bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Physcomitrium patens egg cell expresses several distinct epigenetic components and utilizes homologues of BONOBO genes for cell specification
Authors: Sanchez‐Vera Victoria , Landberg Katarina , Lopez‐Obando Mauricio , Thelander Mattias , Lagercrantz Ulf , Muñoz‐Viana Rafael , Schmidt Anja , Grossniklaus Ueli , Sundberg Eva 
Published: December 2021

Summary

Although land plant germ cells have received much attention, knowledge about their specification is still limited. We thus identified transcripts enriched in egg cells of the bryophyte model species Physcomitrium patens, compared the results with angiosperm egg cells, and selected important candidate genes for functional analysis.

We used laser‐assisted microdissection to perform a cell‐type‐specific transcriptome analysis on egg cells for comparison with available expression profiles of vegetative tissues and male reproductive organs. We made reporter lines and knockout mutants of the two BONOBO (PbBNB) genes and studied their role in reproduction.

We observed an overlap in gene activity between bryophyte and angiosperm egg cells, but also clear differences. Strikingly, several processes that are male‐germline specific in Arabidopsis are active in the P. patens egg cell. Among those were the moss PbBNB genes, which control proliferation and identity of both female and male germlines.

Pathways shared between male and female germlines were most likely present in the common ancestors of land plants, besides sex‐specifying factors. A set of genes may also be involved in the switches between the diploid and haploid moss generations. Nonangiosperm gene networks also contribute to the specification of the P. patens egg cell.
The GA–DELLA–OsMS188 module controls male reproductive development in rice
Authors: Jin Yue , Song Xinyue , Chang Huizhong , Zhao Yueyue , Cao Chenhao , Qiu Xinbao , Zhu Jun , Wang Ertao , Yang Zhongnan , Yu Nan 
Published: December 2021

Summary

Pollen protects male sperm and allows flowering plants to adapt to diverse terrestrial environments, thereby leading to the rapid expansion of plants into new regions. The process of anther/pollen development is coordinately regulated by internal and external factors including hormones. Currently, the molecular mechanisms underlying gibberellin (GA)‐mediated male reproductive development in plants remain unknown.

We show here that rice DELLA/SLR1, which encodes the central negative regulator of GA signaling, is essential for rice anther development. The slr1‐5 mutant exhibits premature programmed cell death of the tapetum, lacks Ubisch bodies, and has no exine and no mature pollen. SLR1 is mainly expressed in tapetal cells and tetrads, and is required for the appropriate expression of genes encoding key factors of pollen development, which are suggested to be OsMS188‐targeted genes. OsMS188 is the main component in the essential genetic program of tapetum and pollen development.

Further, we demonstrate that SLR1 interacts with OsMS188 to cooperatively activate the expression of the sporopollenin biosynthesis and transport‐related genes CYP703A3, DPW, ABCG15 and PKS1 for rapid formation of pollen walls.

Overall, the results of this study suggest that the GA hormonal signal is integrated into the anther genetic program and regulates rice anther development through the GA–DELLA–OsMS188 module.
Daidzein promotes the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cell
Authors: Ying Ming , Zhang Bin 
Published: December 2021

AbstractContextDaidzein is a kind of isoflavone compound with many biological functions. However, the specific mechanism regarding the treatment of periodontitis with daidzein is still unclear.ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of daidzein on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) and its mechanism.Materials and MethodsHuman periodontal ligament stem cells from clinical samples were isolated in vitro and identified by flow cytometry. hPDLSCs were treated with different concentrations of daidzein. Cell proliferation ability and viability were measured by MTT assay and cell colony formation assay. Osteogenic differentiation and calcification of hPDLSCs were observed by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and alizarin red staining. Western blot was used to detect the expression of c‐myc, CyclinD1, osteogenic differentiation‐related proteins, and Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway proteins in hPDLSCs.Resultshuman periodontal ligament stem cells were positive for surface antigens CD146, STRO‐1, and CD90 expression, but negative for CD45 expression, indicating the successful isolation of hPDLSCs. In addition, daidzein could significantly promote the proliferation, cell viability, ALP activity, and osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSC. At the same time, daidzein could notably increase the expression levels of c‐myc, CyclinD1, osteogenic differentiation‐related proteins, and Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway proteins, while an inhibitor of Wnt/ β‐catenin pathway, XAV‐939, could reverse the effect caused by daidzein.Discussion and ConclusionDaidzein promotes the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs by activating Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway.
A Crucial But Neglected Anatomical Factor Underneath Psoas Muscle and Its Clinical Value in Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion—The Cleft of Psoas Major (CPM)
Authors: Ji Jianfei , Li Fangcai , Chen Qixin 
Published: December 2021

ObjectiveTo describe the anatomical feature positioned beneath the psoas muscle at the lateral aspect of the lower lumbar, and to create a new location system to identify the risk factors of lateral lumbar interbody fusion.MethodsSix cadavers were dissected and analyzed. The anatomy and neurovascular distribution beneath the psoas major from L3 to S1 was observed and recorded, with particular focus on the L4/5 disc and below. The psoas major surface was divided homogeneously into four parts, from the anterior border of psoas major to the transverse process. The cranial‐to‐caudal division was from the lower edge of the psoas muscle attachment on the L4 vertebrae to the upper part of the S1 vertebrae, and was divided into five segments. Then a grid system was used to create 20 grids on the psoas major surface, from the anterior border of the muscle to the transverse process and from L4 to superior S1, which was used to determine the anatomical structures' distribution and relationship beneath the psoas major.ResultsA cleft was identified beneath the psoas major, from the level of L4/5 downwards. It was filled with loose connective tissue and neurovascular structures. We termed it the cleft of psoas major (CPM). The sympathetic trunk, ascending lumbar vein, iliolumbar vessels, obturator nerve, femoral nerve and occasionally the great vessels are contained within the CPM, although there is significant interpersonal variation. The grid system on the psoas major surface helped to identify the anatomical structures in CPM. There was a considerably lower frequency of occurrence of neurovascular structures in the grids of I/II at the L4/5 level where can be considered the “safe zones” for the lateral lumbar interbody fusion. In contrast, the distribution of neurovascular structures at the L5S1 level is dense, where the operation risk is high.ConclusionThe CPM exists lateral to the vertebral surface from L4 and below. Although the occurrence and distribution of neurovascular structures within the CPM is complex and varies greatly, it can provide a potential cavity for visualization during lateral lumbar interbody fusion. Using psoas major as a reference, this novel grid system can be used to identify the risk factors in CPM and thus identify a safe entry point for surgery.
Relative contribution of different members of OsDREB gene family to osmotic stress tolerance in indica and japonica ecotypes of rice
Authors: Chakraborty K. , Jena P. , Mondal S. , Dash G. K. , Ray S. , Baig M. J. , Swain P. 
Published: December 2021

ABSTRACT

Drought/osmotic stress is the single largest production constraint in rain‐fed rice cultivation. Different members of the DREB gene family are known to contribute to osmotic stress tolerance. In this study, an attempt was made to understand their relative contribution towards osmotic stress tolerance in indica and japonica ecotypes of rice.

Two genotypes (one tolerant and one susceptible) from each ecotype were grown hydroponically, and 21‐day‐old seedlings were subjected to polyethylene glycol‐induced osmotic stress (15% PEG‐6000, equivalent to −3.0 bars osmotic potential).

The tolerant genotypes CR143 and Moroberekan were found to have superior root traits (total root length, surface area and volume), better plant water status and increased total dry biomass as compared to their susceptible counterparts after 10 days of osmotic stress. Different members of the DREB gene family were differentially induced in response to osmotic shock (1 h after stress) and osmotic stress (24 h after stress), which also differed between the two rice ecotypes. From the gene expression profiles of 10 DREB genes (both DREB1 and DREB2 families), in indica two DREB genes, DREB1B and DREB1G, were significantly correlated with stress tolerance indices, whereas in japonica significant correlations with five DREB genes (DREB1A, DREB1B, DREB1D, DREB1E and DREB2B) were observed.

We found that only one member, i.e. DREB1B, showed a significant correlation with drought tolerance indices in both indica and japonica ecotypes. This study provides an overview of the relative contribution of different members of the DREB gene family and their association with drought/osmotic stress tolerance in rice.
Cidofovir, a choice for salvage treatment of cytomegalovirus infection in patients with haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Yin Zhao , Sun Jing , Yang Ying , Xu Na , Jiang Ling , Fan Zhiping , Huang Fen , Shi Pengcheng , Wang Zhixiang , Xuan Li , Xu Jun , Liu Qifa , Yu Guopan 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundCidofovir (CDV) is a nucleotide analogue with broad antiviral activities. It remains unclear about the CDV administration for anti‐cytomegalovirus (CMV) treatment in patients with haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo‐HSCT).Patients and methodsIn this study, 31 out of 101 haplo‐HSCT recipients who suffered CMV infection in the CT group (conventional treatment) were enrolled into the CDV‐ST group (CDV second‐line treatment). These patients were treated with CDV as they failed conventional treatment or they were unavailable to the preemptive antiviral therapy. Nine patients with CMV infection were enrolled into the CDV‐FT group (CDV‐frontline treatment) and received CDV preemptive therapy.ResultsIn the CDV‐ST group, 23 of 28 (82.1%) patients were observed treatment response with a median time of 9 (2–23) days, and 20 (71.8%) among these patients obtained complete response (CR). In the CDV‐FT group, six of eight (75.0%) patients acquired CR with a median of 6 (4–25) days. The treatment response in CDV‐treated groups was comparable with those in CT groups. Besides, there was no statistical difference in CMV‐related mortality between the three groups (p > .05). During the follow‐up period (median follow‐up:10 [1–28] months), a total of 8 of 22 (36.4%) patients experienced CMV reactivation in the CDV‐ST group versus 23 of 62 (37.1%) in the CT group (p > .05). CDV‐related toxicities occurred in 13 of 40 (32.5%) patients, including six (15%) reversible nephrotoxicity.ConclusionOur study suggests that CDV is potentially an option for the salvage treatment of CMV infection in the haplo‐HSCT patients.
Amifostine and rituximab in refractory immune thrombocytopaenia: A case series
Authors: Choy Joleen , Swe Ei Phyu Phyu , Shearer Andrew 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesManagement of refractory immune thrombocytopaenia (ITP) can be challenging. Amifostine, a thiophosphate prodrug, induces megakaryocyte maturation. In 2010, Fan et al. published results for 21 Chinese splenectomized patients, aged 13–92, with steroid‐refractory ITP. Nineteen patients (15 patients aged  >18 years) achieved remission 2 months post‐amifostine. This is the first publication utilizing amifostine and rituximab in refractory ITP.Materials and MethodsAt the Cairns Hospital in Australia, we identified five patients treated with amifostine and rituximab for refractory ITP. Amifostine IV 400 mg once daily was administered 5 days/week for 5 weeks as tolerated. Rituximab was administered concurrently with/preceding amifostine based on clinician preference. Data were obtained through medical records and follow‐up serology up to 5 years post‐amifostine was available.ResultsThree cases demonstrated durable responses up to 5 years' follow‐up. One patient initially achieved remission but relapsed 1‐year post‐amifostine. One patient who did not have a splenectomy prior to amifostine did not respond.ConclusionThree out of five patients achieved durable responses with amifostine and rituximab. Although there is confounding by rituximab, given its established low durable response rate, it is likely that the excellent long‐term responses achieved were a result of amifostine. Clinical trials with larger patient cohorts and further investigation are required to confirm the efficacy and mechanism of amifostine in ITP.
Anti‐thymoglobulin induction improves neonatal porcine xenoislet engraftment and survival
Authors: Gao Qimeng , Davis Robert , Fitch Zachary , Mulvihill Michael , Ezekian Brian , Schroder Paul , Schmitz Robin , Song Mingqing , Leopardi Frank , Ribeiro Marianna , Miller Allison , Moris Dimitrios , Shaw Brian , Samy Kannan , Reimann Keith , Williams Kyha , Collins Bradley , Kirk Allan D. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractPorcine islet xenotransplantation is a viable strategy to treat diabetes. Its translation has been limited by the pre‐clinical development of a clinically available immunosuppressive regimen. We tested two clinically relevant induction agents in a non‐human primate (NHP) islet xenotransplantation model to compare depletional versus nondepletional induction immunosuppression. Neonatal porcine islets were isolated from GKO or hCD46/GKO transgenic piglets and transplanted via portal vein infusion in diabetic rhesus macaques. Induction therapy consisted of either basiliximab (n = 6) or rhesus‐specific anti‐thymocyte globulin (rhATG, n = 6), combined with a maintenance regimen using B7 costimulation blockade, tacrolimus with a delayed transition to sirolimus, and mycophenolate mofetil. Xenografts were monitored by blood glucose levels and porcine C‐peptide measurements. Of the six receiving basiliximab induction, engraftment was achieved in 4 with median graft survival of 14 days. All six receiving rhATG induction engrafted with significantly longer xenograft survival at 40.5 days (P = 0.03). These data suggest that depletional induction provides superior xenograft survival to nondepletional induction, in the setting of a costimulation blockade‐based maintenance regimen.
Genetic Optimization for Engine Combustion System Calibration: A Case Study of Optimization Performance Sensitivity to Algorithm Search Parameters
Authors: Mansfield Andrew B. , Chakrapani Varun , Li Qingyu , Wooldridge Margaret S. 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
The use of genetic optimization algorithms (GOA) has been shown to significantly reduce the resource intensity of engine calibration, motivating investigation into the development of these methods. The objective of this work was to quantify the sensitivity of GOA performance to the algorithm search parameter values, in a case study of engine calibration. A GOA was used to calibrate four combustion system control parameters for a direct-injection gasoline engine at a single operating condition, with an optimization goal to minimize brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC) for a specified engine-out NOx concentration limit. The calibration process was repeated for two NOx limit values and a wide range of values for five GOA search parameters, including the number of genes, mutation rate, and convergence criteria. Results indicated GOA performance is very sensitive to algorithm search parameter values, with converged calibrations yielding BSFC values from 1 to 14% higher than the global minimum value and the number of iterations required to converge ranging from 10 to 3000. Broadly, GOA performance sensitivity was found to increase as the NOx limit was decreased from 4500 to 1000 ppm. GOA performance was the most sensitive to the number of genes and the gene mutation rate, whereas sensitivity to convergence criteria values was minimal. Identification of one set of algorithm search parameter values which universally maximized GOA performance was not possible as ideal values depended strongly on engine behavior, NOx limit, and the maximum level of error acceptable to the user.
Earthquake weather and climate change: Should we stress about the forecast?
Authors: Wilson Miles P. , Foulger Gillian R. , Saville Christopher , Graham Samuel P. , Julian Bruce R. 
Published: December 2021

ABSTRACT
Relationships between the weather and earthquakes have been suspected for over 2400 yr. However, scientific evidence to support such relationships has grown only since the 1980s. Because faults in Earth’s crust are generally regarded as critically stressed, small changes in stress and pore-fluid pressure brought about by rainfall, snow, and atmospheric pressure and temperature variations have all been proposed to modulate seismicity at local and regional scales. Elastic static stress changes as low as 0.07 kPa and pore-fluid pressure changes as low as 0.5 kPa have been proposed to naturally trigger earthquakes. In the UK, the spatial distributions of onshore earthquakes and rainfall are highly nonuniform and may be related; the wetter and most naturally seismically active areas occur on the west side of the country. We found significant spatial and temporal relationships between rainfall amount and the number of earthquakes for 1980–2012, suggesting larger volumes of rainfall promote earthquake nucleation. Such relationships occur when human-induced seismicity is included or excluded, indicating that meteorological conditions can also modulate seismicity induced by subsurface anthropogenic activities such as coal mining. No significant relationships were observed for monthly time lags, suggesting that the triggering effect of rainfall in the UK is near-instantaneous or occurs within 1 mo. With global climate changing rapidly and extreme weather events occurring more frequently, it is possible that some global regions may also experience changes in the spatial and temporal occurrence of earthquakes in response to changes in meteorologically induced stress perturbations.
Are child health information services a viable source of accurate vaccination data for clinicians working in paediatric emergency departments in England?
Authors: Isba Rachel , Davies Nigel , Knight Jo 
Published: December 2021

Vaccination is a global success story, yet UK coverage remains undertarget for a number of diseases. The paediatric emergency department (PED) offers the potential for opportunistic vaccination interventions.ObjectivesTo map the Greater Manchester (GM) Child Health Information System network to see if it was a viable source of vaccination data for clinicians working in the PED as a case study.MethodsPostprimary care vaccination management systems for GM were visualised using a systems mapping approach, with data obtained from the Office for National Statistics and commissioners in the GM Health and Social Care Partnership.ResultsOnce vaccination data left primary care, it passed through 1 of 10 local child health information services (CHISs), using an assortment of different information technology systems, after which it shed individual identifiers and was aggregated within national systems. None of the existing GM CHISs were accessible to PED practitioners.ConclusionMore work needs to be done to explore possible alternative sources of accurate vaccination data during a PED consultation.
Association between de Quervain syndrome and herpes zoster: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Hsu Chao-Yu , Ke Der-Shin , Lin Cheng-Li , Kao Chia-Hung 
Published: December 2021

ObjectiveBoth physical diseases such as infection and chronic pain and psychological disorders such as depression have been associated with herpes zoster (HZ) reactivation. However, the relationship between de Quervain syndrome (DQS), a painful tenosynovitis and HZ remains unclear. We investigated whether DQS increases the risk of HZ reactivation.DesignA retrospective population-based cohort study.SettingTaiwan.ParticipantsWe used a subset of Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database, the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database which contains the registration files and original claims data of 1 million randomly selected individuals from the National Health Insurance programme. The case group in this study comprised patients newly diagnosed with DQS between 2000 and 2012. Individuals without DQS comprised the control group. Cases and controls were 1:1 matched by age, sex and index year (defined as the year of DQS diagnosis).ResultsApproximately 55% of the participants were ≤49 years. Most participants were women (77%). The incidence rate of HZ in the DQS group was 8.39 per 1000 person years. After adjustments for age, sex and comorbidities, patients with DQS had a 1.30 times higher risk of HZ reactivation than the control group. Stratification analysis revealed taht DQS increases the HZ risk in individuals ≤64 years, women, and patients without comorbidities.ConclusionDQS is associated with an increased risk of HZ. Clinicians should be aware of this risk when dealing with patients with DQS, particularly in young adults.
Non-home discharge after cardiac surgery in Australia and New Zealand: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Ramanan Mahesh , Kumar Aashish , Anstey Chris , Shekar Kiran 
Published: December 2021

ObjectiveTo determine the proportion of patients surviving their cardiac surgery who experienced non-home discharge (NHD) over a 16-year period in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ).DesignRetrospective, multicentre, cross-sectional study over the time period 01 January 2004 to 31 December 2019.SettingAdult patients who underwent cardiac surgery from the Australia New Zealand Intensive Care Society Adult Patient Database (APD).ParticipantsAdult patients (age 18 and above) who underwent index coronary artery bypass grafting, cardiac valve surgery or combined valve/coronary surgery.ExposureThe primary exposure variable was the calendar year during the which the index surgery was performed.OutcomeThe primary outcome was NHD after the index surgery. NHD included discharge to locations such as nursing home, chronic care facility, rehabilitation and palliative care.ResultsWe analysed 252 924 index cardiac surgical admissions from 101 discrete sites with a median age of 68 years (IQR 60–76), of which 74.2% (187 662 out of 252 920) were males. Of these, 4302 (1.7%) patients died in hospital and 213 011 (84.2%) were discharged home, 18 010 (7.1%) were transferred to another hospital and 17 601 (7%) experienced NHD. In Australia, 14 457 (6.4%) of patients progressed to NHD, compared with 3144 (11.7%) in New Zealand. The rate of NHD increased significantly over time (adjusted OR per year=1.06, 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.07, p<0.001). Increasing age, female sex, non-elective surgery, surgery type and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation III Score were all associated with significant increase in NHD.ConclusionsThere was significant increase in NHD after cardiac surgery over time in ANZ. This has significant clinical relevance for informed consent discussions between healthcare providers and patients, and for healthcare services planning.