bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cognitive Fatigue and Processing Speed in Children Treated for Brain Tumours
Authors: Irestorm Elin , Ora Ingrid , Linge Helena , Tonning Olsson Ingrid 
Published: January 2021

AbstractObjective:The relationship between fatigue and cognition has not been fully elucidated in children and adolescent survivors of brain tumours. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential relationship between fatigue and cognitive impairments in these survivors, as this group is at risk for both types of deficits.Methods:Survivors of paediatric brain tumours (n = 45) underwent a neuropsychological testing on average 4 years after diagnosis. Mean age at follow-up was 13.41 years. Cognition was assessed with neuropsychological tests, and fatigue with the Pediatric Quality of Life (PedsQL™) Multidimensional Fatigue Scale. Regression analysis, adjusted for cranial radiotherapy and age at diagnosis, was used to investigate the associations between cognitive variables and fatigue subscales. Cognitive variables associated with fatigue were subsequently exploratively assessed.Results:Significant associations were found for cognitive fatigue and measures of cognitive processing speed; Coding: p = .003, r = .583, 95% CI [9.61; 22.83] and Symbol Search: p = .001, r = .585, 95% CI [10.54; 24.87]. Slower processing speed was associated with poorer results for cognitive fatigue. Survivors with the largest decrease in processing speed from baseline to follow-up also experienced the most cognitive fatigue. Survivors expressed more cognitive fatigue compared to other types of fatigue.Conclusions:The association between cognitive fatigue and cognitive processing speed in children and adolescents treated for brain tumours is in concordance with the results previously reported in adults. Some survivors experience fatigue without impairment in processing speed, indicating the need for comprehensive assessments. Moreover, the study supports that fatigue is a multidimensional concept which should be measured accordingly.
Students choosing fat-free chocolate milk during school lunch consume more calories, total sugar, protein, minerals and vitamins at lunch
Authors: Peckham Janet G , Kropp Jaclyn D , Mroz Thomas A , Haley-Zitlin Vivian , Granberg Ellen 
Published: January 2021

AbstractObjective:To examine how milk consumption varies by milk choice and measure the association of milk choice on the nutritional and energetic content of National School Lunch Program (NSLP) lunches.Design:An observational plate waste study using the Digital Photography of Foods Method.Setting:Data were collected from two suburban South Carolina schools in one district during February and March 2013.Participants:Totally, 968 NSLP lunches selected by 619 kindergarten to fifth grade students.Results:Most students chose chocolate milk (75 %). A multinomial logit model indicated milk choice varied significantly by sociodemographic characteristics. An ordinary least square regression indicated that consumption rates of low-fat white milk were 8·5 % lower than fat-free chocolate milk (P = 0·039) and milk consumption rates varied statistically by sociodemographic characteristics. Ordinary least square regressions found that the consumption of energies and nutrients from NSLP lunches varied with sociodemographic characteristics and milk choice; students selecting chocolate milk consumed 58 more energies (P < 0·001) and 10 more grams of total sugar (P < 0·001) than students selecting low-fat white milk from their NSLP lunches. Students consumed statistically similar energies and nutrients from the non-milk components of their meals.Conclusions:Students selecting chocolate milk consumed more energies and nutrients from their NSLP lunches with the increases in consumption attributed to the milk component of the meal. The findings have implications for recent changes to NSLP guidelines that allow schools to offer both low-fat and fat-free flavoured milk, reversing the previous ban on low-fat flavoured milk under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act.
Information and legitimacy: results from an experimental survey on attitudes to the 2017 pension reform in Finland
Authors: Kangas Olli , Airio Ilpo , Koskenvuo Karoliina , Kuivalainen Susan , Tenhunen Sanna 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe legitimacy of a pension system or any social security program depends on its credibility and perceived fairness. In order to gauge this legitimacy, we need to understand the relation between people's knowledge and attitudes. This experimental survey into the role of knowledge and perceptions divided respondents into two groups: the ‘treatment’ group received an information letter about a forthcoming pension reform before they were interviewed, while the control group was interviewed without receiving this ‘treatment’. Comparisons of the responses from the two groups allow us to assess how the level of knowledge and the provision of information affect people's opinions on policy reform. We also consider the patterns of covariation between background factors, people's concerns, and attitudes toward pension reform. The results show that the information letter had a significant impact on subjective but not on the objective level of knowledge. Receiving the information letter improved acceptance and perceptions of the fairness of the reform.
High-fructose diet during puberty alters the sperm parameters, testosterone concentration, and histopathology of testes and epididymis in adult Wistar rats
Authors: Medaglia Daniele Sapede Alvarenga , Vieira Henrique Rodrigues , Silveira Sandra da Silva , Siervo Gláucia Eloisa Munhoz de L. , Marcon Monique Suellen da Silva , Mathias Paulo Cezar de Freitas , Fernandes Glaura S. A. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe consumption of fructose has increased in children and adolescents and is partially responsible for the high incidence of metabolic diseases. The lifestyle during postnatal development can result in altered metabolic programming, thereby impairing the reproductive system and fertility during adulthood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a high-fructose diet in the male reproductive system of pubertal and adult rats. Male Wistar rats (30 d old) were assigned to four different groups: Fr30, which received fructose (20%) in water for 30 d and were euthanized at postnatal day (PND) 60; Re-Fr30, which received fructose (20%) for 30 d and were euthanized at PND 120; and two control groups C30 and Re-C30, which received water ad libitum and were euthanized at PND 60 and 120, respectively. Fructose induced an increase in abnormal seminiferous tubules with epithelial vacuoles, degeneration, and immature cells in the lumen. Moreover, Fr30 rats showed altered spermatogenesis and daily sperm production (DSP), as well as increased serum testosterone concentrations. After discontinuing high-fructose consumption, DSP and sperm number decreased significantly. We observed tissue remodeling in the epididymis, with a reduction in stromal and epithelial compartments that might have influenced sperm motility. Therefore, we concluded that fructose intake in peripubertal rats led to changes in the reproductive system observed both during puberty and adulthood.
Potential roles of stem cell marker genes in axon regeneration
Authors: Lee Jinyoung , Cho Yongcheol 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAxon regeneration is orchestrated by many genes that are differentially expressed in response to injury. Through a comparative analysis of gene expression profiling, injury-responsive genes that are potential targets for understanding the mechanisms underlying regeneration have been revealed. As the efficiency of axon regeneration in both the peripheral and central nervous systems can be manipulated, we suggest that identifying regeneration-associated genes is a promising approach for developing therapeutic applications in vivo. Here, we review the possible roles of stem cell marker- or stemness-related genes in axon regeneration to gain a better understanding of the regeneration mechanism and to identify targets that can enhance regenerative capacity.
PU.1 drives specification of pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial cells to LSEC-like cells
Authors: De Smedt Jonathan , van Os Elise Anne , Talon Irene , Ghosh Sreya , Toprakhisar Burak , Furtado Madeiro Da Costa Rodrigo , Zaunz Samantha , Vazquez Marta Aguirre , Boon Ruben , Baatsen Pieter , Smout Ayla , Verhulst Stefaan , van Grunsven Leo A. , Verfaillie Catherine M. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractTo date, there is no representative in vitro model for liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs), as primary LSECs dedifferentiate very fast in culture and no combination of cytokines or growth factors can induce an LSEC fate in (pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-derived) endothelial cells (ECs). Furthermore, the transcriptional programmes driving an LSEC fate have not yet been described. Here, we first present a computational workflow (CenTFinder) that can identify transcription factors (TFs) that are crucial for modulating pathways involved in cell lineage specification. Using CenTFinder, we identified several novel LSEC-specific protein markers, such as FCN2 and FCN3, which were validated by analysis of previously published single-cell RNAseq data. We also identified PU.1 (encoded by the SPI1 gene) as a major regulator of LSEC-specific immune functions. We show that SPI1 overexpression (combined with the general EC TF ETV2) in human PSCs induces ECs with an LSEC-like phenotype. The ETV2-SPI1-ECs display increased expression of LSEC markers, such as CD32B and MRC1, as well as several of the proposed novel markers. More importantly, ETV2-SPI1-ECs acquire LSEC functions, including uptake of FSA-FITC, as well as labelled IgG. In conclusion, we present the CenTFinder computational tool to identify key regulatory TFs within specific pathways, in this work pathways of lineage specification, and we demonstrate its use by the identification and validation of PU.1 as a master regulator for LSEC fating.
Adaptive resistance to PI3Kα-selective inhibitor CYH33 is mediated by genomic and transcriptomic alterations in ESCC cells
Authors: Wang Yu-xiang , Zhang Xu , Ma Qing-yang , Hu Lan-dian , Zhang Xi , Wang Yi , Xu Lan , Yang Chun-hao , Tan Cun , Kong Xiang-yin , Ding Jian , Meng Ling-hua 
Published: January 2021

AbstractPhosphoinositide-3 kinase alpha-specific inhibitors (PI3Kαi) displayed promising potential for the treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) with frequent activation in PI3K signaling. However, acquired resistance is likely to develop and limit the efficacy of PI3Kαi like other targeted therapies. To identify genomic adaptation to PI3Kαi, we applied whole-genome sequencing and detected gene mutation and amplification in four lines of ESCC cells established with adapted resistance to a novel PI3Kαi CYH33. Particularly, HRASG12S mutation was found in KYSE180C cells. Overexpression of HRASG12S in ESCC parental cells rendered resistance to CYH33. By contrast, down-regulation of HRASG12S restored the sensitivity of KYSE180C1 cells to CYH33, and combination of CYH33 and MEK162 displayed synergistic effect against KYSE180C1 cells and xenografts. Furthermore, elevated mTORC1, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and c-Myc signaling pathways were found in resistant cells by RNA sequencing and combination of CYH33 and RAD001, MEK162, or OTX015 overcame the resistance to CYH33, which was accompanied with enhanced inhibition on S6, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 (ERK), or c-Myc, respectively. Overall, we characterized the adaptations to PI3Kαi in ESCC cells and identified combinatorial regimens that may circumvent resistance.
Novel TNFAIP3 microdeletion in a girl with infantile-onset inflammatory bowel disease complicated by a severe perianal lesion
Authors: Taniguchi Kosuke , Inoue Mikihiro , Arai Katsuhiro , Uchida Keiichi , Migita Osuke , Akemoto Yui , Hirayama Junya , Takeuchi Ichiro , Shimizu Hirotaka , Hata Kenichiro 
Published: January 2021

AbstractA20 haploinsufficiency (HA20), a disease caused by loss-of-function TNFAIP3 mutations, manifests various autoinflammatory and/or autoimmune symptoms. Some cases of HA20 were initially diagnosed as very early onset inflammatory bowel disease (VEO-IBD). We performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) for a Japanese girl with infantile-onset IBD and a severe perianal lesion and detected a novel de novo 119 kb microdeletion containing only TNFAIP3 (arr[GRCh37] 6q23.3(138125829_138244816) × 1).
Identification of fidelity-governing factors in human recombinases DMC1 and RAD51 from cryo-EM structures
Authors: Luo Shih-Chi , Yeh Hsin-Yi , Lan Wei-Hsuan , Wu Yi-Min , Yang Cheng-Han , Chang Hao-Yen , Su Guan-Chin , Lee Chia-Yi , Wu Wen-Jin , Li Hung-Wen , Ho Meng-Chiao , Chi Peter , Tsai Ming-Daw 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBoth high-fidelity and mismatch-tolerant recombination, catalyzed by RAD51 and DMC1 recombinases, respectively, are indispensable for genomic integrity. Here, we use cryo-EM, MD simulation and functional analysis to elucidate the structural basis for the mismatch tolerance of DMC1. Structural analysis of DMC1 presynaptic and postsynaptic complexes suggested that the lineage-specific Loop 1 Gln244 (Met243 in RAD51) may help stabilize DNA backbone, whereas Loop 2 Pro274 and Gly275 (Val273/Asp274 in RAD51) may provide an open “triplet gate” for mismatch tolerance. In support, DMC1-Q244M displayed marked increase in DNA dynamics, leading to unobservable DNA map. MD simulation showed highly dispersive mismatched DNA ensemble in RAD51 but well-converged DNA in DMC1 and RAD51-V273P/D274G. Replacing Loop 1 or Loop 2 residues in DMC1 with RAD51 counterparts enhanced DMC1 fidelity, while reciprocal mutations in RAD51 attenuated its fidelity. Our results show that three Loop 1/Loop 2 residues jointly enact contrasting fidelities of DNA recombinases.
Emergency deployment of direct air capture as a response to the climate crisis
Authors: Hanna Ryan , Abdulla Ahmed , Xu Yangyang , Victor David G. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThough highly motivated to slow the climate crisis, governments may struggle to impose costly polices on entrenched interest groups, resulting in a greater need for negative emissions. Here, we model wartime-like crash deployment of direct air capture (DAC) as a policy response to the climate crisis, calculating funding, net CO2removal, and climate impacts. An emergency DAC program, with investment of 1.2–1.9% of global GDP annually, removes 2.2–2.3 GtCO2yr–1in 2050, 13–20 GtCO2yr–1in 2075, and 570–840 GtCO2cumulatively over 2025–2100. Compared to a future in which policy efforts to control emissions follow current trends (SSP2-4.5), DAC substantially hastens the onset of net-zero CO2emissions (to 2085–2095) and peak warming (to 2090–2095); yet warming still reaches 2.4–2.5 °C in 2100. Such massive CO2removals hinge on near-term investment to boost the future capacity for upscaling. DAC is most cost-effective when using electricity sources already available today: hydropower and natural gas with renewables; fully renewable systems are more expensive because their low load factors do not allow efficient amortization of capital-intensive DAC plants.
Two distinct catalytic pathways for GH43 xylanolytic enzymes unveiled by X-ray and QM/MM simulations
Authors: Morais Mariana A. B. , Coines Joan , Domingues Mariane N. , Pirolla Renan A. S. , Tonoli Celisa C. C. , Santos Camila R. , Correa Jessica B. L. , Gozzo Fabio C. , Rovira Carme , Murakami Mario T. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractXylanolytic enzymes from glycoside hydrolase family 43 (GH43) are involved in the breakdown of hemicellulose, the second most abundant carbohydrate in plants. Here, we kinetically and mechanistically describe the non-reducing-end xylose-releasing exo-oligoxylanase activity and report the crystal structure of a native GH43 Michaelis complex with its substrate prior to hydrolysis. Two distinct calcium-stabilized conformations of the active site xylosyl unit are found, suggesting two alternative catalytic routes. These results are confirmed by QM/MM simulations that unveil the complete hydrolysis mechanism and identify two possible reaction pathways, involving different transition state conformations for the cleavage of xylooligosaccharides. Such catalytic conformational promiscuity in glycosidases is related to the open architecture of the active site and thus might be extended to other exo-acting enzymes. These findings expand the current general model of catalytic mechanism of glycosidases, a main reaction in nature, and impact on our understanding about their interaction with substrates and inhibitors.
A structural polymer for highly efficient all-day passive radiative cooling
Authors: Wang Tong , Wu Yi , Shi Lan , Hu Xinhua , Chen Min , Wu Limin 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAll-day passive radiative cooling has recently attracted tremendous interest by reflecting sunlight and radiating heat to the ultracold outer space. While some progress has been made, it still remains big challenge in fabricating highly efficient and low-cost radiative coolers for all-day and all-climates. Herein, we report a hierarchically structured polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) film with a micropore array combined with random nanopores for highly efficient day- and nighttime passive radiative cooling. This hierarchically porous array PMMA film exhibits sufficiently high solar reflectance (0.95) and superior longwave infrared thermal emittance (0.98) and realizes subambient cooling of ~8.2 °C during the night and ~6.0 °C to ~8.9 °C during midday with an average cooling power of ~85 W/m2 under solar intensity of ~900 W/m2, and promisingly ~5.5 °C even under solar intensity of ~930 W/m2 and relative humidity of ~64% in hot and moist climate. The micropores and nanopores in the polymer film play crucial roles in enhancing the solar reflectance and thermal emittance.
Effects of plasma turbulence on the nonlinear evolution of magnetic island in tokamak
Authors: Choi Minjun J. , Bardōczi Lāszlo , Kwon Jae-Min , Hahm T. S. , Park Hyeon K. , Kim Jayhyun , Woo Minho , Park Byoung-Ho , Yun Gunsu S. , Yoon Eisung , McKee George 
Published: January 2021

AbstractMagnetic islands (MIs), resulting from a magnetic field reconnection, are ubiquitous structures in magnetized plasmas. In tokamak plasmas, recent researches suggested that the interaction between an MI and ambient turbulence can be important for the nonlinear MI evolution, but a lack of detailed experimental observations and analyses has prevented further understanding. Here, we provide comprehensive observations such as turbulence spreading into an MI and turbulence enhancement at the reconnection site, elucidating intricate effects of plasma turbulence on the nonlinear MI evolution.
SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein vaccine candidate NVX-CoV2373 immunogenicity in baboons and protection in mice
Authors: Tian Jing-Hui , Patel Nita , Haupt Robert , Zhou Haixia , Weston Stuart , Hammond Holly , Logue James , Portnoff Alyse D. , Norton James , Guebre-Xabier Mimi , Zhou Bin , Jacobson Kelsey , Maciejewski Sonia , Khatoon Rafia , Wisniewska Malgorzata , Moffitt Will , Kluepfel-Stahl Stefanie , Ekechukwu Betty , Papin James , Boddapati Sarathi , Jason Wong C. , Piedra Pedro A. , Frieman Matthew B. , Massare Michael J. , Fries Louis , Bengtsson Karin Lövgren , Stertman Linda , Ellingsworth Larry , Glenn Gregory , Smith Gale 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread throughout the world with an urgent need for a safe and protective vaccine to effectuate herd protection and control the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Here, we report the development of a SARS-CoV-2 subunit vaccine (NVX-CoV2373) from the full-length spike (S) protein that is stable in the prefusion conformation. NVX-CoV2373 S form 27.2-nm nanoparticles that are thermostable and bind with high affinity to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) receptor. In mice, low-dose NVX-CoV2373 with saponin-based Matrix-M adjuvant elicit high titer anti-S IgG that blocks hACE2 receptor binding, neutralize virus, and protects against SARS-CoV-2 challenge with no evidence of vaccine-associated enhanced respiratory disease. NVX-CoV2373 also elicits multifunctional CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, CD4+ follicular helper T cells (Tfh), and antigen-specific germinal center (GC) B cells in the spleen. In baboons, low-dose levels of NVX-CoV2373 with Matrix-M was also highly immunogenic and elicited high titer anti-S antibodies and functional antibodies that block S-protein binding to hACE2 and neutralize virus infection and antigen-specific T cells. These results support the ongoing phase 1/2 clinical evaluation of the safety and immunogenicity of NVX-CoV2373 with Matrix-M (NCT04368988).
Shear wave cardiovascular MR elastography using intrinsic cardiac motion for transducer-free non-invasive evaluation of myocardial shear wave velocity
Authors: Troelstra Marian Amber , Runge Jurgen Henk , Burnhope Emma , Polcaro Alessandro , Guenthner Christian , Schneider Torben , Razavi Reza , Ismail Tevfik F. , Martorell Jordi , Sinkus Ralph 
Published: January 2021

AbstractChanges in myocardial stiffness may represent a valuable biomarker for early tissue injury or adverse remodeling. In this study, we developed and validated a novel transducer-free magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) approach for quantifying myocardial biomechanics using aortic valve closure-induced shear waves. Using motion-sensitized two-dimensional pencil beams, septal shear waves were imaged at high temporal resolution. Shear wave speed was measured using time-of-flight of waves travelling between two pencil beams and corrected for geometrical biases. After validation in phantoms, results from twelve healthy volunteers and five cardiac patients (two left ventricular hypertrophy, two myocardial infarcts, and one without confirmed pathology) were obtained. Torsional shear wave speed in the phantom was 3.0 ± 0.1 m/s, corresponding with reference speeds of 2.8 ± 0.1 m/s. Geometrically-biased flexural shear wave speed was 1.9 ± 0.1 m/s, corresponding with simulation values of 2.0 m/s. Corrected septal shear wave speeds were significantly higher in patients than healthy volunteers [14.1 (11.0–15.8) m/s versus 3.6 (2.7–4.3) m/s, p = 0.001]. The interobserver 95%-limits-of-agreement in healthy volunteers were ± 1.3 m/s and interstudy 95%-limits-of-agreement − 0.7 to 1.2 m/s. In conclusion, myocardial shear wave speed can be measured using aortic valve closure-induced shear waves, with cardiac patients showing significantly higher shear wave speeds than healthy volunteers. This non-invasive measure may provide valuable insights into the pathophysiology of heart failure.