bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Recapitulative haematopoietic development of human pluripotent stem cells in the absence of exogenous haematopoietic cytokines
Authors: Philonenko Elena S. , Tan Ying , Wang Cuihua , Zhang Baoyun , Shah Zahir , Zhang Jianguang , Ullah Hanif , Kiselev Sergei L. , Lagarkova Maria A. , Li Dandan , Dai Yong , Samokhvalov Igor M. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractTo improve the recapitulative quality of human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) differentiation, we removed exogenous haematopoietic cytokines from the defined differentiation system. Here, we show that endogenous stimuli and VEGF are sufficient to induce robust hPSC‐derived haematopoiesis, intensive generation of haematopoietic progenitors, maturation of blood cells and the emergence of definitive precursor cells including those that phenotypically identical to early human embryonic haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Moreover, the cytokine‐free system produces significantly higher numbers of haematopoietic progenitors compared to the published protocols. The removal of cytokines revealed a broad developmental potential of the early blood cells, stabilized the hPSC‐derived definitive precursors and led to spontaneous activation of inflammatory signalling. Our cytokine‐free protocol is simple, efficient, reproducible and applicable for embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced PSCs. The spectrum of recapitulative features of the novel protocol makes the cytokine‐free differentiation a preferred model for studying the early human haematopoietic development.
Association between muscle mass, bone mineral density and osteoporosis in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Pan Youjin , Xu Jing 
Published: August 2021

AbstractAims/IntroductionType 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased incidence of osteoporosis and sarcopenia. However, the relationship between osteoporosis and sarcopenia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus remains to be unclear. Appendicular skeletal muscle was adjusted by height (appendicular skeletal muscle mass [ASM]/height2) as a marker of sarcopenia. This study aimed to explore the relationship between ASM/height2, osteoporosis and bone mineral density (BMD) in this population.Materials and MethodsA total of 192 women and 225 men with type 2 diabetes mellitus were recruited. General information, laboratory and BMD data were collected. Spearman’s correlation, multiple regression analyses and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were used to explore the correlation between ASM/height2, BMD and bone metabolism markers.ResultsSpearman’s correlation analysis showed that ASM/height2 had a positive correlation with serum calcium and BMD (r = 0.209–0.404, P < 0.01). In multivariate regression analysis, we found significant correlations between ASM/height2 and total lumbar spine, hip and femur neck BMD. According to the receiver operating characteristic curve, ASM/height2 was the best marker of osteoporosis, with a cut‐off value of 7.87 kg/m2 for men and 5.94 kg/m2 for women. When these cut‐off values were used to identify sarcopenia, the risk of osteoporosis increased 6.036‐fold in men and 4.079‐fold in women, respectively.ConclusionsIn patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, ASM/height2 was positively correlated with BMD, and negatively correlated with osteoporosis.
Maturation of a postsynaptic domain: Role of small Rho GTPases in organising nicotinic acetylcholine receptor aggregates at the vertebrate neuromuscular junction
Authors: Medina‐Moreno Angelymar , Henríquez Juan Pablo 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is the peripheral synapse formed between a motor axon and a skeletal muscle fibre that allows muscle contraction and the coordinated movement in many species. A main hallmark of the mature NMJ is the assembly of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) aggregates in the muscle postsynaptic domain, that distributes in perfect apposition to presynaptic motor terminals. To assemble its unique functional architecture, initial embryonic NMJs undergo an early postnatal maturation process characterised by the transformation of homogenous nAChR‐containing plaques to elaborate and branched pretzel‐like structures. In spite of a detailed morphological characterisation, the molecular mechanisms controlling the intracellular scaffolding that organises a postsynaptic domain at the mature NMJ have not been fully elucidated. In this review, we integrate evidence of key processes and molecules that have shed light on our current understanding of the NMJ maturation process. On the one hand, we consider in vitro studies revealing the potential role of podosome‐like structures to define discrete low nAChR‐containing regions to consolidate a plaque‐to‐pretzel transition at the NMJ. On the other hand, we focus on in vitro and in vivo evidence demonstrating that members of the Ras homologous (Rho) protein family of small GTPases (small Rho GTPases) play indispensable roles on NMJ maturation by regulating the stability of nAChR aggregates. We combine this evidence to propose that small Rho GTPases are key players in the assembly of podosome‐like structures that drive the postsynaptic maturation of vertebrate NMJs.
Recent developments of the autoregressive distributed lag modelling framework
Authors: Cho Jin Seo , Greenwood‐Nimmo Matthew , Shin Yongcheol 
Published: August 2021

AbstractWe review the literature on the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model, from its origins in the analysis of autocorrelated trend stationary processes to its subsequent applications in the analysis of cointegrated non‐stationary time series. We then survey several recent extensions of the ARDL model, including asymmetric and non‐linear generalisations of the ARDL model, the quantile ARDL model, the pooled mean group dynamic panel data model and the spatio‐temporal ARDL model.
The economics of domestic market integration
Authors: Gunessee Saileshsingh , Zhang Cheng 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThis paper reviews the literature that evidences the extent of the integration and fragmentation of domestic markets from measuring internal border effects. The empirical evidence from three main approaches—trade flows‐related, capital flows‐related, and price‐related—are reviewed. They are evaluated with emphasis on the role of recent methodological developments that adequately deals with the spatial and data aggregation problems and use disaggregated (micro) data, refined distance measures, and fine‐grained geographical areas. In particular, it enables distinguishing trade costs due to informal administrative impediments (border effects) and geographical barriers (distance effect). These allow for better inferences about internal border effects and domestic market integration to be drawn. They reveal that traditional approaches, which fail to tackle these inadequacies, have over‐estimated the size of the internal border effects and in effect domestic markets are more integrated than earlier documented. This addresses the reported mixed evidence found in earlier studies.
The current situation of health services for hydatidiform mole in Cambodia
Authors: Yamamoto Eiko , Kanal Koum , Soeung Sann Chan , Fujita Noriko , Krang Sidonn , Long‐Hay Puthik , Nishino Kimihiro , Niimi Kaoru , Hamajima Nobuyuki 
Published: August 2021

AbstractAimManagement of hydatidiform mole is important to reduce the mortality and morbidity of choriocarcinoma. This study aims to understand the existing health services for hydatidiform mole and to estimate the incidence of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) in Cambodia.MethodsA questionnaire was used to collect information on the existing health services for pregnancy and hydatidiform mole at health facilities from attendants of the 16th Annual Conference of the Cambodian Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics in 2017. The incidence of GTD in 2014–2017 was estimated using Health Information System data.ResultsA total of 126 attendants, who were from all provinces except three provinces, answered the questionnaire. The work places were national hospitals (n = 29), provincial hospitals (n = 42), district hospitals (n = 20), health centers (n = 6), and others (n = 29). The answers of participants from the public sector suggested the following: Ultrasonography is available at all hospitals but not health centers; Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) measurement is only available at national hospitals; Treatment of hydatidiform mole is performed at national hospitals and provincial hospitals; and Treatment of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) is provided at national hospitals. The incidence of hydatidiform mole and GTN at health facilities in the public sector in 2014–2017 was 0.95 per 1000 deliveries and 6.58 per 100 000 deliveries, respectively.ConclusionsThe results suggest that provincial hospitals are important to detect suspected invasive mole and refer to national hospitals for diagnosis and treatment. Further studies on the management of GTD and development of the guidelines of GTD are needed.
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children during severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 pandemic in Turkey: A single‐centre experience
Authors: Savas Sen Zeynep , Tanir Gonul , Gumuser Cinni Ruveyda , Uysal Yazici Mutlu , Yoldas Tamer , Ozturk Zeynelabidin , Kizilkaya Mete Han , Ozdem Suna , Yalcinkaya Rumeysa , Ozturk Caner , Yuce Sezen Aslihan , Ozdel Semanur , Derinkuyu Betul Emine , Polat Meltem , Oz Fatma Nur 
Published: August 2021

AimSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection may result in a life‐threatening hyperinflammatory condition named multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS‐C). We aimed to assess demographics, clinical presentations, laboratory characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with MIS‐C.MethodsWe performed a retrospective study of patients with MIS‐C managed between August 2020 and March 2021 at Dr. Sami Ulus Maternity Child Health and Diseases Training and Research Hospital in Turkey.ResultsA total of 45 patients (23 male, 51%) with a median age of 8.7 years (interquartile range: 5.6–11.7 years) were enrolled to study. The SARS‐CoV‐2 serology was positive in 43 (95%) patients. Organ‐system involvement included the dermatologic in 41 (91%), cardiovascular in 39 (87%), hematologic in 36 (80%) and gastrointestinal in 36 (80%) patients. Acute anterior uveitis was diagnosed in nine (20%) patients. Two patients presented with clinical findings of deep neck infection such as fever, neck pain, trismus, swelling and induration on the cervical lymph node. One patient presented with Henoch–Schonlein purpura‐like eruption. Coronary artery dilatation was detected in five (11%) patients. For treatment of MIS‐C, intravenous immunoglobulin was used in 44 (98%) patients, methylprednisolone in 27 (60%) and anakinra in 9 (20%) patients. The median duration of hospitalisation was nine days. All patients recovered.ConclusionsChildren with MIS‐C might have variable clinical presentations. Acute anterior uveitis might be a prominent presentation of MIS‐C and require ophthalmological examination. It is essential to make patient‐based decisions and apply a stepwise approach for the treatment of this life‐threatening disease.
Impact of initial flow rate of high‐flow nasal cannula on clinical outcomes in infants with bronchiolitis
Authors: Ball Megan , Hilditch Cathie , Hargreaves Garth A , Baulderstone David 
Published: August 2021

AimBronchiolitis is a common condition in the paediatric population. Severe cases often receive respiratory support with high‐flow nasal cannula (HFNC). Significant variation in the application of HFNC exists throughout Australia and internationally. This study aimed to determine if the flow rate used initially and when ceasing HFNC at the end of the illness alters clinical outcomes.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted of 251 children less than 12 months of age when admitted to the Women's and Children's Hospital Adelaide with bronchiolitis requiring HFNC therapy between the period of April 2016 to April 2019. The primary outcome was to determine if commencing HFNC therapy at different rates (1 L/kg/min, 1.5 L/kg/min and 2 L/kg/min) affected length of stay or treatment failure (escalation in physiological parameters or respiratory support).ResultsTreatment failure occurred in 33%, 13% and 26% of those starting at 1 L/kg/min, 1.5 L/kg/min and 2 L/kg/min, respectively. Commencing HFNC therapy at 1 L/kg/min increased length of stay by an average of 30 h (P < 0.001) and the likelihood of treatment failure (P < 0.002) compared with starting at 1.5 L/kg/min. There was no statistical difference in outcomes between starting at 1.5 L/kg/min and 2 L/kg/min. There was no significant difference in the length of stay from the starting of weaning HFNC to time of discharge.ConclusionsThe commencing flow rates of initial HFNC therapy impact individual patient's outcomes, including length of stay and rates of treatment failure. Clinicians should consider commencing HFNC at 1.5 L/kg/min or 2 L/kg/min in infants that have failed low‐flow oxygen therapy.
Genotypic–phenotypic diversity and distinctiveness among Magnaporthe grisea isolates from rice and weed Echinochloa colonum
Authors: Samanta Soma , Nayak Shubhransu , Dhua Urmila , Mukherjee Arup Kumar 
Published: August 2021

AbstractRice blast disease caused by Magnaporthe grisea (Hebert) Barr is a serious biotic stress causing worldwide yield loss in cultivated rice. As high as 75% to 100% crop damage has been recorded in India. The disease is manifested by the appearance of lesions of various colours, size and spore liberation ability. The pathogen also infects 50 other hosts including weeds and grasses as secondary hosts. Information on genetic diversity, host specificity and phenotypic characters of the pathogens needs to be explored for better management of the disease. Therefore, fourteen M. grisea isolates from rice host and six isolates from weed host Echinochloa colonum were collected from three locations of coastal Odisha. Culture studies revealed that most isolates from virulent lesions had both black colour mycelia and pigmentation (B/B pattern). All the twenty M. grisea isolated produced bigger conidia with size ranged from 21.1–33.0µm to 7.6–12.7µm (length and breadth). Isolates from virulent lesions produced higher number of conidia. Isolates from weed had long and slender type conidia. Molecular genetic studies based on repetitive element Pot2 and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) could separate isolates on the basis of host plant and virulence of source lesion. Isolates from weed were consistently placed in separate group where presence and absence of bands specific to this group were observed. Rep‐PCR based on Pot2 amplified polymorphic DNA fragments where bands at 1750bp were specific to isolates from weed. Similarly, amplification specific to weed isolates was obtained at 1200bp by primer OPB10 in RAPD PCR. Amplification at these base pairs may be used for the development of markers to distinguish M. grisea from rice and weed. This is the first report of utilization of rep‐PCR and RAPD to distinguish M. grisea among rice and Echinochloa colonum in this region.
Non‐invasive assessment of fibrosis regression and portal hypertension in patients with advanced chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐associated liver disease and sustained virologic response (SVR): 3 years follow‐up of a prospective longitudinal study
Authors: Knop Viola , Hoppe Daniel , Vermehren Johannes , Troetschler Sven , Herrmann Eva , Vermehren Annika , Friedrich‐Rust Mireen , Sarrazin Christoph , Trebicka Jonel , Zeuzem Stefan , Welker Martin‐Walter 
Published: August 2021

AbstractLong‐term effects on cirrhosis and portal hypertension of direct antiviral agent (DAA)‐based eradication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) are still under debate. We analysed dynamics of liver and spleen elastography to assess potential regression of cirrhosis and portal hypertension 3 years post‐treatment. Fifty‐four patients with HCV‐associated cirrhosis and DAA‐induced SVR were included. Liver and spleen stiffness were measured at baseline (BL), end of treatment (EOT), 24 weeks after EOT (FU24) and 1, 2 and 3 (FU144) years post‐treatment by transient liver elastography (L‐TE) and point shear wave elastography (pSWE) using acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) of the liver (L‐ARFI) and spleen (S‐ARFI). Biochemical, virological and clinical data were also obtained. Liver stiffness assessed by L‐TE decreased between BL [median (range), 32.5(9.1–75) kPa] and EOT [21.3(6.7–73.5) kPa; p < .0001] and EOT and FU144 [16(4.1–75) kPa; p = .006]. L‐ARFI values improved between EOT [2.5(1.2–4.1) m/s] and FU144 [1.7(0.9–4.1) m/s; p = .001], while spleen stiffness remained unchanged. Overall, L‐TE improved in 38 of 54 (70.4%) patients at EOT and 29 of 38 (76.3%) declined further until FU144, whereas L‐ARFI values decreased in 30/54 (55.6%) patients at EOT and continued to decrease in 28/30 (93.3%) patients at FU144. Low bilirubin and high albumin levels at BL were associated with improved L‐ARFI values (p = .048) at EOT or regression of cirrhosis (<12.5 kPa) by L‐TE at FU144 (p = .005), respectively. Liver stiffness, but not spleen stiffness, continued to decline in a considerable proportion of patients with advanced liver disease after HCV eradication.
Fine‐scale functional metacommunity dynamics: Analysing the role of disturbance‐driven environmental variability in grasslands
Authors: Pouget Célia , Pottier Julien , Jabot Franck 
Published: August 2021

AbstractQuestionPlant community dynamics are influenced by microvariations of the environment and of processes acting at fine spatio‐temporal scales like plant–plant interactions, local dispersal and phenology. However, descriptions and understanding of diversity changes both within year and over short distances are still required. We used a dynamic metacommunity framework to answer the following question: what is the relative influence of environmental filtering, dispersal limitation and ecological drift on fine‐scale grassland community dynamics under different disturbance regimes?LocationData were collected in a long‐term experiment located in the Massif Central, France (45°43′23″ N, 03°1′21″ E, 880 m a.s.l.).MethodsWe monitored fine‐scale spatio‐temporal community changes in small plots (i.e. local communities) distributed within six grassland paddocks (i.e. metacommunities) subject to two treatments (mown or grazed). We simultaneously monitored three key environmental variables: light, nitrogen and water, to assess how environmental heterogeneity impacts species compositional changes. We then inferred the metacommunity drivers of these changes in taxonomic and functional composition using a path analysis.ResultsManaged grasslands are dynamic within a year, and spatially heterogeneous within a paddock, with spatial and temporal β diversities totalling more than half of the taxonomic diversity. Mowing events caused sudden decreases of total vegetation cover resulting in taxonomical and functional changes. In grazed paddocks, community changes were mainly spatial due to spatially heterogeneous light‐structured filtering conditions. In both treatments, environmental heterogeneity only partially explained community changes that were also greatly impacted by dispersal limitation, but not ecological drift.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates that the fine‐scale analysis of community spatio‐temporal changes allows disentangling the relative importance of environmental filtering, dispersal limitation and ecological drift in community dynamics. Applying this approach to communities experiencing other kinds of disturbance regimes may allow gaining a general understanding of plant community assembly processes.
Contrasting heat stress response patterns of coral holobionts across the Red Sea suggest distinct mechanisms of thermal tolerance
Authors: Voolstra Christian R. , Valenzuela Jacob J. , Turkarslan Serdar , Cárdenas Anny , Hume Benjamin C. C. , Perna Gabriela , Buitrago‐López Carol , Rowe Katherine , Orellana Monica V. , Baliga Nitin S. , Paranjape Suman , Banc‐Prandi Guilhem , Bellworthy Jessica , Fine Maoz , Frias‐Torres Sarah , Barshis Daniel J. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractCorals from the northern Red Sea, in particular the Gulf of Aqaba (GoA), have exceptionally high bleaching thresholds approaching >5℃ above their maximum monthly mean (MMM) temperatures. These elevated thresholds are thought to be due to historical selection, as corals passed through the warmer Southern Red Sea during recolonization from the Arabian Sea. To test this hypothesis, we determined thermal tolerance thresholds of GoA versus central Red Sea (CRS) Stylophora pistillata corals using multi‐temperature acute thermal stress assays to determine thermal thresholds. Relative thermal thresholds of GoA and CRS corals were indeed similar and exceptionally high (~7℃ above MMM). However, absolute thermal thresholds of CRS corals were on average 3℃ above those of GoA corals. To explore the molecular underpinnings, we determined gene expression and microbiome response of the coral holobiont. Transcriptomic responses differed markedly, with a strong response to the thermal stress in GoA corals and their symbiotic algae versus a remarkably muted response in CRS colonies. Concomitant to this, coral and algal genes showed temperature‐induced expression in GoA corals, while exhibiting fixed high expression (front‐loading) in CRS corals. Bacterial community composition of GoA corals changed dramatically under heat stress, whereas CRS corals displayed stable assemblages. We interpret the response of GoA corals as that of a resilient population approaching a tipping point in contrast to a pattern of consistently elevated thermal resistance in CRS corals that cannot further attune. Such response differences suggest distinct thermal tolerance mechanisms that may affect the response of coral populations to ocean warming.
The Brief Esophageal Dysphagia Questionnaire shows better discriminative capacity for clinical and manometric findings than the Eckardt score: Results from a multicenter study
Authors: Cisternas Daniel , Taft Tiffany , Carlson Dustin A. , Glasinovic Esteban , Monrroy Hugo , Rey Paula , Hani Albis , Ardila‐Hani Andres , Leguizamo Ana Maria , Bilder Claudio , Ditaranto Andres , Varela Amanda , Agotegaray Joaquin , Remes‐Troche Jose Maria , de León Antonio Ruiz , de la Serna Julio Pérez , Marin Ingrid , Serra Jordi 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIntroductionGrading dysphagia is crucial for clinical management of patients. The Eckardt score (ES) is the most commonly used for this purpose. We aimed to compare the ES with the recently developed Brief Esophageal Dysphagia Questionnaire (BEDQ) in terms of their correlation and discriminative capacity for clinical and manometric findings and evaluate the effect of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms on both.MethodsSymptomatic patients referred for high‐resolution manometry (HRM) were prospectively recruited from seven centers in Spain and Latin America. Clinical data and several scores (ES, BEDQ, GERDQ) were collected and contrasted to HRM findings. Standard statistical analysis was performed.Key Results426 patients were recruited, 31.2% and 41.5% being referred exclusively for dysphagia and GERD symptoms, respectively. Both BEDQ and ES were independently associated with achalasia. Only BEDQ was independently associated with being referred for dysphagia and with relevant HRM findings. ROC curve analysis for achalasia diagnosis showed AUC of 0.809 for BEDQ and 0.765 for ES, with the main difference being higher BEDQ sensitivity (80.0% vs 70.8% for ES). GERDQ independently predicted ES but not BEDQ. In the absence of dysphagia (BEDQ = 0), GERD symptoms significantly determine ES.Conclusions and InferencesOur study suggests both the BEDQ and ES can complementarily describe symptomatic burden in achalasia. BEDQ has several advantages over the ES in the dysphagia evaluation, basically due to its higher sensitivity for manometric diagnosis and independence of GERD symptoms. ES should be used as an achalasia‐specific metric, while BEDQ is a better symptom‐generic evaluating tool.