bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of donor‐specific antibody characteristics on cardiac allograft vasculopathy
Authors: Wang Maggie , Patel Nikhil J. , Zhang Xiaohai , Kransdorf Evan P. , Azarbal Babak , Kittleson Michelle M. , Czer Lawrence S.C. , Kobashigawa Jon A. , Patel Jignesh K. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundCardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) causes late graft dysfunction and post‐transplant mortality. Currently, the effects of different donor‐specific antibodies (DSA) on the severity of CAV remain unclear.MethodWe evaluated 526 adult heart transplant recipients at a single center between January 2010 and August 2015. Subjects were divided into those with DSA (n = 142) and those without DSA (n = 384, control). The DSA group was stratified into persistent DSA (n = 34), transient DSA (n = 105), 1:8 dilution DSA (n = 45), complement‐binding (C1q) DSA (n = 36), Class I DSA (n = 37), and Class II DSA (n = 105). The primary outcome was the incidence of moderate‐to‐severe CAV (CAV 2/3) at 5‐year follow‐up.ResultsSubjects with persistent DSA, 1:8 dilution DSA, and C1q DSA had higher incidence of CAV 2/3 compared the control group (17.6%, 13.3%, and 16.7% vs. 3.1%, respectively; P≤ .001). The incidence of CAV 2/3 between subjects with transient DSA and the control group was similar (2.8% vs. 3.1%; P = .888). Subjects with Class II DSA also had higher incidence of CAV 2/3 (7.6% vs. 3.1%; P = .039).ConclusionDSA that are persistent, 1:8 dilution positive, C1q positive, and Class II are associated with more severe grades of CAV. These DSA characteristics may prognosticate disease and warrant consideration for treatment.
Implications of macroinvertebrate taxonomic resolution for freshwater assessments using functional traits: The Paute River Basin (Ecuador) case
Authors: Sotomayor Gonzalo , Hampel Henrietta , Vázquez Raúl F. , Forio Marie Anne Eurie , Goethals Peter L. M. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAimThis study aimed at investigating the taxonomic resolutions (TRs) of benthic macroinvertebrates for freshwater assessments in the scope of the functional trait approach (FTA).LocationMacroinvertebrate samples were collected in 22 locations within the Paute River Basin (PRB), Ecuador, over three years (2010, 2011 and 2012).MethodsBiological traits were allocated as scores to the macroinvertebrate data (at genus level) through fuzzy coding, using published data. The scores of each genus were used to derive scores for the corresponding family. These two sets of scores were standardized and compared, they were similar in 82% of the cases. Functional diversity (FD) was described by the rRao index, which showed no significant differences between coarse (family level) and fine (genus level) TRs. Cluster analyses using the K‐means algorithm were performed to determine similarities between both rRao data sets. The WQ cluster number (K) was varied between 2 and 5 to determine a threshold K value (Kth), after which a WQ assessment differed as a function of the TR being used.ResultsKth was 3. Family‐level identification in the framework of the FTA in the PRB was suitable in detecting changes of macroinvertebrate assemblages (until Kth = 3).Main conclusionsThe proposed methodology could be implemented in other basins where decision‐makers could decide whether the level of functional trait data similarity is sufficient for WQ management purposes and whether the defined Kth is acceptable. The reliability of the key methodological steps was assessed using performance statistics that have rarely been applied to ecological studies. Despite related research performed in other regions, the present study is the first South American attempt to investigate the effects of TR of benthic macroinvertebrates on freshwater bioassessments using functional traits.
Automated insulin dosing systems: Advances after a century of insulin
Authors: Thabit Hood , Lal Rayhan , Leelarathna Lalantha 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe daily complexities of insulin therapy and glucose variability in type 1 diabetes still pose significant challenges, despite advancements in modern insulin analogues. Minimising hypoglycaemia and optimising time spent within target glucose range are recommended to reduce the risk of diabetes‐related complications and distress. Access to structured education and adjuvant diabetes technologies, such as insulin pumps and glucose sensors, are recommended by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to enable people with type 1 diabetes achieve their glycaemic goals. One hundred years after the discovery of insulin, automated insulin dosing (AID, a.k.a. closed loop or artificial pancreas) systems are a reality with a number of systems available and being used in usual clinical practice. Evidence from randomised clinical trials and real‐world prospective studies support efficacy, effectiveness and safety of AID systems. Qualitative evaluations reveal treatment satisfaction and positive effects on quality of life. Current insulin‐only AID systems still require carbohydrate and activity announcement (hybrid closed loop) due to the inherent pharmacokinetic limitations of rapid‐acting insulin analogies. Ultra‐rapid acting insulin and adjunctive use of other therapies (e.g. glucagon, pramlitide) are being evaluated to achieve full closed loop. Open‐source AID (OS‐AID) systems have been developed by the diabetes community, driven by a desire for safety and to accelerate technological advancement. In addition to effectiveness and safety, real‐world prospective studies suggest that OS‐AID systems fulfil unmet needs of commercially approved systems. The development, ongoing challenges and expectations of AID are outlined in this review.
Neuroprotective effect of sumatriptan in pentylenetetrazole‐induced seizure is mediated through N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate/nitric oxide and cAMP response element‐binding protein signaling pathway
Authors: Mumtaz Faiza , Rashki Asma , Imran Khan Muhammad , Shadboorestan Amir , Abdollahi Alireza , Ghazi‐Khansari Mahmoud , Alotaibi Ghallab , Dehpour Ahmad Reza 
Published: September 2021

AbstractSeizure occurs as a result of uncontrolled electrical disturbances within the brain. Various biomolecules such as N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA), nitric oxide (NO), and cAMP response element‐binding protein (CREB) have been implicated in the pathophysiology of seizure. Sumatriptan is a specific 5‐Hydroxytryptamine 1B/1D receptor agonist and has neuroprotective effects in various neuropsychiatric disorders. In the current study, we tried to investigate the possible interaction of sumatriptan with NMDA/NO and CREB signaling pathway in PTZ induced seizure. For this purpose, various agonist and antagonist of NMDA such as MK‐801 and Ketamine, NO precursor L‐ARG, and NOS inhibitors L‐NAME and 7‐NI were co‐administered with sumatriptan in PTZ induced seizure model. The level of nitrite in mice hippocampus was determined by Griess reaction. The gene expression of NR1, NR2A, NR2B, and CREB were quantified by quantitative real time‐polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). Furthermore, the involved neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) protein expression was examined via western blot analysis. Effective dose of sumatriptan (1.2 mg/kg) alone and subeffective dose of sumatriptan (0.3 mg/kg) in combination with NMDA and/or NO antagonist showed significant (P < 0.001) anticonvulsant activity in mice. Furthermore, sumatriptan significantly inhibited the PTZ‐induced mRNA expression of NR2A (P < 0.0001), NR2B (P < 0.05), and CREB (P < 0.01). Also, the expression of nNOS protein in PTZ treated group was reversed by sumatriptan (P < 0.01). Hence, current findings suggest that the anticonvulsant effect of sumatriptan was due to down regulation of NMDA/NO and CREB signaling pathway.
Fatigue fracture and probabilistic assessments of a cone and pipe welded structure of stainless steels
Authors: Oh Gyoko 
Published: September 2021

AbstractProbabilistic assessments are important for weldments due to large scatters in the fatigue strength. Using thin‐walled cone‐pipe welded joints of stainless steels, fatigue tests under bending loads were carried out. The test data were statistically analyzed with the Benard's approximation, Gaussian, 2P‐Weibull, and 3P‐Weibull distributions. Stress–life curves at different failure probabilities by a uniform scatter band model were obtained. The metallographic structures were investigated, and the stress concentration states were analyzed to elucidate the causes of the strengths and scatters. In the high‐cycle fatigue regime, the 3P‐Weibull distribution was most matched with the Benard's approximation, and the coefficient of determination was 0.9817. The microstructure of the weld metal with a high weld opening angle was mainly ferrite phase with 20% austenite distribution, which had the high strength. The stress concentration factors depended on the weld opening angle, indicating the main factor that affected strengths and scatters.
Effects of benchmarking and peer‐assessment on French learners' self‐assessments of accentedness, comprehensibility, and fluency
Authors: Tsunemoto Aki , Trofimovich Pavel , Blanchet Josée , Bertrand Juliane , Kennedy Sara 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThis study examined the effect of benchmarking and peer‐assessment activities on second language (L2) French learners' self‐assessments of accentedness, comprehensibility, and fluency. The learners, who included 25 L2 French students enrolled in a 15‐week university‐level French course, recorded two oral presentations at the beginning and the end of the course and self‐assessed their accentedness, comprehensibility, and fluency four times. In addition to regular course instruction, the treatment group also engaged in benchmarking (discussing and applying pre‐established evaluation criteria) and peer‐assessment (evaluating peers' speaking performances). The students' self‐assessments were compared with ratings of accentedness, comprehensibility, and fluency by 10 native‐speaking French raters. At the end of the course (i.e., for the second oral presentation), the treatment group showed greater alignment in self‐assessment of comprehensibility than the comparison group, relative to the external raters' assessments. Results highlight the value of assessment‐focused activities targeting L2 learners' awareness of pronunciation.
Metagenomic analysis of microbial communities across a transect from low to highly hydrocarbon‐contaminated soils in King George Island, Maritime Antarctica
Authors: Jurelevicius Diogo , Pereira Raphael da Silva , da Mota Fabio Faria , Cury Juliano C. , de Oliveira Ivan Cardoso , Rosado Alexandre S. , Mason Olivia U. , Jansson Janet K. , Seldin Lucy 
Published: September 2021

AbstractSoil samples from a transect from low to highly hydrocarbon‐contaminated soils were collected around the Brazilian Antarctic Station Comandante Ferraz (EACF), located at King George Island, Antarctica. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis of bacterial 16S rRNA genes, 16S rRNA gene (iTag), and shotgun metagenomic sequencing were used to characterize microbial community structure and the potential for petroleum degradation by indigenous microbes. Hydrocarbon contamination did not affect bacterial abundance in EACF soils (bacterial 16S rRNA gene qPCR). However, analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed a successive change in the microbial community along the pollution gradient. Microbial richness and diversity decreased with the increase of hydrocarbon concentration in EACF soils. The abundance of Cytophaga, Methyloversatilis, Polaromonas, and Williamsia was positively correlated (p‐value = <.05) with the concentration of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) and/or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Annotation of metagenomic data revealed that the most abundant hydrocarbon degradation pathway in EACF soils was related to alkyl derivative‐PAH degradation (mainly methylnaphthalenes) via the CYP450 enzyme family. The abundance of genes related to nitrogen fixation increased in EACF soils as the concentration of hydrocarbons increased. The results obtained here are valuable for the future of bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon‐contaminated soils in polar environments.
Contrasting effects of host or local specialization: Widespread haemosporidians are host generalist, whereas local specialists are locally abundant
Authors: de Angeli Dutra Daniela , Moreira Félix Gabriel , Poulin Robert 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAimDespite the wide distribution of many parasites around the globe, the range of individual species varies significantly, even among phylogenetically related taxa. Given that parasites need suitable hosts to complete their development, parasite geographical and environmental ranges should be limited to communities where their hosts are found. Parasites might also suffer from a trade‐off between being locally abundant or widely dispersed. We hypothesize that the geographical and environmental ranges of parasites are negatively associated with their host specificity and their local abundance.LocationWorld‐wide.Time period2009–2021.Major taxa studiedAvian haemosporidian parasites.MethodsWe tested these hypotheses using a global database that comprises data on avian haemosporidian parasites from across the world. For each parasite lineage, we computed five metrics, namely phylogenetic host range, environmental range, geographical range and the mean local and total number of observations in the database. Phylogenetic generalized least squares models were run to evaluate the influence of phylogenetic host range and the total and local abundances on geographical and environmental ranges. In addition, we analysed separately the two regions with the largest amount of available data: Europe and South America.ResultsWe evaluated 401 lineages from 757 localities and observed that generalism (i.e., phylogenetic host range) was associated positively with both the geographical and environmental ranges of the parasites at global and European scales. For South America, generalism was associated only with geographical range. Finally, mean local abundance (mean local number of parasite occurrences) was negatively related to geographical and environmental ranges. This pattern was detected world‐wide and in South America, but not in Europe.Main conclusionsWe demonstrate that parasite specificity is linked to both their geographical and environmental ranges. The fact that locally abundant parasites present restricted ranges indicates a trade‐off between these two traits. This trade‐off, however, becomes evident only when sufficient heterogeneous host communities are considered.
Green Criminology: Its Foundation in Critical Criminology and the Way Forward
Authors: SOLLUND RAGNHILD 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThis article outlines the field of critical criminology and how its development was essential for the development of green criminology. Through a personal trajectory, I use my experiences first as a student and later as Professor of Criminology at the University of Oslo as an entry point. I draw on my involvement with the European Group for the Study of Deviance and Social Control to explore how critical criminology has influenced green critical criminology. Critical criminology, with its focus on the crimes of the powerful, is concerned with victims of injustice, and a social harm approach was, I argue, a necessary foundation for non‐speciesist, green critical criminology. The article concludes by elucidating the challenges for a green critical non‐speciesist criminology, which includes a presentation of my current research project, ‘Criminal justice, wildlife conservation and animal rights in the Anthropocene – CRIMEANTHROP’.
Muscarinic receptor binding activity in rat tissues by vibegron and prediction of its receptor occupancy levels in the human bladder
Authors: Yamada Shizuo , Chimoto Junko , Shiho Mizuki , Okura Takashi , Morikawa Kana , Kagota Satomi , Shinozuka Kazumasa 
Published: September 2021

ObjectivesTo examine the effects of vibegron, a selective β3‐adrenoceptor agonist, used to treat overactive bladder, on muscarinic receptors in the rat bladder, and to predict the occupancy levels of muscarinic receptors by vibegron in the bladders of humans orally administered a clinical dose.MethodsMuscarinic receptors in the rat bladder and other tissues were examined by a radioligand binding assay using [N‐methyl‐3H]scopolamine chloride. The occupancy levels of muscarinic receptors by vibegron in bladders of humans after its oral administration were predicted from the estimation of unbound concentrations in human plasma and urine in the literature.ResultsVibegron (0.1–100 μmol/L) inhibited specific [N‐methyl‐3H]scopolamine chloride binding in the bladder and other tissues of rats in a concentration‐dependent manner. The 50% inhibitory concentration value of vibegron in the bladder was approximately twofold higher than that in the heart, and approximately 315‐ and 3.5‐fold lower than those in the submaxillary gland and brain, respectively. Therefore, the binding affinity of vibegron for muscarinic receptors was higher in the heart and bladder than in the submaxillary gland and brain. By using the rat bladder receptor binding affinity, occupancy levels of muscarinic receptors in the human bladder were predicted to be 51–91% until 24 h after its oral administration at 50 mg of vibegron.ConclusionsThis is the first study to suggest that vibegron binds to muscarinic receptors in the rat bladder and other tissues, with a potentially higher affinity for the M2 subtype than the M1 and M3 subtypes. These results might be clinically relevant for pharmacotherapy with vibegron for overactive bladder.
AIRE in context: Leveraging chromatin plasticity to trigger ectopic gene expression*
Authors: Kaiser Caroline , Bradu Alexandra , Gamble Noah , Caldwell Jason A. , Koh Andrew S. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe emergence of antigen receptor diversity in clonotypic lymphocytes drove the evolution of a novel gene, Aire, that enabled the adaptive immune system to discriminate foreign invaders from self‐constituents. AIRE functions in the epithelial cells of the thymus to express genes highly restricted to alternative cell lineages. This somatic plasticity facilitates the selection of a balanced repertoire of T cells that protects the host from harmful self‐reactive clones, yet maintains a wide range of affinities for virtually any foreign antigen. Here, we review the latest understanding of AIRE’s molecular actions with a focus on its interplay with chromatin. We argue that AIRE is a multi‐valent chromatin effector that acts late in the transcription cycle to modulate the activity of previously poised non‐coding regulatory elements of tissue‐specific genes. We postulate a role for chromatin instability—caused in part by ATP‐dependent chromatin remodeling—that variably sets the scope of the accessible landscape on which AIRE can act. We highlight AIRE’s intrinsic repressive function and its relevance in providing feedback control. We synthesize these recent advances into a putative model for the mechanistic modes by which AIRE triggers ectopic transcription for immune repertoire selection.
High energy storage density and efficiency in nanostructured (Bi0.2Na0.2K0.2La0.2Sr0.2)TiO3 high‐entropy ceramics
Authors: Yang Wentao , Zheng Guangping 
Published: September 2021

AbstractHigh‐entropy ceramics (HECs) (Bi0.2Na0.2K0.2La0.2Sr0.2)TiO3 (BNKLST) with single‐phase perovskite structure have been successfully prepared by a modified citrate acid method. In comparison to (Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3 (BNT) ceramics prepared by the same synthesis route, the BNKLST HECs exhibit dense nanostructures with grain sizes as small as 45 nm, which are suggested to be responsible for the significantly improved electric breakdown fields and reduced leakage currents in the ceramics, and they have much enhanced elastic modulus owing to the entropy‐stabilized perovskite structure. The electrical and dielectric characterizations reveal that BNKLST has high electrical resistances and dielectric constants at elevated temperatures, and, in particular, a recoverable energy storage density of 0.959 J/cm3 can be achieved under an applied electric field of 180 kV/cm. Moreover, the energy storage efficiency in BNKLST can be maintained to be larger than 90% at 40–200°C. These excellent properties suggest that entropy‐stabilized BNT‐based ceramics are promising dielectrics for electrical energy storage applications.
Anticancer effects of melatonin via regulating lncRNA JPX‐Wnt/β‐catenin signalling pathway in human osteosarcoma cells
Authors: Li Yuan , Zou Jilong , Li Bo , Du Jianyang 
Published: September 2021

AbstractOsteosarcoma (OS) is a type of malignant primary bone cancer, which is highly aggressive and occurs more commonly in children and adolescents. Thus, novel potential drugs and therapeutic methods are urgently needed. In the present study, we aimed to elucidate the effects and mechanism of melatonin on OS cells to provide a potential treatment strategy for OS. The cell survival rate, cell viability, proliferation, migration, invasion and metastasis were examined by trypan blue assay, MTT, colony formation, wound healing, transwell invasion and attachment/detachment assay, respectively. The expression of relevant lncRNAs in OS cells was determined by real‐time qPCR analysis. The functional roles of lncRNA JPX in OS cells were further examined by gain and loss of function assays. The protein expression was measured by western blot assay. Melatonin inhibited the cell viability, proliferation, migration, invasion and metastasis of OS cells (Saos‐2, MG63 and U2OS) in a dose‐dependent manner. Melatonin treatment significantly downregulated the expression of lncRNA JPX in Saos‐2, MG63 and U2OS cells. Overexpression of lncRNA JPX into OS cell lines elevated the cell viability and proliferation, which was accompanied by the increased metastasis. We also found that melatonin inhibited the OS progression by suppressing the expression of lncRNA JPX via regulating the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway. Our results suggested that melatonin inhibited the biological functions of OS cells by repressing the expression of lncRNA JPX through regulating the Wnt/β‐catenin signalling pathway, which indicated that melatonin might be applied as a potentially useful and effective natural agent in the treatment of OS.
LncRNA TUG1 attenuates ischaemia‐reperfusion‐induced apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells by sponging miR‐144‐3p via targeting Nrf2
Authors: Zhao Sheng , Chen Wu , Li Wei , Yu Weimin , Li Siqi , Rao Ting , Ruan Yuan , Zhou Xiangjun , Liu Cong , Qi Yucheng , Cheng Fan 
Published: September 2021

AbstractRenal ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury may induce kidney damage and dysfunction, in which oxidative stress and apoptosis play important roles. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) are reported to be closely related to renal I/R, but the specific molecular mechanism is still unclear. The purpose of this research was to explore the regulatory effect of lncRNA TUG1 on oxidative stress and apoptosis in renal I/R injury. This research revealed that in renal I/R injury and hypoxia/reperfusion (H/R) injury in vitro, the expression level of lncRNA TUG1 was upregulated, and oxidative stress levels and apoptosis levels were negatively correlated with the expression level of lncRNA TUG1. Using bioinformatics databases such as TargetScan and microRNA.org, microRNA‐144‐3p (miR‐144‐3p) was predicted to be involved in the association between lncRNA TUG1 and Nrf2. This study confirmed that the level of miR‐144‐3p was significantly reduced following renal I/R injury and H/R injury in vitro, and miR‐144‐3p was determined to target Nrf2 and inhibit its expression. In addition, lncRNA TUG1 can reduce the inhibitory effect of miR‐144‐3p on Nrf2 by sponging miR‐144‐3p. In summary, our research shows that lncRNA TUG1 regulates oxidative stress and apoptosis during renal I/R injury through the miR‐144‐3p/Nrf2 axis, which may be a new treatment target for renal I/R injury.