bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biogeographical distribution and regulation of methanotrophs in Chinese paddy soils
Authors: Yang Wangting , Wang Weiqi , Shen Lidong , Bai Yanan , Liu Xin , Tian Maohui , Wang Chun , Yang Yuling , Liu Jiaqi 
Published: November 2021

AbstractMethanotrophs contribute significantly to methane consumption in paddy ecosystems. Currently, the biogeographical distribution and regulation of methanotrophs in Chinese paddy soils remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the activity, abundance and community structure of methanotrophs in paddy soils from different geographical regions and three climate zones across China, with a total of 20 sampling sites. The results showed that the methanotrophic activity and pmoA gene abundance varied from 0.67 to 2.23 μmol CH4 g−1 (dry soil) h−1 and 1.39 × 105 to 1.03 × 107 copies g−1 dry soil, respectively, and the methanotrophic communities were dominated by Methylocystis (type II). Heterogeneously distributed methanotrophic communities were observed among different climate zones characterised by a significant variation of the relative abundance of Methylococcus (type I). Furthermore, high and intermediate rates of nitrogen (N) fertilisation showed a significantly lower methanotrophic activity than the low rates of N fertilisation. However, no significant variation of methanotrophic abundance or community composition was observed among different N fertilisation levels. In addition, the soil ammonium content, water content, clay content, salinity, pH, mean annual precipitation and mean annual temperature was identified as the key factors affecting the activity, abundance and community composition of methanotrophs. Overall, our results showed the biogeographical distribution of methanotrophs in Chinese paddy soils, which can be largely influenced by climate conditions, N fertilisation rates and soil physiochemical properties.Highlights
Activity and abundance of methanotrophs varied greatly across Chinese paddy fields.
Methanotrophic community varied substantially across different climate zones.
Higher rates of N fertilization could decrease methanotrophic activity.
Soil properties (like NH4+, pH and moisture) significantly affected methanotrophs.
Labyrinthine haemorrhage secondary to cerebral venous thrombosis
Authors: Martins Ana Inês , Figueiredo Carlos , Melancia Diana , Jorge André , Amorim Ana Margarida , Pereira Daniela , Nunes César , Silva Fernando , Lemos João 
Published: November 2021

AbstractCerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) can rarely present with acute ipsilateral cochlear and/or vestibular loss, to date always in the absence of a clear local otogenic process evidenced by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This association has been putatively attributed to inner ear anoxia due to blockage of inner ear venous drainage. We present a nonreported case of thrombosis of the left transverse and sigmoid sinuses presenting with acute unilateral vestibulopathy in which MRI disclosed concurrent ipsilateral labyrinthine haemorrhage. A 69‐year‐old female presented with acute vertigo without hearing loss or other accompanying neurological symptoms. Bedside examination revealed spontaneous right‐beating nystagmus and an impaired left head impulse response, with an otherwise normal neurological examination. Audiometry and head and ear computed tomography were unremarkable, whereas MRI showed a nonenhancing hyperintensity of the left inner ear consistent with labyrinthine haemorrhage, and additional venography disclosed thrombosis of the left transverse and sigmoid sinuses. Oral anticoagulation was started, and the patient experienced gradual improvement of symptoms. The current case provides support for the existence of inner ear anoxia in CVT cases presenting with acute ipsilateral vestibular loss, which can ultimately be complicated by secondary bleeding, as seen in our patient. Importantly, presentation in our case closely mimicked that of peripheral vestibular neuritis, and only MRI venography enabled us to make a prompt diagnosis. This raises an important question as to when a diagnosis of vestibular neuritis can be made securely in the absence of MRI assessment with or without venography to completely discard labyrinthine haemorrhage with or without CVT.
Predicting functional outcome in patients with acute brainstem infarction using deep neuroimaging features
Authors: Ding Lingling , Liu Ziyang , Mane Ravikiran , Wang Shuai , Jing Jing , Fu He , Wu Zhenzhou , Li Hao , Jiang Yong , Meng Xia , Zhao Xingquan , Liu Tao , Wang Yongjun , Li Zixiao 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackground and purposeAcute brainstem infarctions can lead to serious functional impairments. We aimed to predict functional outcomes in patients with acute brainstem infarction using deep neuroimaging features extracted by convolutional neural networks (CNNs).MethodsThis nationwide multicenter stroke registry study included 1482 patients with acute brainstem infarction. We applied CNNs to automatically extract deep neuroimaging features from diffusion‐weighted imaging. Deep learning models based on clinical features, laboratory features, conventional imaging features (infarct volume, number of infarctions), and deep neuroimaging features were trained to predict functional outcomes at 3 months poststroke. Unfavorable outcome was defined as modified Rankin Scale score of 3 or higher at 3 months. The models were evaluated by comparing the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).ResultsA model based solely on 14 deep neuroimaging features from CNNs achieved an extremely high AUC of 0.975 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.934–0.997) and significantly outperformed the model combining clinical, laboratory, and conventional imaging features (0.772, 95% CI = 0.691–0.847, p < 0.001) in prediction of functional outcomes. The deep neuroimaging model also demonstrated significant improvement over traditional prognostic scores. In an interpretability analysis, the deep neuroimaging features displayed a significant correlation with age, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, infarct volume, and inflammation factors.ConclusionsDeep learning models can successfully extract objective neuroimaging features from the routine radiological data in an automatic manner and aid in predicting the functional outcomes in patients with brainstem infarction at 3 months with very high accuracy.
Population‐based incidence and clinico‐radiological characteristics of tumefactive demyelination in Olmsted County, Minnesota, United States
Authors: Fereidan‐Esfahani Mahboubeh , Decker Paul A. , Eckel Passow Jeanette E. , Lucchinetti Claudia F. , Flanagan Eoin Patrick , Tobin William Oliver 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackground and purposeTumefactive demyelination (TD) presents with large inflammatory lesions mimicking tumors or other space‐occupying lesions. Limited epidemiological, clinical and radiological data exist for TD. We aimed to report the incidence rate, and clinical and radiological features of TD in Olmsted County, Minnesota.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed patients with central nervous system inflammatory demyelination‐related diagnostic codes (January 1, 1998 to December 31, 2018) in the Rochester Epidemiology Project database, and adjusted incidence rates by age and sex to the 2010 US total population. We used the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) to assess outcomes (index attack and last follow‐up).ResultsOf 792 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, 15 (eight males, seven females) had tumefactive MS, representing 1.9% of the MS population. The median (range) age at attack onset was 34.2 (2–61) years. Tumefactive lesion was the first clinical MS attack in 8/16 patients. Cerebrospinal fluid oligoclonal bands (OCBs) were present in 8/12 patients and 11/16 patients met the Barkhof criteria for dissemination in space. Most patients remained fully ambulatory (EDSS score ≤4 in 13/16 patients [81%]) after a median (range) follow‐up duration of 10.5 (1–20.5) years. Age‐adjusted annual incidence rates were 0.46/100,000 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.12–0.81) for female patients, 0.66/100,000 (95% CI 0.23–1.02) for male patients, and 0.56/100,000 [95% CI 0.28–0.83] overall. When age‐ and sex‐adjusted to the 2010 US total population, the overall annual incidence rate was 0.57 (95% CI 0.28–0.84). Despite aggressive clinical presentation at disease onset, most patients remained fully ambulatory (EDSS score ≤4 in 13/16 patients) with a relapsing‐remitting course.ConclusionsAlthough incidence is rare, TD should be suspected in patients presenting with subacutely progressive neurological deficits associated with magnetic resonance imaging findings of ring enhancement, apparent diffusion coefficient restriction, and OCB on spinal fluid analysis.
Early queen joining and long‐term queen associations in polygyne colonies of an invasive wasp revealed by longitudinal genetic analysis
Authors: Scarparo Giulia , Sankovitz Madison , Loope Kevin J. , Wilson‐Rankin Erin , Purcell Jessica 
Published: November 2021

AbstractInvasive social insects rank among the most damaging of terrestrial species. They are responsible for extensive damage and severely threaten the biodiversity of environments where they are introduced. Variation in colony social form commonly occurs in introduced populations of yellowjacket wasps (genus Vespula). In particular, invasive colonies may contain multiple queens (i.e., polygyne) and persist several years, while in the native range, the colonies are usually annual and harbor a single queen (i.e., monogyne). In this study, we used genome‐wide loci obtained by double digest restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) to investigate the genetic structure and queen turnover in colonies of the western yellowjacket, Vespula pensylvanica, in their introduced range in Hawaii. Of the 27 colonies monitored over four months (October–January), 19 were polygyne and already contained multiple queens on the first day of sampling. Contrary to previous speculation, this finding suggests that polygyny often arises early in the annual colony cycle, before the production of new queens in the fall. Furthermore, polygyne colonies exhibited a prolonged average lifespan relative to those headed by a single queen. As a result, there is no clear window during which colony eradication efforts would be more effective than upon first discovery. The relatedness among nestmate queens was slightly above zero, indicating that these colonies are generally composed of nonrelatives. The queen turnover within each colony was low, and we detected some full‐sibling workers sampled up to four months apart. Finally, we did not detect any population structure among colonies, suggesting that queens disperse up to several kilometers. Taken together, our results provide the first insights into the requeening dynamics in this invasive and incipiently polygyne population and illuminate the early establishment of multiple long‐lasting queens in these damaging colonies.
Serum amyloid A as an aid in diagnosing sepsis in equine neonates
Authors: Barr Bonnie , Nieman Natanya M. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundSepsis is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in neonatal foals, especially during the first 7 days of life. Diagnosing sepsis in neonatal foals can be challenging because initial clinical signs are often ambiguous and non‐specific.ObjectivesTo determine if the major acute phase protein serum amyloid A (SAA) as measured by a point‐of‐care SAA testing device can be used as an evidence‐based biomarker of sepsis.Study designRetrospective cohort.MethodsClinical diagnosis of sepsis based on positive bacterial blood culture or a positive sepsis score was obtained and compared to SAA values in a population of neonatal foals on a breeding farm and referral hospital during four consecutive foaling seasons. A rapid, point‐of‐care blood test was used to measure SAA concentrations in neonatal foals <36 hours old that were clinically diagnosed as healthy, sick non‐septic or septic.ResultsThe septic foals (n = 35) had a median SAA concentration (114 µg/mL) that was significantly greater (P < .05) than that for foals in the sick non‐septic (n = 117, 1.5 µg/mL) and healthy (n = 245, 0 µg/mL) groups. At a diagnostic threshold of 100 µg/mL, the SAA test had a sensitivity of 52.9% (95% CI 36.5‐68.9), specificity of 97.5% (95% CI 95.0‐99.0), positive predictive value of 75.0% (95% CI 56.2‐87.5), negative predictive value of 93.7% (95% CI 91.2‐95.5), and a test accuracy of 92.1% (95% CI 88.2‐95.0).ConclusionsThe results of this study indicate that SAA is a useful aid in the diagnosis of sepsis in the neonatal foal.
Control of sucrose accumulation in sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids) involves miRNA‐mediated regulation of genes and transcription factors associated with sugar metabolism
Authors: Wang Miao , Li Ao‐Mei , Liao Fen , Qin Cui‐Xian , Chen Zhong‐Liang , Zhou Li , Li Yang‐Rui , Li Xiao‐Feng , Lakshmanan Prakash , Huang Dong‐Liang 
Published: November 2021

AbstractSugarcane is an established industrial crop providing sugar, ethanol and biomass‐derived electricity worldwide. Cane sugar content is an important breeding target, but its improvement remains very slow in many breeding programmes. Biotechnology strategies to improve sucrose accumulation made little progress at the crop level, mainly due to the limited understanding of its regulation. miRNAs regulate many metabolic processes in plants. However, their roles and target genes associated with sugarcane sucrose accumulation remain unknown. Here, we conducted high‐throughput sequencing of transcriptome, small RNAs and degradome of leaves and stem of two early‐maturing sugarcane genotypes with contrasting sucrose content from the early to late stages of sucrose accumulation stages, which provided more insights into miRNA‐associated gene regulation during sucrose accumulation. The stem sucrose content in both genotypes increased steadily with time during sucrose accumulation stage. Transcriptome analysis identified 18,722 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between both genotypes during sucrose accumulation. The major DEGs identified were involved in starch and sucrose metabolism, and photosynthesis. miRNA sequencing identified 563 known and 281 novel miRNAs from both genotypes during sucrose accumulation. Of these, 311 miRNAs were differentially expressed. A combined transcriptome and miRNA data analysis revealed differentially expressed miRNA‐target mRNA pairs related to sugar metabolism, of which 46 targets were transcription factors (TFs). miR172, miR164, miR396 and miR169 appear to regulate AP2/ERF, NAC, GRF and bZIP TF members associated with sugar metabolism. This is the first report of sugarcane miRNAs associated with sugar accumulation.
Remaking international higher education for an unequal world
Authors: Mok Ka Ho , Zhang Youliang 
Published: November 2021

AbstractPrior to the current global health crisis, the value, and benefits of international education for different social groups have been questioned. Critics of the internationalisation of education emphasise that international student mobility only favours the elites in society but has disadvantaged for those groups with less fortunate socioeconomic status. In view of the COVID‐19 pandemic, leading scholars in the field of international higher education believe that a broad‐based global crisis for higher education has emerged, of which one major consequence is intensifying inequality in education during and after the pandemic crisis. This article sets out against the COVID‐19 pandemic crisis context to critically examine whether and how Asian students would continue going abroad for studies. Special attention is given to those major factors that shape the destination choices of students and their desire for international education. Based on a survey on Asian students' overseas learning preferences, this article reflects upon the future of international higher education from the geo‐political and socio‐psychological perspectives. This article also highlights the major challenges that hinder international higher education development and draws crucial lessons from the impact of the COVID‐19 crisis on such a development.
Adapting patient and public involvement in patient‐oriented methods research: Reflections in a Canadian setting during COVID‐19
Authors: Leese Jenny , Garraway Leana , Li Linda , Oelke Nelly , MacLeod Martha 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundProcesses of the patient and public involvement (PPI) in health research shifted quickly during 2020. Faced with large‐scale issues, such as the COVID‐19 pandemic, the need to adapt processes of PPI to uphold commitments to nurturing the practice of ‘nothing about us without us’ in research has been urgent and profound. We describe how processes of PPI in research on patient‐oriented methods of knowledge translation and implementation science were adapted by four teams in a Canadian setting.MethodsAs part of an ongoing quality improvement self‐study to enhance PPI within these teams, team members shared their experiences of PPI in the context of this pivotal year during interviews and facilitated discussions. Drawing on these experiences, we outline challenges and reflections for adapting processes of PPI in health research on methods in times of urgency, conflict and fast‐moving change.DiscussionOur reflections offer insight into common issues encountered across teams that may be amplified during times of rapid change, including handling change and uncertainty, sustaining relationship‐building and hearing differing perspectives in processes of PPI.ConclusionThese learnings present an opportunity to help others active in or planning patient‐oriented methods research to reflect on the changing nature of PPI and how to adapt PPI processes in response to turbulent situations in the future.
Sexual diversification of splicing regulation during embryonic development in honeybees (Apis mellifera), A haplodiploid system
Authors: Netschitailo Oksana , Raub Stephan , Kaftanoglu Osman , Beye Martin 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe honeybee is a haplodiploid organism in which sexual development is determined by the complementary sex determiner (csd) gene and realized by sex‐specific splicing processes involving the feminizer (fem) gene. We used high throughput transcriptome sequencing (RNA‐Seq) to characterize the transcriptional differences between the sexes caused by the fertilization and sex determination processes in honeybee (Apis mellifera) embryos. We identified 758, 372 and 43 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 58, 176 and 233 differentially spliced genes (DSGs) in 10–15‐h‐old, 25–40‐h‐old and 55–70‐h‐old female and male embryos, respectively. The early difference in male and female embryos in response to the fertilization and non‐fertilization processes resulted mainly in differential expression of genes (758 DEGs vs. 58 DSGs). In the latest sampled embryonic stage, the transcriptional differences between the sexes were dominated by alternative splicing of transcripts (43 DEGs vs. 233 DSGs). Interestingly, differentially spliced transcripts that encode RNA‐binding properties were overrepresented in 55–70‐h‐old embryos, indicating a more diverse regulation via alternative splicing than previous work on the sex determination pathway suggested. These stage‐ and sex‐specific transcriptome data from honeybee embryos provide a comprehensive resource for examining the roles of fertilization and sex determination in developmental programming in a haplodiploid system.
Temperature‐independent large strain with small hysteresis in Sb‐modified BNT‐based lead‐free ceramics
Authors: Wang Xianya , Liu Xinyu , Xue Haoyue , Yin Jie , Wu Jiagang 
Published: November 2021

AbstractChemically modified (typically, via B‐site doping by Nb and Ta) Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 (BNT)‐based piezoelectric ceramics, which exhibit superior electro‐strain behaviors than their perovskite peers, suffer from high hysteresis and poor temperature stability. In this study, the rarely studied dopant Sb is found to be effective in overcoming these two drawbacks by expanding the ergodic relaxor region to a wider temperature range. Excellent electro‐strain (0.41%–0.46%) with reduced hysteresis (15%–20%) was observed over the temperature range of 40–120℃, with 12% variation of electro‐strain in Bi0.5(Na0.78K0.22)0.5Ti0.9925Sb0.0075O3 samples. These results suggest that compared to previously reported BNT‐based piezoelectric ceramics, Sb‐modified BNT‐based ceramics show higher potential for practical actuator applications.
Integration of Raman spectra with transcriptome data in glioblastoma multiforme defines tumour subtypes and predicts patient outcome
Authors: Le Reste Pierre‐Jean , Pilalis Eleftherios , Aubry Marc , McMahon Mari , Cano Luis , Etcheverry Amandine , Chatziioannou Aristotelis , Chevet Eric , Fautrel Alain 
Published: November 2021

AbstractRaman spectroscopy is an imaging technique that has been applied to assess molecular compositions of living cells to characterize cell types and states. However, owing to the diverse molecular species in cells and challenges of assigning peaks to specific molecules, it has not been clear how to interpret cellular Raman spectra. Here, we provide firm evidence that cellular Raman spectra (RS) and transcriptomic profiles of glioblastoma can be computationally connected and thus interpreted. We find that the dimensions of high‐dimensional RS and transcriptomes can be reduced and connected linearly through a shared low‐dimensional subspace. Accordingly, we were able to predict global gene expression profiles by applying the calculated transformation matrix to Raman spectra and vice versa. From these analyses, we extract a minimal gene expression signature associated with specific RS profiles and predictive of disease outcome.
Pro‐inflammatory cytokines as emerging molecular determinants in cardiolaminopathies
Authors: Gerbino Andrea , Forleo Cinzia , Milano Serena , Piccapane Francesca , Procino Giuseppe , Pepe Martino , Piccolo Mara , Guida Piero , Resta Nicoletta , Favale Stefano , Svelto Maria , Carmosino Monica 
Published: November 2021

AbstractMutations in Lamin A/C gene (lmna) cause a wide spectrum of cardiolaminopathies strictly associated with significant deterioration of the electrical and contractile function of the heart. Despite the continuous flow of biomedical evidence, linking cardiac inflammation to heart remodelling in patients harbouring lmna mutations is puzzling. Therefore, we profiled 30 serum cytokines/chemokines in patients belonging to four different families carrying pathogenic lmna mutations segregating with cardiac phenotypes at different stages of severity (n = 19) and in healthy subjects (n = 11). Regardless lmna mutation subtype, high levels of circulating granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) and interleukin 6 (IL‐6) were found in all affected patients’ sera. In addition, elevated levels of Interleukins (IL) IL‐1Ra, IL‐1β IL‐4, IL‐5 and IL‐8 and the granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) were measured in a large subset of patients associated with more aggressive clinical manifestations. Finally, the expression of the pro‐inflammatory 70 kDa heat shock protein (Hsp70) was significantly increased in serum exosomes of patients harbouring the lmna mutation associated with the more severe phenotype. Overall, the identification of patient subsets with overactive or dysregulated myocardial inflammatory responses could represent an innovative diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic tool against Lamin A/C cardiomyopathies.