bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A phenotypic high-content, high-throughput screen identifies inhibitors of NLRP3 inflammasome activation
Authors: Nizami Sohaib , Millar Val , Arunasalam Kanisa , Zarganes-Tzitzikas Tryfon , Brough David , Tresadern Gary , Brennan Paul E. , Davis John B. , Ebner Daniel , Di Daniel Elena 
Published: July 2021

AbstractInhibition of the NACHT, LRR and PYD domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome has recently emerged as a promising therapeutic target for several inflammatory diseases. After priming and activation by inflammation triggers, NLRP3 forms a complex with apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD domain (ASC) followed by formation of the active inflammasome. Identification of inhibitors of NLRP3 activation requires a well-validated primary high-throughput assay followed by the deployment of a screening cascade of assays enabling studies of structure–activity relationship, compound selectivity and efficacy in disease models. We optimized a NLRP3-dependent fluorescent tagged ASC speck formation assay in murine immortalized bone marrow-derived macrophages and utilized it to screen a compound library of 81,000 small molecules. Our high-content screening assay yielded robust assay metrics and identified a number of inhibitors of NLRP3-dependent ASC speck formation, including compounds targeting HSP90, JAK and IKK-β. Additional assays to investigate inflammasome priming or activation, NLRP3 downstream effectors such as caspase-1, IL-1β and pyroptosis form the basis of a screening cascade to identify NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors in drug discovery programs.
The influence of subcolony-scale nesting habitat on the reproductive success of Adélie penguins
Authors: Schmidt Annie E. , Ballard Grant , Lescroël Amélie , Dugger Katie M. , Jongsomjit Dennis , Elrod Megan L. , Ainley David G. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractGroup-size variation is common in colonially breeding species, including seabirds, whose breeding colonies can vary in size by several orders of magnitude. Seabirds are some of the most threatened marine taxa and understanding the drivers of colony size variation is more important than ever. Reproductive success is an important demographic parameter that can impact colony size, and it varies in association with a number of factors, including nesting habitat quality. Within colonies, seabirds often aggregate into distinct groups or subcolonies that may vary in quality. We used data from two colonies of Adélie penguins 73 km apart on Ross Island, Antarctica, one large and one small to investigate (1) How subcolony habitat characteristics influence reproductive success and (2) How these relationships differ at a small (Cape Royds) and large (Cape Crozier) colony with different terrain characteristics. Subcolonies were characterized using terrain attributes (elevation, slope aspect, slope steepness, wind shelter, flow accumulation), as well group characteristics (area/size, perimeter-to-area ratio, and proximity to nest predators). Reproductive success was higher and less variable at the larger colony while subcolony characteristics explained more of the variance in reproductive success at the small colony. The most important variable influencing subcolony quality at both colonies was perimeter-to-area ratio, likely reflecting the importance of nest predation by south polar skuas along subcolony edges. The small colony contained a higher proportion of edge nests thus higher potential impact from skua nest predation. Stochastic environmental events may facilitate smaller colonies becoming “trapped” by nest predation: a rapid decline in the number of breeding individuals may increase the proportion of edge nests, leading to higher relative nest predation and hindering population recovery. Several terrain covariates were retained in the final models but which variables, the shapes of the relationships, and importance varied between colonies.
Effects of a virtual gender swap on social and temporal decision-making
Authors: Bolt Elena , Ho Jasmine T. , Roel Lesur Marte , Soutschek Alexander , Tobler Philippe N. , Lenggenhager Bigna 
Published: July 2021

AbstractMounting evidence has demonstrated that embodied virtual reality, during which physical bodies are replaced with virtual surrogates, can strongly alter cognition and behavior even when the virtual body radically differs from one’s own. One particular emergent area of interest is the investigation of how virtual gender swaps can influence choice behaviors. Economic decision-making paradigms have repeatedly shown that women tend to display more prosocial sharing choices than men. To examine whether a virtual gender swap can alter gender-specific differences in prosociality, 48 men and 51 women embodied either a same- or different-gender avatar in immersive virtual reality. In a between-subjects design, we differentiated between specifically social and non-social decision-making by means of a virtually administered interpersonal and intertemporal discounting task, respectively. We hypothesized that a virtual gender swap would elicit social behaviors that stereotypically align with the gender of the avatar. To relate potential effects to changes in self-perception, we also measured implicit and explicit identification with gendered (or gender-typical) traits prior to and following the virtual experience, and used questionnaires that assessed the strength of the illusion. Contrary to our hypothesis, our results show that participants made less prosocial decisions (i.e., became more selfish) in different-gender avatars, independent of their own biological sex. Moreover, women embodying a male avatar in particular were more sensitive to temptations of immediate rewards. Lastly, the manipulation had no effects on implicit and explicit identification with gendered traits. To conclude, while we showed that a virtual gender swap indeed alters decision-making, gender-based expectancies cannot account for all the task-specific interpersonal and intertemporal changes following the virtual gender swap.
Effect of cryoprotectant concentration on bovine oocyte permeability and comparison of two membrane permeability modelling approaches
Authors: García-Martínez Tania , Mogas Teresa , Mullen Steven F. , Martínez-Rodero Iris , Gulieva Ramila E. , Higgins Adam Z. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe plasma membrane permeability to water and cryoprotectant (CPA) significantly impacts vitrification efficiency of bovine oocytes. Our study was designed to determine the concentration-dependent permeability characteristics for immature (GV) and mature (MII) bovine oocytes in the presence of ethylene glycol (EG) and dimethyl sulphoxide (Me2SO), and to compare two different modeling approaches: the two parameter (2P) model and a nondilute transport model. Membrane permeability parameters were determined by consecutively exposing oocytes to increasing concentrations of Me2SO or EG. Higher water permeability was observed for MII oocytes than GV oocytes in the presence of both Me2SO and EG, and in all cases the water permeability was observed to decrease as CPA concentration increased. At high CPA concentrations, the CPA permeability was similar for Me2SO and EG, for both MII and GV oocytes, but at low concentrations the EG permeability of GV oocytes was substantially higher. Predictions of cell volume changes during CPA addition and removal indicate that accounting for the concentration dependence of permeability only has a modest effect, but there were substantial differences between the 2P model and the nondilute model during CPA removal, which may have implications for design of improved methods for bovine oocyte vitrification.
Combination of wet fixation and drying treatments to improve dye fixation onto spray-dyed cotton fabric
Authors: Lin Lina , Zhu Wenju , Zhang Cong , Hossain Md. Yousuf , Oli Zubair Bin Sayed , Pervez Md. Nahid , Sarker Shamima , Hoque Md. Ikram Ul , Cai Yingjie , Naddeo Vincenzo 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe conventional dyeing process requires a substantial amount of auxiliaries and water, which leaches hazardous colored effluents to the environment. Herein, a newly developed sustainable spray dyeing system has been proposed for cotton fabric in the presence of reactive dyes, which has the potential to minimize the textile dyeing industries environmental impact in terms of water consumption and save significant energy. The results suggest that fresh dye solution can be mixed with an alkali solution before spray dyeing to avoid the reactive dye hydrolysis phenomenon. After that, drying at 60–100 °C, wet fixation treating for 1–6 min, and combined treatments (wet fixation + drying) were sequentially investigated and then dye fixation percentages were around 63–65%, 52–70%, and above 80%, respectively. Following this, fixation conditions were optimized using L16 orthogonal designs, including wet fixation time, temperature, dye concentration, and pH with four levels where the “larger-the-better” function was selected to maximize the dye fixation rate. Additionally, the color uniformity and wash and rubbing fastnesses were at an acceptable level when both treatments were applied. Finally, the dyes were hydrolyzed after wet fixation, and the hydrolysis percentages were enhanced after the drying process.
Evaluation of retinal vascular density and related factors in youth myopia without maculopathy using OCTA
Authors: Wang Tiantian , Li Hui , Zhang Rongrong , Yu Yan , Xiao Xin , Wu Changfan 
Published: July 2021

AbstractTo evaluate the retinal vascular flow density changes of myopic eyes of young adults using optical coherence tomography angiography and the factors affecting these changes. In this cross-sectional study, 90 eyes of 45 participants were analyzed and divided into three groups: mild, moderate, and high myopia (without pathological changes). Macular and radial peripapillary capillary flow densities were measured using optical coherence tomography angiography. Their relationships with the axial length, the spherical equivalent of the refractive error, and age were analyzed using analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and multivariate linear regression analysis. Superficial and deep macular vascular densities were significantly decreased in the high myopia group compared to the other groups. In the high myopia group, the nasal peripapillary flow density decreased, whereas the flow density inside the disc increased. The axial length negatively correlated with the superficial and deep macular vascular density, but positively correlated with the vascular density inside the disc. The spherical equivalent of the refractive error negatively correlated with the macular vascular density. The retinal vascular density decreased in the high myopia group. Hence, the microvascular network inside the disc may have a compensatory action in the hypoxic setting of high myopia.
Association of the classification and severity of heart failure with the incidence of contrast-induced acute kidney injury
Authors: Xu Tian , Lin Maoning , Shen Xiaohua , Wang Min , Zhang Wenjuan , Zhao Liding , Li Duanbin , Luan Yi , Zhang Wenbin 
Published: July 2021

AbstractCongestive heart failure (HF) is a known risk factor of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI). However, the relationship of the classification and severity of HF with CI-AKI remains under-explored. From January 2009 to April 2019, we recruited patients undergoing elective PCI who had complete pre- and post-operative creatinine data. According to the levels of ejection fraction (EF), HF was classified as HF with reduced EF (HFrEF) [EF < 40%], HF with mid-range EF (HFmrEF) [EF 40–49%] and HF with preserved EF (HFpEF) [EF ≥ 50%]. CI-AKI was defined as an increase of either 25% or 0.5 mg/dL (44.2 μmoI/L) in serum baseline creatinine level within 72 h following the administration of the contrast agent. A total of 3848 patients were included in the study; mean age 67 years old, 33.9% females, 48.1% with HF, and 16.9% with CI-AKI. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, HF was an independent risk factor for CI-AKI (OR 1.316, p value < 0.05). Among patients with HF, decreased levels of EF (OR 0.985, p value < 0.05) and elevated levels of N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) (OR 1.168, p value < 0.05) were risk factors for CI-AKI. These results were consistent in subgroup analysis. Patients with HFrEF were more likely to develop CI-AKI than those with HFmrEF or HFpEF (OR 0.852, p value = 0.031). Additionally, lower levels of EF were risk factors for CI-AKI in the HFrEF and HFmrEF groups, but not in the HFpEF group. NT-proBNP was an independent risk factor for CI-AKI in the HFrEF, HFmrEF and HFpEF groups. Elevated levels of NT-proBNP are independent risk factors for CI-AKI irrespective of the classification of HF. Lower levels of EF were risk factors for CI-AKI in the HFrEF and HFmrEF groups, but not in the HFpEF group.
Energetic and health effects of protein overconsumption constrain dietary adaptation in an apex predator
Authors: Rode Karyn D. , Robbins Charles T. , Stricker Craig A. , Taras Brian D. , Tollefson Troy N. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractStudies of predator feeding ecology commonly focus on energy intake. However, captive predators have been documented to selectively feed to optimize macronutrient intake. As many apex predators experience environmental changes that affect prey availability, limitations on selective feeding can affect energetics and health. We estimated the protein:fat ratio of diets consumed by wild polar bears using a novel isotope-based approach, measured protein:fat ratios selected by zoo polar bears offered dietary choice and examined potential energetic and health consequences of overconsuming protein. Dietary protein levels selected by wild and zoo polar bears were low and similar to selection observed in omnivorous brown bears, which reduced energy intake requirements by 70% compared with lean meat diets. Higher-protein diets fed to zoo polar bears during normal care were concurrent with high rates of mortality from kidney disease and liver cancer. Our results suggest that polar bears have low protein requirements and that limitations on selective consumption of marine mammal blubber consequent to climate change could meaningfully increase their energetic costs. Although bear protein requirements appear lower than those of other carnivores, the energetic and health consequences of protein overconsumption identified in this study have the potential to affect a wide range of taxa.
Prevalence of human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 and 2 (HTLV-1/-2) infection in pregnant women in Brazil: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Vieira Bruna Angelo , Bidinotto Augusto Bacelo , Dartora William Jones , Pedrotti Luana Giongo , de Oliveira Vanessa Martins , Wendland Eliana Márcia 
Published: July 2021

AbstractHuman T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection may cause serious disease, while pathogenicity of HTLV-2 is less certain. There are no screening or surveillance programs for HTLV-1/-2 infection in Brazil. By performing this systematic review, we aimed to estimate the prevalence of HTLV-1/-2 infections in pregnant women in Brazil. This review included cohort and cross-sectional studies that assessed the presence of either HTLV-1/-2 infection in pregnant women in Brazil. We searched BVS/LILACS, Cochrane Library/CENTRAL, EMBASE, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science and gray literature from inception to August 2020. We identified 246 records in total. Twenty-six of those were included in the qualitative synthesis, while 17 of them were included in the meta-analysis. The prevalence of HTLV-1 in Brazilian pregnant women, as diagnosed by a positive screening test and a subsequent positive confirmatory test, was 0.32% (95% CI 0.19–1.54), while of HTLV-2 was 0.04% (95% CI 0.02–0.08). Subgroup analysis by region showed the highest prevalence in the Northeast region (0.60%; 95% CI 0.37–0.97) for HTLV-1 and in the South region (0.16%; 95% CI 0.02–1.10) for HTLV-2. The prevalence of HTLV-1 is much higher than HTLV-2 infection in pregnant Brazilian women with important differences between regions. The prevalence of both HTLV-1/-2 are higher in the Northeast compared to Center-West region.
Extrarenal expression of α-klotho, the kidney related longevity gene, in Heterocephalus glaber, the long living Naked Mole Rat
Authors: Morevati M. , Mace M. L. , Egstrand S. , Nordholm A. , Doganli C. , Strand J. , Rukov J. L. , Torsetnes S. B. , Gorbunova V. , Olgaard K. , Lewin E. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe Naked Mole Rat (NMR), Heterocephalus glaber, provides an interesting model for studying biomarkers of longevity due to its long lifespan of more than 30 years, almost ten times longer than that of mice and rats. α-Klotho (klotho) is an aging-suppressor gene, and overexpression of klotho is associated with extended lifespan in mice. Klotho is predominantly expressed in the kidney. The expression profile of klotho in the NMR has not previously been reported. The present investigation studied the expression of klotho in the kidney of NMR with that of Rattus Norvegicus (RN) and demonstrated that klotho was expressed in the kidney of NMR at the same level as found in RN. Besides, a significant expression of Kl mRNA was found in the liver of NMR, in contrast to RN, where no hepatic expression was detected. The Klotho expression was further confirmed at the protein level. Thus, the results of the present comparative study indicate a differential tissue expression of klotho between different species. Besides its important function in the kidney, Klotho might also be of significance in the liver of NMR. It is suggested that the hepatic extrarenal expression of klotho may function as a further longevity-related factor in supplement to the Klotho in the kidney.
Role of ICAM-1 in impaired retinal circulation in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment
Authors: Yokota Harumasa , Nagaoka Taiji , Noma Hidetaka , Ofusa Akemi , Kanemaki Tomoe , Aso Hiroshi , Hanazaki Hirotsugu , Yamagami Satoru , Shimura Masahiko 
Published: July 2021

AbstractMany studies have demonstrated that rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) leads to impaired retinal circulation. However, the involvement of inflammation in the RRD-induced worsening of retinal circulation was obscure. This retrospective observational study included 150 patients with primary RRD (macula-on, n = 63; macula-off, n = 87) who underwent 25-gauge microincision vitrectomy surgery (25G MIVS). Total retinal blood flow was represented by the mean blur rate (MBR) of the optic nerve head vessel, measured by laser speckle flowgraphy preoperatively and until 6 months postoperatively. Aqueous humor samples were obtained during surgery to determine cytokine concentrations by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. At 3 and 6 months postoperatively, there were no significant differences between eyes with macula-on RRD and fellow eyes. However, in macula-off RRD, MBR remained significantly lower in RRD eyes 6 months postoperatively (P < 0.05). Log-transformed levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) were negatively correlated with relative MBR (r-MBR, RRD eye/fellow eye) before surgery (r =  − 0.47, P = 0.01) in macula-on, but not macula-off, RRD. Six months postoperatively, r-MBR correlated significantly with sICAM-1 levels (r =  − 0.36, P = 0.02) in macula-off RRD. ICAM-1 may play a role in RRD-induced deterioration of retinal circulation.
Access to benzene-modified 2nd generation strigolactams and GR24 by merging C–H olefination with decarboxylative Giese cyclization
Authors: Ge Yuhua , Chen Xingyue , Dong Yi , Wang Hua-Nan , Li Yangyan , Chen Gang 
Published: July 2021

Herein, we reported an efficient and general synthetic route to assemble benzene-modified 2nd generation strigolactams and GR24. The key features of this synthesis include a palladium-catalyzed ortho-selective olefination and a decarboxylative Giese radical cyclization.
Measurement of Pharyngeal Air Pressure During Phonation Using High-Resolution Manometry
Authors: Hoffmeister Jesse D. , Ulmschneider Christopher L. , Jones Corinne A. , Ciucci Michelle R. , McCulloch Timothy M. 
Published: July 2021

Purpose
The study of air pressure in the vocal tract is essential to understanding vocal function. Changes in vocal tract shape during different phonatory gestures are hypothesized to produce nonuniform air pressure across lower vocal tract locations. Current methods of air pressure measurement, however, are limited to a single location in the anterior oral cavity. The purposes of this study were (a) to assess the feasibility of a novel method of simultaneously measuring phonatory air pressure at multiple locations across the lower vocal tract using high-resolution pharyngeal manometry (HRM) and (b) to compare pressure across locations and among phonatory tasks.

Method
Two subjects underwent HRM while performing phonatory tasks. A catheter was passed transnasally and air pressure was measured simultaneously at five locations between the velopharyngeal port and the upper esophageal sphincter. Descriptive statistics were calculated for each location by task, and for each task averaged across locations.

Results
HRM was well tolerated, and air pressures from multiple locations in the lower vocal tract were able to be obtained simultaneously. During vocal tract semi-occlusion tasks, air pressures differed by location. Pressures averaged across locations demonstrated a pattern of increasing pressure with increasing semi-occlusion.

Conclusions
HRM is feasible for measuring air pressure simultaneously at multiple locations in the lower vocal tract during phonation with high spatial and temporal resolution, providing rich data to augment understanding of vocal function. The high spatial and temporal resolution yielded by this new method, paired with preliminary evidence that pressures change by location as a function of phonatory task, may be useful in future assays exploring differences in lower vocal tract air pressures between normal and disordered populations.
Die urologische Praxis in der Corona-Pandemie
Authors: Stephan-Odenthal Michael 
Published: July 2021

ZusammenfassungDie Corona-Pandemie stellt die urologische Praxis vor besondere Herausforderungen, da die meisten Urologischen Patienten aufgrund von Alter und Begleiterkrankungen zur Hochrisikogruppe für einen schweren Verlauf der COVID19-Erkrankung zählen. Effektivste Schutzmaßnahmen sind eine priorisierte Reduktion von Patientenkontakten unter Zuhilfenahme von telemedizinischen Kontakten und das konsequente Tragen von FFP2-Masken bei direktem Kontakt. Weitere Maßnahmen wie Zugangskontrollen, Schutzwände und Luftfilterung können das Infektionsrisiko weiter senken. Letztlich führt nur ein flächendeckendes Impfen aus den pandemiebedingten Einschränkungen für die Behandlung urologischer Erkrankungen.