bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A tale of shifting relations: East Asian summer and winter monsoon variability during the Holocene
Authors: Kaboth-Bahr Stefanie , Bahr André , Zeeden Christian , Yamoah Kweku A. , Lone Mahjoor Ahmad , Chuang Chih-Kai , Löwemark Ludvig , Wei Kuo-Yen 
Published: March 2021

AbstractUnderstanding the dynamics between the East Asian summer (EASM) and winter monsoon (EAWM) is needed to predict their variability under future global warming scenarios. Here, we investigate the relationship between EASM and EAWM as well as the mechanisms driving their variability during the last 10,000 years by stacking marine and terrestrial (non-speleothem) proxy records from the East Asian realm. This provides a regional and proxy independent signal for both monsoonal systems. The respective signal was subsequently analysed using a linear regression model. We find that the phase relationship between EASM and EAWM is not time-constant and significantly depends on orbital configuration changes. In addition, changes in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning circulation, Arctic sea-ice coverage, El Niño-Southern Oscillation and Sun Spot numbers contributed to millennial scale changes in the EASM and EAWM during the Holocene. We also argue that the bulk signal of monsoonal activity captured by the stacked non-speleothem proxy records supports the previously argued bias of speleothem climatic archives to moisture source changes and/or seasonality.
Cooperative partner choice in multi-level male dolphin alliances
Authors: Gerber Livia , Wittwer Samuel , Allen Simon J. , Holmes Kathryn G. , King Stephanie L. , Sherwin William B. , Wild Sonja , Willems Erik P. , Connor Richard C. , Krützen Michael 
Published: March 2021

AbstractInvestigations into cooperative partner choice should consider both potential and realised partners, allowing for the comparison of traits across all those available. Male bottlenose dolphins form persisting multi-level alliances. Second-order alliances of 4–14 males are the core social unit, within which 2–3 males form first-order alliances to sequester females during consortships. We compared social bond strength, relatedness and age similarity of potential and realised partners of individual males in two age periods: (i) adolescence, when second-order alliances are formed from all available associates, and (ii) adulthood, when first-order allies are selected from within second-order alliances. Social bond strength during adolescence predicted second-order alliance membership in adulthood. Moreover, males preferred same-aged or older males as second-order allies. Within second-order alliances, non-mating season social bond strength predicted first-order partner preferences during mating season consortships. Relatedness did not influence partner choice on either alliance level. There is thus a striking resemblance between male dolphins, chimpanzees and humans, where closely bonded non-relatives engage in higher-level, polyadic cooperative acts. To that end, our study extends the scope of taxa in which social bonds rather than kinship explain cooperation, providing the first evidence that such traits might have evolved independently in marine and terrestrial realms.
The difficulty to model Huntington’s disease in vitro using striatal medium spiny neurons differentiated from human induced pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Le Cann Kim , Foerster Alec , Rösseler Corinna , Erickson Andelain , Hautvast Petra , Giesselmann Sebastian , Pensold Daniel , Kurth Ingo , Rothermel Markus , Mattis Virginia B. , Zimmer-Bensch Geraldine , von Hörsten Stephan , Denecke Bernd , Clarner Tim , Meents Jannis , Lampert Angelika 
Published: March 2021

AbstractHuntington’s disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by an expanded polyglutamine repeat in the huntingtin gene. The neuropathology of HD is characterized by the decline of a specific neuronal population within the brain, the striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs). The origins of this extreme vulnerability remain unknown. Human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPS cell)-derived MSNs represent a powerful tool to study this genetic disease. However, the differentiation protocols published so far show a high heterogeneity of neuronal populations in vitro. Here, we compared two previously published protocols to obtain hiPS cell-derived striatal neurons from both healthy donors and HD patients. Patch-clamp experiments, immunostaining and RT-qPCR were performed to characterize the neurons in culture. While the neurons were mature enough to fire action potentials, a majority failed to express markers typical for MSNs. Voltage-clamp experiments on voltage-gated sodium (Nav) channels revealed a large variability between the two differentiation protocols. Action potential analysis did not reveal changes induced by the HD mutation. This study attempts to demonstrate the current challenges in reproducing data of previously published differentiation protocols and in generating hiPS cell-derived striatal MSNs to model a genetic neurodegenerative disorder in vitro.
Ultrafine particles altered gut microbial population and metabolic profiles in a sex-specific manner in an obese mouse model
Authors: Yang Kundi , Xu Mengyang , Cao Jingyi , Zhu Qi , Rahman Monica , Holmén Britt A. , Fukagawa Naomi K. , Zhu Jiangjiang 
Published: March 2021

AbstractEmerging evidence has highlighted the connection between exposure to air pollution and the increased risk of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and comorbidities. Given the recent interest in studying the effects of ultrafine particle (UFP) on the health of obese individuals, this study examined the effects of gastrointestinal UFP exposure on gut microbial composition and metabolic function using an in vivo murine model of obesity in both sexes. UFPs generated from light-duty diesel engine combustion of petrodiesel (B0) and a petrodiesel/biodiesel fuel blend (80:20 v/v, B20) were administered orally. Multi-omics approaches, including liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) based targeted metabolomics and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, semi-quantitatively compared the effects of 10-day UFP exposures on obese C57B6 mouse gut microbial population, changes in diversity and community function compared to a phosphate buffer solution (PBS) control group. Our results show that sex-specific differences in the gut microbial population in response to UFP exposure can be observed, as UFPs appear to have a differential impact on several bacterial families in males and females. Meanwhile, the alteration of seventy-five metabolites from the gut microbial metabolome varied significantly (ANOVA p < 0.05) across the PBS control, B0, and B20 groups. Multivariate analyses revealed that the fuel-type specific disruption to the microbial metabolome was observed in both sexes, with stronger disruptive effects found in females in comparison to male obese mice. Metabolic signatures of bacterial cellular oxidative stress, such as the decreased concentration of nucleotides and lipids and increased concentrations of carbohydrate, energy, and vitamin metabolites were detected. Furthermore, blood metabolites from the obese mice were differentially affected by the fuel types used to generate the UFPs (B0 vs. B20).
Studies on the mitochondrial, immunological and inflammatory effects of solvent fractions of Diospyros mespiliformis Hochst in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice
Authors: David Oluwole Moses , Olanlokun John Oludele , Owoniyi Bisola Evelyn , Ayeni MoyinOluwa , Ebenezer Oluwakemi , Koorbanally Neil Anthony 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe use of medicinal plants in the treatment of malaria is gaining global attention due to their efficacy and cost effectiveness. This study evaluated the bioactivity-guided antiplasmodial efficacy and immunomodulatory effects of solvent fractions of Diospyros mespiliformis in mice infected with a susceptible strain of Plasmodium berghei (NK 65). The crude methanol extract of the stem of D. mespiliformis (DM) was partitioned between n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and methanol. Male Swiss mice (20 ± 2 g) infected with P. berghei were grouped and treated with vehicle (10 mL/kg, control), Artemether lumefantrine (10 mg/kg), 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and methanol fractions of D. mespiliformis for seven days. Blood was obtained for heme and hemozoin contents while serum was obtained for inflammatory cytokines and immunoglobulins G and M assessments. Liver mitochondria were isolated for mitochondrial permeability transition (mPT), mitochondrial F1F0 ATPase (mATPase) and lipid peroxidation (mLPO) assays. The GC–MS was used to identify the compounds present in the most potent fraction. The dichloromethane fraction had the highest parasite clearance and improved hematological indices relative to the drug control. The heme values increased, while the hemozoin content significantly (P < 0.05) decreased compared with the drug control. The highest dose of HF and MF opened the mPT pore while the reversal effects of DF on mPT, mATPase and mLPO were dose-dependent. The levels of IgG, IgM and TNFα in the DF group were significantly higher than the drug control, while the IL-1β and IL-6 values did not vary linearly with the dose. Lupeol and Stigmastan-3,5-diene were the most abundant phytochemicals in the DF. The outcome of this study showed that the DF has immunomodulatory effects in infected mice, reduced proliferation of the malaria parasite and thus protect liver cells.
Factors influencing exclusive breastfeeding rates until 6 months postpartum: the Japan Environment and Children’s Study
Authors: Inano Hitomi , Kameya Mariko , Sasano Kyoko , Matsumura Kenta , Tsuchida Akiko , Hamazaki Kei , Inadera Hidekuni , Hasegawa Tomomi ,   The Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS) Group, Kamijima Michihiro , Yamazaki Shin , Ohya Yukihiro , Kishi Reiko , Yaegashi Nobuo , Hashimoto Koichi , Mori Chisato , Ito Shuichi , Yamagata Zentaro , Nakayama Takeo , Iso Hiroyasu , Shima Masayuki , Kurozawa Youichi , Suganuma Narufumi , Kusuhara Koichi , Katoh Takahiko 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis research aimed to examine the efficacy of the early initiation of breastfeeding within 1 h of birth, early skin-to-skin contact, and rooming-in for the continuation of exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months postpartum. The research used data from the Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS), a nationwide government-funded birth cohort study. A total of 80,491 mothers in Japan between January 2011 and March 2014 who succeeded or failed to exclusively breastfeed to 6 months were surveyed in JECS. Multiple logistic regression model was used to analyse the data. The percentage of mothers who succeeded in exclusively breastfeeding to 6 months is 37.4%. Adjusted odds ratios were analysed for all 35 variables. Early initiation of breastfeeding (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.455 [1.401–1.512]), early skin-to-skin contact (AOR: 1.233 [1.165–1.304]), and rooming-in (AOR: 1.567 [1.454–1.690]) affected continuation of exclusive breastfeeding. Regional social capital (AOR: 1.133 [1.061–1.210]) was also discovered to support the continuation of breastfeeding. In contrast, the most influential inhibiting factors were starting childcare (AOR: 0.126 [0.113–0.141]), smoking during pregnancy (AOR: 0.557 [0.496–0.627]), and obese body type during early pregnancy (AOR: 0.667 [0.627–0.710]).
Comparative proteomic profiling of newly acquired, virulent and attenuated Neoparamoeba perurans proteins associated with amoebic gill disease
Authors: Dhufaigh Kerrie Ní , Dillon Eugene , Botwright Natasha , Birlanga Victor , Talbot Anita , O’Connor Ian , MacCarthy Eugene , Slattery Orla 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe causative agent of amoebic gill disease, Neoparamoeba perurans is reported to lose virulence during prolonged in vitro maintenance. In this study, the impact of prolonged culture on N. perurans virulence and its proteome was investigated. Two isolates, attenuated and virulent, had their virulence assessed in an experimental trial using Atlantic salmon smolts and their bacterial community composition was evaluated by 16S rRNA Illumina MiSeq sequencing. Soluble proteins were isolated from three isolates: a newly acquired, virulent and attenuated N. perurans culture. Proteins were analysed using two-dimensional electrophoresis coupled with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The challenge trial using naïve smolts confirmed a loss in virulence in the attenuated N. perurans culture. A greater diversity of bacterial communities was found in the microbiome of the virulent isolate in contrast to a reduction in microbial community richness in the attenuated microbiome. A collated proteome database of N. perurans, Amoebozoa and four bacterial genera resulted in 24 proteins differentially expressed between the three cultures. The present LC–MS/MS results indicate protein synthesis, oxidative stress and immunomodulation are upregulated in a newly acquired N. perurans culture and future studies may exploit these protein identifications for therapeutic purposes in infected farmed fish.
Stochastic modelling of the effects of human-mobility restriction and viral infection characteristics on the spread of COVID-19
Authors: Ando Shiho , Matsuzawa Yuki , Tsurui Hiromichi , Mizutani Tetsuya , Hall Damien , Kuroda Yutaka 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAfter several months of "lockdown" as the sole answer to the COVID-19 pandemic, balancing the re-opening of society against the implementation of non-pharmaceutical measures needed for minimizing interpersonal contacts has become important. Here, we present a stochastic model that examines this problem. In our model, people are allowed to move between discrete positions on a one-dimensional grid with viral infection possible when two people are collocated at the same site. Our model features three sets of adjustable parameters, which characterize (i) viral transmission, (ii) viral detection, and (iii) degree of personal mobility, and as such, it is able to provide a qualitative assessment of the potential for second-wave infection outbreaks based on the timing, extent, and pattern of the lockdown relaxation strategies. Our results suggest that a full lockdown will yield the lowest number of infections (as anticipated) but we also found that when personal mobility exceeded a critical level, infections increased, quickly reaching a plateau that depended solely on the population density. Confinement was not effective if not accompanied by a detection/quarantine capacity surpassing 40% of the symptomatic patients. Finally, taking action to ensure a viral transmission probability of less than 0.4, which, in real life, may mean actions such as social distancing or mask-wearing, could be as effective as a soft lockdown.
Impact of home-based squat training with two-depths on lower limb muscle parameters and physical functional tests in older adults
Authors: Yoshiko Akito , Watanabe Kohei 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis study investigated the effect of home-based shallow and deep squat trainings on knee extension peak torque, muscle thickness, one-repetition maximum (1RM) leg press, and physical function in older individuals. Sixteen participants were randomly assigned to the shallow squat group (SS group; age, 71.0  ±  4.0 years) or deep squat group (DS group, age; 68.6  ± 3.6 years). Chairs of 40-cm height and chairs with a cushion of 20-cm height (60-cm in total) were used as the depth targets for squats, with participants instructed to sink until their hip touched the chair and cushion. Participants performed four sets of squats per day (35 repetitions per set), three days per week, for 12 weeks at their home. Knee extension peak torque, muscle thickness of quadriceps femoris (e.g., vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, and vastus intermedius), and physical function were measured at weeks 0 (baseline), 4, 8, and 12. Maximal isometric knee extension peak torque, muscle thickness, and walking speed did not change significantly over the 12-week training period in either group (P > 0.05). However, compared with the baseline, there was significant improvement in the results of 30-s sit-to-stand repetition tests after weeks 8 and 12 in both groups (P < 0.05). Additionally, 1RM leg press results were significantly improved after weeks 4 and 12 in the DS group, and weeks 4, 8, and 12 in the SS group (P < 0.05). Results indicate that home-based weight-bearing squat training improves lower limb function in older adults, as well as performance in physical functional tests related to activities of daily living. Moreover, such training benefits older adults regardless of whether squats are shallow or deep.
Successful extraction of insect DNA from recent copal inclusions: limits and perspectives
Authors: Modi Alessandra , Vergata Chiara , Zilli Cristina , Vischioni Chiara , Vai Stefania , Tagliazucchi Guidantonio Malagoli , Lari Martina , Caramelli David , Taccioli Cristian 
Published: March 2021

AbstractInsects entombed in copal, the sub-fossilized resin precursor of amber, represent a potential source of genetic data for extinct and extant, but endangered or elusive, species. Despite several studies demonstrated that it is not possible to recover endogenous DNA from insect inclusions, the preservation of biomolecules in fossilized resins samples is still under debate. In this study, we tested the possibility of obtaining endogenous ancient DNA (aDNA) molecules from insects preserved in copal, applying experimental protocols specifically designed for aDNA recovery. We were able to extract endogenous DNA molecules from one of the two samples analyzed, and to identify the taxonomic status of the specimen. Even if the sample was found well protected from external contaminants, the recovered DNA was low concentrated and extremely degraded, compared to the sample age. We conclude that it is possible to obtain genomic data from resin-entombed organisms, although we discourage aDNA analysis because of the destructive method of extraction protocols and the non-reproducibility of the results.
Fine scale infectious disease modeling using satellite-derived data
Authors: Randhawa Nistara , Mailhot Hugo , Lang Duncan Temple , Martínez-López Beatriz , Gilardi Kirsten , Mazet Jonna A. K. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractInnovative tools for modeling infectious agents are essential for better understanding disease spread given the inherent complexity of changing and interacting ecological, environmental, and demographic factors. We leveraged fine-scale satellite data on urban areas to build a road-connected geospatial network upon which to model disease spread. This model was tested by simulating the spread of the 2009 pandemic influenza in Rwanda and also used to determine the effects of vaccination regimens on outbreak spread and impact. Our results were comparable to data collected during the actual pandemic in Rwanda, determining the initial places affected after outbreak introduction in Kigali. They also highlighted the effectiveness of preventing outbreaks by targeting mitigation efforts at points of outbreak origin. This modeling approach can be valuable for planning and control purposes in real-time disease situations, providing helpful baseline scenarios during initial phases of outbreaks, and can be applied to other infectious diseases where high population mobility promotes rapid disease propagation.
Heating performance of a laboratory pilot-plant combining heat exchanger and air scrubber for animal houses
Authors: Krommweh Manuel S. , Büscher Wolfgang 
Published: March 2021

AbstractExhaust air treatment systems (EATS) are used in animal husbandry to reduce emissions. However, EATS are associated with high acquisition and operating costs. Therefore, a plant technology is being developed that integrates a recuperative heat exchanger into a biological air scrubber. The overall aim is to reduce total costs of livestock buildings with EATS by saving heating costs and to improve animal environment. In this study, a special pilot-plant on a small-scale, using clean exhaust air, was constructed to evaluate the heating performance on laboratory scale. Three assembly situations of the heat exchanger into trickle-bed reactor were part of a trial with two different defined air flow rates. In all three assembly situations, preheating of cold outside air was observed. The heating performance of the assembly situation with the sprayed heat exchanger arranged below showed an average of 4.4 kW at 1800 m3 h−1 (outside air temperature range 0.0–7.9 °C). This is up to 18% higher than the other two experimental setups. The heating performance of the pilot-plant is particularly influenced by the outside air temperature. Further research on the pilot-plant is required to test the system under field conditions.
Quantitative comparison of corneal surface areas in keratoconus and normal eyes
Authors: Crahay François-Xavier , Debellemanière Guillaume , Tobalem Stephan , Ghazal Wassim , Moran Sarah , Gatinel Damien 
Published: March 2021

AbstractKeratoconus is a highly prevalent corneal disorder characterized by progressive corneal thinning, steepening and irregular astigmatism. To date, pathophysiology of keratoconus development and progression remains debated. In this study, we retrospectively analysed topographic elevation maps from 3227 eyes of 3227 patients (969 keratoconus and 2258 normal eyes) to calculate anterior and posterior corneal surface area. We compared results from normal eyes and keratoconus eyes using the Mann–Whitney U test. The Kruskal–Wallis test was used to compare keratoconus stages according to the Amsler–Krumeich classification. Keratoconus eyes were shown to have statistically significantly larger corneal surface areas, measured at the central 4.0 mm and 8.0 mm, and total corneal diameter. However, no significant increase in corneal surface area was seen with increasing severity of keratoconus. We suggest that these results indicate redistribution, rather than increase, of the corneal surface area with keratoconus severity.
Pharmacokinetics and metabolomics investigation of an orally modified formula of standardized Centella asiatica extract in healthy volunteers
Authors: Songvut Phanit , Chariyavilaskul Pajaree , Khemawoot Phisit , Tansawat Rossarin 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe formula of a standardized extract ofCentella asiatica(ECa 233) was modified to improve its dissolution, with implications for pharmacokinetics and metabolomic profile. This study aimed to understand the resultant changes in disposition kinetics of ECa 233 and alterations to human metabolome after oral administration. This study was a two-sequence of dosages (250 and 500 mg), with an open-label phase I clinical trial. The modified formula was administered in single and multiple doses to twelve healthy Thai volunteers. The major parent compounds, madecassoside and asiaticoside, were rarely absorbed, instead undergoing biotransformation into active metabolites, madecassic acid and asiatic acid with possibility to be eliminated via fecal route. Increasing the dose of ECa 233 resulted in significantly greater plasma levels of those active metabolites, with accumulation of asiatic acid after multiple oral administration for seven days. Examining the impacts of accumulation behavior on metabolomics, the study traced changes in levels pre- and post-dose of five relevant human metabolites. Administration of ECa 233 was found to be significantly associated with an increase of choline, an endogenous metabolite with documented benefits for learning and memory. Therefore, ECa 233 may be useful in mitigating cognitive impairment, through its role in modulating human metabolites.