bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Milieu Souterrain Superficiel as hibernation habitat for bats: implications for white-nose syndrome
Authors: Blejwas Karen M , Pendleton Grey W , Kohan Michael L , Beard Laura O 
Published: April 2021

AbstractRecent studies have revealed that western populations of little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) in North America exhibit different hibernation behavior than their eastern counterparts. Understanding these differences is essential for assessing the risk white-nose syndrome (WNS) poses to western bat populations. We used acoustic monitoring and radiotelemetry to study the overwintering behavior of little brown bats near Juneau, Alaska during 2011–2014. Our objectives were to identify the structures they use for hibernation, measure the microclimates within those structures, and determine the timing of immergence and emergence and the length of the hibernation season. We radiotracked 10 little brown bats to underground hibernacula dispersed along two ridge systems. All hibernacula were ≤ 24.2 km from where the bats were captured. Eight bats hibernated in the “Milieu Souterrain Superficiel” (MSS), a network of air-filled underground voids between the rock fragments found in scree (talus) deposits. Two bats hibernated in holes in the soil beneath the root system of a tree or stump (rootball). At least two hibernacula in the MSS were reused in subsequent years. Average MSS and rootball temperatures were warmer and more stable than ambient temperature and were well below the optimal growth range of the fungus that causes WNS. Temperatures in the MSS dropped below freezing, but MSS temperatures increased with depth, indicating bats could avoid subfreezing temperatures by moving deeper into the MSS. Relative humidity (RH) approached 100% in the MSS and under rootballs and was more stable than ambient RH, which also was high, but dropped substantially during periods of extreme cold. Acoustic monitoring revealed that bats hibernated by late October and began emerging by the second week of April; estimates of minimum length of the hibernation season ranged from 156 to 190 days. The cold temperatures, dispersed nature of the hibernacula, and close proximity of hibernacula to summering areas may slow the spread and reduce the impacts of WNS on local populations of little brown bats.
Dynamical response of a rotating cantilever pipe conveying fluid based on the absolute nodal coordinate formulation
Authors: Li Yunfeng , Li Yundong , Wen Huabin , Ning Wenbo 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
A dynamical model of a rotating cantilever pipe conveying fluid is derived based on the absolute nodal coordinate formulation. The free vibration and dynamical response of the system are investigated in this paper. Based on the absolute nodal coordinate method and the extended Lagrangian equation proposed by Irschik for the nonmaterial system, the motion equation of the rotating flexible cantilever pipe conveying fluid is built. The influence of the rotational angular velocity and flow velocity on the natural frequency of the system is analyzed. The critical nondimensional circular frequency of in-plane vibration and critical nondimensional flow velocity are investigated. The static deformation is shown under different flow velocities and angular velocities. The nonlinear transient analyses of a rotating flexible cantilever pipe are completed with the variation of parameters. During the rotation, the Coriolis force of fluid acting on the pipe has a great effect on the static deformation.
Nucleotide-sugar metabolism in plants: the legacy of Luis F. Leloir
Authors: Figueroa Carlos M , Lunn John E , Iglesias Alberto A 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
This review commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry awarded to Luis F. Leloir ‘for his discovery of sugar-nucleotides and their role in the biosynthesis of carbohydrates’. He and his co-workers discovered that activated forms of simple sugars, such as UDP-glucose and UDP-galactose, are essential intermediates in the interconversion of sugars. They elucidated the biosynthetic pathways for sucrose and starch, which are the major end-products of photosynthesis, and for trehalose. Trehalose 6-phosphate, the intermediate of trehalose biosynthesis that they discovered, is now a molecule of great interest due to its function as a sugar signalling metabolite that regulates many aspects of plant metabolism and development. The work of the Leloir group also opened the doors to an understanding of the biosynthesis of cellulose and other structural cell wall polysaccharides (hemicelluloses and pectins), and ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Nucleotide-sugars also serve as sugar donors for a myriad of glycosyltransferases that conjugate sugars to other molecules, including lipids, phytohormones, secondary metabolites, and proteins, thereby modifying their biological activity. In this review, we highlight the diversity of nucleotide-sugars and their functions in plants, in recognition of Leloir’s rich and enduring legacy to plant science.
Nanomechanics of G-quadruplexes within the promoter of the KIT oncogene
Authors: Buglione Enrico , Salerno Domenico , Marrano Claudia Adriana , Cassina Valeria , Vesco Guglielmo , Nardo Luca , Dacasto Mauro , Rigo Riccardo , Sissi Claudia , Mantegazza Francesco 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s) are tetrahelical DNA structures stabilized by four guanines paired via Hoogsteen hydrogen bonds into quartets. While their presence within eukaryotic DNA is known to play a key role in regulatory processes, their functional mechanisms are still under investigation. In the present work, we analysed the nanomechanical properties of three G4s present within the promoter of the KIT proto-oncogene from a single-molecule point of view through the use of magnetic tweezers (MTs). The study of DNA extension fluctuations under negative supercoiling allowed us to identify a characteristic fingerprint of G4 folding. We further analysed the energetic contribution of G4 to the double-strand denaturation process in the presence of negative supercoiling, and we observed a reduction in the energy required for strands separation.
Decoupling the bridge helix of Cas12a results in a reduced trimming activity, increased mismatch sensitivity and impaired conformational transitions
Authors: Wörle Elisabeth , Jakob Leonhard , Schmidbauer Andreas , Zinner Gabriel , Grohmann Dina 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe widespread and versatile prokaryotic CRISPR–Cas systems (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and associated Cas proteins) constitute powerful weapons against foreign nucleic acids. Recently, the single-effector nuclease Cas12a that belongs to the type V CRISPR–Cas system was added to the Cas enzymes repertoire employed for gene editing purposes. Cas12a is a bilobal enzyme composed of the REC and Nuc lobe connected by the wedge, REC1 domain and bridge helix (BH). We generated BH variants and integrated biochemical and single-molecule FRET (smFRET) studies to elucidate the role of the BH for the enzymatic activity and conformational flexibility of Francisella novicida Cas12a. We demonstrate that the BH impacts the trimming activity and mismatch sensitivity of Cas12a resulting in Cas12a variants with improved cleavage accuracy. smFRET measurements reveal the hitherto unknown open and closed state of apo Cas12a. BH variants preferentially adopt the open state. Transition to the closed state of the Cas12a-crRNA complex is inefficient in BH variants but the semi-closed state of the ternary complex can be adopted even if the BH is deleted in its entirety. Taken together, these insights reveal that the BH is a structural element that influences the catalytic activity and impacts conformational transitions of FnCas12a.
DDX3 depletion represses translation of mRNAs with complex 5′ UTRs
Authors: Calviello Lorenzo , Venkataramanan Srivats , Rogowski Karol J , Wyler Emanuel , Wilkins Kevin , Tejura Malvika , Thai Bao , Krol Jacek , Filipowicz Witold , Landthaler Markus , Floor Stephen N 
Published: April 2021

AbstractDDX3 is an RNA chaperone of the DEAD-box family that regulates translation. Ded1, the yeast ortholog of DDX3, is a global regulator of translation, whereas DDX3 is thought to preferentially affect a subset of mRNAs. However, the set of mRNAs that are regulated by DDX3 are unknown, along with the relationship between DDX3 binding and activity. Here, we use ribosome profiling, RNA-seq, and PAR-CLIP to define the set of mRNAs that are regulated by DDX3 in human cells. We find that while DDX3 binds highly expressed mRNAs, depletion of DDX3 particularly affects the translation of a small subset of the transcriptome. We further find that DDX3 binds a site on helix 16 of the human ribosomal rRNA, placing it immediately adjacent to the mRNA entry channel. Translation changes caused by depleting DDX3 levels or expressing an inactive point mutation are different, consistent with different association of these genetic variant types with disease. Taken together, this work defines the subset of the transcriptome that is responsive to DDX3 inhibition, with relevance for basic biology and disease states where DDX3 is altered.
Time-Out and Its Role in Neurosurgery
Authors: LoPresti Melissa A , Du Rebecca Y , Yoshor Daniel 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Safety checklists have improved surgical outcomes; however, much of the literature comes from general surgery.

OBJECTIVE
To identify the role of time-outs in neurosurgery, understand neurosurgeons’ attitudes toward time-out, and highlight areas for improvement.

METHODS
A cross-sectional study using a 15-item survey to evaluate how time-outs were performed across 5 hospitals affiliated with a single neurosurgery training program.

RESULTS
Surveys were sent to 51 neurosurgical faculty, fellows, and residents across 5 hospitals with a 72.5% response rate. At all hospitals, surgeons, anesthesiologists, registered nurses, and circulators were involved in time-outs. Although all required time-out before incision, there was no consensus regarding the precise timing of time-out, in policy or in practice. Overall, respondents believed the existing time-out was adequate for neurosurgical procedures (H1: 17, 65.4%; H2: 19, 86.4%; H3: 14, 70.0%; H4: 20, 80.0%; and H5: 18, 78.3%). Of the respondents, 97.2% believed time-out made surgery safe, 94.6% agreed that time-outs reduce the risk of wrong-side or wrong-level neurosurgery, and 17 (45.9%) saw a role for a neurosurgery-specific safety checklist. Pragmatic challenges (n = 20, 54.1%) and individual beliefs and attitudes (n = 20, 54.1%) were common barriers to implementation of standardized time-outs.

CONCLUSION
Multidisciplinary time-outs have become standard of care in neurosurgery. Despite proximity and overlapping personnel, there is considerable variability between hospitals in the practice of time-outs. This lack of uniformity, allowed for by flexible World Health Organization guidelines, may reflect the origins of surgical time-outs in general surgery, rather than neurosurgery, underscoring the potential for time-out optimization with neurosurgery-specific considerations.
Impact of Smoking Behavior on Survival Following Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation – Smoking Cessation Matters
Authors: Scheidl Stefan , Avian Alexander , Flick Holger , Gaal Sonja , Greinix Hildegard , Olschewski Horst 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Introduction
There are only a few data on the impact of smoking and smoking cessation on the outcome of patients treated with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, a well-established therapy for hematologic malignancies.

Methods
In a retrospective cohort study design we examined the impact of smoking and smoking cessation on survival among 309 eligible consecutive adults who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation using reduced-intensity (n = 179) or myeloablative (n = 130) conditioning between 1999 and 2018.

Results
Smoking and was independently associated with increased mortality with a five-year overall survival of 25% in current smokers versus 53% in never smokers versus 48% in past smokers. Never smokers lived significantly longer (HR: 2.00, 95%CI: 1.19–3.35, p = .008) and had a better event-free survival (HR: 2.11, 95%CI: 1.27–3.49, p = .004) than current smokers. In the long run, never smokers also lived significantly longer than past smokers (HR: 1.45, 95%CI: 1.16–1.81, p = .001). Patients who quit smoking before allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation showed a tendency towards increased survival compared to those who continued smoking (HR: 1.53, 95%CI: 0.95–2.45, p = .078). In relation to life-time cigarette dose smokers with low-dose (1–10 pack-years) cigarette consumption lived significantly longer (HR: 1.60, 95%CI: 1.03–2.50, p = .037) and had a better event-free survival (HR: 1.66, 95%CI: 1.07–2.58, p = .025) than patients with high-dose (≥10 pack-years) cigarette consumption.

Conclusions
In allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for hematologic malignancies, smoking history per se, lifetime cigarette dose, and continued smoking, were significantly associated with increased all-cause mortality and reduced event-free survival.

Implications
Continued and past smoking represent established risk factors for malignant and non-malignant diseases, however, they are also a strong risk factor for a poor outcome after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for hematologic diseases. Our study shows that the hazard ratio for death after such transplantation is doubled if patients continue smoking and even if they have quit smoking, their risk remains significantly elevated. This suggests that the smoking history provides important predictive factors for the outcome of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and that smoking cessation should be implemented in the treatment of hematologic diseases as early as possible.
Performance of a points-based scoring system for assessing species limits in birds
Authors: Tobias Joseph A , Donald Paul F , Martin Rob W , Butchart Stuart H M , Collar Nigel J 
Published: April 2021

AbstractSpecies are fundamental to biology, conservation, and environmental legislation; yet, there is often disagreement on how and where species limits should be drawn. Even sophisticated molecular methods have limitations, particularly in the context of geographically isolated lineages or inadequate sampling of loci. With extinction rates rising, methods are needed to assess species limits rapidly but robustly. Tobias et al. devised a points-based system to compare phenotypic divergence between taxa against the level of divergence in sympatric species, establishing a threshold to guide taxonomic assessments at a global scale. The method has received a mixed reception. To evaluate its performance, we identified 397 novel taxonomic splits from 328 parent taxa made by application of the criteria (in 2014‒2016) and searched for subsequent publications investigating the same taxa with molecular and/or phenotypic data. Only 71 (18%) novel splits from 60 parent taxa have since been investigated by independent studies, suggesting that publication of splits underpinned by the criteria in 2014–2016 accelerated taxonomic decisions by at least 33 years. In the evaluated cases, independent analyses explicitly or implicitly supported species status in 62 (87.3%) of 71 splits, with the level of support increasing to 97.2% when excluding subsequent studies limited only to molecular data, and reaching 100% when the points-based criteria were applied using recommended sample sizes. Despite the fact that the training set used to calibrate the criteria was heavily weighted toward passerines, splits of passerines and non-passerines received equally strong support from independent research. We conclude that the method provides a useful tool for quantifying phenotypic divergence and fast-tracking robust taxonomic decisions at a global scale.
The inflammatory role of silent urate crystal deposition in intercritical gout
Authors: Diaz-Torne Cesar , Ortiz M Angels , Garcia-Guillen Andrea , Jeria-Navarro Sicylle , Sainz Lluís , Fernandez-Sanchez Susana , Corominas Hector , Vidal Silvia 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Objective
To study subclinical inflammation in intercritical gout patients and its relation to the estimated size of monosodium urate crystal deposition and cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods
We performed a secretome analysis and the quantification of cytokine and adipokine plasma levels [IL-1β, IL-18, IL-6, soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R), TNF-α, C-X-C motif chemokine 5, RANTES (Regulated upon Activation, Normal T Cell Expressed and Presumably Secreted), leptin, resistin and adiponectin] to analyse subclinical inflammation in intercritical gout patients. Since it is currently not feasible to determinate the whole body deposit of monosodium urate crystals, we created an indirect clinical classification to estimate it. Then we compared cytokine levels in controls and gout patients and in patients with different crystal deposition sizes. We also studied the association between cytokine-levels and the number of cardiovascular risk factors.

Results
Ninety consecutive patients attending a crystal arthritis unit were studied. IL-18, sIL-6R, RANTES, leptin and adiponectin were higher in intercritical gout patients than in controls. An association was observed between IL-18, sIL6-R and RANTES levels and the size of crystal deposition. IL-18, sIL6-R, RANTES and leptin were higher in patients with no cardiovascular risk factors compared with controls with no risk factors.

Conclusion
Our results showed that the levels of some pro-inflammatory cytokines and metabolic proteins are elevated in intercritical gout patients. The levels of certain cytokines were related to the estimated size of the monosodium urate crystal deposition and to the number of cardiovascular risk factors. These cytokine changes may help to explain the increase in cardiovascular events in gout patients.
Trait self-control mediates the association between resting-state neural correlates and emotional well-being in late adolescence
Authors: Li Qingqing , Xiang Guangcan , Song Shiqing , Xiao Mingyue , Chen Hong 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Trait self-control (TSC), defined as the capacity to alter predominant response to promote desirable long-term goals, has been found to facilitate emotional well-being (EWB). However, the neural correlates underlying this association remain unclear. The present study estimated resting-state brain activity and connectivity with amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFFs) and resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) among late adolescents. Whole-brain correlation analysis showed that higher TSC was associated with increased ALFFs in regions within the executive control network (inferior frontal gyrus, IFG) and the salience network (anterior insula, AI) and decreased ALFF in regions (e.g. medial frontal gyrus, MFG; posterior cingulate, PC) within the default-mode network (DMN). TSC was also linked with the integration (e.g. increased IFG-PC connectivity) and segregation (e.g. decreased AI-MFG connectivity) among brain networks. Mediation analysis indicated that TSC totally mediated the links from the IFG and the precuneus, FC of the AI and regions of the DMN (e.g. bilateral PC and MFG), to EWB. Additionally, ALFF in the IFG and the MFG could predict negative affect in the pandemic through TSC. These findings suggest that TSC is involved in several regions and functional organizations within and between brain networks and mediated the association between neural correlates and emotional wellness in adolescence.
Clinico-epidemiology of Hypnale zara (hump-nosed pit viper) envenoming in Sri Lanka
Authors: Rathnayaka R M M K Namal , Ranathunga P E A Nishanthi , Kularatne S A M 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Background
Hump-nosed vipers of the genus Hypnale are the most common cause of venomous snakebites in Sri Lanka. The genus includes three species: Hypnale hypnale, Hypnale zara and Hypnale nepa. Of them, H. hypnale bites are the most common and are the subject of many publications. The epidemiology and clinical features of bites by the other two species have been less investigated.

Methods
We conducted a prospective observational study of H. zara bites from January 2015 to June 2020 at the Teaching Hospital, Ratnapura, Sri Lanka. Data were collected for 5.5 years in the wet zone of the island, where the principal investigator did assessment of all patients and the data collection.

Results
H. zara envenoming was confirmed through identification of dead or live snake specimens brought with the patients. Of the 480 patients with proven hump-nosed viper bites, H. zara bites accounted for 105 (22%), including dry bites (n=5 [5%]) and envenoming (n=100 [95%]), with gender distribution of 65 (62%) males and a mean age of 43.1 y. Most bites occurred on the lower limbs (n=71 [68%]) in the daytime (n=69 [66%]) in home gardens (n=45 [43%]). A total of 100 (95%) patients had local manifestations, including pain (n=100 [95%]), swelling (n=100 [95%]), bleeding (n=20 [19%]), bruising (n=11 [10%]), lymphadenopathy (n=10 [9%]), necrosis at the bite site (n=9 [9%]) and blistering (n=8 [8%]). Seven (6.7%) patients showed systemic effects, including acute kidney injury (n=2 [2%]), microangiopathic haemolysis (n=2 [2%]), sinus bradycardia (2 [2%]) and one (1%) each had coagulopathy, thrombotic microangiopathy, Kounis syndrome and ischaemic changes on electrocardiography. Eosinophilia was a significant haematological finding (n=26 [25%]) and 16 (15%) had leucocytosis and 15 (14%) had neutrophilia. Ninety six percent of patients (n=101) recovered. Antivenom is not available for hump-nosed viper bites in Sri Lanka and therefore patients were managed conservatively.

Conclusions
This study shows that H. zara bites mainly cause local envenoming and rarely systemic effects.
EFFECTS OF BLOOD PRESSURE AND SALT ON ARTERIAL LIPID DEPOSITION IN THE APOE-DEPLETED SHR
Authors: Matsuo Hiroyuki , Kawakami Kohei , Fujikawa Koichi , Ohara Hiroki , Yamada Takaya , Nabika Toru 
Published: April 2021

Objective:
Hypertension and oxidative stress are both risk factors for atherosclerosis. Although apoprotein E (ApoE)-knockout mice have been widely used as a model for atherosclerosis, chronic effects of high blood pressure (BP) were not fully elucidated because of lack of hypertensive models in mice. In this study, we therefore constructed ApoE-knockout SHR (ApoE-KO SHR) to address this issue. As SHR is a genetic model for hypertension, ApoE-KO SHR would be a good model to evaluate effects of hypertension on atherosclerosis. Here, we examined effects of blood pressure and salt-loading on the ApoE-KO SHR.

Design and method:
ApoE-KO SHR was made using the genome editing technology with CRISPR/CAS9. We successfully obtained ApoE-KO SHR with 13 bps deletion causing a frame-shift. ApoE-KO SHR was then backcrossed with WKY for 3 generations to make an ApoE-KO model with lower BP (ApoE-KO WKY). Rats were fed high-fat diet for 8 weeks from 8 weeks of age with or without 1% salt water. Rats were then sacrificed and lipid deposition in mesenteric arteries were evaluated on microscope.

Results:
In ApoE-KO rats, serum total cholesterol and triglyceride were dramatically increased. Under salt-loading condition, oxidative stress estimated with urinary isoprostane was significantly increased. BP in ApoE-KO SHR and ApoE-KO WKY were comparable with that in SHR and WKY, respectively. Under the salt-loading condition, lipid deposition in mesenteric arteries was significantly greater in ApoE-KO SHR than in ApoE-KO WKY.

Conclusions:
These results suggested that high blood pressure and/or salt aggravated arterial lipid deposition in mesenteric arteries probably through endothelial dysfunction in the salt-loaded ApoE-KO SHR.