites such as kynurenic acid (KYNA), which has a relatively high oxidation potential. We also investigated the effect of the sp2/sp3 ratio of the nanocarbon film as regards the electrode activity in relation to target molecules. We found that the sp2/sp3 ratio played important roles in both widening the potential window and obtaining superior electrode performance for the metabolites. The nanocarbon film with a high sp3 content was beneficial as regards the electrode performance with respect to the detection limit and sensitivity. Compared with conventional carbon‐based electrodes, the nanocarbon film electrode with a high sp3 content exhibited higher electrode activity against KYNA while maintaining a low background current. Computational experiments revealed that the theoretical oxidation potential (Eox) value for some targets coincided with that obtained in electrochemical experiments using our nanocarbon film electrode.
A hybrid electrochemical flow reactor to couple H2 oxidation to NADH regeneration for biochemical reactions
Authors: El Housseini Wassim , Lapicque François , Walcarius Alain , Etienne Mathieu 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBeta‐nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+/NADH) is an important enzymatic co‐factor that can be efficiently regenerated using a rhodium‐based catalyst as electron transfer mediator (ie, [Cp*Rh(bpy)Cl]+, where Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl and bpy = 2,2‐bipyridine). Here, the above mediated regeneration of NADH is implemented in a redox flow bioreactor hybridized with a gas diffusion electrode for hydrogen oxidation. The reactor was initially optimized with respect to rhodium complex and NAD+ concentrations, humidification of the hydrogen gas, flow rates of both H2 gas and electrolytic solution, and solution pH. The integration of an enzymatic reaction consuming the generated NADH was then investigated in a flow process, combining in series the electrochemical reactor to a biochemical cell with immobilized l‐lactic dehydrogenase for the conversion of pyruvate to lactate. A high activity was achieved with a turnover number up to 370 h−1 for NADH regeneration. Coupled electrochemical regeneration to enzymatic reaction led to total turnover number values of 2000 and 6.3 × 106 for NADH electrochemical regeneration and bioconversion, respectively.
Experimental study of a new kind of double‐layer shaking table
Authors: Pan Peng , Guo Youming , Wang Tao 
Published: June 2021

AbstractExisting large‐scale electrohydraulic shaking tables (EHSTs) have limited frequency bandwidth because of the capacity of electrohydraulic systems. Here we propose a double‐layer shaking table (DLST) which is capable of generating excitations over a wide band of frequencies. The lower table is a conventional EHST with a long‐stroke actuator which can generate low‐frequency excitations. The upper table is fixed atop the lower table, and equipped with a short‐stroke actuator which can generate high‐frequency excitations. The FFT/IFFT signal separation process, three‐variable control algorithm, and feedforward compensation technique are employed to control the shaking table. The two tables are controlled simultaneously to ensure the upper table reproduces ground motions over a wide frequency bandwidth. A series of experiments were performed on a unidirectional DLST. The results suggest that the DLST can successfully reproduce excitations over a wide band of frequencies, and demonstrate that the proposed control methods are effective. The control procedure in which the upper table tracks the full‐frequency signal to compensate for the tracking errors of the lower table is recommended.
Hepatitis C virus: Current steps toward elimination in Germany and barriers to reaching the 2030 goal
Authors: Sarrazin Christoph , Boesecke Christoph , Golsabahi‐Broclawski Solmaz , Moog Gero , Negro Francesco , Silaidos Carmina , Patel Polly , Lohmann Kristina , Spinner Christoph D. , Walcher Stephan , Wedemeyer Heiner , Wörns Marcus‐Alexander 
Published: June 2021

AbstractHepatitis C virus (HCV) affects over 70 million people globally, with an estimated 399 000 HCV‐related deaths in 2016. The World Health Organization (WHO) has set a goal to eliminate HCV by 2030. Despite the availability of direct‐acting antivirals—highly effective and well‐tolerated therapies for HCV—many patients infected with HCV in Germany have not initiated treatment, including a majority of those who are aware of their positive diagnosis. Barriers to screening, diagnosis, and treatment are major factors taking many countries off track for HCV elimination by 2030. Identifying country‐specific barriers and challenges, particularly in at‐risk populations such as people who inject drugs or men who have sex with men, has the potential to create tailored programs and strategies to increase access to screening or treatment and engage at‐risk populations. This review aims to report the current steps toward HCV elimination in Germany, the country‐specific barriers and challenges that will potentially prevent reaching the 2030 HCV elimination goal and describe good practice examples to overcome these barriers.
Practical data skills for the farm animal vet
Authors: Hyde Robert , Green Martin , Hudson Chris , Remnant John 
Published: June 2021

Background: While farm animal veterinarians receive extensive training in the diagnosis and treatment of individual animals, population medicine or ‘herd health’ has also become commonplace in modern production animal veterinary medicine. Clinicians are increasingly using routinely collected farm data to identify epidemiological patterns in order to implement preventive health management changes on farm. As such, data handling and statistical analysis techniques are becoming more important in farm practice. While data handling and statistical techniques can initially be challenging to learn, a relatively small investment in time spent learning can dramatically reduce the time spent analysing farm outcomes, and provide a useful evidence base on which to base on‐farm management decisions.Aim of the article: This article provides a practical guide to data skills for the production animal vet, briefly covering basic descriptive statistics and graphical representations of data. It also includes further examples of more advanced data analysis techniques, such as statistical modelling and the use of coding language.
Using ultrasound to assess the reproductive performance of deer
Authors: Boyes Gareth 
Published: June 2021

Background: The demand for venison has grown at a significant rate in recent years. This is being met with large quantities of imported produce as well as venison sourced from the UK, with wild‐shot deer, parkland herds and farmed deer all contributing to the supply chain. This increase in demand has resulted in an expansion of the number and size of deer farming enterprises, and consequently an opportunity for veterinary consultancy and advice to farmers. During the Covid‐19 pandemic, farmed venison demand has remained stable, but there has been a significant reduction in the value of wild venison. Some of the procedures and technologies used routinely to improve fertility and reproduction in cattle and sheep farming can be transferred to deer farming; by doing so, benefits in reproductive efficiency and performance of the herd can be realised.Aim of the article: This article discusses the benefits of ultrasound examination of deer for herd management, with reference to additional reproductive technologies that are currently used extensively in other countries where deer farming is established.
Who gains and who loses on stock markets? Risk preferences and timing matter
Authors: Veryzhenko Iryna 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThis paper uses an agent‐based multi‐asset model to examine the effect of risk preferences and optimal rebalancing frequency on performance measures while tracking profit and risk‐adjusted return. We focus on the evolution of portfolios managed by heterogeneous mean‐variance optimizers with a quadratic utility function under different market conditions. We show that patient and risk‐averse agents are able to outperform aggressive risk‐takers in the long‐run. Our findings also suggest that the trading frequency determined by the optimal tolerance for the deviation from portfolio targets should be derived from a tradeoff between rebalancing benefits and rebalancing costs. In a relatively calm market, the absolute range of 6% to 8% and the complete‐way back rebalancing technique outperforms others. During particular turbulent periods, however, none of the existing rebalancing techniques improves tax‐adjusted profits and risk‐adjusted returns simultaneously.
Cyber Sufis: Virtual Expressions of the American Muslim Experience (Islam in the Twenty‐First Century)
Authors: Hegazy Wael 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIf you have made up your mind that the embodied rituals are the main dominant phenomenon in modern Sufism and the cyberspace can only contribute to the marginalization of religious experience, this book is out to persuade you otherwise. This is an ethnographic study that investigates the virtualization of Sufi rituals, religious education, spiritual practices, and public outreach adopted by the Inyati Sufi order. It is also an attempt to explore an American Sufi digital paradigm that helps to balance the traditional ways of performing rituals and coping with the new age of shifting to cyber rituals.
The strategy of modulation blood responses by surface modification with different functional groups on polyester film
Authors: Zhong Rui , He Zeng , Zhang Xuejun , Han Dingding , Wang Hong , Liu Jiaxin 
Published: June 2021

AbstractA main problem in the design of blood‐contacting biomaterials has been the deficiency of a systematic understanding of blood‐biomaterial interactions and the strategy to modulate blood responses. In this work, different functional groups including carboxyl (COOH), hydroxyl (OH) and zwitterionic sulfobetaine group (⊕N((CH3)2)(CH2)3 SO3‐○‐, SMDB) were grafted on the poly (butylene terephthalate) (PBT) film to study how the functional groups modulate blood responses and in terms of interaction with the coagulation system, the complement system, and platelets. The results showed protein absorption and platelet adhesion was stronger on the PBT bearing COOH group than PBT films bearing OH and zwitterionic sulfobetaine groups (total protein (μg/cm2): 32.92 ± 5.89 vs. 22.02 ± 1.44 vs. 19.09 ± 1.59; platelet adhesion (/mm2): 1,626.7 ± 120.1 vs. 1,395.6 ± 363.3 vs. 1,102.2 ± 373.7), which had a rougher and negatively charged surface, and the coagulation system was inhibited by binding fibrinogen (Fg) and coagulation factors. Meanwhile, PBT‐PSMDB showed anticoagulant property and induced platelet activation. As a result, complement formation on these two films were less than PBT bearing OH groups by inhibiting the coagulation system (C3a (ng/ml): 3,745.4 ± 143.9 vs. 3,290.9 ± 249.7 vs. 4,887.9 ± 88.9; C5a (ng/ml): 22.1 ± 2.6 vs. 22.3 ± 1.8 vs. 27.9 ± 2.0). On the other hand, PBT bearing OH groups did not facilitate remarkable platelet adhesion and activation, and had no influence on platelet aggregation, hypotonic shock response, and coagulation system. The above results showed that the blood responses were highly interlinked, and could be modulated by grafting with different functional groups on the biomaterial surfaces. These findings may help identify a strategy to design materials with better hemocompatibility for blood contact, filtration, and purification applications.
Azilsartan prevented AGE‐induced inflammatory response and degradation of aggrecan in human chondrocytes through inhibition of Sox4
Authors: Lei Jie , He Mengyin , Xu Liangzhou , He Chengjian , Li Jie , Wang Wei 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAdvanced glycation end products (AGEs)‐induced inflammation and degradation of aggrecan in human chondrocytes play an important role in the progression and development of osteoarthritis (OA). Azilsartan, an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, has been licensed for the treatment of high blood pressure. However, the effects of Azilsartan in OA and AGEs‐induced damages in chondrocytes have not been previously reported. The injured chondrocytes model was established by incubating with 5 μmol/L AGEs. 3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide was used to evaluate the cell viability of treated SW1353 cells. The gene expression levels of interleukin‐1α (IL‐1α), tumor necrosis factor‐β (TNF‐β), IL‐6, a disintegrin‐like and metallopeptidase with thrombospondin type motif‐4 (ADAMTS‐4), ADAMTS‐5, Aggrecan, and Sox‐4 were evaluated using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and their protein levels were determined using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay or Western blot analysis. Mitogen‐activated protein kinase p38 pathway was surveyed using phosp‐p38 level and its specific inhibitor SB203580 was employed to block the p38 pathway. The overexpression of Sox4 plasmid was transfected into SW1353 cells to assess its regulation on ADAMTS‐4 and ADAMTS‐5. Azilsartan reduced AGEs‐induced production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL‐1α, TNF‐β, and IL‐6. Azilsartan prevented AGEs‐induced expressions of ADAMTS‐4 and ADAMTS‐5 as well as the reduction of aggrecan. Mechanistically, AGEs treatment increased the expression of Sox4 in a dose‐dependent manner. AGE treatment increased the level of phosphorylated p38. However, treatment with the p38 inhibitor SB203580 inhibited AGEs‐induced expression of Sox4, suggesting that AGEs‐induced expression of Sox4 is mediated by p38. Furthermore, Azilsartan suppressed AGEs‐induced phosphorylation of p38 and expression of Sox4. Finally, the overexpression of Sox4 abolished the inhibitory effects of Azilsartan against the expressions of ADAMTS‐4 and ADAMTS‐5. Azilsartan treatment prevented AGEs‐induced inflammatory response and degradation of aggrecan through inhibition of Sox4.