bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Heart disease in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) patients: a screening approach proposal
Authors: Garcia-Vives Eloi , Rodriguez-Palomares J F , Harty Len , Solans-Laque Roser , Jayne David 
Published: January 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo define the pattern of cardiac involvement in eosinophilic granulomatosis and polyangiitis (EGPA) and propose an algorithm for heart disease screening.MethodsThis was a retrospective study of EGPA patients attending a specialized vasculitis clinic (1989–2016). Clinical characteristics and cardiovascular evaluation (CE) results (serum troponin, ECG, echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance) were collected and compared according to symptoms and inflammatory cardiac disease (ICD).ResultsA total of 131 EGPA patients were included, of whom 96 (73%) had undergone CE. The median (interquartile range) age was 50 (38–58) years and 36% showed ANCA+. Asthma preceded diagnosis by a median of 97 (36–240) months. Among the 96 patients who underwent CE, 43% were symptomatic, with dyspnea (47%) and chest pain (29%) being the predominant symptoms. In asymptomatic patients, CE reported abnormalities in 45% of cases, with a subsequent earlier diagnosis (4 vs 11 months). Overall, 27 patients had EGPA-related ICD (EGPA-rICD) that was already present at diagnosis in 20 cases, preceded it in 2 cases and developed later in 5 cases. EGPA-rICD patients were younger (46 vs 50 years; P = 0.04), had more frequently abnormal ECG (30.8 vs 2.1%; P &lt; 0.001), negative ANCA (85 vs 69%; NS), higher BVAS score (3 vs 1; P = 0.005), higher eosinophil count (5.60 vs 1.60 × 109/l; P = 0.029) and higher CRP (52 vs 15 mg/l; P = 0.017). Overall, 11% of cases with EGPA-rICD were asymptomatic.ConclusionIn our study, 45% of asymptomatic patients had an abnormal baseline cardiac evaluation, which allowed an earlier diagnosis of cardiac disease. We recommend prompt cardiac screening in all EGPA patients, instead of a symptoms-guided algorithm.
Eye contact during joint attention with a humanoid robot modulates oscillatory brain activity
Authors: Kompatsiari Kyveli , Bossi Francesco , Wykowska Agnieszka 
Published: January 2021

AbstractEye contact established by a human partner has been shown to affect various cognitive processes of the receiver. However, little is known about humans’ responses to eye contact established by a humanoid robot. Here, we aimed at examining humans’ oscillatory brain response to eye contact with a humanoid robot. Eye contact (or lack thereof) was embedded in a gaze-cueing task and preceded the phase of gaze-related attentional orienting. In addition to examining the effect of eye contact on the recipient, we also tested its impact on gaze-cueing effects (GCEs). Results showed that participants rated eye contact as more engaging and responded with higher desynchronization of alpha-band activity in left fronto-central and central electrode clusters when the robot established eye contact with them, compared to no eye contact condition. However, eye contact did not modulate GCEs. The results are interpreted in terms of the functional roles involved in alpha central rhythms (potentially interpretable also as mu rhythm), including joint attention and engagement in social interaction.
The Role of Clt1-Regulated Xylan Metabolism in Melanin and Toxin Formation for the Pathogenicity of Curvularia lunata in Maize
Authors: Gao Jinxin , Chen Jie 
Published: January 2021

We previously reported that the BTB (brica-brac, tramtrack, and broad) domain-containing protein Clt1 regulates melanin and toxin synthesis, conidiation, and pathogenicity in Curvularia lunata, but the interacting proteins and regulative mechanism of Clt1 are unclear. In this research, we identified two proteins, which respectively correspond to xylanase (Clxyn24) and acetyl xylan esterase (Claxe43) from C. lunata, that were regulated by Clt1. Yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays were conducted to verify the interaction of Clt1 with full-length Clxyn24 and Claxe43. Furthermore, the Y2H assay revealed that Clt1 physically interacted with Clxyn24 and Claxe43 through its BTB domain to degrade xylan, which was used as a carbon source for C. lunata growth. The utilization of xylan provides acetyl-CoA for the synthesis of melanin and toxin as well as energy and other intermediate metabolites for conidiation. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis revealed that PKS18 and its 13 flanking genes found clustered in a region spanning 57.89 kb on scaffold 9 of the C. lunata CX-3 genome were down-regulated in toxin production–deficient mutant T806, and this cluster is possibly responsible for toxin biosynthesis of C. lunata. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Influence of chemically and biosynthesized silver nanoparticles on in vitro viability and infectivity of Trichinella spiralis muscle larvae
Authors: Abd-ELrahman Salwa Mahmoud , Dyab Ahmed Kamal , Mahmoud Abeer El-sayed , Elossily Nahed Ahmed , Alsharif Fahd M. , Mohamed Shaymaa M. , Abomughaid Mosleh Mohammed 
Published: January 2021

Back groundTrichinellosis is a serious worldwide parasitic zoonosis. The available therapy for the treatment ofTrichinella spiralisis not satisfactory. This work aimed at evaluating of the in vitro effect of silver Therefore, the recovery of effective treatment is required.nanoparticles (AgNPs) on muscle larvae ofTrichinella.Methodology / principal findingThe present study investigated the larvicidal properties of chemical and myrrh AgNPs on muscle larvae (ML) ofT. spiralis. The used AgNPs were chemically prepared using NaBH4 as reducing agent and biosynthesized using methanolic myrrh extract. Characterization of synthesized AgNPs was monitored via UV-Vis spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies. The ML incubated with AgNPs at concentrations ranged from 1μg/ml to 20μg/ml.Conclusions /SignificanceChemical and biosynthesized AgNPs revealed marked larvicidal effect against ML ofTrichinella. Additionally, thisin vitrostudy showed degenerative changes affecting the cuticle of AgNPs treated ML. The effectiveness of AgNPs on the infectivity ofTrichinellaML was also assessed. The results showed complete inhibition of the infectivity of ML exposed to sublethal doses of chemical and myrrh prepared AgNPs when used to infect animal models. This is the first report where myrrh synthesized AgNPs have been tested for their anthelminthic activity againstTrichinellain anin vitromodel.Author summaryTrichinellosis is a serious worldwide parasitic zoonosis. The available therapy for the treatment ofTrichinella spiralisis not satisfactory. Therefore, the recovery of effective treatment is required. The present study investigated the larvicidal properties of chemical and myrrh AgNPs on muscle larvae (ML) ofT. spiralis. The ML incubated with AgNPs at concentrations ranged from 1μg/ml to 20μg/ml. Chemical and biosynthesized AgNPs revealed marked larvicidal effect against ML ofTrichinella. Additionally, thisin vitrostudy showed degenerative changes affecting the cuticle of AgNPs treated ML. Also the results showed complete inhibition of the infectivity of ML exposed to sublethal doses of chemical and myrrh prepared AgNPs when used to infect animal models.
From Decellurization to Imaging to 3-D Printing: low-cost plant-derived 3D-printed tissue scaffolds for tissue engineering
Authors: Imran Mariam , Khan Sarah , Khan Faisal F. 
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACTNature’s most abundant carbohydrate, cellulose, has incredible structural properties that can be leveraged as scaffolds for tissue engineering. With plants being an inexpensive and easily accessible source, it is more feasible to experiment with these techniques and progress in the field of regenerative tissue engineering. In this study, we set out to optimize a low-cost method to obtain cellulose scaffolds that could potentially mimic a blood vessels after recellularization with endothelial cells. We chose a readily available plant specimen, i.e. cauliflower stalk, which offers anatomical similarity to blood vessels, vascular architecture and interconnected porosity. We went on to capture the cellulose scaffold digitally and created a 3-D model using a computer-aided design (CAD) software which was then used for 3-D printing the scaffold in two different sizes. We believe the decellularize-image-print cycle allows for skipping decellularization processes of new scaffolds every time a scaffold is required and therefore cutting cost and time needed, enables instant dissemination between individual researchers and communities and allows scalable printing at any size and level of detail. We hope this will catalyze even faster innovation in the space of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
A meta-analysis of transcriptomic profiles from Huntington’s disease patients points to a pathophysiological role of CDC42, NFY, DLX1 and PRMT3
Authors: Seefelder Manuel , Kochanek Stefan 
Published: January 2021

AbstractDescription of robust transcriptomic alterations in Huntington’s disease is essential to identify targets for biochemical studies and drug development. We analysed publicly available transcriptome data from the brain and blood of 220 HD patients and 241 healthy controls and identified 737 and 661 genes with robustly altered mRNA levels in the brain and blood of HD patients, respectively. In the brain, a subnetwork of 320 genes strongly correlated with HD and was enriched in transport-related genes. Bioinformatical analysis of this subnetwork highlighted CDC42, PAK1, YWHAH, NFY, DLX1, HMGN3, and PRMT3. Moreover, we found that CREB1 can regulate 78.0 % of genes whose mRNA levels correlated with HD in the blood of patients. Alterations in protein transport, metabolism, transcriptional regulation, and CDC42-mediated functions are likely central features of HD. Further our data substantiate the role of transcriptional regulators that have not been reported in the context of HD (e.g. DLX1, HMGN3 and PRMT3) and strongly suggest dysregulation of NFY and its target genes across tissues. A large proportion of the identified genes such as CDC42 were also altered in Parkinson’s (PD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The observed dysregulation of CDC42 and YWHAH in samples from HD, AD and PD patients indicates that those genes and their upstream regulators may be interesting therapeutic targets.
Increased male mating success in the presence of prey and rivals in a sexually cannibalistic mantis
Authors: Burke Nathan William , Holwell Gregory I 
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACTPre-copulatory sexual cannibalism—or cannibalism without mating—is expected to promote the evolution of male strategies that enhance mating success and reduce the risk of cannibalism, such as preferential mating with feeding females. However, sexual selection on male competitiveness may alter male courtship decisions in the face of cannibalism risk. We investigated the effect of prey availability and rival presence on male mating decisions in the highly cannibalistic Springbok mantis,Miomantis caffra. We found that males approached females more rapidly and mated more often in the presence of prey, suggesting that females distracted with foraging may be less of a threat. The presence of a rival also hastened the onset of copulation and led to higher mating success, with very large effects occurring in the presence of both prey and rivals, indicating that intrasexual competition may intensify attraction to foraging females. Taken together, our results suggest that pre-copulatory cannibalism has selected for male preference for foraging females, and that males adjust their mating strategy to both the risk of competition and the threat of cannibalism.LAY SUMMARYDeciding when to approach a mate is critical for male mantises at risk of being cannibalised. A male might do well to pounce when a female is distracted with prey, but what if a nearby male has the same intention? In the Springbok mantis, we show that males mate faster and with greater success when both prey and a rival are present, suggesting that mating decisions depend on the dual threats of cannibalism and competition.
Cortico-autonomic local arousals and heightened somatosensory arousability during NREM sleep of mice in neuropathic pain
Authors: Cardis Romain , Lecci Sandro , Fernandez Laura M.J. , Osorio-Forero Alejandro , Sin Chung Paul Chu , Fulda Stephany , Decosterd Isabelle , Lüthi Anita 
Published: January 2021

AbstractChronic pain patients frequently suffer from sleep disturbances. Improvement of sleep quality alleviates pain, but neurophysiological mechanisms underlying sleep disturbances require clarification to advance therapeutic strategies. Chronic pain causes high-frequency electrical activity in pain-processing cortical areas that could disrupt the normal process of low-frequency sleep rhythm generation. We found that the spared-nerve-injury (SNI) mouse model, mimicking human neuropathic pain, had preserved sleep-wake behavior. However, when we probed spontaneous arousability based on infraslow continuity-fragility dynamics of non-rapid-eye-movement sleep (NREMS), we found more numerous local cortical arousals accompanied by heart rate increases in hindlimb primary somatosensory, but not in prelimbic, cortices of SNI mice. Closed-loop mechanovibrational stimulation revealed higher sensory arousability in SNI. Sleep in chronic pain thus looked preserved in conventional measures but showed elevated spontaneous and evoked arousability. Our findings develop a novel moment-to-moment probing of NREMS fragility and propose that chronic pain-induced sleep complaints arise from perturbed arousability.
DeepStrain: A Deep Learning Workflow for the Automated Characterization of Cardiac Mechanics
Authors: Morales Manuel A. , van den Boomen Maaike , Nguyen Christopher , Kalpathy-Cramer Jayashree , Rosen Bruce R. , Stultz Collin M. , Izquierdo-Garcia David , Catana Ciprian 
Published: January 2021

AbstractMyocardial strain analysis from cinematic magnetic resonance imaging (cine-MRI) data could provide a more thorough characterization of cardiac mechanics than volumetric parameters such as left-ventricular ejection fraction, but sources of variation including segmentation and motion estimation have limited its wide clinical use. We designed and validated a deep learning (DL) workflow to generate both volumetric parameters and strain measures from cine-MRI data, including strain rate (SR) and regional strain polar maps, consisting of segmentation and motion estimation convolutional neural networks developed and trained using healthy and cardiovascular disease (CVD) subjects (n=150). DL-based volumetric parameters were correlated (>0.98) and without significant bias relative to parameters derived from manual segmentations in 50 healthy and CVD subjects. Compared to landmarks manually-tracked on tagging-MRI images from 15 healthy subjects, landmark deformation using DL-based motion estimates from paired cine-MRI data resulted in an end-point-error of 2.9 ± 1.5 mm. Measures of end-systolic global strain from these cine-MRI data showed no significant biases relative to a tagging-MRI reference method. On 4 healthy subjects, intraclass correlation coefficient for intra-scanner repeatability was excellent (>0.95) for strain, moderate to excellent for SR (0.690-0.963), and good to excellent (0.826-0.994) in most polar map segments. Absolute relative change was within ~5% for strain, within ~10% for SR, and <1% in half of polar map segments. In conclusion, we developed and evaluated a DL-based, end-to-end fully-automatic workflow for global and regional myocardial strain analysis to quantitatively characterize cardiac mechanics of healthy and CVD subjects based on ubiquitously acquired cine-MRI data.
A failure of β-amyloid physiological function due to genetic deletion of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors induces an Alzheimer’s disease-like pathology
Authors: Tropea Maria Rosaria , Puma Domenica D. Li , Melone Marcello , Gulisano Walter , Arancio Ottavio , Grassi Claudio , Conti Fiorenzo , Puzzo Daniela 
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACTThe accumulation of amyloid-beta peptide (Aβ) and the failure of cholinergic transmission are key players in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, in the healthy brain, Aβ contributes to synaptic plasticity and memory acting through α7 subtype nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7nAChRs). Here, we hypothesized that the α7nAChR deletion blocks Aβ physiological function and promotes a compensatory increase in Aβ levels that, in turn, triggers an AD-like pathology.To validate this hypothesis, we studied the age-dependent phenotype of α7 knock out mice. We found that α7nAChR deletion caused an impairment of hippocampal synaptic plasticity and memory at 12 months of age, paralleled by an increase of Amyloid Precursor Protein expression and Aβ levels. This was accompanied by other classical AD features such as a hyperphosphorylation of tau at residues Ser 199, Ser 396, Thr 205, a decrease of GSK-3β at Ser 9, the presence of paired helical filaments and neurofibrillary tangles, neuronal loss and astrocytosis.Our findings suggest that α7nAChR malfunction might precede Aβ and tau pathology, offering a different perspective to interpret the failure of anti-Aβ therapies against AD and to find novel therapeutical approaches aimed at restoring α7nAChRs-mediated Aβ function at the synapse.
PTEN regulates adipocyte progenitor growth, differentiation and replicative aging
Authors: Kirstein Anna S. , Kehr Stephanie , Nebe Michèle , Hanschkow Martha , Lorenz Judith , Penke Melanie , Breitfeld Jana , Le Duc Diana , Landgraf Kathrin , Körner Antje , Kovacs Peter , Stadler Peter F. , Kiess Wieland , Garten Antje 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe tumor suppressor phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) negatively regulates the insulin signaling pathway. Germline PTEN pathogenic variants cause PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome (PHTS), associated with lipoma development in children. It remains unclear which mechanisms trigger this aberrant adipose tissue growth. Adipocyte progenitor cells (APCs) lose their capacity to differentiate into adipocytes during continuous culture, while APCs from PHTS patients’ lipomas retain their adipogenic potential over a prolonged period. To investigate the role of PTEN in adipose tissue development we performed functional assays and RNA sequencing of control and PTEN knockdown APCs. Reduction of PTEN levels using siRNA or CRISPR lead to an enhanced proliferation and differentiation of APCs. FOXO1 was downregulated on the mRNA level while inactivation through phosphorylation increased. FOXO1 phosphorylation initiates the expression of the lipogenesis activating transcription factor SREBP1. SREBP1 levels were higher after PTEN knockdown and may account for the enhanced adipogenesis. To validate this we overexpressed constitutively active FOXO1 in PTEN CRISPR cells and found reduced adipogenesis, accompanied by a SREBP1 downregulation. We observed that PTEN levels were upregulated during long term culture of wild type APCs. PTEN CRISPR cells showed less senescence compared to controls and the senescence marker CDKN1A (p21) was downregulated in PTEN knockdown cells. Cellular senescence was the most significantly enriched pathway found in RNA sequencing of PTEN knockdown vs. control cells. These results provide evidence that PTEN is involved in the regulation of APCs proliferation, differentiation and senescence, thereby contributing to aberrant adipose tissue growth in PHTS patients.
Biosynthesis of Steroidal Alkaloids Are Coordinately Regulated and Differ Among Tomatoes in the Red-Fruited Clade
Authors: Dzakovich Michael P. , Francis David M. , Cooperstone Jessica L. 
Published: January 2021

1.1SummaryWe quantitatively profiled and genotyped two tomato populations representing diversity in the red-fruited clade to address the lack of knowledge regarding the chemical diversity, concentration, and genetic architecture controlling tomato steroidal alkaloids.We grew 107 genetically diverse fresh market, processing, land-race, and wild tomatoes in multiple environments. Nine steroidal alkaloids were quantified using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The diversity panel and a biparental population segregating for high alpha-tomatine, were genotyped to identify and validate quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with steroidal alkaloids.Land-races and wild material exhibited higher alkaloid concentrations and more chemical diversity. Average total content of steroidal alkaloids, often dominated by lycoperoside F/G/esculeoside A, ranged from 1.9 to 23.3 mg/100 g fresh weight across accessions. Land-race and wild cherry accessions distinctly clustered based on elevated early or late steroidal alkaloid concentrations. Significant correlations were observed among early and late steroidal alkaloids in a species-dependent manner. A QTL controlling multiple, early steroidal alkaloid pathway intermediates on chromosome 3 was identified by genome wide association (GWAS) and validated in a backcross population.Tomato steroidal alkaloids are diverse in the red-fruited tomato clade and their biosynthesis is regulated in a coordinated manner.
Treating patients with multiple substance use in accordance with their personal treatment goals: a new paradigm for addiction treatment
Authors: Körkel Joachim 
Published: January 2021

Purpose
This paper aims to present the theoretical foundation and practical approach of “open-target addiction treatment” (OTAT). Traditional treatment programmes are usually-oriented towards fixed predefined goals (abstinence, reduced consumption and harm reduction) and often focus on one substance only (e.g. alcohol). However, as a rule, people who use drugs consume several substances and sometimes additionally exhibit behavioural addictions. For many of these addictions, there is more or less motivation for change, but commonly it is not abstinence as a consistent goal. The paradigm of OTAT systematically considers multi-substance use, expects high readiness to change and is aware that commonly clients lack the willingness to abstain permanently.

Design/methodology/approach
The theory and practice of OTAT involve three components, namely, first, to create a systematic inventory of all psychoactive substances consumed and addictive behaviours performed, second, to clarify, which substance-related change goals clients pursue and third, to choose adequate treatment options matching the substance-specific goals of the clients. Furthermore, OTAT includes didactic tools to support working along with these three steps (e.g. a set of cards to gain an overview over the psychoactive substances used and addictive behaviours performed).

Findings
The systematic implementation of OTAT requires fundamentally different concepts about addiction and its treatment, specific competencies of the staff and a corresponding portfolio of interventions within the treatment facilities.

Research limitations/implications
Future research should focus more on patients’ goal preferences and their impact on their willingness to take up treatment and its outcomes.

Practical implications
To implement OTAT treatment, institutions have to undergo a systematic process of team and organizational development.

Social implications
OTAT has the potential to reduce the treatment gap and to serve severely addicted individuals in a more comprehensive way.

Originality/value
The OTAT approach has not been described in the addiction treatment literature so far.