bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
PSSP-MVIRT: peptide secondary structure prediction based on a multi-view deep learning architecture
Authors: Cao Xiao , He Wenjia , Chen Zitan , Li Yifan , Wang Kexin , Zhang Hongbo , Wei Lesong , Cui Lizhen , Su Ran , Wei Leyi 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe prediction of peptide secondary structures is fundamentally important to reveal the functional mechanisms of peptides with potential applications as therapeutic molecules. In this study, we propose a multi-view deep learning method named Peptide Secondary Structure Prediction based on Multi-View Information, Restriction and Transfer learning (PSSP-MVIRT) for peptide secondary structure prediction. To sufficiently exploit discriminative information, we introduce a multi-view fusion strategy to integrate different information from multiple perspectives, including sequential information, evolutionary information and hidden state information, respectively, and generate a unified feature space. Moreover, we construct a hybrid network architecture of Convolutional Neural Network and Bi-directional Gated Recurrent Unit to extract global and local features of peptides. Furthermore, we utilize transfer learning to effectively alleviate the lack of training samples (peptides with experimentally validated structures). Comparative results on independent tests demonstrate that our proposed method significantly outperforms state-of-the-art methods. In particular, our method exhibits better performance at the segment level, suggesting the strong ability of our model in capturing local discriminative information. The case study also shows that our PSSP-MVIRT achieves promising and robust performance in the prediction of new peptide secondary structures. Importantly, we establish a webserver to implement the proposed method, which is currently accessible via http://server.malab.cn/PSSP-MVIRT. We expect it can be a useful tool for the researchers of interest, facilitating the wide use of our method.
SREBP2 gene therapy targeting striatal astrocytes ameliorates Huntington’s disease phenotypes
Authors: Birolini Giulia , Verlengia Gianluca , Talpo Francesca , Maniezzi Claudia , Zentilin Lorena , Giacca Mauro , Conforti Paola , Cordiglieri Chiara , Caccia Claudio , Leoni Valerio , Taroni Franco , Biella Gerardo , Simonato Michele , Cattaneo Elena , Valenza Marta 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Brain cholesterol is produced mainly by astrocytes and is important for neuronal function. Its biosynthesis is severely reduced in mouse models of Huntington’s disease. One possible mechanism is a diminished nuclear translocation of the transcription factor sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP2) and, consequently, reduced activation of SREBP2-controlled genes in the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway.
Here we evaluated the efficacy of a gene therapy based on the unilateral intra-striatal injection of a recombinant adeno-associated virus 2/5 (AAV2/5) targeting astrocytes specifically and carrying the transcriptionally active N-terminal fragment of human SREBP2 (hSREBP2).
Robust hSREBP2 expression in striatal glial cells in R6/2 Huntington’s disease mice activated the transcription of cholesterol biosynthesis pathway genes, restored synaptic transmission, reversed dopamine receptor D2 (Drd2) transcript levels decline, cleared mutant huntingtin aggregates and attenuated behavioural deficits. We conclude that glial SREBP2 participates in Huntington’s disease brain pathogenesis in vivo and that AAV-based delivery of SREBP2 to astrocytes counteracts key features of the disease.
Brain Knows Who Is on the Same Wavelength: Resting-State Connectivity Can Predict Compatibility of a Female–Male Relationship
Authors: Kajimura Shogo , Ito Ayahito , Izuma Keise 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Prediction of the initial compatibility of heterosexual individuals based on self-reported traits and preferences has not been successful, even with significantly developed information technology. To overcome the limitations of self-reported measures and predict compatibility, we used functional connectivity profiles from resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data that carry rich individual-specific information sufficient to predict psychological constructs and activation patterns during social cognitive tasks. Several days after collecting data from resting-state fMRIs, participants undertook a speed-dating experiment in which they had a 3-min speed date with every other opposite-sex participant. Our machine learning algorithm successfully predicted whether pairs in the experiment were compatible or not using (dis)similarity of functional connectivity profiles obtained before the experiment. The similarity and dissimilarity of functional connectivity between individuals and these multivariate relationships contributed to the prediction, hence suggesting the importance of complementarity (observed as dissimilarity) as well as the similarity between an individual and a potential partner during the initial attraction phase. The result indicates that the salience network, limbic areas, and cerebellum are especially important for the feeling of compatibility. This research emphasizes the utility of neural information to predict complex phenomena in a social environment that behavioral measures alone cannot predict.
Active vitamin D increases the risk of hypercalcaemia in non-dialysis chronic kidney disease patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Cozzolino Mario , Bernard Laurence , Csomor Philipp A 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Background
This study evaluates the effects of active (1α-hydroxylated) vitamin D (AVD) therapy on hypercalcaemia in patients with non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (ND-CKD) and secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT).

Methods
A systematic search of the PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases (up to 14 May 2020) was performed to identify randomized, placebo-controlled trials of single-agent, oral AVD therapies in adults with ND-CKD and SHPT. Only studies with ≥30 participants per arm and ≥6 weeks in duration were eligible. The outcome of interest was the number of subjects with an episode of hypercalcaemia. A meta-analysis of eligible studies was conducted using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software (version 3.0).

Results
Six studies (five evaluating paricalcitol, one evaluating alfacalcidol) involving 799 patients were identified. Treatment durations ranged from 16 weeks to 2 years. The weekly doses of paricalcitol administered were 7 (three studies) and 14 µg (two studies); the weekly dose of alfacalcidol was 1.75–7.0 µg. Across all studies, rates of hypercalcaemia were 1.1–43.3% with AVD versus 0–3.4% with placebo. Meta-analysis of the six studies showed that AVD was associated with a 6.6-fold greater probability of hypercalcaemia versus placebo (odds ratio: 6.63, 95% confidence interval: 2.37, 18.55; P &lt; 0.001). Two separate sensitivity analyses (one excluded a study identified as having a high risk of bias; the second excluded two studies that accounted for a large proportion of observed hypercalcaemia events) indicated the primary meta-analysis findings were robust.

Conclusions
Compared with placebo, AVD significantly increased the risk of hypercalcaemia among ND-CKD patients with SHPT.
A Novel Decision-Making Process for COVID-19 Fighting Based on Association Rules and Bayesian Methods
Authors: El Khediri Salim , Thaljaoui Adel , Alfayez Fayez 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Since recording the first case in Wuhan in November 2020, COVID-19 is still spreading widely and rapidly affecting the health of millions all over the globe. For fighting against this pandemic, numerous strategies have been made, where the early isolation is considered among the most effective ones. Proposing useful methods to screen and diagnose the patient’s situation for the purpose of specifying the adequate clinical management represents a significant challenge in diminishing the rates of mortality. Inspired from this current global health situation, we introduce a new autonomous process of decision-making that consists of two modules. The first module is the data analysis based on Bayesian network that is employed to indicate the coronavirus symptoms severity and then classify COVID-19 cases as severe, moderate or mild. The second module represents the decision-making based on association rules method that generates autonomously the adequate decision. To construct the model of Bayesian network, we used an effective method-oriented data for the sake of learning its structure. As a result, the algorithm accuracy in making the correct decision is 30% and in making the adequate decision is 70%. These experimental results demonstrate the importance of the suggested methods for decision-making.
CNP regulates cardiac contractility and increases cGMP near both SERCA and TnI: difference from BNP visualized by targeted cGMP biosensors
Authors: Manfra Ornella , Calamera Gaia , Froese Alexander , Arunthavarajah Dulasi , Surdo Nicoletta C , Meier Silja , Melleby Arne Olav , Aasrum Monica , Aronsen Jan Magnus , Nikolaev Viacheslav O , Zaccolo Manuela , Moltzau Lise Román , Levy Finn Olav , Andressen Kjetil Wessel 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Aims
Guanylyl cyclase-B (GC-B; natriuretic peptide receptor-B, NPR-B) stimulation by C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) increases cGMP and causes a lusitropic and negative inotropic response in adult myocardium. These effects are not mimicked by NPR-A (GC-A) stimulation by brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), despite similar cGMP increase. More refined methods are needed to better understand the mechanisms of the differential cGMP signalling and compartmentation. The aim of this work was to measure cGMP near proteins involved in regulating contractility to understand compartmentation of cGMP signalling in adult cardiomyocytes.

Methods and results
We constructed several fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based biosensors for cGMP subcellularly targeted to phospholamban (PLB) and troponin I (TnI). CNP stimulation of adult rat cardiomyocytes increased cGMP near PLB and TnI, whereas BNP stimulation increased cGMP near PLB, but not TnI. The phosphodiesterases PDE2 and PDE3 constrained cGMP in both compartments. Local receptor stimulation aided by scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM) combined with FRET revealed that CNP stimulation both in the t-tubules and on the cell crest increases cGMP similarly near both TnI and PLB. In ventricular strips, CNP stimulation, but not BNP, induced a lusitropic response, enhanced by inhibition of either PDE2 or PDE3, and a negative inotropic response. In cardiomyocytes from heart failure rats, CNP increased cGMP near PLB and TnI more pronounced than in cells from sham-operated animals.

Conclusion
These targeted biosensors demonstrate that CNP, but not BNP, increases cGMP near TnI in addition to PLB, explaining how CNP, but not BNP, is able to induce lusitropic and negative inotropic responses.
Relative Performance Feedback in Education: Evidence from a Randomised Controlled Trial*
Authors: Dobrescu L I , Faravelli M , Megalokonomou R , Motta A 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
In a one-year randomised controlled trial involving thousands of university students, we provide real-time private feedback on relative performance in a semester-long online assignment. Within this set-up, our experimental design cleanly identifies the behavioural response to rank incentives (i.e., incentives stemming from an inherent preference for high rank). We find that rank incentives boost performance in the related course assignment, but also the average course exams grade by 0.21 SDs. These beneficial effects remain sizeable across all quantiles and extend beyond the intervention period. Furthermore, rank feedback stimulates social learning, i.e., rank incentives make students engage more in peer interactions.
The impact of co-sleeping less than 6 months on children’s anxiety, oral habits, and malocclusion in a Spanish sample between 2 and 5 years old: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Carrillo-Díaz María , Ortega-Martínez Ana Raquel , Ruiz-Guillén Ana , Romero-Maroto Martín , González-Olmo María José 
Published: May 2021

Summary

Objectives
Families often use co-sleeping to mitigate potential physiological and emotional effects on infants. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the early termination of co-sleeping is associated with high levels of anxiety, non-nutritive sucking habits for self-comfort, and increased malocclusion.

Methods
A cross-sectional study was performed on the parents of 215 children [aged 2–5 years (3.94 ± 0.89)], who were divided according to the duration of co-sleeping (≤6 months or &gt;6 months). The parents completed a questionnaire about co-sleeping, sucking, breastfeeding habits, and anxiety. Finally, a clinical examination was carried out to diagnose malocclusion according to the World Health Organization (WHO) index, and the aesthetic component of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN-AC) was recorded.

Results
Children that co-slept for 6 months or less had an increased incidence of pacifier use (P &lt; 0.05), finger sucking (P &lt; 0.01), and atypical swallowing (P &lt; 0.05). Lower anxiety levels were found in the group with a longer duration of co-sleeping (P &lt; 0.01). In the assessment of malocclusions, the group that co-slept for ≤6 months had higher IOTN scores (P &lt; 0.01) and WHO indices (P &lt; 0.05); in addition, there were differences in anterior open bite (P &lt; 0.05), posterior crossbite (P &lt; 0.01), skeletal Class II (P &lt; 0.01), canine Class II (P &lt; 0.05), and overjet (P &lt; 0.05).

Conclusion
A co-sleeping duration of &gt;6 months appears to be a protective factor associated with less anxiety, fewer negative sucking habits, and a decreased incidence of malocclusions in co-sleeping children.
Effectiveness of removable appliances with temperature sensors in orthodontic patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Moreno-Fernández Antonio , Iranzo-Cortés José Enrique , Paredes-Gallardo Vanessa , García-Sanz Verónica , Tarazona-Álvarez Beatriz , Almerich-Silla José Manuel , Bellot-Arcís Carlos , Montiel-Company José María 
Published: May 2021

Summary

Background/objective
Patient compliance during orthodontic treatment is one of the factors that most affects success in the final result. The use of removable appliances is frequent at an early age and the monitoring of its use is essential to assess the collaboration of the patient. The aim of this study was to establish the effectiveness of microsensors included in removable appliances during orthodontic treatment or in the retention phase to enable a reliable and individualized follow-up of the patient.

Search methods
The article search was carried out in various electronic databases and journals without any language restrictions.

Selection criteria
Studies using microsensors into removable appliances were selected with the key selection criterion of a minimum follow-up of 4 weeks.

Data collection and analysis
The quality of the studies included was evaluated using the Cochrane scale for the randomized controlled trials and the Newcastle Ottawa Scale for control–case, cohort, and transversal studies. The mean of the differences with a 95% confidence interval was expressed for the continuous data.

Results
Twenty-nine full-text articles were analysed and included in the qualitative synthesis. In general, the mean daily wear time of removable appliances measured objectively was less than the time that the professional had predetermined.

Conclusions
The use of microsensors as an objective measurement method enhances communication and boosts confidence in the orthodontist–patient relationship. More random clinical studies with temperature sensors are needed to establish to what extent they influence the orthodontic outcome.

Registration
PROSPERO (CRD42019120525).
DUSP26 induces aortic valve calcification by antagonizing MDM2-mediated ubiquitination of DPP4 in human valvular interstitial cells
Authors: Wang Yongjun , Han Dong , Zhou Tingwen , Chen Cheng , Cao Hong , Zhang Joe Z , Ma Ning , Liu Chun , Song Moshi , Shi Jiawei , Jin Xin , Cao Feng , Dong Nianguo 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Aims
The morbidity and mortality rates of calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) remain high while treatment options are limited. Here, we evaluated the role and therapeutic value of dual-specificity phosphatase 26 (DUSP26) in CAVD.

Methods and results
Microarray profiling of human calcific aortic valves and normal controls demonstrated that DUSP26 was significantly up-regulated in calcific aortic valves. ApoE−/− mice fed a normal diet or a high cholesterol diet (HCD) were infected with adeno-associated virus serotype 2 carrying DUSP26 short-hairpin RNA to examine the effects of DUSP26 silencing on aortic valve calcification. DUSP26 silencing ameliorated aortic valve calcification in HCD-treated ApoE−/− mice, as evidenced by reduced thickness and calcium deposition in the aortic valve leaflets, improved echocardiographic parameters (decreased peak transvalvular jet velocity and mean transvalvular pressure gradient, as well as increased aortic valve area), and decreased levels of osteogenic markers (Runx2, osterix, and osteocalcin) in the aortic valves. These results were confirmed in osteogenic medium-induced human valvular interstitial cells. Immunoprecipitation, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and functional assays revealed that dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) interacted with DUSP26 to mediate the procalcific effects of DUSP26. High N6-methyladenosine levels up-regulated DUSP26 in CAVD; in turn, DUSP26 activated DPP4 by antagonizing mouse double minute 2-mediated ubiquitination and degradation of DPP4, thereby promoting CAVD progression.

Conclusion
DUSP26 promotes aortic valve calcification by inhibiting DPP4 degradation. Our findings identify a previously unrecognized mechanism of DPP4 up-regulation in CAVD, suggesting that DUSP26 silencing or inhibition is a viable therapeutic strategy to impede CAVD progression.
Chemical composition, antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activity of the essential oil from the leaves of Stachys pilifera Benth
Authors: Hashemi Seyed Mohammad Bagher , Khodaei Diako , Jahantab Esfandiar , Lacroix Monique 
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACT
Stachys pilifera Benth is an endemic species of Stachys family found in Iran with a wide application as an herbal tea. The objective of this research was to evaluate the antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activity of the essential oil from the aerial parts of S. pilifera. Essential oil (EO) composition analysis showed that cis-Chrysanthenyl acetate (24.9%), viridiflorol (18.3%), trans-Caryophyllene (9.8%), caryophyllene oxide (4.6%), α-terpineol (3.3%) and linalool (3.1%) were the most abundant components. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the EO showed a higher antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus) than Gram-negative organisms (Escherichia coli, Shigella sonnei, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella enterica subsp. Enterica). The antioxidant activity of EO was studied using DPPH, FRAP and β-carotene/linoleic acid assays. IC50 for the DPPH, FRAP and β-carotene/linoleic acid tests were 23.2, 28.7 and 16.1 µg/mL, respectively, that it was higher than the results for BHT (P ≤ 0.05). The cytotoxic activity of the EO was evaluated using HT29 and HUVEC cells and it was observed that by increasing in EO concentration from 0.026 to 19.4 ug/mL, the viability of the cells for HT29 and HUVEC reduced to 6.8 and 7.1%, respectively. The results from this study suggest the possibility to use the essential oils from S. pilifera Benth as a natural preservative in processed or packaged food due to its high antibacterial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities.
Prokaryotic reverse transcriptases: from retroelements to specialized defense systems
Authors: González-Delgado Alejandro , Mestre Mario Rodríguez , Martínez-Abarca Francisco , Toro Nicolás 
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACT
Reverse transcriptases (RTs) catalyze the polymerization of DNA from an RNA template. These enzymes were first discovered in RNA tumor viruses in 1970, but it was not until 1989 that they were found in prokaryotes as a key component of retrons. Apart from RTs encoded by the ‘selfish’ mobile retroelements known as group II introns, prokaryotic RTs are extraordinarily diverse, but their function has remained elusive. However, recent studies have revealed that different lineages of prokaryotic RTs, including retrons, those associated with CRISPR-Cas systems, Abi-like RTs and other yet uncharacterized RTs, are key components of different lines of defense against phages and other mobile genetic elements. Prokaryotic RTs participate in various antiviral strategies, including abortive infection (Abi), in which the infected cell is induced to commit suicide to protect the host population, adaptive immunity, in which a memory of previous infection is used to build an efficient defense, and other as yet unidentified mechanisms. These prokaryotic enzymes are attracting considerable attention, both for use in cutting-edge technologies, such as genome editing, and as an emerging research topic. In this review, we discuss what is known about prokaryotic RTs, and the exciting evidence for their domestication from retroelements to create specialized defense systems.
New Perspectives on the Evolution of Within-Individual Genome Variation and Germline/Soma Distinction
Authors: Suh Alexander , Dion-Côté Anne-Marie 
Published: May 2021

AbstractGenomes can vary significantly even within the same individual. The underlying mechanisms are manifold, ranging from somatic mutation and recombination, development-associated ploidy changes and genetic bottlenecks, over to programmed DNA elimination during germline/soma differentiation. In this perspective piece, we briefly review recent developments in the study of within-individual genome variation in eukaryotes and prokaryotes. We highlight a Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution 2020 virtual symposium entitled “Within-individual genome variation and germline/soma distinction” and the present Special Section of the same name in Genome Biology and Evolution, together fostering cross-taxon synergies in the field to identify and tackle key open questions in the understanding of within-individual genome variation.