bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: possibly the least silent cause of chronic kidney disease
Authors: Torra Roser , Pérez-Gómez Maria Vanessa , Furlano Mónica 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Pain is the highest prioritized patient-reported outcome in people with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) but it remains infrequently and inconsistently measured across countries, studies and trials. The study by El-Damanawi et al. integrated a network of ADPKD expert clinicians, pain specialists, researchers and patient representatives from the national UK PKD charity, with the aim of addressing the lack of validated ADPKD-specific pain assessment tools (APATs). The APAT designed by the authors included several pain measurement tools and was tested in ADPKD patients, although further validation through assessment in larger cohorts is needed. Establishing a standardized instrument for pain measurement will ensure that pain is measured and reported in a consistent way to inform decision-making and identify effective interventions aimed at managing pain and minimizing the impact pain has on patients with ADPKD. In this context, the APAT established by the authors is to be warmly welcomed.
Role of agglutinin-like sequence protein 3 (Als3) in the structure and antifungal resistance of Candida albicans biofilms
Authors: Liu Chang , Xu Cheng , Du Yu , Liu Jia , Ning Yang 
Published: July 2021

ABSTRACT
Agglutinin-like sequence protein 3 (Als3) is a cell surface glycoprotein of Candida albicans that plays essential roles in the processes of adherence and biofilm formation in vitro. In this study, we focused on the contribution of Als3 to the structure and drug susceptibility of biofilms. The C. albicans wild-type (WT) strain DAY185, the als3Δ/Δ null strain and the als3Δ/Δ + pALS3 complemented strain were used. Colony-forming unit enumeration, crystal violet and cell surface hydrophobicity assays, scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy coupled with analyses using COMSTAT software were performed to evaluate the biomass and architecture of the biofilms. The detailed architectural analysis showed a significant variation in the biofilm parameters of the als3Δ/Δ biofilms compared with those of the WT biofilms. Fluconazole, miconazole and amphotericin B were selected as the antifungal agents for the antimycotic susceptibility test, and increased susceptibility was found with the ALS3 deletion biofilms. A quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis showed downregulation of biofilm formation-related genes (ALS1, EFG1, HWP1 and CSH1) and drug resistance-related genes (ERG11, CDR1, CDR2 and MDR1) in the als3Δ/Δ biofilms. We concluded that Als3 contributes to biofilm formation by changing the biofilm architecture and is involved in the antifungal resistance of C. albicans biofilms.
A method for the enrichment, isolation and validation of Mycobacterium smegmatis population surviving in the presence of bactericidal concentrations of rifampicin and moxifloxacin
Authors: Pradhan Atul , Swaminath Sharmada , Jakkala Kishor , Ajitkumar Parthasarathi 
Published: July 2021

ABSTRACT
The bacterial populations surviving in the presence of antibiotics contain cells that have gained genetic resistance, phenotypic resistance and tolerance to antibiotics. Isolation of live bacterial population, surviving against antibiotics, from the milieu of high proportions of dead/damaged cells will facilitate the study of the cellular/molecular processes used by them for survival. Here we present a Percoll gradient centrifugation based method for the isolation of enriched population of Mycobacterium smegmatis surviving in the presence of bactericidal concentrations of rifampicin and moxifloxacin. From the time of harvest, throughout the enrichment and isolation processes, and up to the lysis of the cells for total RNA preparation, we maintained the cells in the presence of the antibiotic to avoid changes in their metabolic status. The total RNA extracted from the enriched population of live antibiotic-surviving population showed structural integrity and purity. We analysed the transcriptome profile of the antibiotic-surviving population and compared it with the orthologue genes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis that conferred antibiotic tolerance on tubercle bacilli isolated from the tuberculosis patients under treatment with four antitubercular antibiotics. Statistically significant comparability between the gene expression profiles of the antibiotic tolerance associated genes of M. smegmatis and M. tuberculosis validated the reliability/utility of the method.
Analysis of university student responses to the pandemic in a formal microbiology assessment
Authors: Çakar Zeynep Petek , Redfern James , Verran Joanna 
Published: July 2021

ABSTRACT
During the coronavirus pandemic, second-year students on the B.Sc. molecular biology and genetics degree at Istanbul Technical University sat an open-ended online exam for a microbiology course in which one of the compulsory questions asked how the course had helped them during the first phase of the pandemic (April–July 2020). Fifty of 69 students gave consent for their (anonymous) responses to be analysed in order to discern any key ways in which their knowledge had been applied. The aim of the study was to investigate whether taking an advanced microbiology course increases understanding of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic and has a positive impact on student behaviours with respect to public health practices. Findings were divided into four major themes: course content (information), application of course content to behavioural change (practice), professionalism and their ‘audience’ whilst at home in lockdown (family and friends). Social distancing, wearing face masks, and hand and surface hygiene were described as important behaviours, with this practice informed by their basic microbiology knowledge. This paper describes a scenario where rote assessment can be used to assess wider scientific literacy with respect to application in society, providing students with an opportunity to incorporate and apply their learning into real-life situations, whilst tutors can assess constructivist learning, conceptual understanding and impact on student behaviour.
Classification and genetic counselling for a novel splicing mutation of the MLH1 intron associated with Lynch syndrome in colorectal cancer
Authors: Wang Ling-Ling , Zou Shuang-Mei , Dong Lin , Yang Ming , Qi Dan , Lu Zhao , Chen Jia-Nan , Mei Shi-Wen , Zhao Zhi-Xun , Guan Xu , Jiang Zheng , Liu Qian , Liu Zheng , Wang Xi-Shan 
Published: July 2021

Abstract

Background
Lynch-syndrome-associated cancer is caused by germline pathogenic mutations in mismatch repair genes. The major challenge to Lynch-syndrome screening is the interpretation of variants found by diagnostic testing. This study aimed to classify the MLH1 c.1989 + 5G&gt;A mutation, which was previously reported as a variant of uncertain significance, to describe its clinical phenotypes and characteristics, to enable detailed genetic counselling.

Methods
We reviewed the database of patients with Lynch-syndrome gene detection in our hospital. A novel variant of MLH1 c.1989 + 5G&gt;A identified by next-generation sequencing was further investigated in this study. Immunohistochemical staining was carried out to assess the expression of MLH1 and PMS2 protein in tumour tissue. In silico analysis by Alamut software was used to predict the MLH1 c.1989 + 5G&gt;A variant function. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and sequencing of RNA from whole blood were used to analyse the functional significance of this mutation.

Results
Among affected family members in the suspected Lynch-syndrome pedigree, the patient suffered from late-stage colorectal cancer but had a good prognosis. We found the MLH1 c.1989 + 5G&gt;A variant, which led to aberrant splicing and loss of MLH1 and PMS2 protein in the nuclei of tumour cells. An aberrant transcript was detectable and skipping of MLH1 exon 17 in carriers of MLH1 c.1989 + 5G&gt;A was confirmed.

Conclusions
MLH1 c.1989 + 5G&gt;A was detected in a cancer family pedigree and identified as a pathological variant in patients with Lynch syndrome. The mutation spectrum of Lynch syndrome was enriched through enhanced genetic testing and close surveillance might help future patients who are suspected of having Lynch syndrome to obtain a definitive early diagnosis.
Causes of America’s Lagging Life Expectancy: An International Comparative Perspective
Authors: Ho Jessica Y 
Published: July 2021

Abstract

Objectives
This study assesses how American life expectancy compares to other high-income countries and identifies key age groups and causes of death responsible for the U.S. life expectancy shortfall.

Methods
Data from the Human Mortality Database, World Health Organization Mortality Database, and vital statistics agencies for 18 high-income countries are used to examine trends in U.S. life expectancy gaps and how American age-specific death rates compare to other countries. Decomposition is used to estimate the contribution of 19 age groups and 16 causes to the U.S. life expectancy shortfall.

Results
In 2018, life expectancy for American men and women was 5.18 and 5.82 years lower than the world leaders and 3.60 and 3.48 years lower than the average of the comparison countries. Americans aged 25–29 experience death rates nearly 3 times higher than their counterparts. Together, injuries (drug overdose, firearm-related deaths, motor vehicle accidents, homicide), circulatory diseases, and mental disorders/nervous system diseases (including Alzheimer’s disease) account for 86% and 67% of American men’s and women’s life expectancy shortfall, respectively.

Discussion
American life expectancy has fallen far behind its peer countries. The U.S.’s worsening mortality at the prime adult ages and eroding old-age mortality advantage drive its deteriorating performance in international comparisons.
Introduction: new trends in Gulf international relations and transnational politics
Authors: Soubrier Emma , Moritz Jessie , Freer Courtney 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Arabian Peninsula politics are in a period of enormous transformation. In the context of a new generation of rulers seeking legitimacy through ambitious foreign policy regimes, shifting relations with Iran, the 2017–2021 Qatar crisis, and ongoing conflict in Yemen, this article introduces the July 2021 special section of International Affairs, which examines how the Arab states of the Gulf are adapting to these new realities. Questions addressed include: how have transnational identities been manipulated by states during regional disputes? How have oil and gas revenues been redirected to build up religious soft power and enhance state branding efforts? In an increasingly authoritarian world, how has transnational repression interacted with politicized diasporas to impact opposition mobilization? And, how do disputes over airspace help us understand the process of sovereignty-building in the modern Middle East? In pursuing these questions, the special section challenges the particularism still apparent in many analyses of the Gulf region, and seeks to bridge International Relations with fieldwork-based Gulf studies. The research presented in the section highlights new findings within contemporary research on the Gulf that will be of interest both to policy-makers and others seeking to understand the long-term sustainability and balance of power in this critical region.
Turkish foreign policy in a post-western order: strategic autonomy or new forms of dependence?
Authors: Kutlay Mustafa , Öniş Ziya 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Turkish foreign policy has dramatically transformed over the last two decades. In the first decade of the Justice and Development Party's (AKP) rule, the ‘logic of interdependence’ constituted the driving motive of Turkish foreign policy. In the second decade, however, the ‘logic of interdependence’ and the soft power-driven ‘mediator–integrator’ role were gradually replaced with a quest for ‘strategic autonomy’, accompanied by interventionism, unilateralism and coercive diplomacy. This article explores the causes of this dramatic shift. We argue that ‘strategic autonomy’, which goes beyond a moderate level of status-seeking compatible with Turkey's material power credentials, has a double connotation in the Turkish context. First, it constitutes a framework for the Turkish ruling elite to align with the non-western great powers and balance the US-led hierarchical order. Second, and more importantly, it serves as a legitimating foreign policy discourse for the government to mobilize its electoral base at home, fragment opposition and accrue popular support. We conclude that the search for autonomy from its western allies and the move towards the Russia–China axis has led to Turkey's isolation and permitted the emergence of new forms of dependence.
The Diversity of Photosensitivity and its Implications for Light Pollution
Authors: Alaasam Valentina J , Kernbach Meredith E , Miller Colleen R , Ferguson Stephen M 
Published: July 2021

SynopsisArtificial light at night (ALAN) is a pervasive anthropogenic pollutant, emanating from urban and suburban developments and reaching nearly all ecosystems from dense forests to coastlines. One proposed strategy for attenuating the consequences of ALAN is to modify its spectral composition to forms that are less disruptive for photosensory systems. However, ALAN is a complicated pollutant to manage due to the extensive variation in photosensory mechanisms and the diverse ways these mechanisms manifest in biological and ecological contexts. Here, we highlight the diversity in photosensitivity across taxa and the implications of this diversity in predicting biological responses to different forms of night lighting. We curated this paper to be broadly accessible and inform current decisions about the spectrum of electric lights used outdoors. We advocate that efforts to mitigate light pollution should consider the unique ways species perceive ALAN, as well as how diverse responses to ALAN scale up to produce diverse ecological outcomes.
On the Finite Field Cone Restriction Conjecture in Four Dimensions and Applications in Incidence Geometry
Authors: Koh Doowon , Lee Sujin , Pham Thang 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe first purpose of this paper is to solve completely the finite field cone restriction conjecture in four dimensions with $-1$ non-square. The second is to introduce a new approach to study incidence problems via restriction theory. More precisely, using the cone restriction estimates, we will prove sharp point-sphere incidence bounds associated with complex-valued functions for sphere sets of small size. Our incidence bounds with a specific function improve significantly, a result given by Cilleruelo, Iosevich, Lund, Roche-Newton, and Rudnev.
Circulating biomarkers associated with pelvic organ prolapse risk in late gestation sows
Authors: Kiefer Zoë E , Studer Jamie M , Chipman Amanda L , Adur Malavika K , Mainquist-Whigham Christine , Gabler Nicholas K , Keating Aileen F , Ross Jason W 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Sow mortality, as the result of pelvic organ prolapse (POP), has been increasing in the last decade in the U.S. swine industry. The objective of this study was to identify potential biological markers associated with risk of POP in sows. We hypothesized that sows differing in perineal score (PS) from PS1–PS3 (PS1—a presumed low POP risk; PS2—a presumed moderate POP risk; and PS3—a presumed high POP risk) would differ in circulatory biomarkers of inflammation and hormonal profiles. On gestation week 15, 2,864 individual sows were assigned a PS, and subsequently, 1.0%, 2.7%, and 23.4% of PS1, PS2, or PS3 sows, respectively, experienced POP. During PS assignment at days 107–116 of gestation, blood samples were collected from sows on two farms of similar genetics, feed sources, and health status. Whole blood was subjected to complete blood count (CBC) analysis (n = 212) and steroid hormones were measured in serum from a subset (n = 110) of animals assigned PS3 parity matched to PS1. Lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), haptoglobin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and creatine kinase (CK) levels were also evaluated. Complete blood count analysis revealed decreased (P ≤ 0.05) mean platelet volume (3.9%), lymphocytes (6.5%), and monocytes (7.5%) in PS3 compared to PS1 sows. Increased (P ≤ 0.02) abundance of androstenedione (13.4%), androsterone (18.2%), estrone (24.8%), and 17β-estradiol (26.2%) was observed in PS3 compared to PS1 sows. Additionally, a 25.8% increase (P = 0.04) in LBP in PS3 compared to PS1 sows was observed. Many dynamic physiological changes occur in sows during late gestation as they approach farrowing. The data presented herein demonstrate that distinct differences in concentrations of circulating biomarkers exist between late gestation sows at high or low risk for POP and may serve as a useful tool for understanding the etiology of POP and evaluation of mitigation strategies.
Unusual aggregation property of recombinantly expressed cancer-testis antigens in mammalian cells
Authors: Ahmadi Hannaneh , Shogen Kohei , Fujita Kana , Honjo Tomoko , Kakimi Kazuhiro , Futami Junichiro 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Transient expression of human intracellular proteins in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells is a reliable system for obtaining soluble proteins with biologically active conformations. Contrary to conventional concepts, we found that recombinantly expressed intracellular cancer-testis antigens (CTAs) showed frequent aggregation in HEK293 cells. Although experimental subcellular localization of recombinant CTAs displayed proper cytosolic or nuclear localization, some proteins showed aggregated particles in the cell. This aggregative property was not observed in recombinant housekeeping proteins. No significant correlation was found between the aggregative and biophysical properties, such as hydrophobicity, contents of intrinsically disordered regions and expression levels, of CTAs. These results can be explained in terms of structural instability of CTAs, which are specifically expressed in the testis and aberrantly expressed in cancer cells and function as a hub in the protein–protein network using intrinsically disordered regions. Hence, we speculate that recombinantly expressed CTAs failed to form this protein complex. Thus, unfolded CTAs formed aggregated particles in the cell.
AMF colonization and community of a temperate invader and co-occurring natives grown under different CO2 concentrations for 3 years
Authors: Lu Xiu-Rong , Feng Wei-Wei , Wang Wen-Jun , Chen Ji-Xin , Sun Jian-Kun , Qu Bo , Liu Ming-Chao , Feng Yu-Long 
Published: July 2021

AbstractGlobal changes such as atmospheric CO2 enrichment often facilitate exotic plant invasions and alter soil arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) community. However, it is still unclear whether the effects of CO2 enrichment on exotic plant invasions are associated with its effects on root-AMF symbiosis of invasive and native plants. To address this issue, the annual invasive plant Xanthium strumarium and two phylogenetically related annual natives were compared under ambient and elevated CO2 concentrations for three consecutive years. Atmospheric CO2 enrichment increased AMF colonization rates for the species only in few cases, and the invader did not benefit more from CO2 enrichment in terms of AMF colonization. Under ambient CO2 concentration, however, the invader had a higher AMF colonization rate than the natives in the first year of the study, which disappeared in the second and third year of the study due to the increase of AMF colonization rates in the natives but not in the invader. The influences of species, CO2 concentrations and planting year on AMF colonization were associated with their effects on both soil nutrient and AMF community, and the former may be more important as it also influenced the latter. Our results indicate that the invader could more quickly form symbiosis with soil AMF, contributing to adaptation and occupation of new habitats, and that it is necessary to consider the roles of AMF and the effects of time when determining the effects of global changes such as atmospheric CO2 enrichment on exotic plant invasions.
The formation of binary star clusters in the Milky Way and Large Magellanic Cloud
Authors: Darma R , Arifyanto M I , Kouwenhoven M B N 
Published: July 2021

ABSTRACT
Recent observations of young embedded clumpy clusters and statistical identifications of binary star clusters have provided new insights into the formation process and subsequent dynamical evolution of star clusters. The early dynamical evolution of clumpy stellar structures provides the conditions for the origin of binary star clusters. Here, we carry out N-body simulations in order to investigate the formation of binary star clusters in the Milky Way and in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). We find that binary star clusters can form from stellar aggregates with a variety of initial conditions. For a given initial virial ratio, a higher degree of initial substructure results in a higher fraction of binary star clusters. The number of binary star clusters decreases over time due to merging or dissolution of the binary system. Typically, $\sim 45{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of the aggregates evolve into binary/multiple clusters within t = 20 Myr in the Milky Way environment, while merely $\sim 30{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ survives beyond t = 50 Myr, with separations ≲ 50 pc. On the other hand, in the LMC, $\sim 90{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of the binary/multiple clusters survive beyond t = 20 Myr and the fraction decreases to $\sim 80{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ at t = 50 Myr, with separations ≲ 35 pc. Multiple clusters are also rapidly formed for highly substructured and expanding clusters. The additional components tend to detach and the remaining binary star cluster merges. The merging process can produce fast rotating star clusters with mostly flat rotation curves that speed up in the outskirts.
The divergence-free condition in axisymmetric magnetohydrodynamic models
Authors: Taroyan Y , Hovhannisyan G , Sumner C 
Published: July 2021

ABSTRACT
Axisymmetric magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) models are useful in studies of magnetized winds and non-linear Alfvén waves in solar and stellar atmospheres. We demonstrate that a condition often used in these models for the determination of a nearly vertical magnetic field is applicable to a radial field instead. A general divergence-free condition in curvilinear coordinates is self-consistently derived and used to obtain the correct condition for the variation of a nearly vertical magnetic field. The obtained general divergence-free condition along with the transfield equation completes the set of MHD equations in curvilinear coordinates for axisymmetric motions and could be useful in studies of magnetized stellar winds and non-linear Alfvén waves.