bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic basis of chicken plumage color in artificial population of complex epistasis
Authors: Hua Guoying , Chen Jianfei , Wang Jiankui , Li Junying , Deng Xuemei 
Published: July 2021

SummaryChicken plumage color, the genetic basis of which is often affected by epistasis, has long interested scientists. In the current study, a population of complex epistasis was constructed by crossing dominant White Leghorn chickens with recessive white feather chickens. Through a genome‐wide association study, we identified single nucleotide polymorphisms and genes significantly associated with white and colored plumage in hens at different developmental stages. Interestingly, white plumage in adulthood was associated with the recessive white feather gene (TYR), whereas white feathers at birth stage were associated with the dominant white feather gene (PMEL), indicating age‐related roles for these genes. TYR was shown to exert an epistatic effect on PMEL in adult hens. Additionally, TYR had an epistatic effect on barred plumage, while barred plumage had an epistatic effect on black plumage. TYR had no epistatic effect on the yellow plumage. We confirmed that the barred plumage gene is CDKN2A, as reported in previous studies. Golgb1 and REEP3, which play important roles in the Golgi network and affect the formation of feather pigments, are important candidate genes for yellow plumage. The candidate genes for black plumage are CAMKK1 and IFT22. Further research is warranted to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying these traits.
Optimizing genomic prediction using low‐density marker panels for streptococcosis resistance in red tilapia (Oreochromis spp.)
Authors: Sukhavachana S. , Tongyoo P. , Luengnaruemitchai A. , Poompuang S. 
Published: July 2021

SummaryStreptococcosis is a major disease that causes huge economic losses to tilapia farming in Thailand. Breeding for Streptococcosis agalactiae resistant strains using the pedigree BLUP method has proven an effective approach to control the disease in red tilapia, but the accuracy of selection is relatively low. Genomic selection, which is based on genome‐wide markers to predict genomic breeding values of selection candidates, provides a powerful approach for accelerating genetic progress and producing permanent gains in the population. We evaluated the implementation of four genomic prediction models, GBLUP, ssGBLUP, BayesB and BayesC, using 19 sets of SNP markers (ranging from 500 to 24 582 SNPs) in 886 fish challenged with S. agalactiae. The accuracy of prediction was estimated using a five‐fold cross‐validation approach, with 708 and 178 individuals sampled for the training and validation sets respectively. Prediction of the accuracy of each of the models was improved substantially compared with PBLUP (10%) using 1000 informative SNPs. The GBLUP model (65%), which required less computing time, outperformed the remaining models – ssGBLUP (53%), BayesB (47%) and BayesC (42%).
Clinical course of patients with renal cell carcinoma or urothelial carcinoma who had stable disease as an initial response to a PD‐1 or PD‐L1 inhibitor
Authors: Hwang Inhwan , Park Inkeun , Yoon Shin‐Kyo , Lee Jae Lyun 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundAbout 17%–34% of patients with non‐prostatic genitourinary (GU) cancer had stable disease (SD) as their best response to programmed cell death protein 1/programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐1/PD‐L1) inhibitors. However, most efficacy studies of PD‐1/PD‐L1 inhibitors are focused on the response and its durability. Little is known about patients' clinical outcomes with SD as their initial response to PD‐1/PD‐L1 inhibitors.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the clinical outcomes of patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) (n = 102) and urothelial carcinoma (UC) (n = 101) treated with PD‐1/PD‐L1 inhibitors. The duration of SD (DoSD) was calculated for patients who had SD as their best response and was defined from the time of SD to radiologically confirmed progressive disease (PD) or death.ResultsFifty‐five patients (27.1%) had SD as the initial response. Among them, 10 patients (18.2%) achieved a response on subsequent assessments. With a median follow‐up duration of 15.2 months, the median DoSD was 8.5 months (range: 3.2–13.8), which was significantly different according to the disease; 9.4 months in RCC and 2.3 months in UC (p = 0.03). If the disease did not progress in 4 months (long SD subgroup), the DoSD (11.0 months) was comparable to the duration of response (12.9 months) in patients who achieved a complete or partial response to PD‐1/PD‐L1 inhibitors. In addition to the cancer type, the clinical factors associated with short DoSD were liver metastases (p = 0.003), neutrophil‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) > 4.0 (p = 0.001), and platelet‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR) > 194 (p = 0.003).ConclusionFor RCC patients with SD to PD‐1/PD‐L1 inhibitors, if there are no liver metastases and NLR/PLR is below the certain level, they would have similar duration of disease control and survival benefit as those who achieve the response.
Liposome‐encapsulated hemoglobin (HbV) transfusion rescues rats undergoing progressive lethal 85% hemorrhage as a result of an anti‐arrhythmogenic effect on the myocardium
Authors: Takase Bonpei , Higashimura Yuko , Asahina Haruka , Ishihara Masayuki , Sakai Hiromi 
Published: July 2021

AbstractLiposome‐encapsulated hemoglobin vesicles (HbV) can serve as a blood substitute with oxygen‐carrying capacity comparable to that of human blood and lethal hemorrhage is associated with lethal arrhythmias. To investigate the resuscitation effect of HbV on lethal hemorrhage and anti‐arrhythmogenesis, we performed optical mapping analysis (OMP) and electrophysiological study (EPS) in graded blood exchange (85% blood loss) in the rat model. We also measured cardiac autonomic activity, as assessed by heart rate variability (HRV), and changes in plasma norepinephrine and left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) by echocardiography. Pathological study on Connexin43 was performed. A 5% albumin (ALB group), washed rat erythrocytes (wRBC group), and HbV (HbV group) were used as a resuscitation fluid. The survival effects over 24 hours were examined. All rats died in the ALB group, whereas almost all survived for 24‐hours period in wRBC and HbV groups. OMP showed impaired action potential duration dispersion (APDd) in the ALB group, whereas normal APDs in HbV and wRBC groups. Lethal arrhythmias were induced by EPS in the ALB group, but not in wRBC and HbV groups. HRV indices, LVEF, Connexin43 were preserved in HbV and wRBC groups. Lethal hemorrhage causes lethal arrhythmias in the presence of impaired APDd. HbV acutely rescues lethal hemorrhage by preventing lethal arrhythmias and preserving arrhythmogenic factors.
Customized 3D printed bioreactors for decellularization—High efficiency and quality on a budget
Authors: Grab Maximilian , Stieglmeier Felix , Emrich Jessica , Grefen Linda , Leone Ariane , König Fabian , Hagl Christian , Thierfelder Nikolaus 
Published: July 2021

AbstractDecellularization (DC) of biomaterials with bioreactors is widely used to produce scaffolds for tissue engineering. This study uses 3D printing to develop efficient but low‐cost DC bioreactors. Two bioreactors were developed to decellularize pericardial patches and vascular grafts. Flow profiles and pressure distribution inside the bioreactors were optimized by steady‐state computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis. Printing materials were evaluated by cytotoxicity assessment. Following evaluation, all parts of the bioreactors were 3D printed in a commercial fused deposition modeling printer. Samples of bovine pericardia and porcine aortae were decellularized using established protocols. An immersion and agitation setup was used as a control. With histological assessment, DNA quantification and biomechanical testing treatment effects were evaluated. CFD analysis of the pericardial bioreactor revealed even flow and pressure distribution in between all pericardia. The CFD analysis of the vessel bioreactor showed increased intraluminal flow rate and pressure compared to the vessel's outside. Cytotoxicity assessment of the used printing material revealed no adverse effect on the tissue. Complete DC was achieved for all samples using the 3D printed bioreactors while DAPI staining revealed residual cells in aortic vessels of the control group. Histological analysis showed no structural changes in the decellularized samples. Additionally, biomechanical properties exhibited no significant change compared to native samples. This study presents a novel approach to manufacturing highly efficient and low budget 3D printed bioreactors for the DC of biomaterials. When compared to standard protocols, the bioreactors offer a cost effective, fast, and reproducible approach, which vastly improves the DC results.
An observational study of switching infliximab biosimilar: no adverse impact on inflammatory bowel disease control or drug levels with first or second switch
Authors: Luber Raphael P. , O'Neill Rhona , Singh Sukhpreet , Sharma Esha , Cunningham Georgina , Honap Sailish , Meade Susanna , Ray Shuvra , Anderson Simon H. , Mawdsley Joel , Sanderson Jeremy D. , Samaan Mark A. , Arkir Zehra , Irving Peter M. 
Published: July 2021

SummaryBackgroundBiologics account for a significant cost in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) management; however, switching from infliximab originator to its biosimilars has enabled cost saving without compromising disease control. The effects on IBD activity and infliximab trough levels of a second switch to another biosimilar are, however, uncertain.AimsTo assess the effects on disease activity and infliximab trough levels associated with switching from infliximab biosimilar CT‐P13 to another biosimilar SB2 and compare outcomes in those switching for the first and second time.MethodsIBD patients on CT‐P13, including some previously switched from originator, were prospectively followed during a switch to SB2. C‐reactive protein (CRP), trough infliximab level and clinical disease activity indices were collected at baseline, Infusion 3 or 4 (‘early’ after switch), and 1 year.ResultsOne hundred eighty‐six patients (n = 99 second switch) on stable infliximab dosing underwent switching. Compared with baseline, there was no significant change in CRP, clinical disease activity scores or median trough infliximab level at the early time point among first‐switch (baseline vs early: 5.7 vs 6.6 µg/mL, P = 0.05) and second‐switch (4.3 vs 4.9 µg/mL, P = 0.07) patients nor at 1 year (median infliximab trough levels, baseline vs 1 year, in first‐switch [5.7 vs 5.7 µg/mL, P = 0.37] and second‐switch [4.3 vs 4.7 µg/mL, P = 0.06] patients). The proportion of patients in clinical remission did not significantly change at the early (92% vs 91% at baseline, P = 0.75) or 1 year (95% vs 91% at baseline, P = 0.16) time points. There was no significant difference in time to loss of response between patients switching for the first or second time (P = 0.69).ConclusionsSwitching from one infliximab biosimilar to another had no adverse impact on infliximab trough levels, and clinical and biochemical disease activity, regardless of whether switching for the first or second time.
The structure of the rostral epidural rete mirabile in selected representatives of the Cervidae and Bovidae families
Authors: Graczyk Szymon , Zdun Maciej 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe rostral epidural rete mirabile appears in many studies on cerebral vascularisation; however, its exact characteristics are poorly understood. Its structure and location have a mechanism of selective cooling of the brain, protecting the animal from hyperthermia and affecting the body water balance. The aim of this study was to analyse the structure of the rostral epidural rete mirabile along with its tributaries. The study material consisted of a total of 61 specimens from the deer family belonging to the European roe deer, red deer and fallow deer species and those belonging to the beef family: domestic cattle, European bison, domestic sheep and domestic goat. The rostral epidural rete mirabile in the families of this study is well developed. It is formed of many small arteries anastomosing with each other and its main tributary is the maxillary artery, which is an extension of the external carotid artery. Additionally, in cervids, blood is supplied by the condylar artery. Within the families analysed, there was considerable similarity in the plan of construction within the rostral epidural rete mirabile, with minor differences among individual taxa.
Connecting locally: The role of adult siblings in supporting the social inclusion in neighbourhoods of adults with intellectual disability
Authors: Boland Geraldine , Guerin Suzanne 
Published: July 2021

Accessible summary

Getting involved in your neighbourhood is important, but going places and meeting new people is not always easy.

Using services locally and knowing what is on that you might join in with can sometimes be hard.

Brothers and sisters told us what they think about this and how they may be able to help.

People with intellectual disability told us how they feel about their brother or sister being involved in their lives.

AbstractBackgroundWith an international policy trend to close residential institutions, adults with intellectual disabilities are more likely to live in ordinary localities. However, this does not always equate with engagement, leading to forming new relationships and having a sense of connection to place. Social inclusion in neighbourhoods involves a complex interplay of facilitators and barriers. The role of nondisabled adult siblings as connectors for their sister/brother's social inclusion in their locality has received little research attention. This study explores the experiences of nondisabled siblings of offering support for local engagement and siblings with intellectual disability of being supported by their brothers/sisters.MethodsA multiple dyad case study methodology examined the experiences of 16 participants, made up of eight sibling pairs. Adults with moderate intellectual disability living in a range of neighbourhood types and their nominated sibling formed a self‐selecting sample. Each dyad took part in a series of three (individual and joint) interviews. Qualitative data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis in a four‐stage process that included individual, dyad and cross‐case analysis.FindingsFive themes were interpreted to explicate wide‐ranging experiences of the role of nondisabled siblings in supporting their brother/sister to be socially included in their locality, including the sibling role as shaped by the family context: the influence of push and pull factors and the influence of service providers on sibling engagement. Themes also reveal siblings’ intentional and unintentional support for social inclusion and a range of factors that foster or hinder local engagement.ConclusionsThe role of adult siblings in supporting engagement and as local connectors has potential as a resource that will contribute to the social inclusion in neighbourhoods of adults with intellectual disabilities. However, a range of factors exist that influence the nature of their involvement. Implications for practice and further research are considered.
Use of historical and contemporary distribution of mammals in China to inform conservation
Authors: Huang Kang , Zhang He , Wang Chengliang , Hou Rong , Zhang Pei , He Gang , Guo Songtao , Tang Shiyi , Li Baoguo , Oxnard Charles , Pan Ruliang 
Published: July 2021

AbstractA systematic understanding of dynamic animal extinction trajectories for different regions in a nation like China is critically important to developing practical conservation strategies. We explored historical and contemporary changes in terrestrial mammalian diversity to determine how diversity in each of the 5 regions in China has changed over time and to examine the conservation potential of these regions. We used records from databases on Pleistocene mammalian fossils and historical distribution records (1175–2020) for Primates (as a case study) to reconstruct evolutionary and historical distribution trajectories of the 11 orders of terrestrial mammals and to predict their prospective survival based on the national conservation strategy applied. The results indicated that since the Pleistocene, 4–5 mammalian orders have been lost in the northeast, 3 in central China, 2 along the coast, and 1 in the northwest. In the southwest, all 11 orders were maintained. Contemporarily, the coast and southwest had the highest and second‐highest species densities. The southwest region and southeastern sections of the northwest region were the most historically and contemporarily diverse areas, which suggests that they should be the first priority for protected area (PA) designation. The central and coastal areas should be secondarily prioritized. In these 2 regions, conservation should focus on human coexistence with nature. Less attention should be paid to the PA in the northeast and western northwest because in these areas ecosystems are depauperate and the climate is harsh. Conservation in these areas should focus principally on avoiding further human encroachment on natural areas.Article impact statement: Historical and contemporary patterns of extinction can be a basis for mammalian conservation strategies.
Pilot study assessing 3D‐printed teeth as a caries removal teaching tool
Authors: Sinha Ambika , Osnes Cecilie , Keeling Andrew J. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIntroductionIn UK universities, caries removal teaching utilises plastic teeth. This format does not enable students to learn how to distinguish between tooth layers and caries via tactile feedback. The aim of this study was to assess the applicability of a novel, 3D‐printed carious tooth within caries removal teaching.Materials and methodsSingle‐material 3D‐printed teeth containing simulated tactile caries were developed and 14 final‐year undergraduates were briefed to remove caries and minimise damage to healthy tissue within the tooth. Students completed evaluation questionnaires for their opinion of 3D‐printed teeth in comparison to plastic teeth and perceived confidence to subsequently treat patients. Cavity preparation perimeters were measured, using photographs with a standard protocol. Heat map analysis illustrated variation in location and extent of cavity preparations produced by the cohort.ResultsStudent feedback indicated the 3D‐printed caries exercise was positively received, 71.4% agreed 3D‐printed teeth would have better prepared students for patient treatment; 78.6% rated their preclinical stress/anxiety as ‘very high’ or ‘high’ and 57.1% agreed that if preclinical teaching incorporated 3D‐printed teeth, their stress/anxiety when treating their first caries patient would have been reduced. The average perimeter of cavity preparation indicated relative variation, with a maximum perimeter of 19.6 mm and a minimum of 10.7 mm, and a range of 8.9 mm.DiscussionIntroducing 3D‐printed teeth into preclinical teaching would allow students to gain confidence in clinically relevant experience in tactile aspects of caries treatment earlier in their training than currently possible.ConclusionThis study demonstrates student acceptance of an alternative caries removal teaching method, with potential to increase aptitude in caries removal in a clinically relevant manner.
COVID‐19 and ischemic stroke
Authors: Sagris Dimitrios , Papanikolaou Aikaterini , Kvernland Alexandra , Korompoki Eleni , Frontera Jennifer A. , Troxel Andrea B. , Gavriatopoulou Maria , Milionis Haralampos , Lip Gregory Y. H. , Michel Patrik , Yaghi Shadi , Ntaios George 
Published: July 2021

AbstractSince the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic, a substantial proportion of COVID‐19 patients had documented thrombotic complications and ischemic stroke. Several mechanisms related to immune‐mediated thrombosis, the renin angiotensin system and the effect of SARS‐CoV‐2 in cardiac and brain tissue may contribute to the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke in patients with COVID‐19. Simultaneously, significant strains on global healthcare delivery, including ischemic stroke management, have made treatment of stroke in the setting of COVID‐19 particularly challenging. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on epidemiology, clinical manifestation, and pathophysiology of ischemic stroke in patients with COVID‐19 to bridge the gap from bench to bedside and clinical practice during the most challenging global health crisis of the last decades.
Clinical usefulness of noninvasive fibrosis indices for predicting hepatocellular carcinoma in treatment‐naïve patients with chronic hepatitis B following entecavir therapy
Authors: Jeong Joonho , Shin Jung Woo , Jung Seok Won , Lee Seung Bum , Park Eun Ji , Park Neung Hwa 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAimsThis study aimed to evaluate the clinical usefulness of the aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI), fibrosis‐4 (FIB‐4), and modified FIB‐4 (mFIB‐4) indices in predicting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients receiving entecavir (ETV) treatment.MethodsAmong 1955 patients treated with ETV, a total of 857 treatment‐naive chronic hepatitis B patients (424 with liver cirrhosis [LC], 433 without cirrhosis) treated with ETV for more than 1 year were analyzed.ResultsOf the 857 patients, 85 (9.9%) patients (77 in the LC group and 8 in the non‐LC group) developed HCC during the follow‐up period. The median observation period was 6.9 years. Multivariate regression analysis of HCC incidence revealed that the initial mFIB‐4 index (hazard ratio [HR] 1.058; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.007–1.112; p = 0.027) and improvement in the FIB‐4 index after 1 year of ETV treatment (HR 0.531; 95% CI, 0.339–0.831; p = 0.006) were independent prognostic factors in the entire cohort. In the LC group, the improvement of the FIB‐4 index following ETV treatment (HR 0.491; 95% CI, 0.280–0.861; p = 0.013) was negatively correlated with incidence of HCC. However, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of specific cut‐off values of the FIB‐4 index at baseline and 1 year after ETV treatment were 0.572 (95% CI, 0.504–0.640) and 0.615 (95% CI, 0.546–0.684), respectively. In the non‐LC group, none of the invasive fibrosis indices could predict HCC incidence.ConclusionsThe specific cut‐off value of the FIB‐4 index was not suitable for predicting HCC. However, the improvement in the FIB‐4 index after 1 year of ETV therapy could be a predictor of HCC development in cirrhotic patients.
How is leadership cultivated between principal investigators and research team members? Evidence from funded research projects in the UK
Authors: Abou Hamdan Omar , Meschitti Viviana , Burhan Muhammad 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThis paper investigates leadership dynamics in research teams. It studies how principal investigators (PIs) and team members cultivate their relationship through the lens of leader‐member exchange theory (LMX). Thirty‐one in‐depth interviews with both PIs and team members across 15 externally funded teams in the UK are analysed. The findings show that these relationships can be characterised along four influential dimensions: positional layer; informal layer; and the newly identified political layer and life domain. These layers show how PIs balance between formal and informal power structures, and, more broadly, how leadership dynamics go beyond the specific context in which a team is situated and members work. The notion constructing working relationships is proposed to stress on the need for both PIs and members to engage in a process of balancing potential tensions. Thus, the paper provides PIs with insights into the nature of leadership within a research team and recommendations regarding team design.