bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Male terminalia of Cercopidae (Hemiptera, Cicadomorpha): towards a consensus terminology
Authors: Le Cesne Maxime , Crispolon Elorde , Soulier-Perkins Adeline 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe study of male genital appendages is often necessary to identify a species and to characterise the higher systematics ranks for the Cercopidae, a large family of Hemiptera. Therefore, many authors have used them in their work but without any clear consensus on the terms used for each part constituting the male terminalia. A standardised terminology is important for the quality of a taxonomic description but even more essential when we want to compare species and establish a primary homology between states of character and their use in the frame of phylogenetic analysis. The use of a consensus terminology should ensure that we are all observing, speaking and describing the same genital appendage and comparing homologous characters. In order to propose a consensus terminology, we have reviewed all the major works on the anatomy of terminalia for the family since the first description using those characters in 1922. We proposed the use of consensual terms, listed with their definitions. In addition we studied a diversified panel of male specimens, chosen in order to represent as many Cercopidae tribes as possible. We categorised five different groups of Cercopidae according to their male terminalia structures. This opens the reflection on the evolutionary patterns for these structures.
Catchment landscape components alter relationships between discharge and stream water nutrient ratios in the Xitiao River Basin China
Authors: Gao Changjun , Li Wei , Cui Lijuan , Ma Qiongfang , Cai Jian 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe terrestrial environment of a watershed is a source of potential carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) exports, and the hydrological regime provides the mechanism to turn the potential exports into reality when water is available. However, the extent to which the terrestrial environment alters the strength and nature of streamflow in transporting stream water nutrient ratios remains largely unknown. This study combined monthly stream discharge data with synchronously sampled stream water C:N:P ratios in 14 catchment streams in the Xitiao River Basin (XRB) in Zhejiang Province, China. The transport effect of streamflow on C:N:P ratios varied depending on the nutrient element, flow condition, and terrestrial environment. In the lower reaches of the XRB, there were negative relationships between C:N ratios, C:P ratios and watershed discharge, and positive relationships between N:P ratios and watershed discharge in both high and low flow conditions. In the middle and upper reaches of the XRB, the C:N-discharge relationship changed from negative to positive when the streamflow conditions altered from low to high flow. The C:P- and N:P-discharge relationships were negative regardless of high or low flows, but the regression coefficient significantly decreased with increasing streamflow. The C:N-discharge correlation over the course of the year shifted from negative to positive, as urban areas expanded within the catchment. The C:P-discharge relationship altered from negative to positive with more cropland and wetland but from positive to negative with a greater forest percentage and mean percentage slope. Our results indicate that changes in the terrestrial environment (e.g., the proportion of a particular land cover within a watershed) generally produced a threshold flow above which the coupling relationships between element fluxes from the terrestrial to riverine ecosystem changed sharply.
Developmental and lifelong dioxin exposure induces measurable changes in cardiac structure and function in adulthood
Authors: de Gannes Matthew , Koch Sheryl E. , Puga Alvaro , Rubinstein Jack 
Published: May 2021

AbstractCongenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common congenital abnormality. A precise etiology for CHD remains elusive, but likely results from interactions between genetic and environmental factors during development, when the heart adapts to physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Further, it has become clearer that early exposure to toxins that do not result in overt CHD may be associated with adverse cardiac outcomes that are not manifested until later life. Previously, interference with endogenous developmental functions of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), either by gene ablation or by in utero exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), a potent AHR ligand, was shown to cause structural, molecular and functional cardiac abnormalities and altered heart physiology in mouse embryos. Here, we show that continuous exposure to TCDD from fertilization throughout adulthood caused male mice to underperform at exercise tolerance tests compared to their control and female counterparts, confirming previous observations of a sexually dimorphic phenotype. Renin-angiotensin stimulation by angiotensin II (Ang II) caused measurable increases in blood pressure and left ventricle mass, along with decreased end diastolic volume and preserved ejection fraction. Interestingly, TCDD exposure caused measurable reductions in the myocardial hypertrophic effects of Ang II, suggesting that endogenous AHR signaling present in adulthood may play a role in the pathogenesis of hypertrophy. Overall, the findings reported in this pilot study highlight the complex systems underlying TCDD exposure in the development of cardiac dysfunction in later life.
El Niño-Southern Oscillation affects the water relations of tree species in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
Authors: Palomo-Kumul Jorge , Valdez-Hernández Mirna , Islebe Gerald A. , Cach-Pérez Manuel J. , Andrade José Luis 
Published: May 2021

AbstractWe evaluated the effect of ENSO 2015/16 on the water relations of eight tree species in seasonally dry tropical forests of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. The functional traits: wood density, relative water content in wood, xylem water potential and specific leaf area were recorded during the rainy season and compared in three consecutive years: 2015 (pre-ENSO conditions), 2016 (ENSO conditions) and 2017 (post-ENSO conditions). We analyzed tree size on the capacity to respond to water deficit, considering young and mature trees, and if this response is distinctive in species with different leaf patterns in seasonally dry tropical forests distributed along a precipitation gradient (700–1200 mm year−1). These traits showed a strong decrease in all species in response to water stress in 2016, mainly in the driest site. Deciduous species had lower wood density, higher predawn water potential and higher specific leaf area than evergreen species. In all cases, mature trees were more tolerant to drought. In the driest site, there was a significant reduction in water status, regardless of their leaf phenology, indicating that seasonally dry tropical forests are highly vulnerable to ENSO. Vulnerability of deciduous species is intensified in the driest areas and in the youngest trees.
Increased expression of Protein S in eyes with diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema
Authors: Sugimoto Masahiko , Kondo Mineo , Yasuma Taro , D’Alessandro-Gabazza Corina N. , Toda Masaaki , Imai Hisanori , Nakamura Makoto , Gabazza Esteban C. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractProtein S (PS) is a multifunctional glycoprotein that ameliorates the detrimental effects of diabetes mellitus (DM). The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of PS in diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME). This was a study of 50 eyes with DM (37 with DME, 6 with proliferative DR, and 7 with no DR) and 19 eyes without DM. The level of PS was measured by enzyme immunoassay and was compared between eyes with or without DM, with or without DME, and with severe DME (≥ 350 μm) or mild DME (< 350 μm). We also performed immunohistopathologic evaluations of post-mortem eyes and the cystoid lesions excised during surgery. The aqueous free PS was significantly higher with DM (7.9 ± 1.2 ng/ml, P < 0.01) than without DM (6.1 ± 0.7). The aqueous free PS was significantly elevated with DME (8.2 ± 1.2, P < 0.05) compared to proliferative DR (7.0 ± 1.0) and no DR (7.0 ± 0.7). Eyes with severe DME had significantly higher aqueous free PS than mild DME (8.5 ± 1.3 vs. 7.7 ± 1.0, P < 0.05). Immunohistochemistry showed PS in the outer plexiform layer of the retina and cystoid lesion. The higher expression of PS with DR and DME suggests that PS is involved in their pathogenesis.
Non-oxide precipitates in additively manufactured austenitic stainless steel
Authors: Upadhyay Manas Vijay , Slama Meriem Ben Haj , Gaudez Steve , Mohanan Nikhil , Yedra Lluis , Hallais Simon , Héripré Eva , Tanguy Alexandre 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPrecipitates in an austenitic stainless steel fabricated via any Additive Manufacturing (AM), or 3D printing, technique have been widely reported to be only Mn-Si-rich oxides. However, via Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) studies on a 316L stainless steel, we show that non-oxide precipitates (intermetallics, sulfides, phosphides and carbides) can also form when the steel is fabricated via Laser Metal Deposition (LMD)—a directed energy deposition-type AM technique. An investigation into their origin is conducted with support from precipitation kinetics and finite element heat transfer simulations. It reveals that non-oxide precipitates form during solidification/cooling at temperatures ≥ 0.75Tm (melting point) and temperature rates ≤ 105 K/s, which is the upper end of the maximum rates encountered during LMD but lower than those encountered during Selective Laser Melting (SLM)—a powder-bed type AM technique. Consequently, non-oxide precipitates should form during LMD, as reported in this work, but not during SLM, in consistency with existing literature.
A high-efficiency method for site-directed mutagenesis of large plasmids based on large DNA fragment amplification and recombinational ligation
Authors: Zhang Kewei , Yin Xiaomei , Shi Kaituo , Zhang Shihua , Wang Juan , Zhao Shasha , Deng Huan , Zhang Cheng , Wu Zihui , Li Yuan , Zhou Xiangyu , Deng Wensheng 
Published: May 2021

AbstractSite-directed mutagenesis for large plasmids is a difficult task that cannot easily be solved by the conventional methods used in many laboratories. In this study, we developed an effective method for Site-directed Mutagenesis for Large Plasmids (SMLP) based on a PCR technique. The SMLP method combines several effective approaches, including a high-efficiency DNA polymerase for the large DNA amplification, two independent PCR reactions and a fast recombinational ligation. Using this method, we have achieved a variety of mutants for the filamin A gene (7.9 kb) cloned in the pcDNA (5.4 kb) or the pLV-U6-CMV-EGFP (9.4 kb) plasmids, indicating that this method can be applied to site-directed mutagenesis for the plasmids up to 17.3 kb. We show that the SMLP method has a greater advantage than the conventional methods tested in this study, and this method can be applied to substitution, deletion, and insertion mutations for both large and small plasmids as well as the assembly of three fragments from PCR reactions. Altogether, the SMLP method is simple, effective, and beneficial to the laboratories that require completing the mutagenesis of large plasmids.
End-tidal to arterial carbon dioxide gradient is associated with increased mortality in patients with traumatic brain injury: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Doppmann Pascal , Meuli Lorenz , Sollid Stephen J. M. , Filipovic Miodrag , Knapp Jürgen , Exadaktylos Aristomenis , Albrecht Roland , Pietsch Urs 
Published: May 2021

AbstractEarly definitive airway protection and normoventilation are key principles in the treatment of severe traumatic brain injury. These are currently guided by end tidal CO2 as a proxy for PaCO2. We assessed whether the difference between end tidal CO2 and PaCO2 at hospital admission is associated with in-hospital mortality. We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study of consecutive patients with traumatic brain injury who were intubated and transported by Helicopter Emergency Medical Services to a Level 1 trauma center between January 2014 and December 2019. We assessed the association between the CO2 gap—defined as the difference between end tidal CO2 and PaCO2—and in-hospital mortality using multivariate logistic regression models. 105 patients were included in this study. The mean ± SD CO2 gap at admission was 1.64 ± 1.09 kPa and significantly greater in non-survivors than survivors (2.26 ± 1.30 kPa vs. 1.42 ± 0.92 kPa, p < .001). The correlation between EtCO2 and PaCO2 at admission was low (Pearson's r = .287). The mean CO2 gap after 24 h was only 0.64 ± 0.82 kPa, and no longer significantly different between non-survivors and survivors. The multivariate logistic regression model showed that the CO2 gap was independently associated with increased mortality in this cohort and associated with a 2.7-fold increased mortality for every 1 kPa increase in the CO2 gap (OR 2.692, 95% CI 1.293 to 5.646, p = .009). This study demonstrates that the difference between EtCO2 and PaCO2 is significantly associated with in-hospital mortality in patients with traumatic brain injury. EtCO2 was significantly lower than PaCO2, making it an unreliable proxy for PaCO2 when aiming for normocapnic ventilation. The CO2 gap can lead to iatrogenic hypoventilation when normocapnic ventilation is aimed and might thereby increase in-hospital mortality.
Development and characterization of a monoclonal antibody blocking human TRPM4 channel
Authors: Low See Wee , Gao Yahui , Wei Shunhui , Chen Bo , Nilius Bernd , Liao Ping 
Published: May 2021

AbstractTRPM4 is a calcium-activated non-selective monovalent cation channel implicated in diseases such as stroke. Lack of potent and selective inhibitors remains a major challenge for studying TRPM4. Using a polypeptide from rat TRPM4, we have generated a polyclonal antibody M4P which could alleviate reperfusion injury in a rat model of stroke. Here, we aim to develop a monoclonal antibody that could block human TRPM4 channel. Two mouse monoclonal antibodies M4M and M4M1 were developed to target an extracellular epitope of human TRPM4. Immunohistochemistry and western blot were used to characterize the binding of these antibodies to human TRPM4. Potency of inhibition was compared using electrophysiological methods. We further evaluated the therapeutic potential on a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion. Both M4M and M4M1 could bind to human TRPM4 channel on the surface of live cells. Prolonged incubation with TRPM4 blocking antibody internalized surface TRPM4. Comparing to M4M1, M4M is more effective in blocking human TRPM4 channel. In human brain microvascular endothelial cells, M4M successfully inhibited TRPM4 current and ameliorated hypoxia-induced cell swelling. Using wild type rats, neither antibody demonstrated therapeutic potential on stroke. Human TRPM4 channel can be blocked by a monoclonal antibody M4M targeting a key antigenic sequence. For future clinical translation, the antibody needs to be humanized and a transgenic animal carrying human TRPM4 sequence is required for in vivo characterizing its therapeutic potential.
Complement C5 is not critical for the formation of sub-RPE deposits in Efemp1 mutant mice
Authors: Garland Donita L. , Pierce Eric A. , Fernandez-Godino Rosario 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe complement system plays a role in the formation of sub-retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) deposits in early stages of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). But the specific mechanisms that connect complement activation and deposit formation in AMD patients are unknown, which limits the development of efficient therapies to reduce or stop disease progression. We have previously demonstrated that C3 blockage prevents the formation of sub-RPE deposits in a mouse model of EFEMP1-associated macular degeneration. In this study, we have used double mutant Efemp1R345W/R345W:C5-/- mice to investigate the role of C5 in the formation of sub-RPE deposits in vivo and in vitro. The data revealed that the genetic ablation of C5 does not eliminate the formation of sub-RPE deposits. Contrarily, the absence of C5 in RPE cultures promotes complement dysregulation that results in increased activation of C3, which likely contributes to deposit formation even in the absence of EFEMP1-R345W mutant protein. The results also suggest that genetic ablation of C5 alters the extracellular matrix turnover through an effect on matrix metalloproteinases in RPE cell cultures. These results confirm that C3 rather than C5 could be an effective therapeutic target to treat early AMD.
The epidemiology of fracture-related infections in Germany
Authors: Walter Nike , Rupp Markus , Lang Siegmund , Alt Volker 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe epidemiology of fracture-related infection (FRI) is unknown, which makes it difficult to estimate future demands and evaluate progress in infection prevention. Therefore, we aimed to determine the nationwide burden’s development over the last decade as a function of age group and gender. FRI prevalence as a function of age group and gender was quantified based on annual ICD-10 diagnosis codes from German medical institutions between 2008 through 2018, provided by the Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis). The prevalence of FRI increased by 0.28 from 8.4 cases per 100,000 inhabitants to 10.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants between 2008 and 2018. The proportion of fractures resulting in FRI increased from 1.05 to 1.23%. Gender distribution was equal. Patients aged 60–69 years and 70–79 years comprised the largest internal proportion with 20.2% and 20.7%, respectively, whereby prevalence increased with age group. A trend towards more diagnoses in older patients was observed with a growth rate of 0.63 for patients older than 90 years. Increasing rates of fracture-related infection especially in older patients indicate an upcoming challenge for stakeholders in health care systems. Newly emerging treatment strategies, prevention methods and interdisciplinary approaches are strongly required.
A static‐commutated device to contain voltage variations for low‐voltage active users
Authors: Casolino Giovanni Mercurio , Di Nitto Biagio , Russo Mario 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe ever‐wider spread of distributed generation in distribution systems feeds the increasing demand for voltage regulation in low‐voltage networks. For these distribution grids, characterised by simpler structures than medium voltage systems but with a larger number of buses and feeders, voltage control devices have to guarantee fast and reliable operation, as well as economic and simple implementation. A key issue is ensuring adequate voltage amplitude for the active users, which present both load and generation. Variations of active power injections/absorptions by active users can produce long‐duration variations of the voltage amplitudes that exceed normal operating ranges admitted for the feeders, thus causing distributed generation tripping and poor power quality for the loads. This work is intended as ‘concept proof' to demonstrate the possibility of obtaining a simple, compact, and cheap device that guarantees adequate voltage amplitudes at low‐voltage user's premises. The device consists of a transformer that can vary its winding arrangements using controlled static switches. A summary of the construction aspects is recalled focussing attention on the control logic and operating characteristics. Various laboratory tests on a prototype are reported, under various operating conditions, highlighting the pros and cons of the considered solution and the margins of improvement.
Highly Concentrated Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma Restores Foveal Anatomy in Lamellar Macular Hole Surgery
Authors: Hagenau Felix , Nobl Matthias , Vogt Denise , Schworm Benedikt , Siedlecki Jakob , Kreutzer Thomas , Luft Nikolaus , Priglinger Siegfried 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background Lamellar macular holes (LMHs) are an entity of a progressive disease in which the efficacy of the therapy of choice, vitrectomy, seems to be reduced. It is unknown whether highly concentrated autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is of value in the therapy of LMHs. The purpose of this study was to gauge the potential of highly concentrated PRP to restore foveal anatomy in LMH surgery.
Patients and Methods In this interventional case series, eight eyes of eight patients with progressive LMH were included. All patients underwent a 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy with induction of a posterior vitreous detachment and peeling of tractive epiretinal membranes whenever present. Under air tamponade, 0.1 mL of highly concentrated autologous PRP was applied. Subsequently, a gas or air tamponade was performed. All patients were instructed to rest in the supine position for the first 1 to 2 postoperative hours. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) testing, microperimetry, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and fundus photography were performed prior to and 3 months after surgery.
Results SD-OCT showed closure of the macular defect with restoration of a normal foveal configuration in all (8 of 8) patients 3 months postoperatively. BCVA improved significantly, from 0.28 ± 0.08 to 0.12 ± 0.14 logMAR (Wilcoxon: p = 0.03). Microperimetry remained unchanged (24.13 ± 1.96 vs. 23.7 ± 1.54 dB; p = 0.46). No clinically significant intra- or postoperative complications were observed.
Conclusion The use of highly concentrated PRP enables excellent anatomical and functional outcomes in the surgical therapy of LMH. Further prospective comparative trials are warranted to compare this promising technique with existing surgical strategies.
Vitamin B12 and Folate as Risk Factors for Retinal Vein Occlusion: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kazantzis Dimitrios , Theodossiadis Panagiotis , Kroupis Christos , Theodossiadis George , Chatziralli Irini 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Purpose To evaluate the association between serum vitamin B12/folate and retinal vein occlusion (RVO).
Methods A comprehensive search of the PubMed database was performed, which identified 271 abstracts to be screened. Ten studies met our inclusion criteria and a meta-analysis of these comparative case-control studies was performed on the mean ± standard deviation serum vitamin B12 and folate levels, without language restrictions. Nine studies with 720 patients with RVO and 613 controls were included in the meta-analysis for vitamin B12, and 10 studies with 784 patients with RVO and 677 controls in the meta-analysis for folate.
Results There was no statistically significant difference between patients with RVO and controls in serum vitamin B12 levels (mean difference: − 40.25 pg/mL, p = 0.28), either central RVO (mean difference: − 18.24 pg/mL, p = 0.71) or branch RVO (mean difference: − 23.56 pg/mL, p = 0.48). On the contrary, the plasma folate level was significantly lower in RVO patients than in controls (mean difference: − 1.34 ng/mL, p = 0.001), as well as in patients with CRVO compared to controls (mean difference: − 1.48 ng/mL, p = 0.006), but not in BRVO patients (mean difference: − 0.72 ng/mL, p = 0.11).
Conclusions RVO is associated with low serum folate levels, but not with serum vitamin B12 levels.