bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of recombinant klotho in cisplatin‐induced ovarian failure in mice
Authors: Biyik Ismail , Ozatik Fikriye Yasemin , Albayrak Mustafa , Ozatik Orhan , Teksen Yasemin , Ari Neziha Senem , Soysal Cenk 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAimTo investigate whether recombinant klotho given concomitantly with cisplatin is effective in preventing cisplatin‐induced ovarian damage.MethodsThirty‐two adult female mice were divided into four groups. Saline was given to the first group, cisplatin to the second group, recombinant mouse klotho to the third group, and recombinant mouse klotho + cisplatin to the fourth group. The removed ovarian tissues were examined and groups were compared histologically and immunohistochemical examination for antimullerian hormone (AMH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase expression were done. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities were measured by ELISA.ResultsOvarian tissue weight, primary and secondary follicle counts were higher in cisplatin + recombinant klotho group compared to cisplatin group in our study (respectively p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, and p = 0.010). Injury scores (stromal congestion, edema and infiltration, follicular degeneration scores and edema in corpus luteum scores) were similar between cisplatin and cisplatin + recombinant klotho groups (all p > 0.05). AMH staining intensities were similar between cisplatin and cisplatin + recombinant klotho groups (p = 0.925). There was no difference between the groups in terms of SOD, GPx, and GR (p > 0.05).ConclusionsThe recombinant klotho administered before cisplatin could partially protect the ovarian tissue from cisplatin‐induced ovarian damage considering that there was no difference in histologic injury score parameters, AMH staining intensity and oxidative stress markers between cisplatin and cisplatin plus klotho groups except that klotho preserved follicules to some extent. The antioxidant mechanism of action of klotho may not be the primary protection mechanism in cisplatin induced ovarian injury.
Preschooler liking of meal components: The impact of familiarity, neophobia, and sensory characteristics
Authors: Donadini Gianluca , Spigno Giorgia , Porretta Sebastiano 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIn this study, 60 Italian preschoolers evaluated individual components of five multicourse sit‐down meals on liking on a five‐point scale by actual tasting in the natural setting of the school canteen. Descriptive Analysis quantified sensory characteristics of these items with a panel of trained assessors to illustrate differences among the dishes. Food neophobia and familiarity with the dishes were measured to test whether these traits significantly influenced liking. The results showed that liking varied (p < .001) across individual dishes. The most liked dishes were all the first course dishes, braised loin with vegetable sauce, raw carrots and all the fruit courses except red orange juice. Least liked dishes were red orange juice, stir‐fried spinaches and raw fennels. Liking scores correlated (p < .001) with children's food neophobia (r = −.38), familiarity (r = .94), sweetness (r = .72), odor (r = .70), and flavor intensity (r = .75). Mother's liking (r = .79;p < .001) was more strongly associated with a child liking than father's liking of the same food (r = .38;p < .001). Therefore, controlling for innate taste responses and favoring aromatic and rich‐tasting dishes may improve liking. Additional interventions may focus on lowering children food neophobia by facilitating the exposure to unfamiliar foods.Practical applicationsFood likes help uncover the basis for food preference especially when hedonic responses are acquired in real life eating contexts. Direct inputs from children are essential to understanding preference formation. Understanding sensory drivers of liking helps plan more palatable dishes for school meals. Knowledge of mechanisms underlying food habits may be helpful to favoring the creation of healthy food practices throughout the population of children.
Relationship between locomotor activity rhythm and corticosterone levels during HCC development, progression, and treatment in a mouse model
Authors: Hassan Soha A. , Ali Amira A.H. , Yassine Mona , Sohn Dennis , Pfeffer Martina , Jänicke Reiner U. , Korf Horst‐Werner , von Gall Charlotte 
Published: February 2021

AbstractCancer‐related fatigue (CRF) and stress are common symptoms in cancer patients and represent early side effects of cancer treatment which affect the life quality of the patients. CRF may partly depend on disruption of the circadian rhythm. Locomotor activity and corticosterone rhythms are two important circadian outputs which can be used to analyze possible effects on the circadian function during cancer development and treatment. The present study analyzes the relationship between locomotor activity rhythm, corticosterone levels, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development, and radiotherapy treatment in a mouse model. HCC was induced in mice by single injection of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and chronic treatment of phenobarbital in drinking water. Another group received chronic phenobarbital treatment only. Tumor bearing animals were divided randomly into four groups irradiated at four different Zeitgeber time points. Spontaneous locomotor activity was recorded continuously; serum corticosterone levels and p‐ERK immunoreaction in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) were investigated. Phenobarbital treated mice showed damped corticosterone levels and a less stable 24 hours activity rhythm as well as an increase in activity during the light phase, reminiscent of sleep disruption. The tumor mice showed an increase in corticosterone level during the inactive phase and decreased activity during the dark phase, reminiscent of CRF. After irradiation, corticosterone levels were further increased and locomotor activity rhythms were disrupted. Lowest corticosterone levels were observed after irradiation during the early light phase; thus, this time might be the best to apply radiotherapy in order to minimize side effects.
Rigorous quantification of bacterial richness in ticks: A case study
Authors: Holmes Tyson H. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractKwan et al. (2017) published an informative study comparing results obtained by next‐generation sequencing (NGS) of mean bacterial genera richness among different life stages, male and female adults, and rearing conditions (field vs. laboratory) for Ixodes pacificus. The current paper examines Kwan et al. (2017) as a case study to provide guidance on statistical design and analysis for estimation of richness, derived from next generation sequencing technology, of the bacterial microbiome in field‐collected I. pacificus. Suggestions are provided to further strengthen quantification of microbiome richness in studies in ticks, with focus on sampling design. In‐depth treatment is provided of the relative merits of estimating mean richness versus median richness. Research on microbiome diversity in ticks can be made quantitatively rigorous; although, more research on methods is needed.
Mathematical synthesis of the cortical circulation for the whole mouse brain—part II: Microcirculatory closure
Authors: Hartung Grant , Badr Shoale , Mihelic Samuel , Dunn Andrew , Cheng Xiaojun , Kura Sreekanth , Boas David A. , Kleinfeld David , Alaraj Ali , Linninger Andreas A. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractRecent advancements in multiphoton imaging and vascular reconstruction algorithms have increased the amount of data on cerebrovascular circulation for statistical analysis and hemodynamic simulations. Experimental observations offer fundamental insights into capillary network topology but mainly within a narrow field of view typically spanning a small fraction of the cortical surface (less than 2%). In contrast, larger‐resolution imaging modalities, such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), have whole‐brain coverage but capture only larger blood vessels, overlooking the microscopic capillary bed. To integrate data acquired at multiple length scales with different neuroimaging modalities and to reconcile brain‐wide macroscale information with microscale multiphoton data, we developed a method for synthesizing hemodynamically equivalent vascular networks for the entire cerebral circulation. This computational approach is intended to aid in the quantification of patterns of cerebral blood flow and metabolism for the entire brain. In part I, we described the mathematical framework for image‐guided generation of synthetic vascular networks covering the large cerebral arteries from the circle of Willis through the pial surface network leading back to the venous sinuses. Here in part II, we introduce novel procedures for creating microcirculatory closure that mimics a realistic capillary bed. We demonstrate our capability to synthesize synthetic vascular networks whose morphometrics match empirical network graphs from three independent state‐of‐the‐art imaging laboratories using different image acquisition and reconstruction protocols. We also successfully synthesized twelve vascular networks of a complete mouse brain hemisphere suitable for performing whole‐brain blood flow simulations. Synthetic arterial and venous networks with microvascular closure allow whole‐brain hemodynamic predictions. Simulations across all length scales will potentially illuminate organ‐wide supply and metabolic functions that are inaccessible to models reconstructed from image data with limited spatial coverage.
Genome‐wide DNA methylation changes in oral submucous fibrosis
Authors: Kundu Paramita , Pant Ila , Jain Ruchi , Rao Somanahalli Girish , Kondaiah Paturu 
Published: February 2021

AbstractObjectiveOral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a debilitating potentially malignant condition of the buccal cavity characterized by extensive extracellular matrix deposition resulting in stiffness and trismus. As OSF is a progressive disease, we hypothesized that there would be extensive epigenetic changes in OSF tissues.Materials and MethodsUsing the Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip Array, we analyzed gross DNA methylation changes in seven OSF tissues compared to five controls. Comparison with transcriptomic data and pathway analyses was conducted to find commonly regulated genes.ResultsA total of 3,294 differentially methylated regions mapping to 857 genes were identified. Comparison with transcriptome data revealed 38 downregulated‐hypermethylated genes and 55 hypomethylated‐upregulated genes. Using methylation‐specific and qRT‐PCR, aberrant hypomethylation and increased expression of FGF13, RPS6KA3, and ACSL4 genes were confirmed. Pathways involved in insulin signaling, ubiquitin‐mediated proteolysis, nicotine addiction, and RAS/MAPK pathways were dysregulated, among others. Intriguingly, numerous genes located on the X chromosome were dysregulated in OSF tissues as the transcript for XIST gene was downregulated due to hypermethylation of the XIST promoter.ConclusionsThis study highlights global epigenetic dysregulation of tissues of the oral cavity in OSF patients and hints at possible X chromosomal dysregulation, previously not implicated in the pathogenesis of OSF.
Increased PD‐L1 Expression in Human Skin Acutely and Chronically Exposed to UV Irradiation
Authors: Dickinson Sally E. , Khawam Maria , Kirschnerova Viktoria , Vaishampayan Prajakta , Centuori Sara M. , Saboda Kathylynn , Calvert Valerie S. , Petricoin Emanuel F. , Curiel‐Lewandrowski Clara 
Published: February 2021

AbstractOverexpression of PD‐L1 (CD274) on tumor cells may represent a hallmark of immune evasion, and overexpression has been documented in several tumors including cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). While PD‐L1/PD‐1 activity in the skin has been primarily described in inflammatory models, our goal was to examine PD‐L1 expression in human keratinocytes exposed to UV irradiation. We assessed PD‐L1 expression in human sun‐protected (SP) and sun‐damaged (SD) skin, actinic keratosis (AK), and cSCC using IHC and protein microarray. Both methods found low baseline levels of PD‐L1 in SP and SD skin and significantly increased expression in cSCC. Next, we examined PD‐L1 expression in acute models of UV exposure. In human SP skin exposed to 2‐3 MED of UV (n = 20), epidermal PD‐L1 was induced in 70% of subjects after 24 h (P = 0.0001). SKH‐1 mice exposed to acute UV also showed significant epidermal PD‐L1 induction at 16, 24 and 48 h. A time‐ and dose‐dependent induction of PD‐L1 was confirmed in cultured human keratinocytes after UV, which was markedly reduced in the presence of MEK/ERK, JNK or STAT3 inhibitors. These findings suggest that UV induces upregulation of PD‐L1 through established, pharmacologically targetable stress‐signaling pathways in keratinocytes.
Spot patterns in the 2‐D Schnakenberg model with localized heterogeneities
Authors: Wong Tony , Ward Michael J. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractA hybrid asymptotic‐numerical theory is developed to analyze the effect of different types of localized heterogeneities on the existence, linear stability, and slow dynamics of localized spot patterns for the two‐component Schnakenberg reaction‐diffusion model in a 2‐D domain. Two distinct types of localized heterogeneities are considered: a strong localized perturbation of a spatially uniform feed rate and the effect of removing a small hole in the domain, through which the chemical species can leak out. Our hybrid theory reveals a wide range of novel phenomena such as saddle‐node bifurcations for quasi‐equilibrium spot patterns that otherwise would not occur for a homogeneous medium, a new type of spot solution pinned at the concentration point of the feed rate, spot self‐replication behavior leading to the creation of more than two new spots, and the existence of a creation‐annihilation attractor with at most three spots. Depending on the type of localized heterogeneity introduced, localized spots are either repelled or attracted toward the localized defect on asymptotically long time scales. Results for slow spot dynamics and detailed predictions of various instabilities of quasi‐equilibrium spot patterns, all based on our hybrid asymptotic‐numerical theory, are illustrated and confirmed through extensive full PDE numerical simulations.
Managing precarity: Food bank use by low‐income women workers in a changing welfare regime
Authors: Beatty Christina , Bennett Cinnamon , Hawkins Anna 
Published: February 2021

AbstractEmployment had risen to historically high levels in Britain before the coronavirus crisis; however, whereas work is traditionally conceptualized as a route out of poverty, this is no longer necessarily the case. Participation in non‐standard or low‐income work such as zero‐hour contracts, involuntary part‐time work and self‐employment is increasingly a feature of the labour market and in‐work benefits which top‐up low incomes have been pared back. This case study undertaken in the period before the coronavirus crisis takes a multi‐disciplinary approach in relation to three key questions: are working women resorting to food bank use in times of financial hardship?; to what extent is this a function of non‐standard working practices?; and is welfare reform a contributing factor? A three‐strand approach is taken: a synthesis of literature, an analysis of national data and in‐depth interviews with stakeholders involved with referrals to or delivery of emergency food provision within northern Britain. The findings highlight a growth in precarious employment models since the 2008/2009 recession and how this intersects with increasing conditionality in welfare policy. We contribute to the debate by arguing that ideological driven policy fails to acknowledge structural deficiencies in labour market demand and misattributes responsibility for managing precarious working patterns onto individuals who are already struggling to get by.
Longitudinal analysis of SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies in 8000 U.S. first‐time convalescent plasma donations
Authors: Karbiener Michael , Farcet Maria R. , Ilk Reinhard , Schreiner Jessica , Lenart James , Powers Nicholas , Stewart Joseph M. , Tallman Hema , Kreil Thomas R. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) convalescent individuals carry antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) that, through a plasma donation, can be used as a potential therapeutic either in direct transfusion or for the manufacture of hyperimmune globulin (HIG). The success of such interventions depends on the antibody potency in such plasma donations, but little information on the collection of potent units is currently available.Study Design and MethodsA total of 8749 plasma units, collected from April until September 2020 from first‐time U.S. COVID‐19 convalescent plasma donors, were characterized for SARS‐CoV‐2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies by Abbott chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA). The period between COVID‐19 onset until donation and donor age, ethnicity, sex, and COVID‐19 severity were evaluated against the obtained signal (index S/C).ResultsA marked decrease in mean index S/C was seen over the plasma collection period surveyed, which was significantly correlated to decreases in mean plasma donor age (p < .0001; R2 = .726) and percentage of donations obtained from COVID‐19 convalescent patients who had been hospitalized (p = .001; R2 = .4426). The highest titer plasma units were obtained soon after convalescence from COVID‐19 patients who required hospitalization, from advanced age donors, and from Black/African/Hispanic American versus White/Caucasian ethnicities, whereas there was no effect of donor sex on the values obtained with the Abbott CMIA.ConclusionSince the onset of the pandemic, the average SARS‐CoV‐2 IgG values of first‐time U.S. COVID‐19 convalescent plasma donations have significantly dropped, mainly due to donations from progressively younger aged donors who tend to experience less severe COVID‐19.
The effect of central corneal thickness on intraocular pressure values using various tonometers in the dog
Authors: Guresh Andrew M. , Horvath Stephen J. , Gemensky‐Metzler Anne , Miller Eric , Yildiz Vedat , Myers John V. , Newbold Georgina M. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo compare intraocular pressure readings from three different tonometers, the Tono‐Pen AVIA® (TP), TonoVet® (TV) and TonoVet Plus® (TV+) and to determine how measurements from each tonometer are affected by central corneal thickness (CCT).AnimalsNinety dogs.ProceduresNormal dogs and dogs with ocular disease were selected for study inclusion. Central corneal thickness measurements were gathered with the Pachette 4 ultrasonic pachymeter, and IOP measurements were gathered with the three tonometers in random order. ANOVA or Wilcoxon tests were utilized for overall group comparisons. Linear regression analyses were utilized to determine the association between IOP and CCT.ResultsWhen comparing tonometers to each other, for all dogs, readings from the TV+were significantly different compared to the TV (p = <.0001) and TP (p = <.0001); however, there was no significant difference between the TV and the TP (p = .999). Linear regression did not find any significant correlation between corneal thickness and IOP readings with any tonometer when looking at normal dogs or when including dogs with ocular abnormalities.DiscussionThis study did not find a significant correlation between an increase in CCT and increase in IOP reading in any tonometer comparison amongst normal and dogs with ocular abnormalities. The TV+produced consistently and significantly higher readings, but measurements did not exceed the expected IOP range in normal dogs. For consistency, the same tonometer should be used when monitoring IOP over time.
A Low-Cost, Highly Customizable Solution for Position Estimation in Modular Robots
Authors: Liu Chao , Tosun Tarik , Yim Mark 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Accurate position sensing is important for state estimation and control in robotics. Reliable and accurate position sensors are usually expensive and difficult to customize. Incorporating them into systems that have very tight volume constraints such as modular robots are particularly difficult. PaintPots are low-cost, reliable, and highly customizable position sensors, but their performance is highly dependent on the manufacturing and calibration process. This paper presents a Kalman filter with a simplified observation model developed to deal with the nonlinearity issues that result in the use of low-cost microcontrollers. In addition, a complete solution for the use of PaintPots in a variety of sensing modalities including manufacturing, characterization, and estimation is presented for an example modular robot, SMORES-EP. This solution can be easily adapted to a wide range of applications.
Principal Component Analysis Based Gear Fault Diagnostics in Different Stages of a Multi-Stage Gearbox Subjected to Extensive Fluctuating Speeds
Authors: Inturi Vamsi , Sabareesh G. R. , Supradeepan K. , Penumakala P. K. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Multi-stage gearboxes are vulnerable to failures often due to the extreme operating conditions, which may result in long downtimes. The current investigation is intended to examine the fault diagnostic capabilities of the integrated vibro-acoustic condition monitoring scheme while diagnosing the local/lumped defects exist at different speed stages of a multi-stage gearbox subjected to fluctuating/varying speeds. Experiments are performed, and the raw vibration and acoustic signatures are acquired simultaneously from the three-stage spur gearbox. Later, the raw data signatures are processed individually through discrete wavelet transform, and various descriptive statistics are extracted. Further, feature-level fusion is executed to obtain the integrated vibro-acoustic feature vector set for various speed stages of the gearbox. Finally, the obtained integrated feature vector set is classified using principal component analysis (PCA). It is observed that PCA performed using the integrated vibro-acoustic scheme clearly distinguishes among the various damage severity levels of pinion tooth exist at different speed stages of the gearbox.
Comparison of a Thigh-Worn Accelerometer Algorithm With Diary Estimates of Time in Bed and Time Asleep: The 1970 British Cohort Study
Authors: Inan-Eroglu Elif , Huang Bo-Huei , Shepherd Leah , Pearson Natalie , Koster Annemarie , Palm Peter , Cistulli Peter A. , Hamer Mark , Stamatakis Emmanuel 
Published: February 2021

Background: Thigh-worn accelerometers have established reliability and validity for measurement of free-living physical activity-related behaviors. However, comparisons of methods for measuring sleep and time in bed using the thigh-worn accelerometer are rare. The authors compared the thigh-worn accelerometer algorithm that estimates time in bed with the output of a sleep diary (time in bed and time asleep). Methods: Participants (N = 5,498), from the 1970 British Cohort Study, wore an activPAL device on their thigh continuously for 7 days and completed a sleep diary. Bland–Altman plots and Pearson correlation coefficients were used to examine associations between the algorithm derived and diary time in bed and asleep. Results: The algorithm estimated acceptable levels of agreement with time in bed when compared with diary time in bed (mean bias of −11.4 min; limits of agreement −264.6 to 241.8). The algorithm-derived time in bed overestimated diary sleep time (mean bias of 55.2 min; limits of agreement −204.5 to 314.8 min). Algorithm and sleep diary are reasonably correlated (ρ = .48, 95% confidence interval [.45, .52] for women and ρ = .51, 95% confidence interval [.47, .55] for men) and provide broadly comparable estimates of time in bed but not for sleep time. Conclusions: The algorithm showed acceptable estimates of time in bed compared with diary at the group level. However, about half of the participants were outside of the ±30 min difference of a clinically relevant limit at an individual level.