bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic variation in transcriptional regulation of wheat seed starch content and its conversion to bioethanol
Authors: Mukherjee Shalini , Koramutla Murali Krishna , Levin David B. , Ayele Belay T. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractStarch deposited in the endosperm of cereal seeds serves as a source of food and animal feed, and as a substrate for bioethanol production. To gain insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying genetic variation in seed size and seed starch content, this study investigated transcriptional regulation of starch biosynthesis genes during seed filling in two wheat genotypes that exhibit contrasting phenotype in seed size. Our data showed that variation in starch accumulation during seed filling is closely associated with modulations in the expression patterns of specific starch biosynthesis genes including TaAGPL1, TaAGPS2, TaGBSSI, TaSSI, TaSSIV, TaSBEIIa, TaISA1, and TaISA3, as well as alterations in the activity of AGPase, GBSS, and SS enzymes. Consistently, the genotype that produces larger seeds that are characterized by a higher seed starch content generated higher amounts of fermentable sugars and bioethanol before and after fermentation, respectively. Since the amount of phenol per seed dry weight is higher in the genotype that produces smaller seeds, the prevalence of lower starch to bioethanol conversion efficiency in this genotype, despite the higher amount of glucose generated per bioavailable starch, suggests that the phenolic compounds interfere with the fermentation process and thereby affecting the bioethanol yield.
Bioactive compounds and functional properties of Rambai (Baccaurea motleyana Müll. Arg.) fruit: A comprehensive review
Authors: Debnath Pradip , Ahmad Sayed Koushik , Mahedi Rezwan Ahmed , Ganguly Amlan , Sarker Kishore Kumar 
Published: November 2021

AbstractRambai (Baccaurea motleyana Müll. Arg.), a member of the Phyllanthaceae family, is one of the underutilized fruits native to Indonesia, Malaya Peninsula, and Thailand. Nowadays, B. motleyana is cultivated for its fruits in many parts of Northern Australia, China, and Southeast Asia. The edible part of the fruit is white and contains reddish arillodes that taste sweet to acid‐sweet. The ripe fruit is consumed fresh and can be processed into juice, jams, organic vinegar, and wine. Traditionally, the fruit and its bark are used to treat stomach and eye diseases, respectively. The fruits of B. motleyana are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and fibers, and they also contain bioactive compounds such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, carotenoids, and terpenes. This scientific review describes the nutritional composition, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of B. motleyana. In addition, most recent information is provided to promote the widespread consumption of B. motleyana fruit as well as to create research interest on this interesting species among the scientific community.
Late onset of type 2 diabetes is associated with mitochondrial tRNATrp A5514G and tRNASer(AGY) C12237T mutations
Authors: Yang Liuchun , Guo Qinxian , Leng Jianhang , Wang Keyi , Ding Yu 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundMitochondrial dysfunctions caused by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) pathogenic mutations play putative roles in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) progression. But the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood.MethodsA large Chinese family with maternally inherited diabetes and deafness (MIDD) underwent clinical, genetic, and molecular assessment. PCR and sequence analysis are carried out to detect mtDNA variants in affected family members, in addition, phylogenetic conservation analysis, haplogroup classification, and pathogenicity scoring system are performed. Moreover, the GJB2, GJB3, GJB6, and TRMU genes mutations are screened by PCR‐Sanger sequencing.ResultsSix of 18 matrilineal subjects manifested different clinical phenotypes of diabetes. The average age at onset of diabetic patients is 52 years. Screening for the entire mitochondrial genomes suggests the co‐existence of two possibly pathogenic mutations: tRNATrp A5514G and tRNASer(AGY) C12237T, which belongs to East Asia haplogroup G2a. By molecular level, m.A5514G mutation resides at acceptor stem of tRNATrp (position 3), which is critical for steady‐state level of tRNATrp. Conversely, m.C12237T mutation occurs in the variable region of tRNASer(AGY) (position 31), which creates a novel base‐pairing (11A‐31T). Thus, the mitochondrial dysfunctions caused by tRNATrp A5514G and tRNASer(AGY) C12237T mutations, may be associated with T2DM in this pedigree. But we do not find any functional mutations in those nuclear genes.ConclusionOur findings suggest that m.A5514G and m.C12337T mutations are associated with T2DM, screening for mt‐tRNA mutations is useful for molecular diagnosis and prevention of mitochondrial diabetes.
Emerging SARS‐CoV‐2 variants can potentially break set epidemiological barriers in COVID‐19
Authors: Kumar Ashutosh , Parashar Rakesh , Kumar Sujeet , Faiq Muneeb A , Kumari Chiman , Kulandhasamy Maheswari , Narayan Ravi K. , Jha Rakesh K. , Singh Himanshu N. , Prasoon Pranav , Pandey Sada N. , Kant Kamla 
Published: November 2021

AbstractYoung age, female sex, absence of comorbidities, and prior infection or vaccination are known epidemiological barriers for contracting the new infection and/or increased disease severity. Demographic trends from the recent coronavirus disease 2019 waves, which are believed to be driven by newer severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) variants, indicate that the aforementioned epidemiological barriers are being breached and a larger number of younger and healthy individuals are developing severe disease. The new SARS‐CoV‐2 variants have key mutations that can induce significant changes in the virus‐host interactions. Recent studies report that, some of these mutations, singly or in a group, enhance key mechanisms, such as binding of the receptor‐binding domain (RBD) of the viral spike protein with the angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor in the host‐cells, increase the glycosylation of spike protein at the antigenic sites, and enhance the proteolytic cleavage of the spike protein, thus leading to improved host‐cell entry and the replication of the virus. The putative changes in the virus–host interactions imparted by the mutations in the RBD sequence can potentially be the reason behind the breach of the observed epidemiological barriers. Susceptibility for contracting SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and the disease outcomes are known to be influenced by host‐cell expressions of ACE2 and other proteases. The new variants can act more efficiently, and even with the lesser availability of the viral entry‐receptor and the associated proteases, can have more efficient host‐cell entry and greater replication resulting in high viral loads and prolonged viral shedding, widespread tissue‐injury, and severe inflammation leading to increased transmissibility and lethality. Furthermore, the accumulating evidence shows that multiple new variants have reduced neutralization by both, natural and vaccine‐acquired antibodies, indicating that repeated and vaccine breakthrough infections may arise as serious health concerns in the ongoing pandemic.
Complete genomic analysis of uncommon G12P[11] rotavirus causing a nosocomial outbreak of acute diarrhea in the newborns in New Delhi, India
Authors: Ranshing Sujata , Ganorkar Nital , Ramji Siddarth , Gopalkrishna Varanasi 
Published: November 2021

AbstractRotaviruses (RVs) are the major causative agents of acute gastroenteritis in children, but in neonates, RV infections are generally nosocomial in origin and mostly asymptomatic. However, there have been infrequent reports of nosocomial outbreaks of clinical disease in this population. In this study, we describe uncommon RV genotype; G12P[11] associated with an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis in the neonatal ward and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in New Delhi, North India. Full‐genome analyses of the pathogenic G12P[11] strain was carried out to map the genotype constellation and further to explore the variations in the antigenic epitopes on the immunodominant VP7 and VP4 proteins, the amino acid sequences were compared with neonatal strains; ROTAVAC® (G9P[11]) and asymptomatic G12P[11] and also other G/P‐type matched strains. The study revealed G12–P[11]–I1–R1–C1–M1–A1–N1–T1–E1–H1 human Wa‐like genotype constellation and highlights evidence of gene reassortment. No significant differences were observed in the sequences of structural (except VP3) and nonstructural encoding genes of G12P[11] strains recovered from symptomatic and asymptomatic neonates. Presence of additional N‐linked glycosylation site was noted in the G12 strains, as a consequence of a change from Asp→Asn at amino acid position 238. Interestingly, only two and four amino acids substitution within the 7‐1a and 8‐1 antigenic epitope were observed, respectively, compared with asymptomatic G12P[11] strain. The study emphasizes the importance of close monitoring of RV outbreaks in neonates for early alarming of novel strain.
Effectiveness and safety of Ivermectin in COVID‐19 patients: A prospective study at a safety‐net hospital
Authors: Ozer Muhammet , Goksu Suleyman Yasin , Conception Reena , Ulker Esad , Balderas Rodolfo Magallanes , Mahdi Mohammed , Manning Zulfiya , To Kim , Effendi Muhammad , Anandakrishnan Rajashree , Whitman Marc , Gugnani Manish 
Published: November 2021

AbstractIvermectin has been found to inhibit severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) replication in vitro. It is unknown whether this inhibition of SARS‐CoV‐2 replication correlates with improved clinical outcomes. To assess the effectiveness and safety of ivermectin in hospitalized patients with COVID‐19. A total of 286 patients with COVID‐19 were included in the study. Univariate analysis of the primary mortality outcome and comparisons between treatment groups were determined. Logistic regression and propensity score matching (PSM) was used to adjust for confounders. Patients in the ivermectin group received 2 doses of Ivermectin at 200 μg/kg in addition to usual clinical care on hospital Days 1 and 3. The ivermectin group had a significantly higher length of hospital stay than the control group; however, this significance did not maintain on multivariable logistic regression analysis. The length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay and duration of mechanical ventilation were longer in the control group. However, a mortality benefit was not seen with ivermectin treatment before and after PSM (p values = 0.07 and 0.11, respectively). ICU admission, and intubation rate were not significantly different between the groups (p = 0.49, and p = 1.0, respectively). No differences were found between groups regarding the length of hospital stay, ICU admission, intubation rate, and in‐hospital mortality.
Transient neonatal shoulder paralysis causes early osteoarthritis in a mouse model
Authors: Forrester Lynn Ann , Fang Fei , Jacobsen Timothy , Hu Yizhong , Kurtaliaj Iden , Roye Benjamin D. , Edward Guo X. , Chahine Nadeen O. , Thomopoulos Stavros 
Published: November 2021

AbstractNeonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPP) occurs in approximately 1.5 of every 1,000 live births. The majority of children with NBPP recover function of the shoulder. However, the long‐term risk of osteoarthritis (OA) in this population is unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the development of OA in a mouse model of transient neonatal shoulder paralysis. Neonatal mice were injected twice per week for 4 weeks with saline in the right supraspinatus muscle (Saline, control) and botulinum toxin A (BtxA, transient paralysis) in the left supraspinatus muscle, and then allowed to recover for 20 or 36 weeks. Control mice received no injections, and all mice were sacrificed at 24 or 40 weeks. BtxA mice exhibited abnormalities in gait compared to controls through 10 weeks of age, but these differences did not persist into adulthood. BtxA shoulders had decreased bone volume (−9%) and abnormal trabecular microstructure compared to controls. Histomorphometry analysis demonstrated that BtxA shoulders had higher murine shoulder arthritis scale scores (+30%), and therefore more shoulder OA compared to controls. Articular cartilage of BtxA shoulders demonstrated stiffening of the tissue. Compared with controls, articular cartilage from BtxA shoulders had 2‐fold and 10‐fold decreases in Dkk1 and BMP2 expression, respectively, and 3‐fold and 14‐fold increases in Col10A1 and BGLAP expression, respectively, consistent with established models of OA. In summary, a brief period of paralysis of the neonatal mouse shoulder was sufficient to generate early signs of OA in adult cartilage and bone.
A bovine nucleus pulposus explant culture model
Authors: Salzer Elias , Mouser Vivian H. M. , Tryfonidou Marianna A. , Ito Keita 
Published: November 2021

AbstractLow back pain is a global health problem that is frequently caused by intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). Sulfated glycosaminoglycans (sGAGs) give the healthy nucleus pulposus (NP) a high fixed charge density (FCD), which creates an osmotic pressure that enables the disc to withstand high compressive forces. However, during IVDD sGAG reduction in the NP compromises biomechanical function. The aim of this study was to develop an ex vivo NP explant model with reduced sGAG content and subsequently investigate biomechanical restoration via injection of proteoglycan‐containing notochordal cell‐derived matrix (NCM). Bovine coccygeal NP explants were cultured in a bioreactor chamber and sGAG loss was induced by chondroitinase ABC (chABC) and cultured for up to 14 days. Afterwards, diurnal loading was studied, and explant restoration was investigated via injection of NCM. Explants were analyzed via histology, biochemistry, and biomechanical testing via stress relaxation tests and height measurements. ChABC injection induced dose‐dependent sGAG reduction on Day 3, however, no dosing effects were detected after 7 and 14 days. Diurnal loading reduced sGAG loss after injection of chABC. NCM did not show an instant biomechanical (equilibrium pressure) or biochemical (FCD) restoration, as the injected fixed charges leached into the medium, however, NCM stimulated proliferation and increased Alcian blue staining intensity and matrix organization. NCM has biological repair potential and biomaterial/NCM combinations, which could better entrap NCM within the NP tissue, should be investigated in future studies. Concluding, chABC induced progressive, time‐, dose‐ and loading‐dependent sGAG reduction that led to a loss of biomechanical function.Keywordsbiomechanics | intervertebral disc | matrix degradation | low back pain | proteoglycans
Holocene environments on the west‐central Kola Peninsula (north‐west Russia): lithology, chronology and biostratigraphy records from Lake Tikozero and a neighbouring bog
Authors: Korsakova Olga , Kolka Vasily , Tolstobrov Dmitry , Savelieva Larisa , Kosova Anna , Petrov Alexei , Semyonova Lyudmila 
Published: November 2021

ABSTRACTThe paper studies sediments from Lake Tikozero that have accumulated successively in the littoral of Lake pre‐Imandra, Imandra lagoon, and an open lake isolated from a parental freshwater body. The ‘Apatity’ bog was concurrently formed on the Lake Imandra coast. Lithological, 14C, pollen and diatom data and findings of previous investigations provide the regional Holocene stratigraphy, which is subdivided into the early (c. 11 550–8200 cal a bp), middle (c. 8200–4000 cal a bp) and late (last 4000 cal a bp) Holocene sub‐stages. In the early Holocene, environments became favourable for diatoms after c. 9700 cal a bp. Birch phytocoenoses and pine forests with birch flourished in the area. In the middle Holocene, the west‐central Kola Peninsula was covered by a pine‐birch forest with alders. Lake Tikozero became shallow and desiccated in a warm and dry climate between c. 6300 and 4000 cal a bp; and a Sphagnum raised bog developed in the adjacent area, provoked by lowering of the water table. Spruce appeared in a pine‐birch forest and indicates a colder and wetter climate in the late Holocene. The flooding of Lake Imandra created a number of new small lakes; and fens occurred along the wet shores.
Preoperative prognostic nutritional index and systemic immune‐inflammation index predict survival outcomes in osteosarcoma: A comparison between young and elderly patients
Authors: Ma Cong , Yu Ronghui , Li Junhong , Guo Jingjing , Xu Jianyun , Wang Xiaoyan , Liu Ping 
Published: November 2021

AbstractObjectiveThis retrospective study of patients with osteosarcoma investigated the following biomarkers of inflammation and nutritional status: neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio, platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio, prognostic nutritional index (PNI), and systemic immune‐inflammation index (SII). The efficacies of these indicators to predict overall survival (OS) of young and elderly patients were compared.MethodsThe data of 125 patients with osteosarcoma, comprising the young (≤20 years) and elderly (60–80 years), were reviewed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were calculated to determine the optimal cut‐off value and area under the ROC curve of each potential biomarker. Kaplan–Meier curves and a Cox proportional hazards model were used to perform survival analyses.ResultsThe cut‐off values for low and high PNI ( ≤48.5, >48.5) and low and high SII (≤607.3, >607.3) were determined. Osteosarcoma patients in low PNI group or high SII group exhibited poorer OS relative to those in high PNI or low SII groups. The univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that preoperative PNI and SII were independent prognostic factors for OS in both the young and elderly subjects.ConclusionPreoperative PNI and SII can be viable biomarkers of prognosis for both young and elderly patients with osteosarcoma. Awareness of these valuable indexes will enable clinicians to evaluate the inflammatory and nutritional status of these patients and establish a framework for individualized therapy.
Dispersion Polymerization versus Emulsifier‐Free Emulsion Polymerization for Nano‐Object Fabrication: A Comprehensive Comparison
Authors: Zhong Feng , Pan Cai‐Yuan 
Published: November 2021

AbstractAlthough the preparation of nano‐objects by emulsifier‐free controlled/living radical emulsion polymerization has drawn much attention, the morphologies of these formed objects are difficult to predict and to reproduce because of the much more complex nucleation mechanisms of emulsion polymerization compared to only one self‐assembling nucleation mechanism of controlled radical dispersion polymerization. The present study compares dispersion polymerization with emulsifier‐free emulsion polymerization in terms of nucleation mechanism, polymerization kinetics, and disappearance behavior of the macrochain transfer agent, gel permeation chromatograms curves of the obtained block copolymer as well as the structural and morphological differences between the produced nano‐objects on the basis of published data. Moreover, the effects of the inherently heterogeneous nature of emulsion polymerization on the mechanism of reversible addition‐fragmentation transfer polymerization and the nano‐object morphology are examined, and efficient agitation and adequate solubility of the core‐forming monomer in water are identified as the most crucial factors for the fabrication of nonspherical nano‐objects.
Free‐breathing 3D cardiac T1mapping with transmit B1correction at 3T
Authors: Han Paul Kyu , Marin Thibault , Djebra Yanis , Landes Vanessa , Zhuo Yue , El Fakhri Georges , Ma Chao 
Published: November 2021

PurposeTo develop a cardiac T1mapping method for free‐breathing 3D T1mapping of the whole heart at 3 T with transmit B1() correction.MethodsA free‐breathing, electrocardiogram‐gated inversion‐recovery sequence with spoiled gradient‐echo readout was developed and optimized for cardiac T1mapping at 3 T. High‐frame‐rate dynamic images were reconstructed from sparse (k,t)‐space data acquired along a stack‐of‐stars trajectory using a subspace‐based method for accelerated imaging. Joint T1and flip‐angle estimation was performed in T1mapping to improve its robustness toinhomogeneity. Subject‐specific timing of data acquisition was used in the estimation to account for natural heart‐rate variations during the imaging experiment.ResultsSimulations showed that accuracy and precision of T1mapping can be improved with joint T1and flip‐angle estimation and optimized electrocardiogram‐gated spoiled gradient echo–based inversion‐recovery acquisition scheme. The phantom study showed good agreement between the T1maps from the proposed method and the reference method. Three‐dimensional cardiac T1maps (40 slices) were obtained at a 1.9‐mm in‐plane and 4.5‐mm through‐plane spatial resolution from healthy subjects (n = 6) with an average imaging time of 14.2 ± 1.6 minutes (heartbeat rate: 64.2 ± 7.1 bpm), showing myocardial T1values comparable to those obtained from modified Look‐Locker inversion recovery. The proposed method generatedmaps with spatially smooth variation showing 21%–32% and 11%–15% variations across the septal–lateral and inferior–anterior regions of the myocardium in the left ventricle.ConclusionThe proposed method allows free‐breathing 3D T1mapping of the whole heart with transmit B1correction in a practical imaging time.
Beam elements with frictional contact in the material point method
Authors: Kang Jingu , Homel Michael A. , Herbold Eric B. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThis article presents a novel approach to modeling beam elements that accommodate large displacements/rotations in the context of the material point method (MPM). The MPM is a hybrid Lagrangian/Eulerian approach for solving solid mechanics problems involving extremely large deformations and rotations. A solid body is discretized into a set of Lagrangian material points, called particles in the MPM. The equations of motion are solved on a fixed Eulerian background grid. The beam particle developed herein consists of two end nodes, each possessing three translational and three rotational degrees of freedom (DOF) in 3D. The end nodes are tracked and define the evolving beam particle domain. As in the conventional MPM, the linear momentum is conserved on the background grid, but here we also use this grid to enforce C1 continuity between beam particles by mapping angular velocities and accelerations for the beam rotational DOF to/from the background grid. The contact interactions between the beam particles are treated using multiple velocity fields on the background grid. Spatial nodes representing the spatial extent of the beam particle are introduced, which allows for collision detection and associated frictional contact. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is demonstrated through a series of numerical examples. Beam structures subjected to large displacements and rotations are compared with analytical/numerical solutions, in which good agreement is obtained.