bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
GDF11 alleviates secondary brain injury after intracerebral hemorrhage via attenuating mitochondrial dynamic abnormality and dysfunction
Authors: Xiao Anqi , Zhang Yiqi , Ren Yanming , Chen Ruiqi , Li Tao , You Chao , Gan Xueqi 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIntracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a serious public health problem with high rates of death and disability. The neuroprotective effect of Growth Differentiation Factor 11 (GDF11) in ICH has been initially proved by our previous study. Oxidative stress (OS) plays crucial roles in mediating subsequent damage of ICH. However, whether and how mitochondrial dynamic events and function participated in ICH pathophysiology, and how mitochondrial function and OS interreacted in the neuroprotective process of GDF11 in ICH remains unclarified. Based on the rat model of ICH and in vitro cell model, we demonstrated that GDF11 could alleviate ICH induced neurological deficits, brain edema, OS status, neuronal apoptosis and inflammatory reaction. In addition, mitochondrial functional and structural impairments were obviously restored by GDF11. Treatment with antioxidant protected against erythrocyte homogenate (EH) induced cell injury by restoring OS status and mitochondrial fusion fission imbalance, which was similar to the effect of GDF11 treatment. Further, inhibition of mitochondrial division with Mdivi-1 attenuated mitochondrial functional defects and neuronal damages. In conclusion, our results for the first time proposed that GDF11 protected the post-ICH secondary injury by suppressing the feedback loop between mitochondrial ROS production and mitochondrial dynamic alteration, resulting in attenuated mitochondrial function and amelioration of neural damage.
Inhibition of autotaxin activity ameliorates neuropathic pain derived from lumbar spinal canal stenosis
Authors: Uranbileg Baasanjav , Ito Nobuko , Kurano Makoto , Kano Kuniyuki , Uchida Kanji , Sumitani Masahiko , Aoki Junken , Yatomi Yutaka 
Published: February 2021

AbstractLumbar spinal canal stenosis (LSS) or mechanical compression of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) is one of the causes of low back pain and neuropathic pain (NP). Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a potent bioactive lipid mediator that is produced mainly from lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) via autotaxin (ATX) and is known to induce NP via LPA1 receptor signaling in mice. Recently, we demonstrated that LPC and LPA were higher in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with LSS. Based on the possible potential efficacy of the ATX inhibitor for NP treatment, we used an NP model with compression of DRG (CD model) and investigated LPA dynamics and whether ATX inhibition could ameliorate NP symptoms, using an orally available ATX inhibitor (ONO-8430506) at a dose of 30 mg/kg. In CD model, we observed increased LPC and LPA levels in CSF, and decreased threshold of the pain which were ameliorated by oral administration of the ATX inhibitor with decreased microglia and astrocyte populations at the site of the spinal dorsal horn projecting from injured DRG. These results suggested possible efficacy of ATX inhibitor for the treatment of NP caused by spinal nerve root compression and involvement of the ATX-LPA axis in the mechanism of NP induction.
Potential impacts of marine urbanization on benthic macrofaunal diversity
Authors: Momota Kyosuke , Hosokawa Shinya 
Published: February 2021

AbstractUrbanization and associated human activities have caused numerous changes to natural environments, including the loss of natural habitats and replacement with artificial structures. How these changes impact coastal marine biodiversity and ecosystem functioning is not well known. In this study, we examined the potential impacts of habitat changes by comparing species commonality and community structure (i.e., species richness, abundance, and functional composition) among artificial (a breakwater wall) and natural habitats (eelgrass bed, intertidal flat, and subtidal bottom) within a semi-enclosed coastal sea impacted by marine urbanization. We found considerable species overlap (i.e., high species sharing) among the eelgrass bed, intertidal flat, and subtidal bottom habitats. By contrast, the breakwater wall was a distinctive habitat with little overlap in species and functional groups with the other habitats, and was therefore a poor substitute for natural habitats. Our study suggests that marine urbanization degrades redundancy and inhibits the maintenance of biodiversity in coastal marine zones.
Plasma osteopontin as a biomarker of Alzheimer’s disease and vascular cognitive impairment
Authors: Chai Yuek Ling , Chong Joyce R. , Raquib Ainiah R. , Xu Xin , Hilal Saima , Venketasubramanian Narayanaswamy , Tan Boon Yeow , Kumar Alan P. , Sethi Gautam , Chen Christopher P. , Lai Mitchell K. P. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractCerebrovascular disease (CeVD) and neurodegenerative dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are frequently associated comorbidities in the elderly, sharing common risk factors and pathophysiological mechanisms including neuroinflammation. Osteopontin (OPN) is an inflammatory marker found upregulated in vascular diseases as well as in AD. However, its involvement in vascular dementia (VaD) and pre-dementia stages, namely cognitive impairment no dementia (CIND), both of which fall under the spectrum of vascular cognitive impairment (VCI), has yet to be examined. Its correlations with inflammatory cytokines in cognitive impairment also await investigation. 80 subjects with no cognitive impairment (NCI), 160 with CIND and 144 with dementia were included in a cross-sectional study on a Singapore-based memory clinic cohort. All subjects underwent comprehensive clinical, neuropsychological and brain neuroimaging assessments, together with clinical diagnoses based on established criteria. Blood samples were collected and OPN as well as inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) were measured using immunoassays. Multivariate regression analyses showed significant associations between increased OPN and VCI groups, namely CIND with CeVD, AD with CeVD and VaD. Interestingly, higher OPN was also significantly associated with AD even in the absence of CeVD. We further showed that increased OPN significantly associated with neuroimaging markers of CeVD and neurodegeneration, including cortical infarcts, lacunes, white matter hyperintensities and brain atrophy. OPN also correlated with elevated levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF. Our findings suggest that OPN may play a role in both VCI and neurodegenerative dementias. Further longitudinal analyses are needed to assess the prognostic utility of OPN in disease prediction and monitoring.
Synthesis of a thermoresponsive crosslinked MEO2MA polymer coating on microclusters of iron oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Lapresta-Fernández Alejandro , Salinas-Castillo Alfonso , Capitán-Vallvey Luis Fermín 
Published: February 2021

AbstractEncapsulation of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) of iron (II, III) oxide (Fe3O4) with a thermopolymeric shell of a crosslinked poly(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyl methacrylate) P(MEO2MA) is successfully developed. Magnetic aggregates of large size, around 150–200 nm are obtained during the functionalization of the iron oxide NPs with vinyl groups by using 3-butenoic acid in the presence of a water soluble azo-initiator and a surfactant, at 70 °C. These polymerizable groups provide a covalent attachment of the P(MEO2MA) shell on the surface of the MNPs while a crosslinked network is achieved by including tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate in the precipitation polymerization synthesis. Temperature control is used to modulate the swelling-to-collapse transition volume until a maximum of around 21:1 ratio between the expanded: shrunk states (from 364 to 144 nm in diameter) between 9 and 49 °C. The hybrid Fe3O4@P(MEO2MA) microgel exhibits a lower critical solution temperature of 21.9 °C below the corresponding value for P(MEO2MA) (bulk, 26 °C). The MEO2MA coating performance in the hybrid microgel is characterized by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. The content of preformed MNPs [up to 30.2 (wt%) vs. microgel] was established by thermogravimetric analysis while magnetic properties by vibrating sample magnetometry.
Metabolomic analysis of Trichophyton rubrum and Microsporum canis during keratin degradation
Authors: Ciesielska Anita , Kawa Anna , Kanarek Katarzyna , Soboń Adrian , Szewczyk Rafał 
Published: February 2021

AbstractKeratin is important and needed for the growth of dermatophytes in the host tissue. In turn, the ability to invade keratinised tissues is defined as a pivotal virulence attribute of this group of medically important fungi. The host–dermatophyte interaction is accompanied by an adaptation of fungal metabolism that allows them to adhere to the host tissue as well as utilize the available nutrients necessary for their survival and growth. Dermatophyte infections pose a significant epidemiological and clinical problem. Trichophyton rubrum is the most common anthropophilic dermatophyte worldwide and its typical infection areas include skin of hands or feet and nail plate. In turn, Microsporum canis is a zoophilic pathogen, and mostly well known for ringworm in pets, it is also known to infect humans. The aim of the study was to compare the intracellular metabolite content in the T. rubrum and M. canis during keratin degradation using liquid chromatography system coupled with tandem mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS). The metabolite “fingerprints” revealed compounds associated with amino acids metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism related to the glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA), as well as nucleotide and energy metabolism. The metabolites such as kynurenic acid, l-alanine and cysteine in case of T. rubrum as well as cysteine and riboflavin in case of M. canis were detected only during keratin degradation what may suggest that these compounds may play a key role in the interactions of T. rubrum and M. canis with the host tissue. The metabolomic results were completed by qPCR gene expression assay. Our findings suggest that metabolomic analysis of T. rubrum and M. canis growing in culture media that mimic the dermatophyte infection could allow the understanding of processes involved in the pathogenesis of dermatophytes.
Mechanical stretch induces Ca2+ influx and extracellular release of PGE2 through Piezo1 activation in trabecular meshwork cells
Authors: Uchida Takatoshi , Shimizu Shota , Yamagishi Reiko , Tokuoka Suzumi M. , Kita Yoshihiro , Honjo Megumi , Aihara Makoto 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe trabecular meshwork (TM) constitutes the main pathway for aqueous humor drainage and is exposed to complex intraocular pressure fluctuations. The mechanism of homeostasis in which TM senses changes in intraocular pressure and leads to normal levels of outflow resistance is not yet well understood. Previous reports have shown that Piezo1, a mechanically-activated cation channel, is expressed in TM and isolated TM cells. Therefore, we tested hypothesis that Piezo1 may function in response to membrane tension and stretch in TM. In human trabecular meshwork (hTM) cells, PIEZO1 was showed to be abundantly expressed, and Piezo1 agonist Yoda1 and mechanical stretch caused a Piezo1-dependent Ca2+ influx and release of arachidonic acid and PGE2. Treatment with Yoda1 or PGE2 significantly inhibited hTM cell contraction. These results suggest that mechanical stretch stimuli in TM activates Piezo1 and subsequently regulates TM cell contraction by triggering Ca2+ influx and release of arachidonic acid and PGE2. Thus, Piezo1 could acts as a regulator of intraocular pressure (IOP) within the conventional outflow pathway and could be a novel therapeutic strategy to modulate IOP in glaucoma patients.
The effects of myeloablative or non-myeloablative total body irradiations on intestinal tract in mice
Authors: Zhu Shengyun , Liang Jing , Zhu Feng , Zhang Xue , Xu Mengdi , Zhao Kai , Zeng Lingyu , Xu Kailin 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Acute radiation injury caused by high-dose radiation exposure severely impedes the application of radiotherapy in cancer management. To deeply understand the side effects of radiation on intestinal tract, an irradiation murine model was applied and evaluated. C57BL/6 mice were given 4 Gy non-myeloablative irradiation, 8 Gy myeloablative irradiation and non-irradiation (control), respectively. Results demonstrated that the 8 Gy myeloablative irradiations significantly damaged the gut barrier along with decreasing MECA32 and ZO-1. However, a slight increase in MECA32 and ZO-1 was detected in the 4 Gy non-myeloablative irradiations treatment from day 5 to day 10. Further, the irradiations affected the expression of P38 and JNK mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) but not ERK1/2 MAPK signal pathway. Moreover, irradiation had adverse effects on hematopoietic system, altered the numbers and percentages of intestinal inflammatory cells. The IL-17/AhR had big increase in the gut of 4 Gy irradiation mice at day 10 compared with other groups. Both 8 Gy myeloablative and 4 Gy non-myeloablative irradiation disturbed the levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in intestine. Meanwhile, high dosage of irradiation decreased the intestinal bacterial diversity and altered the community composition. Importantly, the fatty acids generating bacteria Bacteroidaceae and Ruminococcaceae played key roles in community distribution and SCFAs metabolism after irradiation. Collectively, the irradiation induced gut barrier damage with dosages dependent that led to the decreased p38 MAPK and increased JNK MAPK, unbalanced the mononuclear cells (MNCs) of gut, disturbed intestinal bacterial community and SCFAs level.
Prognostic value of miR-142 in solid tumors: a meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Rongqiang , Zheng Shiyang , Yu Kang , Yu Yajie , Yu Chenyu , Shi Wenqing , Ge Qianmin , Ye Zhiwei , Shao Yi 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Several studies on the prognostic value of microRNA 142 (miR-142) in solid tumors have reported conflicting results. Therefore, the aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the relationship between the miR-142 and prognosis in solid tumors. A comprehensive search for relevant studies was conducted until 10 November 2020. Studies that investigated the prognostic significance of the miR-142 in solid tumors were included. The hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval were calculated using a random-effects model. All data analyses were performed using the STATA 12.0 software (Stata Corporation, College Station, TX, U.S.A.). Twenty articles involving 2451 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that high miR-142 expression was a better predictor of overall survival (OS) (HR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.47–0.93) and disease-free/progression-free/recurrence-free survival (DFS/PFS/RFS) (HR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.55–0.91) compared with low miR-142 expression. MiR-142 can be used as an effective prognostic marker for patients with solid tumors. Future large prospective studies are warranted to further confirm the present findings.
Individual Differences in Lexical Contributions to Speech Perception
Authors: Giovannone Nikole , Theodore Rachel M. 
Published: February 2021

Purpose
The extant literature suggests that individual differences in speech perception can be linked to broad receptive language phenotype. For example, a recent study found that individuals with a smaller receptive vocabulary showed diminished lexically guided perceptual learning compared to individuals with a larger receptive vocabulary. Here, we examined (a) whether such individual differences stem from variation in reliance on lexical information or variation in perceptual learning itself and (b) whether a relationship exists between lexical recruitment and lexically guided perceptual learning more broadly, as predicted by current models of lexically guided perceptual learning.

Method

In Experiment 1, adult participants (
n
= 70) completed measures of receptive and expressive language ability, lexical recruitment, and lexically guided perceptual learning. In Experiment 2, adult participants (
n
= 120) completed the same lexical recruitment and lexically guided perceptual learning tasks to provide a high-powered replication of the primary findings from Experiment 1.

Results

In Experiment 1, individuals with weaker receptive language ability showed
increased
lexical recruitment relative to individuals with higher receptive language ability; however, receptive language ability did not predict the magnitude of lexically guided perceptual learning. Moreover, the results of both experiments converged to show no evidence indicating a relationship between lexical recruitment and lexically guided perceptual learning.

Conclusion
The current findings suggest that (a) individuals with weaker language ability demonstrate increased reliance on lexical information for speech perception compared to those with stronger receptive language ability; (b) individuals with weaker language ability maintain an intact perceptual learning mechanism; and, (c) to the degree that the measures used here accurately capture individual differences in lexical recruitment and lexically guided perceptual learning, there is no graded relationship between these two constructs.
Age and Sex Comparison of Aerodynamic Phonation Measurements Using Noninvasive Assessment
Authors: Lamb Jim R. , Scholp Austin J. , Jiang Jack J. 
Published: February 2021

Purpose
The goal of this study was to present vocal aerodynamic measurements from pediatric and adult participant pools. There are a number of anatomical changes involving the larynx and vocal folds that occur as children age and become adults. Data were collected using two methods of noninvasive aerodynamic assessment: mechanical interruption and labial interruption.

Method
A total of 154 participants aged 4–24 years old took part in this study. Ten trials were performed for both methods of airway interruption. To perform mechanical interruption, participants phonated /α/ for 10 s trials while a balloon valve interrupted phonation 5 times. For labial interruption, participants said /pα/ 5 times at comfortable and quiet volumes. Aerodynamic measures included subglottal pressure, phonation threshold pressure, mean airflow, laryngeal resistance, and others.

Results
One hundred one participants (51 females) successfully completed testing with both methods. Eight out of 20 measurements were found to have a statistically significant effect of participant age on measurements. Sex alone had a significant effect on vocal efficiency for the labial quiet method.

Conclusions
The data discussed here can be used to view age and sex trends in vocal aerodynamic measurements. When using either method of mechanical or labial interruption, participant age needs to be taken into account to properly interpret several aerodynamic parameters. A participant's sex is not as important when using these methods.
Point source detection with fully convolutional networks
Authors: Bonavera L. , Suarez Gomez S. L. , González-Nuevo J. , Cueli M. M. , Santos J. D. , Sanchez M. L. , Muñiz R. , de Cos F. J. 
Published: February 2021

Context. Point sources are one of the main contaminants to the recovery of the cosmic microwave background signal at small scales, and their careful detection will be important for the next generation of cosmic microwave background experiments like LiteBird.
Aims. We want to develop a method based on fully convolutional networks to detect sources in realistic simulations, and to compare its performance against one of the most used point source detection method in this context, the Mexican hat wavelet 2 (MHW2). The frequencies for our analysis are the 143, 217, and 353 GHz Planck channels.
Methods. We produce realistic simulations of point sources at each frequency taking into account potential contaminating signals as the cosmic microwave background, the cosmic infrared background, the Galactic thermal emission, the thermal Sunyaev-Zel’dovich effect, and the instrumental and point source shot noises. We first produce a set of training simulations at 217 GHz to train the neural network that we named PoSeIDoN. Then we apply both PoSeIDoN and the MHW2 to recover the point sources in the validating simulations at all the frequencies, comparing the results by estimating the reliability, completeness, and flux density estimation accuracy. Moreover, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves are computed in order to asses the methods’performance.
Results. In the extra-galactic region with a 30° galactic cut, the neural network successfully recovers point sources at 90% completeness corresponding to 253, 126, and 250 mJy for 143, 217, and 353 GHz respectively. In the same validation simulations the wavelet with a 3σ flux density detection limit recovers point sources up to 181, 102, and 153 mJy at 90% completeness. To reduce the number of spurious sources, we also apply a safer 4σ flux density detection limit, the same as in the Planck catalogues, increasing the 90% completeness levels: 235, 137, and 192 mJy. In all cases PoSeIDoN produces a much lower number of spurious sources with respect to MHW2. As expected, the results on spurious sources for both techniques worsen when reducing the galactic cut to 10°.
Conclusions. Our results suggest that using neural networks is a very promising approach for detecting point sources using data from cosmic microwave background experiments, providing overall better results in dealing with spurious sources with respect to the more usual filtering approaches. Moreover, PoSeIDoN gives competitive results even at the 217 GHz nearby channels where the network was not trained.