bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors Influencing the Oak Lace Bug (Hemiptera: Tingidae) Behavior on Oaks: Feeding Preference Does not Mean Better Performance?
Authors: Marković Čedomir , Dobrosavljević Jovan , Milanović Slobodan 
Published: July 2021

AbstractOak lace bug – Corythucha arcuata (Say, 1832) (Hemiptera: Tingidae) is a North American species that has been introduced to Europe and Asia, where it became a serious oak pest. As little is known about its behavior, we conducted a study in which we tested the preference and performance of the oak lace bug for different oak species and the influence of powdery mildew and CO2 on the behavior of the oak lace bug. Four of the most represented oak species in Serbia (Hungarian, pedunculate, sessile, and Turkey oak) were used for testing the preference and performance of the oak lace bug, and the influence of oak powdery mildew on the behavior of the oak lace bug. The influence of CO2 on the behavior of the oak lace bug was tested on pedunculate oak. The results of this study have shown that there are differences in preference and performance of the oak lace bug between the analyzed oak species; there are significant differences in the oak lace bug host preference in the laboratory and in field conditions; Hungarian oak is most threatened by the oak lace bug, as the oak lace bug performs best on this species and preferers this species in field conditions; the oak powdery mildew and oak lace bug are in an antagonistic relationship; and that the changes in the leaves caused by the expected increase in CO2 concentration in the future will probably not influence the feeding behavior of the oak lace bug adults.
Host-Feeding Patterns of the Mosquito Assemblage at Lomas Barbudal Biological Reserve, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Authors: Gilkey Patrick L , Ortiz Diana L , Kowalo Tia , Troyo Adriana , Sirot Laura K 
Published: July 2021

AbstractMosquito-borne pathogens have spread throughout tropical regions of the Western Hemisphere causing increased burden of disease in the region. Outbreaks of dengue fever, yellow fever, chikungunya, West Nile, and Zika have occurred over the past several years. Mosquito blood-feeding patterns need to be assayed to assist in determining which vertebrates could act as hosts of these mosquito-borne pathogens and which mosquito species could act as vectors. We conducted bloodmeal analyses of mosquitoes collected at Lomas Barbudal Biological Reserve, a dry tropical forest reserve in Costa Rica. Mosquitoes were collected using backpack aspirators and light, gravid, and resting traps, and then identified morphologically. Blood-fed mosquitoes underwent DNA extraction, PCR amplification, and sequencing of the vertebrate cytochrome b and cytochrome c oxidase 1 genes to identify vertebrate bloodmeal hosts. Several mosquitoes known to vector pathogens were found including Culex (Melanoconion) erraticus Dyar & Knab (Diptera: Culicidae), Cx. (Mel.) pedroi Sirivanakarn & Belkin, Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus Skuse, Ae. (Ochlerotatus) scapularis Rondani, Ae. (Och.) serratus Theobald, and Ae. (Och.) taeniorhynchus Wiedemann. The most common bloodmeal hosts were basilisk lizards (Basiliscus vittatus) Wiegmann (Squamata: Corytophanidae) in Culex (Linnaeus) species and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) Zimmermann (Artiodactyla: Cervidae) in Aedes (Meigen) species. These results show the diversity of mosquito species in a tropical dry deciduous forest and identify associations between mosquito vectors and potential pathogen reservoir hosts. Our study highlights the importance of understanding interactions between vector species and their hosts that could serve as predictors for the potential emergence or resurgence of mosquito-borne pathogens in Costa Rica.
Biological Parameters of Three Populations of Triatoma dimidiata s. s. (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) From Western Mexico
Authors: Nogueda-Torres Benjamin , Montañez-Valdez Oziel D , Michel-Parra J G , Martínez-Grant Diana M , Martínez-Ibarra J Alejandro 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Chagas disease is a very important vector-borne disease in México, and Triatoma dimidiata sensu stricto (Latreille) is one of the most important vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas, mainly in southern and central states. In the Pacific Coast states with the highest prevalence of human T. cruzi infection, T. dimidiata s. s. is considered as a secondary vector. However, the vectorial capacity of those populations has not been studied. Therefore, the vector characteristics of three populations of T. dimidiata s. s. in western México were evaluated in this study. The populations were maintained in the laboratory at 27 ± 1°C and 75% ± 5% RH with a 12:12 h (light:dark) regime, fed on rabbits in a fortnight basis. The development times were short (172–238 d), and the number of bloodmeals to molt was low (11). Mortality was moderate (36–45%), the onset of feeding was relatively rapid (0.5–1.7 min), and feedings were extended (&gt;15 min). More than 40% of individuals in most instars defecated in one of three categories: &lt;1 min when feeding (5–37.9%), immediately after feeding (9–28.6%), or in &lt;1 min post feeding (7–25.8%). The median number of laid eggs was high (over 2.5) in the three populations, as were the egg eclosion rates (&gt;86%). Thus, the T. dimidiata s. s. in the three populations are potentially efficient vectors of T. cruzi and could contribute to the high prevalence of infection in human populations in western México.
Do Minimum Charity Care Provision Requirements Increase Nonprofit Hospital Performance? Examining Hospitals’ Responses to Regulatory Changes
Authors: Rothbart Michah W , Yoon Nara 
Published: July 2021

AbstractInstitutional form is believed to influence organizational behavior and performance in producing collective goods such as healthcare services. Recent efforts in the United States seek to increase healthcare services provided by hospitals, but it is unclear whether and how these organizations respond to the policy changes. In this study, we examine the extent to which nonprofit hospitals change their provision of charity care in response to a regulatory policy specifying a target benchmark aimed at expanding charitable obligations. Specifically, we focus on the minimum charity care provision (MCCP) requirements in Illinois. Importantly, unlike previous research, we differentiate between hospitals facing minimum charity care spending requirements (nonprofits) and those not (for-profit and public). We use panel data from Illinois’ Annual Hospital Questionnaire and county data from the American Community Survey, employing a differences-in-differences model. We find no evidence that nonprofit hospitals increase charity care in response to the MCCP requirements on average. Instead, we find that there is heterogeneity in responses; hospitals providing low levels of charity care prior to the policy increase charity care, while hospitals providing high levels of charity care prior to the policy do not respond or, if anything, decrease charity care. Thus, while regulations that set low-target benchmarks provide insufficient incentives for nonprofit hospitals to increase charity care on average, explicit policy mandates that reduce directive goal ambiguity may still narrow gaps in performance.
Post-colonoscopy appendicitis: a case report
Authors: Tepelenis Kostas , Stefanou Christos K , Stefanou Stefanos K , Tsoumanis Periklis , Ntalapa Konstantina M , Galani Vasiliki , Gogos-Pappas George , Vlachos Konstantinos 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Appendicitis after colonoscopy is rare, with an estimated incidence of 3.8 cases per 10 000 colonoscopies. Herein, we report a 56-year-old female who visited the emergency department with a history of diffuse abdominal pain and nausea 8 h after a screening colonoscopy. Abdominal examination disclosed deep tenderness at Mc Burney point and positive Rovsign’s sign. Laboratory studies revealed elevated white blood cells and neutrophils (WBC 15.37 K/Ul and NEUT 86.5%) with normal C-reactive protein (5 mg/l). The initial diagnosis was acute appendicitis, which was confirmed by the ultrasonographic findings. The patient was admitted to the surgical department, and a laparoscopic appendectomy was performed. Post-colonoscopy appendicitis is increasingly recognized as a complication after colonoscopy in the last decade. Early recognition is vital in preventing morbidity and mortality. It may also be worthwhile to include appendicitis after colonoscopy as a possible complication during the consent before the procedure.
Kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillations in neutron-star X-ray binaries: flattening of the lag spectrum with increasing luminosity
Authors: Peirano Valentina , Méndez Mariano 
Published: July 2021

ABSTRACT
We study the energy-dependent time lags and rms fractional amplitude of the kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillations (kHz QPOs) of a group of neutron-star low-mass X-ray binaries. We find that for the lower kHz QPO both the slope of the best-fitting linear model to the time-lag spectrum and the total rms amplitude integrated over the 2–25 keV energy band decrease exponentially with the luminosity of the source. For the upper kHz QPO, the slope of the time-lag spectrum is consistent with zero, while the total rms amplitude decreases exponentially with the luminosity of the source. We show that both the slope of the time-lag spectrum and the total rms amplitude of the lower kHz QPO are linearly correlated with a slope of ∼1. Finally, we discuss the mechanism that could be responsible for the radiative properties of the kHz QPOs, with the variability originating in a Comptonizing cloud or corona that is coupled to the innermost regions of the accretion disc, close to the neutron star.
A search for active galactic nuclei in low-mass compact galaxies
Authors: Ferré-Mateu A , Mezcua M , Barrows R S 
Published: July 2021

ABSTRACT
Low-mass compact galaxies (ultracompact dwarfs, UCDs, and compact ellipticals, cEs) populate the stellar size–mass plane between globular clusters and early-type galaxies. Known to be formed either in situ with an intrinsically low mass or resulting from the stripping of a more massive galaxy, the presence of a supermassive or an intermediate-mass black hole (BH) could help discriminate between these possible scenarios. With this aim, we have performed a multiwavelength search of active BH activity, i.e. active galactic nuclei (AGN), in a sample of 937 low-mass compact galaxies (580 UCDs and 357 cEs). This constitutes the largest study of AGN activity in these types of galaxies. Based on their X-ray luminosity, radio luminosity, and morphology, and/or optical emission line diagnostic diagrams, we find a total of 11 cEs that host an AGN. We also study for the first time the location of both low-mass compact galaxies (UCDs and cEs) and dwarf galaxies hosting AGN on the BH–galaxy scaling relations, finding that low-mass compact galaxies tend to be overmassive in the BH mass–stellar mass plane but not as much in the BH mass–stellar velocity dispersion correlation. This, together with available BH mass measurements for some of the low-mass compact galaxies, supports a stripping origin for the majority of these objects that would contribute to the scatter seen at the low-mass end of the BH–galaxy scaling relations. However, the differences are too large to be explained solely by this scatter, and thus our results suggest that a flattening at such low masses is also plausible, happening at a velocity dispersion of ∼20–40 km s−1.
The Star Formation Reference Survey – V. The effect of extinction, stellar mass, metallicity, and nuclear activity on star-formation rates based on H α emission
Authors: Kouroumpatzakis K , Zezas A , Maragkoudakis A , Willner S P , Bonfini P , Ashby M L N , Sell P H , Jarrett T H 
Published: July 2021

ABSTRACT
We present new H α photometry for the Star Formation Reference Survey (SFRS), a representative sample of star-forming galaxies in the local Universe. Combining these data with the panchromatic coverage of the SFRS, we provide calibrations of H α-based star-formation rates (SFRs) with and without correction for the contribution of [N ii] emission. We consider the effect of extinction corrections based on the Balmer decrement, infrared excess, and spectral energy distribution (SED) fits. We compare the SFR estimates derived from SED fits, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, hybrid indicators such as 24 µm + H α, 8 µm + H α, FIR + FUV, and H α emission for a sample of purely star-forming galaxies. We provide a new calibration for 1.4 GHz-based SFRs by comparing to the H α emission, and we measure a dependence of the radio-to-H α emission ratio based on galaxy stellar mass. Active galactic nuclei introduce biases in the calibrations of different SFR indicators but have only a minimal effect on the inferred SFR densities from galaxy surveys. Finally, we quantify the correlation between galaxy metallicity and extinction.
Withdrawn as duplicate: Commentary: "Zooming in" on Glioblastoma: Understanding Tumor Heterogeneity and its Clinical Implications in the Era of Single-Cell Ribonucleic Acid Sequencing
Authors: Lucas Alfredo , Eberwine James H , Bagley Stephen J , Fan Yi , Nasrallah MacLean , Brem Steven 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
This article has been withdrawn due to an error that caused the article to be duplicated. The definitive version of this article is published under DOI 10.1093/neuros/nyab288.
CSAO-1. Interrogative Biology: Unraveling insights into causal disease drivers by use of a dynamic systems biology and Bayesian AI to identify the intersect of disease and healthy signatures
Authors: Narain Niven , Kiebish Michael , Vishnudas Vivek , Tolstikov Vladimir , Miller Gregory , Gesta Stephane , Granger Elder , Sarangarajan Rangaprasad 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
The past decade has been witness to an explosive proliferation of data analytics modalities, all seeking to unravel insight into large-scale data sets. Machine learning and AI methodologies now occupy a central role in analyses of data sets that range in nature from genomics, “omics”, clinical, real-world evidence, and demographic data. Despite advances in data analytics/machine learning, access to complex population level clinical and related datasets, translating information into actionable guidance in human health and disease remains a challenge. Interrogative Biology, a systems biology/AI platform generates an unbiased, data-informed network for identifying targets (disease drivers) and biomarkers for disease interception at the point of transition to dysregulation, preceding clinical phenotype. The data topology is enabled by a systematic acquisition and interrogation of longitudinal bio-samples of clinically annotated human matrices (e.g. blood, urine, saliva, tissues) subjected to comprehensive multi-omic (genomic, proteomics, lipidomics and metabolomics) profiling over time. The molecular profiles are integrated with clinical health information using Bayesian artificial intelligence analytics, bAIcis, to generate causal network maps of overall health. Differentials between “health” and “disease” network maps identifies drivers (targets and biomarkers) of disease and are rapidly validated in orthogonal wet-lab disease specific perturbed model systems. Target information imputed into the bAIcis framework can define therapeutic strategies including identification of existing drugs and bio-actives for corrective response. Using a combination of clinic based sampling and dried blood spot analysis for longitudinal dynamic monitoring of markers of health-disease status provides opportunity for proactive clinical management and intervention for corrective response in advance of major deterioration of health status. Taken together, the approach herein allows for health surveillance based on in-depth biological profiling of alterations in the patient narrative to guide treatment modalities and strategies in a longitudinal and dynamic manner to identify, track, intercept, and arrest human disease.
ECOA-3. MLL4, UTX, and EZH2 regulate the expression of transcription factors associated with the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of lung cancer during metastasis to the brain at posttranscriptional steps
Authors: Kim Young Zoon 
Published: July 2021

Abstract

Purpose
The objective of this study was to investigate the epigenetic role of histone lysine methylation/demethylation on the expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) associated transcriptional factors (TFs) during the metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma to the brain.

Methods
Paired samples of lung adenocarcinoma and brain metastasis (BM) were analyzed in 46 individual patients. Both samples were obtained by surgical resection or biopsy of the lung and brain. The paraffin-fixed formalin-embedded samples were obtained from the pathology archives in our institute. In samples of lung adenocarcinoma and BM, immunohistochemical staining was performed for epithelial markers, mesenchymal markers, EMT-TFs, histone lysine methyltransferase and demethylase. And the verification of the present result was performed by qRT-PCR.

Results
The immunoreactivity of EMT-TFs such as Slug (15.6% vs. 42.6%, p = 0.005), Twist (23.6% vs. 45.9%, p = 0.010) and ZEB1 (15.0% vs. 55.9%, p = 0.002) was increased in BM compared with that in lung adenocarcinoma. Epigenetic inducers such as H3K4 methyltransferase (MLL4, p = 0.018) and H3K36me3 demethylase (UTX, p = 0.003) were statistically increased, and epigenetic repressors such as EZH2 (H3K27 methyltransferase, p = 0.046) were significantly decreased in BM compared with those in lung adenocarcinoma. The expression of UTX-ZEB1 (R2 linear = 1.204) and MLL4-Slug (R2 linear = 0.987) was increased in direct proportion, and EZH2-Twist (R2 linear = - 2.723) decreased in reverse proportion. The qRT-PCR showed the same results.

Conclusion
The results suggest that certain histone lysine methyltransferase/demethylase, such as MLL4, UTX, and EZH2, regulate the expression of EMT-TFs such as Slug, ZEB1, and Twist epigenetically, which may thereby influence cancer metastasis from the lung to the brain.
ECOA-6. Genomic and transcriptomic analyses reveal diverse mechanisms responsible for deregulation of epigenetic enzyme/modifier expression in glioblastoma
Authors: Maleszewska Marta , Wojtas Bartosz , Gielniewski Bartlomiej , Mondal Shamba , Mieczkowski Jakub , Dabrowski Michal , Siedlecki Janusz , Bujko Mateusz , Naumann Pawel , Grajkowska Wieslawa , Kotulska Katarzyna , Kaminska Bozena 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Malignant gliomas represent over 70% of primary brain tumors and the most deadly is glioblastoma (GBM, WHO grade IV), due to frequent dysfunctions of tumor suppressors or/and oncogenes. Recent whole genome studies of gliomas demonstrated that besides genetic alterations, epigenetic dysfunctions contribute to tumor development and progression. Alterations in genes encoding epigenetic enzyme/protein or aberrations in epigenetic modification pattern have been found in gliomas of lower grade, yet no epigenetic driver was identified in GBM. We sought to identify different mechanisms driving aberrant expression of epigenetic genes in GBM.
We analyzed gene expression and coding/non-coding regions of 96 major epigenetic enzymes and chromatin modifiers in 28 GBMs, 23 benign gliomas (juvenile pilocytic astrocytomas, JPAs, WHO grade I) and 7 normal brain samples. We found a profound and global down-regulation of expression of most tested epigenetic enzymes and modifiers in GBMs when compared to normal brains and JPAs. For some genes changes in mRNA level correlated with newly identified single nucleotide variants within non-coding regulatory regions. To find a common denominator responsible for the coordinated down-regulation of expression of epigenetic enzymes/modifiers, we employed PWMEnrich tool for DNA motif scanning and enrichment analysis. Among others, we discovered the presence of high affinity motifs for the E2F1/E2F4 transcription factors, within the promoters of the epigenetic enzyme/modifier encoding genes. Knockdown of the E2F1/E2F4 expression affected the expression of a set of epigenetic enzymes/modifiers. Altogether, our results reveal a novel epigenetic-related pathway by which E2F1/E2F4 factors contribute to glioma pathogenesis and indicate novel targets for glioma therapy.
Supported by a National Science Centre grant 2013/09/B/NZ3/01402 (MM).
OMRT-12. Nanoparticle-based CRISPR-Cas9 delivery for anti-glioblastoma immunotherapy
Authors: Aguilar Rocio , Fierro Javier , Perez Joshua , Dou Huanyu 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Anti-glioblastoma GBM) immunotherapy poses a great challenge due to immunosuppressive brain tumor environments and the blood brain barrier (BBB). Programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) is an immune checkpoint that mediated the immune resistance. Inhibition of PD-L1 by antibodies was widely studied to treat many type of cancers. However, the inefficient therapeutic immune response became a significant barrier for treatment of GBM. CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing can be used to knockout both membrane and cytoplasmic PD-L1, leading to an enhanced immunotherapeutic strategy. It is extremely difficulty to deliver CRISPR/Cas9 containing plasmid for translational and clinic applications. We have been developed a core-shell nanoparticle (NP) to carry CRISPR/Cas9 plasmid for PD-L1 knockout. The different NP formulations were made and optimized to deliver CRISPR/Cas9 plasmid. NPs were prepared by modifying the water temperature, sonication power and time and formulation time. The obtained NPs had a size of 115-160nm and a charge of 40-50mV. The size and charge were significantly altered after CRISPR/Cas9 plasmids were loaded into NPs (Cas9-NPs). Agarose gel electrophoresis showed that CRISPR/Cas9 plasmids were fully encapsulated by NPs with 1 and 2 ug. The positive DNA bands occurred with 4ng, indicating the overloaded CRISPR/Cas9 plasmid. Fluorescence microscopy determined Cas9-NPs uptake by U87 cells under a time-dependent manner. GFP tagged Cas9-NPs were treated to U87 cells for transfection evaluation. The obtained different NPs delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 exhibited various transfection efficiencies in U87 cells. Visualization of intracellular Cas9-NPs showed increases in uptake by U87 cells from 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 hours. The greater nuclear accumulation of Cas9-NPs was seen at 24 hours. A western blot assay determined the success of PD-L1 deletion by Cas9-NPs in human GBM U87 cells. NPs-based CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing system has great potential as an immunotherapeutic platform to treat GBM.