bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Developing a reproducible protocol for culturing functional confluent monolayers of differentiated equine oviduct epithelial cells
Authors: Leemans Bart , Bromfield Elizabeth G , Stout Tom A E , Vos Mabel , Van Der Ham Hanna , Van Beek Ramada , Van Soom Ann , Gadella Bart M , Henning Heiko 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
We describe the development of two methods for obtaining confluent monolayers of polarized, differentiated equine oviduct epithelial cells (EOEC) in Transwell inserts and microfluidic chips. EOECs from the ampulla were isolated post-mortem and seeded either (1) directly onto a microporous membrane as differentiated EOECs (direct seeding protocol) or (2) first cultured to a confluent de-differentiated monolayer in conventional wells, then trypsinized and seeded onto a microporous membrane (re-differentiation protocol). Maintenance or induction of EOEC differentiation in these systems was achieved by air–liquid interface introduction. Monolayers cultured via both protocols were characterized by columnar, cytokeratin 19-positive EOECs in Transwell inserts. However, only the re-differentiation protocol could be transferred successfully to the microfluidic chips. Integrity of the monolayers was confirmed by transepithelial resistance measurements, tracer flux, and the demonstration of an intimate network of tight junctions. Using the direct protocol, 28% of EOECs showed secondary cilia at the apical surface in a diffuse pattern. In contrast, re-differentiated polarized EOECs rarely showed secondary cilia in either culture system (&gt;90% of the monolayers showed &lt;1% ciliated EOECs). Occasionally (5–10%), re-differentiated monolayers with 11–27% EOECs with secondary cilia in a diffuse pattern were obtained. Additionally, nuclear progesterone receptor expression was found to be inhibited by simulated luteal phase hormone concentrations, and sperm binding to cilia was higher for re-differentiated EOEC monolayers exposed to estrogen–progesterone concentrations mimicking the follicular rather than luteal phase. Overall, a functional equine oviduct model was established with close morphological resemblance to in vivo oviduct epithelium.
Establishment of Holistic Quality Control Methods for Nelumbinis Folium Containing Alkaloids and Flavonoids with Simple HPLC Conditions
Authors: Wang Xueyuan , Jiao Qishu , Wang Chaoran , Jin Runa , Zhou Yanyan , Shi Shougang , Huang Zhengjun , Li Mingqian , Qin Xuemei , Chen Shilin , Dai Yuntao 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
In this study, a positive charged C18 column was used to explore its performance in analysis of herbal medicines containing alkaloids and flavonoids with Nelumbinis Folium (NF) as an example. A chromatographic fingerprint analysis method was established by high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector with commonly used 0.1% formic acid as mobile phase additive and this method could simultaneously detect both alkaloids and flavonoids with good peak shape. It is noted that the HPLC conditions were directly applied in the HPLC-ESI-Orbitrap-MS/MS analysis, and 12 common peaks were identified. In the quantification method of nuciferine, compared with common C18 column, good performance was observed, including sharp and symmetric peak shape of nuciferine, and no obvious retention time shift in chromatogram. The fingerprint method and quantification method of nuciferine and quercetin-3-O-glucuronic acid could be readily utilized as quality control methods for NF and its related preparations.
Clinical applications of cardiac computed tomography: a consensus paper of the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging—part I
Authors: Pontone Gianluca , Rossi Alexia , Guglielmo Marco , Dweck Marc R , Gaemperli Oliver , Nieman Koen , Pugliese Francesca , Maurovich-Horvat Pal , Gimelli Alessia , Cosyns Bernard , Achenbach Stephan 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Cardiac computed tomography (CT) was introduced in the late 1990’s. Since then, an increasing body of evidence on its clinical applications has rapidly emerged. From an initial emphasis on its technical efficiency and diagnostic accuracy, research around cardiac CT has now evolved towards outcomes-based studies that provide information on prognosis, safety, and cost. Thanks to the strong and compelling data generated by large, randomized control trials, the scientific societies have endorsed cardiac CT as pivotal diagnostic test for the management of appropriately selected patients with acute and chronic coronary syndrome. This consensus document endorsed by the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging is divided into two parts and aims to provide a summary of the current evidence and to give updated indications on the appropriate use of cardiac CT in different clinical scenarios. This first part focuses on the most established applications of cardiac CT from primary prevention in asymptomatic patients, to the evaluation of patients with chronic coronary syndrome, acute chest pain, and previous coronary revascularization.
Decolonize Practical Criticism?
Authors: Etherington Ben , Zimbler Jarad 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
This article reflects on what it might mean to decolonize practical criticism in the current moment by considering previous responses to the same imperative. It discusses critical and institutional interventions by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, Mervyn Morris, Chidi Amuta, and, more recently, Harry Garuba and Benge Okot. In this way, the article demonstrates that the antidote to colonial paradigms of literary criticism has not been a pedagogy that prioritizes context over text but a critical practice oriented to a work’s formal and technical context of intelligibility. Such a practice demands that readers inhabit the literary constraints and possibilities encountered by postcolonial or otherwise peripheral writers.
Knowing Outside of English: Decolonizing at York
Authors: Kingston-Reese Alexandra , Jagot Shazia 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
In early 2020, Eugenia Zuroski published a short article in MAI journal's toolkit series critiquing conventional introductory exercises in the university classroom. Called ‘Where Do You Know From?’, the task ‘illustrate[s] the importance of attending conscientiously to the ways we relate to one another in the classroom as part of our pedagogical and political responsibilities’. In this piece, Alexandra Kingston-Reese and Shazia Jagot discuss where they know from and how this knowledge has impacted their teaching, research, and development of the University of York's Decolonising Network.
Environment-specific genomic prediction ability in maize using environmental covariates depends on environmental similarity to training data
Authors: Rogers Anna R , Holland James B 
Published: December 2021

AbstractTechnology advances have made possible the collection of a wealth of genomic, environmental, and phenotypic data for use in plant breeding. Incorporation of environmental data into environment-specific genomic prediction is hindered in part because of inherently high data dimensionality. Computationally efficient approaches to combining genomic and environmental information may facilitate extension of genomic prediction models to new environments and germplasm, and better understanding of genotype-by-environment (G × E) interactions. Using genomic, yield trial, and environmental data on 1,918 unique hybrids evaluated in 59 environments from the maize Genomes to Fields project, we determined that a set of 10,153 SNP dominance coefficients and a 5-day temporal window size for summarizing environmental variables were optimal for genomic prediction using only genetic and environmental main effects. Adding marker-by-environment variable interactions required dimension reduction, and we found that reducing dimensionality of the genetic data while keeping the full set of environmental covariates was best for environment-specific genomic prediction of grain yield, leading to an increase in prediction ability of 2.7% to achieve a prediction ability of 80% across environments when data were masked at random. We then measured how prediction ability within environments was affected under stratified training-testing sets to approximate scenarios commonly encountered by plant breeders, finding that incorporation of marker-by-environment effects improved prediction ability in cases where training and test sets shared environments, but did not improve prediction in new untested environments. The environmental similarity between training and testing sets had a greater impact on the efficacy of prediction than genetic similarity between training and test sets.
Roles of anti-Müllerian hormone and its duplicates in sex determination and germ cell proliferation of Nile tilapia
Authors: Liu Xingyong , Dai Shengfei , Wu Jiahong , Wei Xueyan , Zhou Xin , Chen Mimi , Tan Dejie , Pu Deyong , Li Minghui , Wang Deshou 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Duplicates of amh are crucial for fish sex determination and differentiation. In Nile tilapia, unlike in other teleosts, amh is located on X chromosome. The Y chromosome amh (amhΔ-y) is mutated with 5 bp insertion and 233 bp deletion in the coding sequence, and tandem duplicate of amh on Y chromosome (amhy) has been identified as the sex determiner. However, the expression of amh, amhΔ-y, and amhy, their roles in germ cell proliferation and the molecular mechanism of how amhy determines sex is still unclear. In this study, expression and functions of each duplicate were analyzed. Sex reversal occurred only when amhy was mutated as revealed by single, double, and triple mutation of the 3 duplicates in XY fish. Homozygous mutation of amhy in YY fish also resulted in sex reversal. Earlier and higher expression of amhy/Amhy was observed in XY gonads compared with amh/Amh during sex determination. Amhy could inhibit the transcription of cyp19a1a through Amhr2/Smads signaling. Loss of cyp19a1a rescued the sex reversal phenotype in XY fish with amhy mutation. Interestingly, mutation of both amh and amhy in XY fish or homozygous mutation of amhy in YY fish resulted in infertile females with significantly increased germ cell proliferation. Taken together, these results indicated that up-regulation of amhy during the critical period of sex determination makes it the sex-determining gene, and it functions through repressing cyp19a1a expression via Amhr2/Smads signaling pathway. Amh retained its function in controlling germ cell proliferation as reported in other teleosts, while amhΔ-y was nonfunctionalized.
Ileal alkaline phosphatase is upregulated following functional amino acid supplementation in Salmonella Typhimurium-challenged pigs
Authors: Rodrigues Lucas A , Wellington Michael O , González-Vega J Caroline , Htoo John K , Van Kessel Andrew G , Columbus Daniel A 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
We recently showed that functional amino acid (FAA) supplementation improves growth performance and immune status of Salmonella Typhimurium (ST)-challenged pigs, which was further improved by a longer adaptation period. It is expected that the effects are associated with increased activity of intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of FAA supplementation and adaptation period on the ileal, cecal, and colonic activity of IAP in weaned pigs challenged with ST. In experiment 1, a total of 32 mixed-sex weanling pigs were randomly assigned to dietary treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with low (LP) or high protein (HP) content and basal (FAA–) or FAA profile (FAA+; Thr, Met, and Trp at 120% of requirements) as factors. In experiment 2, a total of 32 mixed-sex weanling pigs were randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments, being FAA− fed throughout the experimental period (FAA−) or an FAA profile fed only in the post-inoculation (FAA + 0), for 1 wk pre- and post-inoculation (FAA + 1), or throughout the experimental period (FAA + 2). In experiments 1 and 2, after a 7- and 14-d adaptation period, respectively, pigs were inoculated with saline solution containing ST (3.3 and 2.2 × 109 CFU/mL, respectively). Plasma alkaline phosphatase was measured on days 0 and 7 post-inoculation in experiment 1, and IAP (ileum, cecum, and colon) was measured in experiments 1 and 2. Correlations among ileal IAP and serum albumin and haptoglobin, plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and reduced:oxidized glutathione, ileal myeloperoxidase, ST shedding and ileal colonization, and post-inoculation average daily gain, feed intake (ADFI), and gain:feed were also analyzed. In experiment 1, plasma alkaline phosphatase was decreased with ST inoculation and the overall content was increased in LP-FAA+ compared with LP-FAA− (P &lt; 0.05). Moreover, ileal IAP was increased in FAA+ compared with FAA− pigs in both studies (P &lt; 0.05) regardless of adaptation time (P &gt; 0.05). IAP was positively correlated with MDA and ADFI and negatively correlated with SOD and ST shedding in experiment 1 (P &lt; 0.05). These results demonstrate a positive effect of FAA supplementation, but not adaptation period, on ileal alkaline phosphatase activity in Salmonella-challenged pigs, which may be associated with improvements in antioxidant balance.
Impact of geomechanical heterogeneity on multiple hydraulic fracture propagation
Authors: Gao Yunlin , Liu Huiqing , Pu Chao , Tang Huiying , Yang Kun , Dong Xiaohu 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
To extract more gas from shale gas reservoirs, the spacing among hydraulic fractures should be made smaller, resulting in a significant stress shadow effect. Most studies regarding the stress shadow effect are based on the assumption of homogeneity in rock properties. However, strong heterogeneity has been observed in shale reservoirs, and the results obtained with homogeneous models can be different from practical situations. A series of case studies have been conducted in this work to understand the effects of mechanical heterogeneity on multiple fracture propagation. Fracture propagation was simulated using the extended finite element method. A sequential Gaussian simulation was performed to generate a heterogeneous distribution of geomechanical properties. According to the simulation results, the difficulty of fracture propagation is negatively correlated with the Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio, and positively correlated with tensile strength. When each of the multiple fractures propagates in a homogeneous area with different mechanical properties, the final geometry of the fracture is similar to homogeneous conditions. When the rock parameter is a random field or heterogeneity perpendicular to the propagation direction of fracture, the fracture will no longer take the wellbore as the center of symmetry. Based on the analysis of fracture propagation in random fields, a small variance of elastic parameters can result in asymmetrical propagation of multiple fractures. Moreover, the asymmetrical propagation of hydraulic fractures is more sensitive to the heterogeneity of Poisson's ratio than Young's modulus. This study emphasises the importance of considering geomechanical heterogeneity and provides some meaningful suggestions regarding hydraulic fracturing designs.
Surgical management of a local angioinvasive fungal soft tissue infection in the knee: a case report
Authors: Masood Mavra , Jamal Tameem , Nye Anthony , Shah Syed , Shea Sofia 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
A 58-year-old male with an insignificant past medical history presented with chronic myelogenous leukemia in blast crisis. He began induction chemotherapy complicated by neutropenic fever. The patient then developed a nontender 1.5 cm violaceous firm indurated papule above the left patella with satellite lesions on his wrist and chest. A biopsy of the left patella showed obliterated blood vessels in the deep reticular dermis and numerous hyphae with septation and acute angle branching in the vessel wall consistent with angioinvasive aspergillosis. He was started on liposomal amphotericin and empiric voriconazole. Urgent local surgical excision of the primary lesion was recommended for source control. There is no clear recommendation on surgical intervention for angioinvasive aspergillosis, and further direction is needed. We present a case that illustrates surgical debridement for angioinvasive aspergillosis to be an effective method of source control along with systemic antifungal therapy.
The contribution of oncovascular surgery in a young patient with idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis
Authors: Kotsis Thomas , Christoforou Panagitsa , Polydorou Andreas 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Surgical resection remains the cornerstone for the treatment of oncological disease. When a critical arterial or venous structure is involved in a tumor mass, successful relief of symptoms and long-term oncological control are achieved through careful preoperative planning by an interdisciplinary team that necessarily includes a vascular surgeon. We describe the involvement of a vascular surgeon in the oncology of a 22-year-old woman, who is diagnosed with idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis.
Incidental finding of mandibular ossifying fibroma with parasymphyseal mandibular fracture
Authors: Wase Saima , Bayne Kilee , Billy Mark 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
We present an interesting case of a young male with incidental finding of a mandibular ossifying fibroma. The patient sustained direct trauma to the mandible which prompted a computer tomography (CT) scan evaluation of the facial bones. The CT scan showed bilateral mandibular fractures with one of the fractures extending through an incidental finding of a 2.3 cm mandibular parasymphyseal lesion. The patient was previously asymptomatic without dental pain, jaw pain or swelling. This case is unique in the fact that the patient has an inherently rare tumor, was asymptomatic prior to his injury, demographically young for the presentation of this size tumor, and highlights the importance of a through trauma workup.
A rare case of gastrointestinal amyloidosis secondary to myeloma with predominant jejunal involvement
Authors: Anandan Manoj , Ying Lei , Macisaac Benjamin , Kilner Alexander , Laurie Robyn , Naidoo Uvarasen K 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Amyloidosis is a condition identified by the accumulation of abnormal proteins in various tissues and organs that eventually lead to impaired function. Systemic amyloidosis with gastrointestinal (GI) tract involvement is more common than localized GI amyloidosis, whereas predominant jejunal involvement is even more uncommon. We report a rare case of systemic amyloidosis with predominant jejunal involvement in a 76-year-old female who presented with lower abdominal bloating and lethargy.
Decoding enigma: Turner syndrome with ring chromosome
Authors: Das Debarup , Roy Debaditya , Basu Kaushik , Sarkar Anupam 
Published: December 2021

ABSTRACT
Ring chromosome X is one of the rarest with some unique phenotypical features in Turner syndrome. A young female presented to us with anasarca developed over the past 2 months due to congestive cardiac failure along with jaundice and orthopnea. She had growth retardation, intellectual disability, primary amenorrhea, lack of secondary sexual character development and dysmorphic features like low posterior hairline, shield chest and cubitus valgus. She had dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) with intracardiac thrombus on echocardiography. Skeletal survey revealed short fourth metacarpal/tarsal on limbs. Karyotyping showed a mosaic pattern, with 45, X/46, X,r(X)(p22.3q28), i.e. Turner syndrome karyotype with ring chromosome. Her heart failure with reduced ejection fraction was managed with vasopressor along with anticoagulant and given oral contraceptive pills for hormone replacement therapy. The ring chromosomal pattern of karyotype in this patient and DCM is a rare cardiological phenomenon that can be associated with Turner syndrome, making this case a unique one.
Spondylodiscitis due to Salmonella Typhi: a series of four cases
Authors: Saravu Kavitha , Bhat Shyamasunder N , Gupta Nitin 
Published: December 2021

ABSTRACT
Salmonella Typhi is very rarely associated with focal bone and joint complications. Classically, they are described in patients with risk factors such as haemoglobinopathies. We report four cases of spondylodiscitis, where the aetiology was found to be Salmonella Typhi. All four cases were treated successfully with variable duration of ceftriaxone followed by cotrimoxazole. We report these cases to highlight the importance of obtaining a microbiological diagnosis and the possibility of a rare infection in endemic settings.
Analysis of REM sleep without atonia in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome determined by domiciliary polysomnography: a cross sectional study
Authors: Mauro Jorge , Diaz Mario , Córdova Teresa , Villanueva Katiuska , Cáceres Tania , Bassi Alejandro , Fritsch Rosemarie , Repetto Gabriela M , Ocampo-Garcés Adrián 
Published: December 2021

AbstractStudy ObjectivesOur aim is to evaluate the presence of REM sleep without atonia (RWA), the objective hallmark of REM sleep Behaviour Disorder (RBD), as prodromal marker of Parkinson’s disease (PD), in an adult cohort of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22qDS).MethodsSleep quality was assessed by means of Pittsburgh quality scale index (PSQI), and RBD symptoms by means of RBD questionnaire-Hong-Kong (RBDQ-HK). Attended domiciliary video-Polysomnography (v-PSG) were performed in 26 adults (18–51 years, 14 females) 22qDS patients. Electromyogram during REM sleep was analyzed by means of SINBAR procedure at 3-second time resolution (miniepochs).ResultsAn overall poor sleep quality was observed in the cohort and high RBDQ-HK score in 7 of the 26 patients, two additional patients with positive dream enactment reported by close relatives had low score of RBDQ-HK. Nevertheless, SINBAR RWA scores were lower than cut-off threshold for RWA (mean 5.5%, range 0–12.2%). TST and the percentage of light sleep (N1) were increased, with preserved proportions of N2 and N3. Participants reported poor quality of sleep (mean PSQI &gt; 5), with prolonged sleep latency in the v-PSG. No subjects exhibit evident dream enactment episodes during recording sessions.ConclusionsRWA was absent in the studied cohort of 22qDS adult volunteers according to validated polysomnographic criteria. High RBDQ-HK scores do not correlate with v-PSG results among 22qDS individuals.