bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of miR‐29 family in disease
Authors: Horita Masahiro , Farquharson Colin , Stephen Louise A 
Published: February 2021

AbstractMicroRNAs are small noncoding RNAs that can bind to the target sites in the 3’‐untranslated region of messenger RNA to regulate posttranscriptional gene expression. Increasing evidence has identified the miR‐29 family, consisting of miR‐29a, miR‐29b‐1, miR‐29b‐2, and miR‐29c, as key regulators of a number of biological processes. Moreover, their abnormal expression contributes to the etiology of numerous diseases. In the current review, we aimed to summarize the differential expression patterns and functional roles of the miR‐29 family in the etiology of diseases including osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, cardiorenal, and immune disease. Furthermore, we highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting members of miR‐29 family in these diseases. We present miR‐29s as promoters of osteoblast differentiation and apoptosis but suppressors of chondrogenic and osteoclast differentiation, fibrosis, and T cell differentiation, with clear avenues for therapeutic manipulation. Further research will be crucial to identify the precise mechanism of miR‐29 family in these diseases and their full potential in therapeutics.
Block‐avoiding point sequencings
Authors: Blackburn Simon R. , Etzion Tuvi 
Published: February 2021

AbstractLet and be positive integers. Recent papers by Kreher, Stinson, and Veitch have explored variants of the problem of ordering the points in a triple system (such as a Steiner triple system [STS], directed triple system, or Mendelsohn triple system) on points so that no block occurs in a segment of consecutive entries (thus the ordering is locally block‐avoiding). We describe a greedy algorithm which shows that such an ordering exists, provided that is sufficiently large when compared with . This algorithm leads to improved bounds on the number of points in cases where this was known, but also extends the results to a significantly more general setting (which includes, e.g., orderings that avoid the blocks of a design). Similar results for a cyclic variant of this situation are also established. We construct STSs and quadruple systems where can be large, showing that a bound of Stinson and Veitch is reasonable. Moreover, we generalize the Stinson–Veitch bound to a wider class of block designs and to the cyclic case. The results of Kreher, Stinson, and Veitch were originally inspired by results of Alspach, Kreher, and Pastine, who (motivated by zero‐sum avoiding sequences in abelian groups) were interested in orderings of points in a partial Steiner triple system where no segment is a union of disjoint blocks. Alspach et al. show that, when the system contains at most pairwise disjoint blocks, an ordering exists when the number of points is more than . By making use of a greedy approach, the paper improves this bound to .
Genetic analysis of 39 erythrocytosis and hereditary hemochromatosis‐associated genes in the Slovenian family with idiopathic erythrocytosis
Authors: Kristan Aleša , Gašperšič Jernej , Režen Tadeja , Kunej Tanja , Količ Rok , Vuga Andrej , Fink Martina , Žula Špela , Anžej Doma Saša , Preložnik Zupan Irena , Pajič Tadej , Podgornik Helena , Debeljak Nataša 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundErythrocytosis is a condition with an excessive number of erythrocytes, accompanied by an elevated haemoglobin and/or haematocrit value. Congenital erythrocytosis has a diverse genetic background with several genes involved in erythropoiesis. In clinical practice, nine genes are usually examined, but in approximately 70% of patients, no causative mutation can be identified. In this study, we screened 39 genes, aiming to identify potential disease‐driving variants in the family with erythrocytosis of unknown cause.Patients and MethodsTwo affected family members with elevated haemoglobin and/or haematocrit and negative for acquired causes and one healthy relative from the same family were selected for molecular‐genetic analysis of 24 erythrocytosis and 15 hereditary haemochromatosis‐associated genes with targeted NGS. The identified variants were further analysed for pathogenicity using various bioinformatic tools and review of the literature.ResultsOf the 12 identified variants, two heterozygous variants, the missense variant c.471G>C (NM_022051.2) (p.(Gln157His)) in the EGLN1 gene and the intron variant c.2572‐13A>G (NM_004972.3) in the JAK2 gene, were classified as low‐frequency variants in European population. None of the two variants were present in a healthy family member. Variant c.2572‐13A>G has potential impact on splicing by one prediction tool.ConclusionFor the first time, we included 39 genes in the erythrocytosis clinical panel and identified two potential disease‐driving variants in the Slovene family studied. Based on the reported functional in vitro studies combined with our bioinformatics analysis, we suggest further functional analysis of variant in the JAK2 gene and evaluation of a cumulative effect of both variants.
Mediating role of self‐esteem: Black Caribbean and African American adolescents' initiation of sex
Authors: Reid Kaydian S. , Hastings Julia F. , Caldwell Cleopatra H. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractTo determine how self‐esteem mediates the relationship between family support and initiation of sex for US‐born Black Caribbean compared to African American adolescents. Secondary data analyses were performed on responses from 1170 adolescents from the National Survey of American Life—Adolescents supplement (2003–2004). Weighted descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were performed to examine whether initiation of sex on perceived family support is mediated by self‐esteem. The study population consists of 360 Black Caribbean and 810 African American adolescents. Sexual initiation prevalence was higher for Black Caribbean adolescents (42.1%) than African American adolescents (36.75%). The adjusted odds ratio for Black Caribbean adolescents' initiation of sex was 0.85 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.16–4.51) compared to African American adolescents' 0.59 (95% CI: 0.35–1.00). Self‐esteem represented a statistically significant mediation path and might be more important for African American adolescents' sexual health than the Black Caribbean. The unfounded mediating role of self‐esteem between perceived family support and Black Caribbean adolescents' sexual initiation suggests possible influences of Black heterogeneity stemming from ethnic identity differences in sexual health decision‐making.
Economic and ecological benefits of a leaky E. coli strain for downstream processing: a case study for staphylococcal protein A
Authors: Kastenhofer Jens , Cataldo Alessandro L , Ebner Julian , Sedlmayr Viktor L , Jungbauer Alois , Spadiut Oliver 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDDownstream processing of soluble recombinant proteins from Escherichia coli is complicated by the need to access the intracellular product by cell disruption and to separate the target protein from impurities, particularly host cell protein, DNA, endotoxins and lipids. We previously demonstrated the ability of the E. coli X‐press strain to leak high amounts of product to the culture medium without sacrificing viability. In this case study, we assessed the economic and ecological benefit of this strain for downstream processing in direct comparison to the industrial standard E. coli BL21(DE3). Staphylococcal Protein A was used as a model protein. We performed recombinant protein production, primary recovery and capture by anion exchange chromatography at laboratory scale, and used the data obtained for estimating costs and resource consumption by economic modeling.RESULTSAfter primary recovery, the X‐press process resulted in a 1.5‐fold higher product purity, a 150‐fold lower DNA, 3.5‐fold lower endotoxin and 3.4‐fold lower lipid load compared to BL21(DE3). Consequently, anion exchanger binding capacity was increased 2.7‐fold and purity and concentration of the eluate also was increased. Extracellular protein production with X‐press resulted in a 25% reduction of costs and a 36% reduction of both water usage and water‐related CO2 emissions compared to intracellular production with BL21(DE3).CONCLUSIONSThis case study performed with stapyhlococcal Protein A demonstrated the potential of E. coli X‐press to reduce costs for downstream processing and improve the environmental footprint by simplified primary recovery, lower impurity load and consequently higher chromatographic efficiency. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Signaling pathways modulated by monocular enucleation in the superior colliculus of juvenile rats
Authors: Vasques Juliana Ferreira , Gonçalves Renata Guedes de Jesus , Gomes Ana Lucia Tavares , Campello‐Costa Paula , Serfaty Claudio Alberto , Faria‐Melibeu Adriana da Cunha 
Published: February 2021

AbstractMonocular eye enucleation (ME) is a classical paradigm to induce neural plasticity in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) axons from the intact eye, especially when performed within the critical period of visual system development. However, the precise mechanisms underlying the axonal sprouting and synaptogenesis seen in this model remain poorly understood. In the present work, we investigated the temporal alterations in phosphorylation of three kinases related to axonal growth and synaptogenesis—GSK3β (an important repressor of axonal outgrowth), AKT, and ERK—in superior colliculus of rats submitted to ME during early postnatal development. Western blotting analysis showed an increase in pGSK3β, the inactive form of this enzyme, 24 and 48 hr after ME. Accordingly, an increase in pERK levels was detected 24 hr after ME, indicating that phosphorylation of these enzymes might be related to axonal reorganization induced by ME. Interestingly, AKT phosphorylation was increased just 1 week after ME, suggesting it may be involved in the stabilization of newly formed synapses, rising from the axonal reorganization of remaining eye. A better understanding of how signaling pathways are modulated in a model of intense axonal sprouting can highlight possible therapeutic targets in RGCs injuries in adult individuals, where axonal regrowth is nearly absent.
Increasing gender diversity in engineering using soft robotics
Authors: Jackson Andrew , Mentzer Nathan , Kramer‐Bottiglio Rebecca 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundThere is a well‐known gender disparity in the engineering field. Three of the most important factors related to the participation of women in engineering are differences in perceived societal relevance, technical self‐efficacy, and tinkering self‐efficacy.Purpose/HypothesisSoft robotics is a relatively new engineering application with the potential to address these three factors. We investigated whether participation in a soft robotics design experience would improve students'—especially girls'—perceptions of engineering in contrast to a traditional, rigid robotics experience.Design/MethodSoft robotics curriculum materials were developed for high‐school engineering classes using design‐based research. Seven teachers delivered soft and rigid robotics lessons; then 293 students reported their perceptions of motivation, interest, and self‐efficacy following the lessons and retrospectively. We examined the relationship between gender and lesson type and differences in perceptions of engineering over time.ResultsThe soft and rigid robotics experiences promoted engineering interest and general, experimental, tinkering, and design self‐efficacy. Girls' perceptions of tinkering self‐efficacy particularly benefitted from the soft robotics lesson, mitigating gender differences. A robustness check compared the outcomes of different statistical models and verified the stability of the findings.ConclusionsSoft robot design experiences emphasize materiality and iterative design, which contribute to enhanced tinkering self‐efficacy. The use of soft robotics in education represents a promising opportunity to integrate authentic engineering experiences, broaden perceptions of engineering, and support the development of future engineers.
Long non‐coding RNAs: Promising new targets in pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Zhang Songzi , Chen Hongbin , Yue Dayong , Blackwell Timothy S. , Lv Changjun , Song Xiaodong 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPulmonary fibrosis is characterized by progressive and irreversible scarring in the lungs with poor prognosis and treatment. It is caused by various factors, including environmental and occupational exposures, and some rheumatic immune diseases. Even the rapid global spread of the COVID‐19 pandemic can also cause pulmonary fibrosis with a high probability. Functions attributed to long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) make them highly attractive diagnostic and therapeutic targets in fibroproliferative diseases. Therefore, an understanding of the specific mechanisms by which lncRNAs regulate pulmonary fibrotic pathogenesis is urgently needed to identify new possibilities for therapy. In this review, we focus on the molecular mechanisms and implications of lncRNAs targeted protein‐coding and non‐coding genes during pulmonary fibrogenesis, and systematically analyze the communication of lncRNAs with various types of RNAs, including microRNA, circular RNA and mRNA. Finally, we propose the potential approach of lncRNA‐based diagnosis and therapy for pulmonary fibrosis. We hope that understanding these interactions between protein‐coding and non‐coding genes will contribute to the development of lncRNA‐based clinical applications for pulmonary fibrosis.
Do social comparisons and negative shocks affect the subjective well‐being of the poor? Evidence from the Peruvian Amazon
Authors: López‐Feldman Alejandro , Porro Roberto 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis paper contributes to the literature by testing the effect of a household's relative position on its subjective well‐being. Our results show that both self‐perceived status and relative income have significant effects on the subjective well‐being of households located in the Peruvian Amazon. The paper also considers negative random shocks and shows that non‐agricultural shocks have a negative effect on subjective well‐being. These results imply that public policies aimed toward the improvement of rural households' well‐being in the Peruvian Amazon should look beyond poverty reduction and consider also the positive effects that inequality reduction can have on subjective well‐being.
[13C]‐galactose breath test in a patient with galactokinase deficiency and spastic diparesis
Authors: Ficicioglu Can , Demirbas Didem , Derks Britt , Pai G. Shashidhar , Timson David J. , Rubio‐Gozalbo Maria Estela , Berry Gerard T. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractGalactokinase deficiency is an inborn error of carbohydrate metabolism due to a block in the formation of galactose‐1‐phosphate from galactose. Although the association of galactokinase deficiency with formation of cataracts is well established, the extent of the clinical phenotype is still under investigation. We describe a 6‐year‐old female who was diagnosed with galactokinase deficiency due to cataract formation when she was 10 months of age and initially started on galactose‐restricted diet at that time for 5 months. She developed gait abnormality at 4 years of age. Breath tests via measurement of 13C isotope in exhaled carbon dioxide following 13C‐labeled galactose administration at carbon‐1 and carbon‐2 positions revealed oxidation rates within the normal range. The results in this patient strikingly contrast with the results of another patient with GALK1 deficiency that underwent breath testing with [1‐14C]‐galactose and [2‐14C]‐galactose. Extension of in vivo breath tests to other galactokinase patients is needed to better understand the pathophysiology of this disease.
Communicating potentially large but non‐robust changes in multi‐model projections of future climate
Authors: Zappa Giuseppe , Bevacqua Emanuele , Shepherd Theodore G. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe future climate projections in the IPCC reports are visually communicated via maps showing the mean response of climate models to alternative scenarios of socio‐economic development. The presence of large changes is highlighted by stippling the maps where the mean climate response (the signal) is large compared to internal variability (the noise) and the response is robust, that is, consistent in sign, across the individual models. In addition, hatching is used to mark the regions with a small multi‐model mean change. This approach may fail to recognize the risk of large changes in regions where the uncertainty is large and the response is not robust. Here, we present a more informative diagnostic to support risk assessment that is obtained by quantifying the mean forced signal‐to‐noise ratio of the individual model responses, rather than the signal‐to‐noise ratio of the mean response. This enables us to identify regions where a large future change compared to year‐to‐year variability is plausible, regardless of whether the signal is robust across the ensemble. For mean precipitation changes, we find that the majority (58% in surface area) of the unmarked regions and a sizeable portion (19%) of the hatched regions from the AR5 projections hid climate change responses to the RCP8.5 scenario that are on average large compared to the year‐to‐year variability. Based on the newer CMIP6 ensemble, a considerable potential for large annual‐mean precipitation changes, despite the lack of a robust multi‐model projection, exists over 22% of the surface land area, particularly in Central America, northern South America (including the Amazon), Central and West Africa (including parts of the Sahel), and the Maritime Continent.
Periodontopathogenic bacteria in subglottic samples from patients undergoing elective intubation for general anesthesia: A pilot study
Authors: Morillo Carlos M. R. , Saraiva Luciana , Romito Giuseppe A. , Pannuti Claudio Mendes , Oliveira Heleno P. , Peres Maria Paula S. M. , Carmona Maria José C. , Villar Cristina C. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundTranslocation of periodontal pathogens into the respiratory tract could either cause pneumonia or disrupt local defense mechanisms, predisposing the host to infection by respiratory pathogens. The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the levels of periodontopathogenic bacteria in subglottic samples of intubated and mechanically ventilated patients and the impact of oral decontamination with chlorhexidine (CHX) on subglottic levels of these microorganisms.MethodsPatients scheduled to undergo elective surgical procedures requiring endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation for at least 3 hours were included. Following full‐mouth periodontal examination, patients were randomly assigned to groups that rinsed preoperatively with 0.12% CHX or 0.9% saline (control). After 3 hours of orotracheal intubation, subglottic contents were collected. Quantification of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (A. actinomycetemcomitans), Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), and Tannerella forsythia (T. forsythia) in subglottic samples was determined using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Data were analyzed by Fisher Exact Probability, unpaired Student's t and Mann‐Whitney tests.ResultsOf the 69 patients included, 43 completed study participation. There were no differences between control and CHX groups in subglottic detection rates and abundance levels of P. gingivalis (P = 0.59), T. forsythia (P = 0.83) and A. actinomycetemcomitans (P = 0.07). Moreover, our data indicate that periodontal health has no impact on subglottic levels of P. gingivalis, T. forsythia, and A. actinomycetemcomitans.ConclusionsPeriodontal pathogens were detected in subglottic samples of intubated and mechanically ventilated patients. Moreover, a single CHX rinse prior to endotracheal intubation may have no effect on subglottic contamination by P. gingivalis, T. forsythia, and A. actinomycetemcomitans.
Efficacy of inorganic bovine bone combined with leukocyte and platelet‐rich fibrin or collagen membranes for treating unfavorable periodontal infrabony defects: Randomized non‐inferiority trial
Authors: Rexhepi Imena , Paolantonio Michele , Romano Luigi , Serroni Matteo , Santamaria Pasquale , Secondi Lorenzo , Paolantonio Giulia , Sinjari Bruna , De Ninis Paolo , Femminella Beatrice 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundGrowing evidence shows the efficacy of platelet concentrates in periodontal therapy. This study aimed to demonstrate that an inorganic bovine bone graft (IBB) in combination with a leukocyte and platelet rich fibrin (L‐PRF) is non‐inferior to a combination with a collagen membrane (CM) when managing unfavorable infrabony defects (IBDs).MethodsAll patients exhibited at least one unfavorable IBD; they were randomly assigned to two groups, 31 treated with L‐PRF+IBB and 31 with CM+IBB. A clinical and radiographic examination was performed at baseline and 12 months later. Clinical attachment level (CAL), gingival recession (GR), probing depth (PD), and radiographic defect bone level (DBL) post‐therapy changes were compared between the two treatments. A non‐inferiority margin = 1 mm was set to determine the efficacy of the test treatment (‒1 mm for GR); a second non‐inferiority margin = 0.5 mm (‒0.5 mm for GR) was chosen for clinical relevance.ResultsTwelve months after surgery a significant improvement of clinical and radiographic parameters was observed at both experimental sites. The 90% confidence intervals of the CM+IBB‒L‐PRF+IBB mean difference for CAL gain (‒0.810 mm [‒1.300 to ‒0.319]) and DBL gain (‒0.648 mm [‒1.244 to ‒0.052]) were below the 0.5 mm non‐inferiority margin; GR increase (1.284 mm [0.764 to 1.804]) remained above the ‒0.5 mm, while PD reduction (0.499 mm [0.145 to 0.853]) crossed its 0.5‐mm margin.ConclusionsThe L‐PRF+IBB treatment of unfavorable IBDs offers non‐inferior efficacy for CAL gain, showing less GR and more DBL gain too, while for PD reduction it is inferior to the CM+IBB treatment.
Palatal pre‐suturing for perioperative hemostasis at free gingival graft donor sites: A randomized, controlled clinical trial
Authors: Kulkarni Mihir Raghavendra , Shettar Leena Gangadhar , Bakshi Purva Vijay , Nikhil Kriti 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe palatal suture has been well known in literature as a method for palatal hemostasis but has not been validated for its efficacy. The aim of this parallel‐arm randomized controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the efficacy of palatal pre‐suturing using the greater palatine compression suture (GPCS) in reducing the perioperative hemorrhage associated with the palatal free gingival graft (FGG) procedure.MethodsTwenty‐four patients requiring the FGG procedure for recession coverage or augmentation of keratinized tissue were recruited in the study and randomized to the GPCS group and the control group. The GPCS was placed using a previously described protocol by a single operator in all the participants in the GPCS group. Perioperative blood loss was estimated by weighing the gauze used to mop the palatal hemorrhage, before and after the procedure. The time required for the surgery was also recorded by an independent observer.ResultsSignificantly lesser blood loss was observed in the GPCS group (4.33 ± 0.89 g) as compared with the control group (8.91 ± 4.16 g). The difference in the time taken for the surgical procedure for the GPCS group (73.25 ± 22.35 minutes) was not significantly different from that required for the control group (76.08 ± 14.47 minutes).ConclusionThis study demonstrates that pre‐suturing of the palate using the GPCS is an effective technique to reduce the perioperative blood loss associated with the palatal FGG procedure.