bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neuroendocrine Control of Brown Adipocytes: Functions, Beiging, Whitening and Autophagy
Authors: De Winne Catalina , Lopez-Vicchi Felicitas , Boneo Luz Etcheverry , Ornstein Ana Maria , Lacau-Mengido Isabel Maria , Sorianello Eleonora , Becu-Villalobos Damasia 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Adipose tissue has emerged as a fundamental player in metabolic and energy processes. Beyond its fat storage capacity, it displays adaptive mechanisms to react to metabolic challenges throughout life. Three types of adipocytes, white, brown and beige, share common and yet fundamentally different roles and molecular regulation. This review focuses on brain and endocrine control of the function and plasticity of brown and beige adipocytes. The involvement of brain circuits controlling brown adipocytes and thermogenesis via the sympathetic nervous system is described. This autonomic control is mainly exerted by the hypothalamus and brainstem, and noradrenaline released from sympathetic efferent postganglionic fibers interacts with brown or beige b3 adrenoreceptors (b3Adr) to trigger a cascade of events favorable to thermogenesis. Metabolic plasticity in response to environmental or hormonal cues, such as high fat diets, temperature, or hormones and aging, has been identified as a hallmark feature of brown/beige adipocytes. Besides the plastic response of WAT beiging, which is the generation of brown-like adipocytes within white adipose depots, diet-induced obesity and other cues evoke vascular remodeling and functional hypoxia in BAT leading to a whitening phenotype, characterized by mitochondrial dysfunction and loss, lipid droplet accumulation, and decreased thermogenesis. A detailed analysis of the participation of autophagy, and the endocrine signals relied by prolactin and growth hormone uncovers potential avenues of intervention to improve the metabolic function of BAT. Because BAT dysfunction in rodents is linked to fat gain, and glucose and lipid disorders, targeting BAT function and WAT beiging holds promise for obesity prevention and metabolic improvement.
Antigen-Capture ELISA And Immunochromatographic Test Strip To Detect The H9N2 Subtype Avian Influenza Virus Rapidly Based On Monoclonal Antibodies
Authors: Xiao Yixin , Yang Fan , Liu Fumin , Yao Hangping , Wu Nanping , Wu Haibo 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: The H9N2 subtype of avian influenza virus (AIV) has become the most widespread subtype of AIV among birds in Asia, which threatens the poultry industry and human health. Therefore, it is important to establish methods for the rapid diagnosis and continuous surveillance of H9N2 subtype AIV.Methods: In this study, an antigen-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (AC-ELISA) and a colloidal gold immunochromatographic test (ICT) strip using monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) 3G4 and 2G7 were established to detect H9N2 subtype AIV. Results: The AC-ELISA method and ICT strip can detect H9N2 subtype AIV quickly, and do not cross-react with other subtype AIVs or other viruses. The detection limit of AC-ELISA was a hemagglutinin (HA) titer of 4 for H9N2 subtype AIV per 100 μl sample, and the limit of detection of the HA protein of AIV H9N2 was 31.5 ng/ml. The ICT strip detection limit was an HA titer of 4 for H9N2 subtype AIV per 100 μl sample. Moreover, both detection methods exhibited good reproducibility and repeatability, with coefficients of variation < 5%. For detection in 200 actual poultry samples, the sensitivities and specificities of AC-ELISA were determined as 93.2% and 98.1%, respectively. The sensitivities and specificities of the ICT strips were determined as 90.9% and 97.4%, respectively. Conclusions: The developed AC-ELISA and ICT strips displayed high specificity, sensitivity, and stability, making them suitable for rapid diagnosis and field investigation of H9N2 subtype AIV.
Shift Quality Optimization of Clutchless Automatic Mechanical Transmission Based on a Novel Synchronizer
Authors: Zhang Lipeng , Peng Yun-ao , Yang Haojie 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The synchronizer is a key component of the clutchless automatic mechanical transmission (AMT) for electric vehicles, but the inertial lock-ring synchronizer (ILRS) commonly used there is not very suitable for pure electric vehicles. To realize the rapid and smooth shifting with little impact, a new synchronizer named pressure-controllable friction ring synchronizer (PCFRS) is researched. Initially, the mechanical characteristics of the new synchronizer are analyzed, and the advantages over the ILRS are reflected. Furthermore, the dynamic transmission formulation based on the working mechanism of the PCFRS is established. Finally, the shift effects of the two kinds of synchronizers are simulated and compared. The research shows that the PCFRS can meet the main shifting evaluation index of an AMT without complex control methods, as well as it takes only 0.2406s to finish the comfortable shifting-no speed difference shifting. The shifting quality of PCFRS is better than that of the ILRS. It lays the foundation for the use of the new synchronizer for the clutchless AMTs of electric vehicles.
Hypermethylation of Mest Promoter Causes Aberrant Wnt Signaling in the Patients of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Prasad Renuka , Jung Hwajin , Tan Anderson , Song Yonghee , Moon Sungho , Shaker Mohammed R. , Sun Woong , Lee Junghee , Ryu Hoon , Lim Hyun Kook , Jho Eek-hoon 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: The expression of mesoderm-specific transcript (Mest) is regulated by genomic imprinting where only the paternal allele is active for transcription. Mest is a candidate gene for Silver-Russell Syndrome, and hypermethylation of Mest promoter is associated with oligozoospermia. In addition, Loss of imprinting (LOI) is often associated with various neurodegenerative diseases and cancers. Since aberrant Mest hypermethylation and LOI are implicated in various diseases, it is vital to study Mest promoter hypermethylation and its functional role in AD patients. Methods: To assess the Mest promoter methylation, bisulfite sequencing technique was used. CRIPSR/Cas9 system was used to generate the Mest knockout (KO) in both embryonic carcinoma and mouse embryonic stem cells. Lentiviral Split-Cas9 system (LSC-5) was employed to generate inducible Mest KO in neurons. Results: We found that Mest promoter is hypermethylated, which led to the reduction of Mest mRNA levels and activation of Wnt signaling in the brain tissues of AD patients. Mest KO in both embryonic carcinoma and mouse embryonic stem cells leads to neuronal differentiation arrest. Depletion of Mest in primary hippocampal neurons via lentivirus expressing sh-Mest or inducible KO system caused neurodegeneration. Notably, depletion of Mest in rat primary cortical neurons leads to tau phosphorylation at S199 and T231 sites. Conclusion: Our study has unfolded the epigenetic modification; Mest promoter hypermethylation in AD. Biochemically, we have linked this with Wnt signaling activation and Tau phosphorylation in neurons.
Depression and Anxiety Among Men Undergoing ART Treatment
Authors: Liu Zhangshun , Zhang Li , Shao Hongfang , Huo Mian , Chen Jie , Tao Minfang 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Objective: This prospective longitudinal study aimed at assessing the psychological status, especially depression and anxiety across different phases of ART treatments in subfertile men. Methods: During January 2016 to December 2018, 1248 fertile couples were recruited to participate in the prospective study. The Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) were used to evaluate the presence of mental health problems in both husbands and wives at the day of initiation, oocyte retrieval and embryo transplantation respectively. Clinical pregnancy is defined as the presence of at least one intrauterine gestational sac with ultrasound assessment after a positive human chorionic gonadotropin assessment.Results: In total, 1248 infertile couples undergoing ART treatment participated in this prospective study. The clinical pregnancy rate was 42.4% in this study. The subject with SAS score ≥ 50 was classified as anxiety and SDS ≥ 53 as depression. The incidence of male anxiety and depression in the three assessment points in pregnant group were 8.48%, 8.07%, 8.07% and 9.04%, 8.90%, 10.71% respectively; In the nonpregnant group, the corresponding data were 9.75%, 6.05%, 10.02% and 6.43%, 6.99%, 9.07% respectively, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05).Conclusions: Although the SAS and SDS scores were higher in the nonpregnant group than those in the pregnant group, there was no statistical difference in the incidence of anxiety and depression between the two groups, and we concluded that male anxiety and depression are not closely associated with the ART clinical pregnancy rate.
Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia: Novel Biopolymer Producing Plant Pathogen
Authors: zohra rashida rahmat , SIDDIQUI AYESHA , SYED BUSHRA , SALEEM MAHNOOR , SHAHID HEEBA 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Biopolymers are making their way into the global market very rapidly owing to their biodegradability and environmentally friendly characteristics. Xanthan, a microbial polysaccharide is being produced by plant pathogens. It is widely used in numerous industrial applications. In the current study, plant pathogenic bacterial strains were isolated from infected plants and screened for biopolymer production. Several strains having higher yield of polymer were further subjected to the physicochemical and genomic analysis. The highest biopolymer producing strain Stenotrophomonas maltophilia X2 was found to be novel in commercial exploitation for biopolymer production. It was concluded that, the strain Stenotrophomonas maltophilia X2 can produce higher yield of biopolymer under static condition; in self formulated medium containing 5% sucrose at pH 7.0 when incubated at 28°C for 120 hours.
Ex-vivo analysis platforms for amyloid precursor protein cleavage
Authors: Kamikubo Yuji , Jin Hao , Niisato Kazue , Hashimoto Yoshie , Takasugi Nobumasa , Sakurai Takashi 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Neurodegeneration is the progressive disruption of function or structure of neuronal network in central and peripheral nerve system. Generally, neurodegenerative disease including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and Alzheimer's disease (AD) occur as a result of neurodegenerative processes. AD is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly. Large numbers of senile plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and cerebral atrophy are characteristic features of AD. The main component of senile plaques is amyloid β peptide (Aβ), derive from the amyloid precursor protein (APP). AD has been extensively studied using cell line, primary culture of neural cells, and animal models, however, some discrepancy is observed in these results. Therefore, it is necessary to connect these experimental models to understand AD. In order to analyze long-term neuronal development and plasticity, and progressive neurodegenerative disease, experimental platform amenable to continuous observation and experimental manipulation is required. In this report, we provide a practical method to slice and cultivate hippocampal to consecutively investigate the cleavage of APP and the secretion of Aβ.
Evaluation of Groundwater Quality for Drinking and Irrigational Purposes in a Coastal Alluvial Aquifer using Multivariate Statistical Approach: A Case Study from West Godavari Delta, Andhra Pradesh, India
Authors: P Swarna Latha 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The present study investigates the groundwater quality for drinking and irrigational purposes in a coastal aquifer of the West Godavari delta region based on geochemical evaluation and multivariate statistical analysis. The study area is underlain by the Quaternary sediments with unconsolidated and semi consolidated sand, silt and clay formation. The significant hydro chemical facies of groundwater observed throughout the study is Na-Mg-Cl-HCO3, Na-Cl- HCO3, and Mg- Na- Cl -HCO3 −. The results revealed that the area occupied high salinity ground waters controlling by evaporation and also rock weathering-solubilization to some extent. The abundance of chemical parameters are Na+ > K+ > Mg2+ > Ca2+ = Cl− > HCO− 3 > SO42− > NO32−. The analyzed water quality parameters were compared with the Bureau of Indian Standards for their suitability for domestic usage. The chemical constituents of samples TA (85%), TDS (100%), TH (83%), Mg2+ (91%), Cl− (81%), and SO42− (12%) exceeded the limits, hence, are unsuitable for drinking. The irrigation suitability parameters such as Na%, SAR, RSC, PI, CAI, KR, and CCR were calculated for assessing groundwater for agriculture purposes. Most of the samples show excess values, which revealed that the ground waters was not even suitable for irrigation because of providing low productivity. However, some samples ranging between the good and moderate categories can be used for irrigation with proper management. The multivariate statistical analysis was performed to understand the relationship of chemical constituents presents in groundwater. TDS is highly correlated with EC, TH, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, HCO− 3, and Cl−. Principal component analysis (PCA) applied to the data sets showed that the first three PCs accounted for 65% of total variance cumulatively 94.5% for a total of seven PCs. It represents the quality of groundwater deviation is possibly attributed to various anthropogenic and geogenic factors, rock-water interactions and ion-exchange processes in groundwater. The uncontrolled drawl of sub-surface waters and aqua forming at an advanced rate when compare to recharge led to the coastal aquifers in critical stage, particularly in the study region Godavari delta of Andhra Pradesh state in southern India.
Prognostic value of estimated plasma volume status in patients with sepsis
Authors: Kim Kyung Hoon , Cho Hyeong Jun , Kim Seok Chan , Lee Jongmin 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Sepsis is associated with endothelial dysfunction and alteration of capillary permeability. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of estimated plasma volume status (ePVS) in patients with sepsis or septic shock who were admitted to intensive care unit (ICU).Methods: In this single-center, prospective observational study, 100 patients with sepsis or septic shock who were admitted ICU were enrolled. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to adjust for confounding factors.Results: The in-hospital mortality was 47%. The mean ePVS in patients who died was higher than in those who survived (7.7 ± 2.1 dL/g vs. 6.6 ± 1.6 dL/g, P = 0.003). To evaluate the utility of ePVS in predicting in-hospital mortality, a receiver operating characteristic curve was produced. Sensitivity and specificity were optimal at a cut-off point of 7.09 dL/g, with an area under the curve of 0.655. In the multivariate analysis, higher ePVS was significantly associated with higher in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio, 1.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.04 – 1.85, P = 0.028). The Kaplan-Meier curve showed that an ePVS value above 7.09 is associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality compared to the rest of the population (P = 0.004).Conclusions: The ePVS provided additional prognostic value in patients with sepsis or septic shock who were admitted in the ICU.
Excitation of Surface Plasmon-Polariton Wave at Both Interfaces of a Silver Thin Film in Two-Layer Kretschmann geometry
Authors: Babaei Ferydon , Seyyedi Seyed Abas 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
In this work, a TiO2-Ag composite structure was fabricated by combination of physical vapor deposition and oblique angle deposition. The nanostructure of the TiO2 columnar thin film was analyzed using the field emission scanning electron microscopy. The excitation of the surface plasmon-polariton waves was studied using an optical setup that is called the two-layer Kretschman geometry. The results showed that two surface plasmon-polariton modes are propagated for TiO2 dielectric thin film at oblique deposition that they are related to metal-air and TiO2 - metal interfaces. The surface plasmon-polariton modes were more localized on interfaces at glancing angles of incident flux vapor. In normal incident of flux vapor only one surface plasmon-polariton mode can be excited at interface of metal-air. The results of this research may be applied in simultaneous sensing of the different molecules, chemical species and nanoparticles with different sizes.
Natural Killer Cell-Related Gene Signature Predicts Malignancy of Glioma and the Survival of Patients
Authors: Zeng Yu , Li Chenglong , Liu Zhixiong , Liu Fangkun 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Natural killer (NK) cells-based therapies are one of the most promising strategies against cancer. The aim of this study is to investigate the natural killer cell related genes and its prognostic value in glioma. Methods: The Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA), The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets were used to develop the natural killer cell-related signature. Risk score was built by a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model. A cohort of 326 glioma samples with whole transcriptome expression data from the CGGA database was included for discovery. TCGA dataset was used for validation. GO and KEGG were used to reveal the biological process and function associated with the natural killer cell-related signature. We also collected the clinical pathological features of patients with gliomas to analyze the association with tumor malignancy and patients’ survival.Results: We screened for NK-related genes and built a prognostic signature. Univariate and Multivariate Cox regression analysis were applied to identify and verify the risk score based on the signature. We found that NK-related risk score was independent of various clinical factors. Nature-killer cell gene expression is correlated with clinicopathological features of gliomas. Innovatively, we demonstrated the tight relation between the risk score and immune checkpoints, and found NK-related risk score combined with PD1/PDL1 patiets could predict the patient outcome. Conclusion: Natural killer cell-related gene signature can predict malignancy of glioma and the survival of patients, these results might provide new view for the research of glioma malignancy and individual immunotherapy.
Comparison Of Teriparatide And Zoledronic Acid In Post-Menopausal Women With Multiple Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures
Authors: Ji Yichao , Zhang Linlin , Yang Huilin 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Objective: This retrospective comparative study was aimed to make a comparison between Teriparatide and Zoledronic Acid to provide evidence for the sequential treatment of multiple vertebral fractures caused by osteoporosis of postmenopausal women.Methods: A sum of 106 post-menopausal women undergoing non-operative treatment for recent multiple osteoporotic vertebral fractures between April,2015 and June,2019 were reviewed retrospectively. 44 patients had a treatment of subcutaneous injection of 20 micrograms teriparatide once a day (TPTD group), while 62 patients received 5 mg of zoledronic acid given by an intravenous (IV) infusion once a year (ZOL group). The assessment methods included the general information of patients, the number of new fractures and changes in bone turnover markers, bone mineral density(BMD), back pain and health-related quality of life.Results: Teriparatide was more effective than zoledronic acid in reducing the risk of new vertebral fractures. The lumbar spine BMD rosed significantly in either treatment groups relative to the baseline (P＜0.05). However, the TPTD group increased more than the ZOL group. The hip joint BMD also increased significantly in all groups between months 0 and 12 relative to the baseline（P＜0.05）, no significant differences were found between the changes of two groups after 6 months, but the TPTD group was significantly higher than the ZOL group at 12 months（P＞0.05). In the TPTD group, the values of TP1NP increased 55.9% and 70.8% from baseline(71.69±33.45ng/ml P＜0.05). The values of β-CTX increased from baseline(0.807±0.657ng/ml) to (0.842±0.528)ng/ml at 6 months and the value got back to the baseline at 12 months after the TPTD used. In the ZOL group, the values of TP1NP and β-CTX decreased significantly compared with baseline (69.55±39.15ng/ml, 0.691±0.456ng/ml) 6 months after treatment, which were (33.19±16.81)ng/ml and (0.422±0.267)ng/ml respectively（P＜0.05. No significant changes were found 12 months after treatment compared with the conditions of 6 months(P＞0.05). In both TPTD and ZOL treatment groups, there were significant and clinically relevant improvements in back pain as well as health-related quality of life indicators compared with baseline. Conclusions: TPTD is more advantageous in reducing new fractures, increasing lumbar spine and hip joint BMD and reducing patients' back pain compared with ZOL. TPTD significantly increased marker of bone formation along with slightly increased marker of bone resorption, while ZOL decreased them. This provides a theoretical basis for the apply of Zoledronic acid after discontinuation of teriparatide.
Visual Feature Encoding Ganglion Cell Response Transience Is Determined by the Summation of Converging Parallel Signals
Authors: Ganczer Alma , Szarka Gergely , Balogh Márton , Tengölics Ádám Jonatán , Kovács-Öller Tamás , Völgyi Béla 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) summate inputs across their receptive fields and forward a corresponding spike train code to the brain. Considering the many visual aspects carried by this code the comprehension of RGC firing kinetics and the underlying mechanisms is markedly important. RGCs can generate a maintained spiking (sustained) or a quickly decaying brief burst of spikes (transient) upon ON- and/or OFF-set of prolonged light stimuli. Our results here challenge the classical view that claims an outer retinal origin for RGC response transience and explains the observed response dichotomy with the dissimilar glutamate receptor kinetics in postsynaptic bipolar cell dendritic surfaces. We find that activation of the same glutamate receptor subtype can result in transient, sustained, and intermediate RGC responses. Moreover, even signaling via a single bipolar cell subtype can result in RGC responses with a variety of transience values. Contrary, a change in the dominance of inputs delivered by converging retinal pathways can alter RGC response transience considerably. Such response component fine-tuning occurs via inner retinal GABAergic inhibitory and gap junction mediated excitatory interactions. The above data thus indicate that RGC light response temporal characteristics are determined by inner retinal microcircuits and fine-tuned in a context dependent manner.