bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maternal Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery reduces lipid deposition and increases UCP1 expression in the brown adipose tissue of male offspring
Authors: Ceglarek Vanessa Marieli , Bertasso Iala Milene , Pietrobon Carla Bruna , Scomazzon Sofia Pizzato , Leite Nayara Carvalho , Bonfleur Maria Lúcia , Araújo Allan Cezar Faria , Balbo Sandra Lucinei , Grassiolli Sabrina 
Published: January 2021

AbstractMaternal obesity induced by cafeteria diet (CAF) predisposes offspring to obesity and metabolic diseases, events that could be avoided by maternal bariatric surgery (BS). Herein we evaluated whether maternal BS is able to modulate brown adipose tissue (BAT) morphology and function in adult male rats born from obese female rats submitted to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). For this, adult male rat offspring were obtained from female rats that consumed standard diet (CTL), or CAF diet, and were submitted to simulated operation or RYGB. Analysis of offspring showed that, at 120 days of life, the maternal CAF diet induced adiposity and decreased the expression of mitochondrial Complex I (CI) and Complex III (CIII) in the BAT, resulting in higher accumulation of lipids than in BAT from offspring of CTL dams. Moreover, maternal RYGB increased UCP1 expression and prevented excessive deposition of lipids in the BAT of adult male offspring rats. However, maternal RYGB failed to reverse the effects of maternal diet on CI and CIII expression. Thus, maternal CAF promotes higher lipid deposition in the BAT of offspring, contributing to elevated adiposity. Maternal RYGB prevented obesity in offspring, probably by increasing the expression of UCP1.
Birth weight and heart rate autonomic recovery following exercise in healthy term-born adults
Authors: de Paula Vidigal Giovanna , Garner David M. , Akimoto Amanda N. , Valenti Vitor E. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe impact of birth weight (BW) on adult health has been studied, related to the autonomic nervous system, and implicated in cardiovascular risk. We investigated cardiorespiratory and heart rate (HR) autonomic recovery after moderate effort in healthy term-born adults with different BWs. We studied 28 healthy physically active women aged between 18 to 30 years split equally into two groups according to BW: G1 (n = 14), BW between 2500 g and 3200 g and G2 (n = 14), BW > 3200 g. The groups remained seated at rest for 15 min, followed by aerobic exercise on a treadmill (five minutes at 50–55% of maximum HR and 25 min 60–65% of maximum HR) and then remained seated for 60 min during recovery from the exercise. Cardiorespiratory parameters and HR variability (HRV) [RMSSD, HF (ms2)] were assessed before and during recovery from exercise. In G1, HR was increased from 0 to 20 min after exercise whilst in G2 HR was higher from 0 to 7 min following exercise. In G1, short-term HRV was increased from 5 to 10 min after exercise but in G2 it recovered prior to 5 min following effort. In conclusion, healthy term-born women with low normal BW present slower HR autonomic recovery after exercise.
Immune modulation resulting from MR-guided high intensity focused ultrasound in a model of murine breast cancer
Authors: Fite Brett Z. , Wang James , Kare Aris J. , Ilovitsh Asaf , Chavez Michael , Ilovitsh Tali , Zhang Nisi , Chen Weiyu , Robinson Elise , Zhang Hua , Kheirolomoom Azadeh , Silvestrini Matthew T. , Ingham Elizabeth S. , Mahakian Lisa M. , Tam Sarah M. , Davis Ryan R. , Tepper Clifford G. , Borowsky Alexander D. , Ferrara Katherine W. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractHigh intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) rapidly and non-invasively destroys tumor tissue. Here, we sought to assess the immunomodulatory effects of MR-guided HIFU and its combination with the innate immune agonist CpG and checkpoint inhibitor anti-PD-1. Mice with multi-focal breast cancer underwent ablation with a parameter set designed to achieve mechanical disruption with minimal thermal dose or a protocol in which tumor temperature reached 65 °C. Mice received either HIFU alone or were primed with the toll-like receptor 9 agonist CpG and the checkpoint modulator anti-PD-1. Both mechanical HIFU and thermal ablation induced a potent inflammatory response with increased expression ofNlrp3,Jun, Mefv, Il6andIl1βand alterations in macrophage polarization compared to control. Furthermore, HIFU upregulated multiple innate immune receptors and immune pathways, includingNod1, Nlrp3, Aim2, Ctsb, Tlr1/2/4/7/8/9, Oas2, and RhoA. The inflammatory response was largely sterile and consistent with wound-healing. Priming with CpG attenuatedIl6andNlrp3expression, further upregulated expression ofNod2,Oas2, RhoA, Pycard, Tlr1/2 and Il12,and enhanced T-cell number and activation while polarizing macrophages to an anti-tumor phenotype. The tumor-specific antigen, cytokines and cell debris liberated by HIFU enhance response to innate immune agonists.
Sex-specific differences in peripheral blood leukocyte transcriptional response to LPS are enriched for HLA region and X chromosome genes
Authors: Stein Michelle M. , Conery Mitch , Magnaye Kevin M. , Clay Selene M. , Billstrand Christine , Nicolae Raluca , Naughton Katherine , Ober Carole , Thompson Emma E. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractSex-specific differences in prevalence are well documented for many common, complex diseases, especially for immune-mediated diseases, yet the precise mechanisms through which factors associated with biological sex exert their effects throughout life are not well understood. We interrogated sex-specific transcriptional responses of peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) to innate immune stimulation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in 46 male and 66 female members of the Hutterite community, who practice a communal lifestyle. We identified 1217 autosomal and 54 X-linked genes with sex-specific responses to LPS, as well as 71 autosomal and one X-linked sex-specific expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs). Despite a similar proportion of the 15 HLA genes responding to LPS compared to all expressed autosomal genes, there was a significant over-representation of genes with sex by treatment interactions among HLA genes. We also observed an enrichment of sex-specific differentially expressed genes in response to LPS for X-linked genes compared to autosomal genes, suggesting that HLA and X-linked genes may disproportionately contribute to sex disparities in risk for immune-mediated diseases.
Resolution of the paradox of the diamagnetic effect on the Kibble coil
Authors: Li Shisong , Schlamminger Stephan , Marangoni Rafael , Wang Qing , Haddad Darine , Seifert Frank , Chao Leon , Newell David , Zhao Wei 
Published: January 2021

AbstractEmploying very simple electro-mechanical principles known from classical physics, the Kibble balance establishes a very precise and absolute link between quantum electrical standards and macroscopic mass or force measurements. The success of the Kibble balance, in both determining fundamental constants (h,$$N_A$$NA,e) and realizing a quasi-quantum mass in the 2019 newly revised International System of Units, relies on the perfection of Maxwell’s equations and the symmetry they describe between Lorentz’s force and Faraday’s induction, a principle and a symmetry stunningly demonstrated in the weighing and velocity modes of Kibble balances to within$$1\times 10^{-8}$$1×10-8, with nothing but imperfect wires and magnets. However, recent advances in the understanding of the current effect in Kibble balances reveal a troubling paradox. A diamagnetic effect, a force that does not cancel between mass-on and mass-off measurement, is challenging balance maker’s assumptions of symmetry at levels that are almost two orders of magnitude larger than the reported uncertainties. The diamagnetic effect, if it exists, shows up in weighing mode without a readily apparent reciprocal effect in the velocity mode, begging questions about systematic errors at the very foundation of the new measurement system. The hypothetical force is caused by the coil current changing the magnetic field, producing an unaccounted force that is systematically modulated with the weighing current. Here we show that this diamagnetic force exists, but the additional force does not change the equivalence between weighing and velocity measurements. We reveal the unexpected way that symmetry is preserved and show that for typical materials and geometries the total relative effect on the measurement is$$\approx 1\times 10^{-9}$$≈1×10-9.
Age-group determination of living individuals using first molar images based on artificial intelligence
Authors: Kim Seunghyeon , Lee Yeon-Hee , Noh Yung-Kyun , Park Frank C. , Auh Q.-Schick 
Published: January 2021

AbstractDental age estimation of living individuals is difficult and challenging, and there is no consensus method in adults with permanent dentition. Thus, we aimed to provide an accurate and robust artificial intelligence (AI)-based diagnostic system for age-group estimation by incorporating a convolutional neural network (CNN) using dental X-ray image patches of the first molars extracted via panoramic radiography. The data set consisted of four first molar images from the right and left sides of the maxilla and mandible of each of 1586 individuals across all age groups, which were extracted from their panoramic radiographs. The accuracy of the tooth-wise estimation was 89.05 to 90.27%. Performance accuracy was evaluated mainly using a majority voting system and area under curve (AUC) scores. The AUC scores ranged from 0.94 to 0.98 for all age groups, which indicates outstanding capacity. The learned features of CNNs were visualized as a heatmap, and revealed that CNNs focus on differentiated anatomical parameters, including tooth pulp, alveolar bone level, or interdental space, depending on the age and location of the tooth. With this, we provided a deeper understanding of the most informative regions distinguished by age groups. The prediction accuracy and heat map analyses support that this AI-based age-group determination model is plausible and useful.
Alligator presence influences colony site selection of long-legged wading birds through large scale facilitative nest protector relationship
Authors: Gabel Wray , Frederick Peter , Zabala Jabi 
Published: January 2021

AbstractPositive ecological relationships, such as facilitation, are an important force in community organization. The effects of facilitative relationships can be strong enough to cause changes in the distributions of species and in many cases have evolved as a response to predation pressure, however, very little is known about this potential trend in vertebrate facilitative relationships. Predation is an important selective pressure that may strongly influence breeding site selection by nesting birds. The American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) facilitates a safer nesting location for wading birds (Ciconiiformes and Pelecaniformes) by deterring mammalian nest predators from breeding sites. However, alligators do not occur throughout the breeding range of most wading birds, and it is unclear whether alligator presence affects colony site selection. We predicted that nesting wading birds change colony site preferences when alligators are not present to serve as nest protectors. Within the northern fringe of alligator distribution we compared colony characteristics in locations where alligator presence was either likely or unlikely while controlling for availability of habitat. Wading birds preferred islands that were farther from the mainland and farther from landmasses > 5 ha when alligator presence was unlikely compared to when alligators were likely. These findings indicate that wading birds are seeking nesting locations that are less accessible to mammalian predators when alligators are not present, and that this requirement is relaxed when alligators are present. This study illustrates how a landscape-scale difference between realized and fundamental niche can result from a facilitative relationship in vertebrates.
The predictive value of TIMP-2 and IGFBP7 for kidney failure and 30-day mortality after elective cardiac surgery
Authors: Esmeijer Kevin , Schoe Abraham , Ruhaak L. Renee , Hoogeveen Ellen K. , Soonawala Darius , Romijn Fred P. H. T. M. , Shirzada Maryam R. , van Dissel Jaap T. , Cobbaert Christa M. , de Fijter Johan W. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAcute kidney injury (AKI) is an important risk factor for chronic kidney disease, renal replacement therapy (RRT), and mortality. However, predicting AKI with currently available markers remains problematic. We assessed the predictive value of urinary tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease-2 (TIMP-2) and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) regarding the need for RRT, and 30-day mortality, in elective cardiac surgery patients. In 344 elective cardiac surgery patients, we measured urinary TIMP-2 and IGFBP7 and serum creatinine at baseline and directly after surgery. Discrimination of both urinary biomarkers was assessed by the C-statistic. Model improvement for each biomarker when added to a basic model containing serum creatinine and duration of surgery was tested by the net-reclassification index (cf-NRI) and integrated discrimination index (IDI). At baseline, mean age was 66 years and 67% were men. Of all patients, 22 required RRT following surgery. IGFBP7 pre- and post-surgery and change in TIMP-2 during surgery predicted RRT with a C-statistic of about 0.80. However, a simple model including baseline serum creatinine and duration of surgery had a C-statistic of 0.92, which was improved to 0.93 upon addition of post-surgery TIMP-2 or IGFBP7, with statistically significant cf-NRIs but non-significant IDIs. Post-surgery TIMP-2 and IGFBP predicted 30-day mortality, with C-statistics of 0.74 and 0.80. In conclusion, in elective cardiac surgery patients, pre- and peri-operative clinical variables were highly discriminating about which patients required RRT after surgery. Nonetheless, in elective cardiac surgery patients, urinary TIMP-2 and IGFBP7 improved prediction of RRT and 30-day mortality post-surgery.
Pro-inflammatory cytokine polymorphisms and interactions with dietary alcohol and estrogen, risk factors for invasive breast cancer using a post genome-wide analysis for gene–gene and gene–lifestyle interaction
Authors: Jung Su Yon , Papp Jeanette C. , Sobel Eric M. , Pellegrini Matteo , Yu Herbert , Zhang Zuo-Feng 
Published: January 2021

AbstractMolecular and genetic immune-related pathways connected to breast cancer and lifestyles in postmenopausal women are not fully characterized. In this study, we explored the role of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in those pathways at the genome-wide level. With single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the biomarkers and lifestyles together, we further constructed risk profiles to improve predictability for breast cancer. Our earlier genome-wide association gene-environment interaction study used large cohort data from the Women’s Health Initiative Database for Genotypes and Phenotypes Study and identified 88 SNPs associated with CRP and IL-6. For this study, we added an additional 68 SNPs from previous GWA studies, and together with 48 selected lifestyles, evaluated for the association with breast cancer risk via a 2-stage multimodal random survival forest and generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction methods. Overall and in obesity strata (by body mass index, waist, waist-to-hip ratio, exercise, and dietary fat intake), we identified the most predictive genetic and lifestyle variables. Two SNPs (SALL1 rs10521222 and HLA-DQA1 rs9271608) and lifestyles, including alcohol intake, lifetime cumulative exposure to estrogen, and overall and visceral obesity, are the most common and strongest predictive markers for breast cancer across the analyses. The risk profile that combined those variables presented their synergistic effect on the increased breast cancer risk in a gene–lifestyle dose-dependent manner. Our study may contribute to improved predictability for breast cancer and suggest potential interventions for the women with the risk genotypes and lifestyles to reduce their breast cancer risk.
Emerging risk of Dirofilaria spp. infection in Northeastern Europe: high prevalence of Dirofilaria repens in sled dog kennels from the Baltic countries
Authors: Alsarraf Mustafa , Levytska Viktoria , Mierzejewska Ewa J. , Poliukhovych Vasyl , Rodo Anna , Alsarraf Mohammed , Kavalevich Dziyana , Dwużnik-Szarek Dorota , Behnke Jerzy M. , Bajer Anna 
Published: January 2021

AbstractDirofilariasis is a fast-spreading disease of dogs and humans in Europe. We investigated whether Dirofilaria spp. have spread northwards in Europe, invading the Baltic countries. Altogether, 424 blood samples were collected from eight countries in the period 2017–2019, including 227 samples from sled dogs and 197 samples from other dogs. PCR amplification and sequencing were conducted employing three genetic markers (mitochondrial [mt] 12S rDNA, mt cytochrome c oxidase subunit I [COI] gene and mt dehydrogenase subunit I [NAD1] gene). The SNAP test (IDEXX) for detection of D. immitis infections was also implemented. The DNA of D. repens was detected in 59 of 424 dogs (prevalence 13.9%). D. repens was found in sled dogs from Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and Belarus. Only one dog from Estonia was infected, apparently an imported case. The highest prevalence was recorded in Lithuania (38%). Among pet dogs from the Ukraine, six dogs tested positive (3.8%). Our study has revealed a high prevalence of D. repens infections in Lithuania and Latvia, but no evidence for spread of the heartworm D. immitis. We conclude that sled dog kennels constitute hot spots for D. repens transmission.
Evaluation of Acanthamoeba keratitis cases in a tertiary medical care centre over 21 years
Authors: List Wolfgang , Glatz Wilfried , Riedl Regina , Mossboeck Georg , Steinwender Gernot , Wedrich Andreas 
Published: January 2021

AbstractTo report on Acanthamoeba keratitis cases in a tertiary university eye-hospital in Graz, Austria, over a 21-year period. Retrospective study. Parameters included demographics, diagnostics, clinical courses, medical therapies, surgical interventions, secondary complications, and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA). Patient records for 44 eyes of 42 patients were analysed; 2 bilateral infections. Mean age at presentation was 31 ± 13 (16–65) years; contact lenses were used in 41 of 44 eyes (93.2%). Symptoms at initial presentation were mainly pain (41/43, 95.3%) and photophobia (16/43, 37.2%). Most frequent morphological findings were stromal infiltrates (30/44, 68.2%). Diagnosis was mainly confirmed by smears (40/42, 95.2%) and polymerase chain reaction (8/42, 19%). Antiamoebic treatment comprised biguanides and diamidines. Penetrating keratoplasty was performed in 10/44 (22.7%) eyes. Median time from symptom onset to initial visit was 2 (0–26) weeks; median follow-up was 30 (2–1008) weeks. BSCVA improved in 23/36 (63.9%) eyes, remained unchanged in 6/36 (16.7%) eyes and deteriorated in 7/36 (19.4%) eyes. Acanthamoeba keratitis predominantly occurs in young contact lens wearers. Diagnosis should be considered in patients with pain and stromal infiltrates. In the majority of cases, BSCVA can be improved. Early diagnosis and adequate treatment should be implemented to prevent complications.
NSC348884 cytotoxicity is not mediated by inhibition of nucleophosmin oligomerization
Authors: Šašinková Markéta , Heřman Petr , Holoubek Aleš , Strachotová Dita , Otevřelová Petra , Grebeňová Dana , Kuželová Kateřina , Brodská Barbora 
Published: January 2021

AbstractNucleophosmin (NPM) mutations causing its export from the nucleoli to the cytoplasm are frequent in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Due to heterooligomerization of wild type NPM with the AML-related mutant, the wild-type becomes misplaced from the nucleoli and its functions are significantly altered. Dissociation of NPM heterooligomers may thus restore the proper localization and function of wild-type NPM. NSC348884 is supposed to act as a potent inhibitor of NPM oligomerization. The effect of NSC348884 on the NPM oligomerization was thoroughly examined by fluorescence lifetime imaging with utilization of FRET and by a set of immunoprecipitation and electrophoretic methods. Leukemia-derived cell lines and primary AML cells as well as cells transfected with fluorescently labeled NPM forms were investigated. Our results clearly demonstrate that NSC348884 does not inhibit formation of NPM oligomers neither in vivo nor in vitro. Instead, we document that NSC348884 cytotoxicity is rather associated with modified cell adhesion signaling. The cytotoxic mechanism of NSC348884 has therefore to be reconsidered.
Kernel-based formulation of intervening opportunities for spatial interaction modelling
Authors: Kotsubo Masaki , Nakaya Tomoki 
Published: January 2021

AbstractUnderstanding spatial interactions such as human mobility has been one of the main analytical themes in geography, spatial economics, and traffic engineering for a long time. The intervening opportunities models, including the radiation model, provide a framework to elucidate spatial interactions generated by an individual’s distance-ordered decision-making process. However, such classical definitions of intervening opportunities have often failed to predict realistic flow volumes, particularly for short-distance flows. To overcome this problem, we have proposed a new formulation of intervening opportunities with a kernel function to introduce a fuzziness in spatial search behaviours of destinations, to develop a new variant of the radiation model. The mobility patterns resulting from the modified radiation model that included kernel-based intervening opportunities outperformed the original radiation model when fitted to four datasets of inter-regional flows.
Impact of long-term antiretroviral therapy on gut and oral microbiotas in HIV-1-infected patients
Authors: Imahashi Mayumi , Ode Hirotaka , Kobayashi Ayumi , Nemoto Michiko , Matsuda Masakazu , Hashiba Chieko , Hamano Akiko , Nakata Yoshihiro , Mori Mikiko , Seko Kento , Nakahata Masashi , Kogure Ayumi , Tanaka Yasuhito , Sugiura Wataru , Yokomaku Yoshiyuki , Iwatani Yasumasa 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIn HIV-1-infected patients, antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a key factor that may impact commensal microbiota and cause the emergence of side effects. However, it is not fully understood how long-term ART regimens have diverse impacts on the microbial compositions over time. Here, we performed 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing of the fecal and salivary microbiomes in patients under different long-term ART. We found that ART, especially conventional nucleotide/nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI)-based ART, has remarkable impacts on fecal microbial diversity: decreased α-diversity and increased ß-diversity over time. In contrast, dynamic diversity changes in the salivary microbiome were not observed. Comparative analysis of bacterial genus compositions showed a propensity for Prevotella-enriched and Bacteroides-poor gut microbiotas in patients with ART over time. In addition, we observed a gradual reduction in Bacteroides but drastic increases in Succinivibrio and/or Megasphaera under conventional ART. These results suggest that ART, especially NRTI-based ART, has more suppressive impacts on microbiota composition and diversity in the gut than in the mouth, which potentially causes intestinal dysbiosis in patients. Therefore, NRTI-sparing ART, especially integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI)- and/or non-nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-containing regimens, might alleviate the burden of intestinal dysbiosis in HIV-1-infected patients under long-term ART.