bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Single‐base editing of rs12603332 on chromosome 17q21 with a cytosine base editor regulates ORMDL3 and ATF6α expression
Authors: Weng Ning , Miller Marina , Pham Alexa K. , Komor Alexis C. , Broide David H. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundGenetic association studies have demonstrated that the SNP rs12603332 located on chromosome 17q21 is highly associated with the risk of the development of asthma.MethodsTo determine whether SNP rs1260332 is functional in regulating levels of ORMDL3 expression, we used a Cytosine Base Editor (CBE) plasmid DNA or a CBE mRNA to edit the rs12603332 C risk allele to the T non‐risk allele in a human lymphocyte cell line (i.e., Jurkat cells) and in primary human CD4 T cells that carry the C risk alleles.ResultsJurkat cells with the rs12603332 C risk allele expressed significantly higher levels of ORMDL3 mRNA, as well as the ORMDL3 regulated gene ATF6α as assessed by qPCR compared to Jurkat clones with the T non‐risk allele. In primary human CD4 T cells, we edited 90 ± 3% of the rs12603332‐C risk allele to the T non‐risk allele and observed a reduction in ORMDL3 and ATF6α expression. Bioinformatic analysis predicted that the non‐risk allele rs12603332‐T could be the central element of the E‐box binding motif (CANNTG) recognized by the E47 transcription factor. An EMSA assay confirmed the bioinformatics prediction demonstrating that a rs12603332‐T containing probe bound to the transcription factor E47 in vitro.ConclusionsSNP rs12603332 is functional in regulating the expression of ORMDL3 as well as ORMDL3 regulated gene ATF6α expression. In addition, we demonstrate the use of CBE technology in functionally interrogating asthma‐associated SNPs using studies of primary human CD4 cells.
Mental imagery‐based self‐regulation: Effects on physical activity behaviour and its cognitive and affective precursors over time
Authors: Ackermann Nicole , Cameron Linda D. , Maki Julia , Carter Chelsey R. , Liu Ying , Dart Hank , Bowen Deborah J. , Colditz Graham A. , Waters Erika A. 
Published: September 2021

Objectives(1) Test whether a mental imagery‐based self‐regulation intervention increases physical activity behaviour over 90 days; (2) Examine cognitive and affective precursors of change in physical activity behaviour.DesignA randomized control trial with participants (N = 500) randomized to one of six intervention conditions in a 3 (risk communication format: bulleted list, table, risk ladder) x 2 (mental imagery behaviour: physical activity, active control [sleep hygiene]) factorial design.MethodsAfter receiving personalized risk estimates via a website on a smartphone, participants listened to an audiorecording that guided them through a mental imagery activity related to improving physical activity (intervention group) or sleep hygiene behaviour (active control). Participants received text message reminders to complete the imagery for 3 weeks post‐intervention, 4 weekly text surveys to assess behaviour and its cognitive and affective precursors, and a mailed survey 90 days post‐baseline.ResultsPhysical activity increased over 90 days by 19.5 more minutes per week (95%CI: 2.0, 37.1) in the physical activity than the active control condition. This effect was driven by participants in the risk ladder condition, who exercised 54.8 more minutes (95%CI 15.6, 94.0) in the physical activity condition than participants in the active control sleep hygiene group. Goal planning positively predicted physical activity behaviour (b = 12.2 minutes per week, p = 0.002), but self‐efficacy, image clarity, and affective attitudes towards behaviours did not (p > 0.05).ConclusionsMental imagery‐based self‐regulation interventions can increase physical activity behaviour, particularly when supported by personalized disease risk information presented in an easy‐to‐understand format.
Decreased proliferation of aged rat beta cells corresponds with enhanced expression of the cell cycle inhibitor p27KIP1
Authors: Aitken Talon J. , Crabtree Jacqueline E. , Jensen Daelin M. , Hess Kavan H. , Leininger Brennan R. , Tessem Jeffery S. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundOver 400 million people are diabetic. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are characterized by decreased functional β‐cell mass and, consequently, decreased glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion. A potential intervention is transplantation of β‐cell containing islets from cadaveric donors. A major impediment to greater application of this treatment is the scarcity of transplant‐ready β‐cells. Therefore, inducing β‐cell proliferation ex vivo could be used to expand functional β‐cell mass prior to transplantation. Various molecular pathways are sufficient to induce proliferation of young β‐cells; however, aged β‐cells are refractory to these proliferative signals. Given that the majority of cadaveric donors fit an aged demographic, defining the mechanisms that impede aged β‐cell proliferation is imperative.ResultsWe demonstrate that aged rat (5‐month‐old) β‐cells are refractory to mitogenic stimuli that otherwise induce young rat (5‐week‐old) β‐cell proliferation. We hypothesized that this change in proliferative capacity could be due to differences in cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor expression. We measured levels of p16INK4a, p15INK4b, p18INK4c, p19INK4d, p21CIP1, p27KIP1 and p57KIP2 by immunofluorescence analysis. Our data demonstrates an age‐dependent increase of p27KIP1 in rat β‐cells by immunofluorescence and was validated by increased p27KIP1 protein levels by western blot analysis. Interestingly, HDAC1, which modulates the p27KIP1 promoter acetylation state, is downregulated in aged rat islets. These data demonstrate increased p27KIP1 protein levels at 5 months of age, which may be due to decreased HDAC1 mediated repression of p27KIP1 expression.SignificanceAs the majority of transplant‐ready β‐cells come from aged donors, it is imperative that we understand why aged β‐cells are refractory to mitogenic stimuli. Our findings demonstrate that increased p27KIP1 expression occurs early in β‐cell aging, which corresponds with impaired β‐cell proliferation. Furthermore, the correlation between HDAC1 and p27 levels suggests that pathways that activate HDAC1 in aged β‐cells could be leveraged to decrease p27KIP1 levels and enhance β‐cell proliferation.
Onset and progression of puberty in Klinefelter syndrome
Authors: Tanner Mila , Miettinen Päivi J. , Hero Matti , Toppari Jorma , Raivio Taneli 
Published: September 2021

AbstractObjectiveKlinefelter syndrome (KS) (47,XXY and variants, KS) is the most common sex chromosome disorder in humans. However, little is known about the onset and progression of puberty in patients with KS. In this study, we describe the onset and progression of puberty in a large series of boys with KS in a single tertiary centre.Design and PatientsRetrospective data (Tanner stages, testicular length, testosterone supplementation, levels of luteinizing hormone [LH] and testosterone) before possible testosterone treatment on 72 KS patients with 47,XXY karyotype were reviewed, and G (n = 59 patients) and P (n = 56 patients) stages were plotted on puberty nomograms.Measurements and ResultsOne boy had a delayed onset of puberty, as he was at the G1 stage at the age of 13.8 years (−2.2 SDs). No observations of delay were made of boys at Stage G2. The progression of G stages was within normal limits in the majority of patients; only few boys were late at G3 (4.1%; 1 out of 24) and G4 (7.4%; 2 out of 27). Testosterone supplementation was started at the average age of 15.5 years to 35 boys (47%), 2 of whom were over 18 years old. LH level was on average 18.2 IU/L (SD: 6.3 IU/L) and testosterone 9.1 nmol/L (SD: 3.1 nmol/L) when testosterone supplementation was started.ConclusionsOur results suggest that puberty starts within the normal age limits in boys with KS, and testosterone supplementation is not needed for the initial pubertal progression in the majority of patients.
Causal relationship between polycystic ovary syndrome and coronary artery disease: A Mendelian randomisation study
Authors: Simons Pomme I. H. G. , Cornelissen Merel E. B. , Valkenburg Olivier , Onland‐Moret N. Charlotte , van der Schouw Yvonne T. , Stehouwer Coen D.A. , Burgess Stephen , Brouwers Martijn C. G. J. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractObjectivePolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has been associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, it remains uncertain whether this increased risk is the result of PCOS per se or, alternatively, is explained by obesity, a common feature of PCOS. The aim of this study was to assess the causal association between PCOS and CAD and the role of obesity herein.Design and MethodsWe conducted two‐sample Mendelian randomisation analyses in large‐scale, female‐specific datasets to study the association between genetically predicted (1) risk of PCOS and risk of CAD, (2) body mass index (BMI) and risk of PCOS and (3) BMI and risk of CAD. Primary analyses were conducted with the inverse‐variance weighted (IVW) method. Simple median, penalized weighted median and contamination mixture analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the outcomes.ResultsIVW analyses did not show a statistically significant association between PCOS and CAD (odds ratio [OR]: 0.99, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.89, 1.11). In contrast, genetically predicted BMI was statistically significantly associated with an increased odds of PCOS (OR: 3.21, 95% CI: 2.26, 4.56) and CAD (OR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.14, 1.67). Similar results were obtained when secondary analyses were performed.ConclusionThese sex‐specific analyses show that the genetically predicted risk of PCOS is not associated with the risk of CAD. Instead, the genetically predicted risk of obesity (and its downstream metabolic effects) is the common denominator of both PCOS and CAD risk.
Opportunity to elevate the quality of data reporting in Cytopathology
Authors: Vrbin Colleen M. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAccurate and thorough data analysis and reporting are essential to ensuring that the findings of research studies are interpreted appropriately. A detailed methods section in a manuscript contains enough information to permit a researcher with access to the study components, including the data, to replicate the findings. This descriptive study of 2.5 years of Cytopathology articles uncovers opportunities to elevate the quality of methods and data reporting. The findings include the following: approximately 4 out of 5 articles (79%) identified the calculations or statistical test performed, nearly 3 out of 4 articles (74%) that involved significance testing included the threshold for significance in the methods section, 7 out of 10 (70%) articles defined the abbreviations and/or symbols used, and roughly half (51%) of the articles documented the software used for analysis. Omission of any of these areas of reporting (calculations or statistics performed, significance level utilized, abbreviations and/or symbols applied, and software used) could lead to a misinterpretation in the reported study or the inability to replicate findings in similar research. This study identified that there is an opportunity to elevate the quality of data reporting in this journal.
Inequality of opportunity and mass incidents: Evidence from China
Authors: Zhou Guangsu , Liu Lizhong , Song Yang 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThis paper is one of the first to quantitatively analyse the relationship between inequality of opportunity and social stability in the context of China. Utilizing Census data of 2005 and the data of recorded mass incidents, we find a positive and robust correlation between inequality of opportunity and the outbreak of mass incidents. Amongst different types of mass incidents, inequality of opportunity displays the most significant correlation with those involving the government and the public. We also identify the lack of trust and higher unemployment as two potential channels through which inequality of opportunity exerts impacts on the happening of mass incidents.
The roles of phenotypic plasticity and adaptation in morphology and performance of an invasive species in a novel environment
Authors: Jardeleza Marcel‐Kate G. , Koch Jonathan B. , Pearse Ian S. , Ghalambor Cameron K. , Hufbauer Ruth A. 
Published: September 2021

1. Species introductions provide insights into how populations respond to new environments and selection pressures through rapid adaptation and adaptive phenotypic plasticity. However, maladaptive responses are increasingly recognised to also be common in nature. The spotted‐wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, has rapidly invaded divergent environments providing the opportunity to examine adaptive and maladaptive phenotypic and evolutionary responses to its introduced range.2. We studied how population density in the field and wing size of individuals varied over an elevational gradient on Hawaii. We then conducted a reciprocal common garden experiment to evaluate how temperature influenced wing size and other correlates of fitness. We did this by reciprocally rearing D. suzukii collected from low and high elevations in temperatures representative of low and high elevation.3. We observed a wing size increase with elevation. Additionally, flies were more abundant at higher elevation. In the reciprocal common garden experiment, flies emerged faster in the warm, low‐elevation temperature and developed larger wings in the cool, high‐elevation temperature. Emergence of flies from high‐ and low‐elevation sites showed a pattern suggesting maladaptation to the temperature representing their home environment.4. We suggest that opposing selection pressures, the high vagility of flies, and extreme plasticity in body size constrain adaptation to temperature along an elevational gradient. Although successful invasive species such as D. suzukii often exhibit local adaptation, this research demonstrates that invasive species can be successful even without such adaptation.
Sustainability in equine veterinary practice: A survey of opinions and practices amongst veterinary teams in the United Kingdom
Authors: Mair T. S. , Janska S. , Higham L. E. 
Published: September 2021

SummaryBackgroundVeterinarians occupy a unique position at the animal–human–environment interface and could play a crucial role in mitigating climate change and other environmental impacts of human activities.ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to survey the opinions of equine veterinary teams in the UK regarding the importance of sustainability issues, and current practices employed to promote sustainability.Study designOnline survey.MethodsThe survey was distributed through various email veterinary listservs and social media sites, and was open to equine veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses, veterinary students and practice administrators/managers.ResultsA total of 374 responses were received. Seventy‐seven per cent of respondents considered sustainability issues to be extremely important or very important, but only 13% felt knowledgeable/well‐informed about practical ways of promoting sustainability in equine veterinary practice. Fifty‐six per cent of respondents stated that their organisations/practices had not introduced sustainability protocols. Over 50% of respondents considered that their organisations were dealing well with the issues of antimicrobial stewardship, anthelmintic stewardship and drug disposal, but less than 25% considered that their organisations were dealing well with fossil fuels, travel, disposable materials, responsible paper sourcing, water saving and communicating sustainability issues.Main limitationsPotential selection bias and response bias.ConclusionsSustainability issues are considered important by the majority of equine veterinary practice teams in the UK, but there is a widespread lack of knowledge about practical ways of promoting sustainability.
Linking environmental drivers, juvenile growth, and recruitment for Japanese jack mackerel Trachurus japonicus in the Sea of Japan
Authors: Takahashi Motomitsu , Sassa Chiyuki , Kitajima Satoshi , Yoda Mari , Tsukamoto Youichi 
Published: September 2021

AbstractGrowth traits of juvenile Japanese jack mackerel (Trachurus japonicus) were estimated based on otolith daily increments in spring during 2011–2016 in the southwestern part of the Sea of Japan (SWSJ). Spatial variability in growth traits was examined between the western and eastern areas of the study area. Back‐calculated body length at 50 days post hatch varied among areas and years between 26 and 40 mm. Body lengths at age in the eastern area were significantly smaller than those in the western area. Slower growth rate in the eastern area was associated with the lower ambient temperature in the eastern area than in the western area. In the eastern area, interannual variations in the instantaneous growth rate positively correlated with ambient temperature. Furthermore, interannual variations in back‐calculated body length during the late larval and early juvenile stages positively correlated with the juvenile abundance. These results suggest that the thermal conditions in the eastern area are indicative of the growth rate and abundance of juvenile T. japonicus in SWSJ. We further examined relationships between juvenile abundance and thermal conditions during 2003–2019 using archived data of this survey and found that the ambient temperature in the eastern area positively correlated with the juvenile abundance and also the strength of the Tsushima Warm Current. Thus, higher temperatures derived from the Tsushima Warm Current result in a faster growth rate during the late larval and early juvenile stages and subsequently higher abundance of T. japonicus juveniles in SWSJ.
Serial sampling reveals temperature associated response in transcription profiles and shifts in condition and infectious agent communities in wild Atlantic salmon
Authors: Chapman Jacqueline M. , Lennox Robert J. , Twardek William M. , Teffer Amy K. , Robertson Martha J. , Miller Kristi M. , Cooke Steven J. 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Anadromous Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) populations have declined across their Southern distributions in North America. While river temperature has been identified as a central factor influencing migration behavior and over‐winter survival, little research has addressed the prevalence of infectious agents in wild Atlantic salmon populations. Further, current understanding of how temperature may interact with fish condition to influence infection outcomes in the wild is limited.

The objective of this research was to characterize the change in individual condition and pathogen dynamics as salmon acclimatized to the freshwater environment during the spawning migration. Serial individual sampling (non‐lethal gill biopsy and microwave fatmeter readings) was accomplished by repeated capture and release of 27 marked individuals, which revealed how lipid content, infectious agent prevalence and relative loads, and stress and osmoregulatory transcripts changed during the initial month of their annual spawning migration.

Relative infection burden (a composite metric representing the overall pathogen profile) and transcription profiles were modeled with freshwater residency, river temperature, and lipid content. Infectious agents Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae, Candidatus Branchiomonas cysticola, Flavobacterium psychrophilum, Paranucleospora theridion, and Piscichylamidia salmonis were detected in the population. Relative infection burden and microbial pathogen species richness increased over the course of the study.

Water temperature and time since fresh water entry were related to salmon transcriptional response, but not relative infection burden, highlighting the metabolic cost associated with warming temperatures and dynamic nature of pathogen infection profiles in migratory fish species.

This work is the first to provide a comprehensive screening of microbial pathogen species in wild Atlantic salmon in the region, and the first to employ a unique study design that facilitates serial sampling without imposing holding stress. The high prevalence and relative load of T. bryosalmonae observed may demonstrate increased exposure to transmission pathways as a result of migratory barriers or elevated susceptibility to infection during spawning migrations in anadromous species.
Improved accuracy and reduced uncertainty in greenhouse gas inventories by refining the IPCC emission factor for direct N2O emissions from nitrogen inputs to managed soils
Authors: Hergoualc’h Kristell , Mueller Nathan , Bernoux Martial , Kasimir Äsa , van der Weerden Tony J. , Ogle Stephen M. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractMost national GHG inventories estimating direct N2O emissions from managed soils rely on a default Tier 1 emission factor (EF1) amounting to 1% of nitrogen inputs. Recent research has, however, demonstrated the potential for refining the EF1 considering variables that are readily available at national scales. Building on existing reviews, we produced a large dataset (n = 848) enriched in dry and low latitude tropical climate observations as compared to former global efforts and disaggregated the EF1 according to most meaningful controlling factors. Using spatially explicit N fertilizer and manure inputs, we also investigated the implications of using the EF1 developed as part of this research and adopted by the 2019 IPCC refinement report. Our results demonstrated that climate is a major driver of emission, with an EF1 three times higher in wet climates (0.014, 95% CI 0.011–0.017) than in dry climates (0.005, 95% CI 0.000–0.011). Likewise, the form of the fertilizer markedly modulated the EF1 in wet climates, where the EF1 for synthetic and mixed forms (0.016, 95% CI 0.013–0.019) was also almost three times larger than the EF1 for organic forms (0.006; 95% CI 0.001–0.011). Other factors such as land cover and soil texture, C content, and pH were also important regulators of the EF1. The uncertainty associated with the disaggregated EF1 was considerably reduced as compared to the range in the 2006 IPCC guidelines. Compared to estimates from the 2006 IPCC EF1, emissions based on the 2019 IPCC EF1 range from 15% to 46% lower in countries dominated by dry climates to 7%–37% higher in countries with wet climates and high synthetic N fertilizer consumption. The adoption of the 2019 IPCC EF1 will allow parties to improve the accuracy of emissions’ inventories and to better target areas for implementing mitigation strategies.
Evaluation of Passive Diffusive‐Adsorptive Samplers for Use in Assessing Time‐Varying Indoor Air Impacts Resulting from Vapor Intrusion
Authors: Guo Yuanming , O'Neill Harry , Dahlen Paul , Johnson Paul C. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractPassive diffusive‐adsorptive samplers are being considered for vapor intrusion (VI) pathway assessment, particularly where multi‐week time‐weighted average concentrations are desired. Recent studies have shown that passive samplers can produce accurate results under well‐controlled steady concentration conditions, and field performance was also demonstrated at several sites. The objective of this study was to examine passive sampler performance in settings with time‐varying indoor air concentrations, through a comparison of passive sampler results to concentrations determined by 24‐h active sorbent tube sampling in a series of multi‐week deployments. Sampling was performed in a well‐instrumented residential building as well as industrial buildings, over periods of time ranging from 1 to 7 weeks. Strong linear correlations were noted between passive and active sampling concentration results for some passive samplers, with passive sampling results being similar to or lower than measured active sampling results by about 50% for those samplers in the residential study and about 25% higher in the industrial building study. Other samplers produced poor agreement. The conclusion from this study is that some passive samplers have great potential for use in multi‐week indoor air quality monitoring. It was further determined that there is need for accepted procedures to validate and calibrate passive samplers for use in the field.