bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Proposing the VetCompass clinical grading tool for heat-related illness in dogs
Authors: Hall Emily J. , Carter Anne J. , Bradbury Jude , Barfield Dominic , O’Neill Dan G. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractHeat-related illness is a potentially fatal condition in dogs. Rapid and accurate recognition of the severity can improve clinical management in affected dogs and lead to better outcomes. This study explored retrospective VetCompass veterinary clinical records to investigate the clinical signs recorded for dogs presenting with heat-related illness to primary-care veterinary practice from 2016 to 2018. The relative risk of death associated with these clinical signs was reported and used to develop a novel clinical grading tool. From the clinical records of 856 heat-related illness events, the most frequently recorded clinical signs were respiratory changes (68.73%) and lethargy (47.79%). The clinical signs with the highest relative risk of death were neurological dysfunction, gastrointestinal haemorrhage and bleeding disorders. The novel VetCompass Clinical Grading Tool for Heat-Related Illness in dogs defines three grades: mild (altered respiration, lethargy), moderate (gastrointestinal signs, a single seizure, episodic collapse) and severe (neurological dysfunction, gastrointestinal haemorrhage, bleeding disorders). This novel grading tool offers a simple, evidence-based device to improve recognition of heat-related illness in dogs and promote improved decision-making for earlier interventions such as cooling and hospitalisation. This could improve outcomes and protect the welfare of dogs in the face of rising global temperatures.
Meta-QTL and ortho-MQTL analyses identified genomic regions controlling rice yield, yield-related traits and root architecture under water deficit conditions
Authors: Khahani Bahman , Tavakol Elahe , Shariati Vahid , Rossini Laura 
Published: March 2021

AbstractMeta-QTL (MQTL) analysis is a robust approach for genetic dissection of complex quantitative traits. Rice varieties adapted to non-flooded cultivation are highly desirable in breeding programs due to the water deficit global problem. In order to identify stable QTLs for major agronomic traits under water deficit conditions, we performed a comprehensive MQTL analysis on 563 QTLs from 67 rice populations published from 2001 to 2019. Yield and yield-related traits including grain weight, heading date, plant height, tiller number as well as root architecture-related traits including root dry weight, root length, root number, root thickness, the ratio of deep rooting and plant water content under water deficit condition were investigated. A total of 61 stable MQTLs over different genetic backgrounds and environments were identified. The average confidence interval of MQTLs was considerably refined compared to the initial QTLs, resulted in the identification of some well-known functionally characterized genes and several putative novel CGs for investigated traits. Ortho-MQTL mining based on genomic collinearity between rice and maize allowed identification of five ortho-MQTLs between these two cereals. The results can help breeders to improve yield under water deficit conditions.
Age-stratified comparison of clinical outcomes between medical and surgical treatments in patients with unilateral primary aldosteronism
Authors: Nakamaru Ryo , Yamamoto Koichi , Akasaka Hiroshi , Rakugi Hiromi , Kurihara Isao , Yoneda Takashi , Ichijo Takamasa , Katabami Takuyuki , Tsuiki Mika , Wada Norio , Yamada Tetsuya , Kobayashi Hiroki , Tamura Kouichi , Ogawa Yoshihiro , Kawashima Junji , Inagaki Nobuya , Fujita Megumi , Watanabe Minemori , Kamemura Kohei , Okamura Shintaro , Tanabe Akiyo , Naruse Mitsuhide ,   JPAS/JRAS Study Group, Itoh Hiroshi , Fukuda Hisashi , Umakoshi Hironobu , Shibayama Yui , Murakami Masanori , Yoshimoto Takanobu , Haze Tatsuya , Sone Masakatsu , Takahashi Katsutoshi , Matsuda Yuichi , Shibata Hirotaka , Otsuki Michio , Fujii Yuichi , Ogo Atsushi , Miyauchi Shozo , Yanase Toshihiko , Suzuki Tomoko , Kawamura Takashi , Asano Mai , Fukuoka Tomikazu , Kai Tatsuya , Izawa Shoichiro , Yoshikawa Yuichiro , Hashimoto Shigeatsu , Yamada Masanobu , Sakamoto Ryuichi , Chiba Yoshiro , Okamoto Ryuji , Oki Kenji , Yabe Daisuke 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAlthough adrenalectomy (ADX) is an established treatment for unilateral primary aldosteronism (uPA), the influence of age on the surgical outcomes is poorly understood. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate how age affects the clinical outcomes after treatments. We analyzed 153 older (≥ 65 years) and 702 younger patients (< 65 years) with uPA, treated either with ADX or mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) in the Japan PA Study, and compared the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) or blood pressure over a 36-month period after treatments. ADX-treated patients showed severer biochemical indicators than MRA-treated patients. During 6 and 36 months, the eGFR decreased more prominently in older but not in younger patients with ADX than in those with MRA, which remained significant after adjustment with the inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW). There was a significant interaction between the age-groups and the treatment choices in the change of the eGFR with IPTW-adjusted analysis. The post-treatment dose of antihypertensive medication was lower in younger and higher in older patients with ADX than those with MRA. The clinical benefit of ADX differed between younger and older patients with uPA. These findings indicate the need for further validation on whether ADX can benefit older patients with uPA.
Three-dimensional evaluation of the coccyx movement between supine and standing positions using conventional and upright computed tomography imaging
Authors: Yagi Fumiko , Yamada Yoshitake , Yamada Minoru , Yokoyama Yoichi , Mukai Kiyoko , Nakahara Takehiro , Narita Keiichi , Jinzaki Masahiro 
Published: March 2021

AbstractCurrently, no three-dimensional reference data exist for the normal coccyx in the standing position on computed tomography (CT); however, this information could have utility for evaluating patients with coccydynia and pelvic floor dysfunction. Thus, we aimed to compare coccygeal parameters in the standing versus supine positions using upright and supine CT and evaluate the effects of sex, age, and body mass index (BMI) on coccygeal movement. Thirty-two healthy volunteers underwent both upright (standing position) and conventional (supine position) CT examinations. In the standing position, the coccyx became significantly longer and straighter, with the tip of the coccyx moving backward and downward (all p < 0.001). Additionally, the coccygeal straight length (standing/supine, 37.8 ± 7.1/35.7 ± 7.0 mm) and sacrococcygeal straight length (standing/supine, 131.7 ± 11.2/125.0 ± 10.7 mm) were significantly longer in the standing position. The sacrococcygeal angle (standing/supine, 115.0 ± 10.6/105.0 ± 12.5°) was significantly larger, while the lumbosacral angle (standing/supine, 21.1 ± 5.9/25.0 ± 4.9°) was significantly smaller. The migration length of the tip of the coccyx (mean, 7.9 mm) exhibited a moderate correlation with BMI (r = 0.42, p = 0.0163). Our results may provide important clues regarding the pathogenesis of coccydynia and pelvic floor dysfunction.
A mixed-methods pilot study of handheld fan for breathlessness in interstitial lung disease
Authors: Khor Yet H. , Saravanan Kirushallini , Holland Anne E. , Lee Joanna Y. T. , Ryerson Christopher J. , McDonald Christine F. , Goh Nicole S. L. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractDyspnoea is a cardinal symptom of fibrotic interstitial lung disease (ILD), with a lack of proven effective therapies. With emerging evidence of the role of facial and nasal airflow for relieving breathlessness, this pilot study was conducted to examine the feasibility of conducting a clinical trial of a handheld fan (HHF) for dyspnoea management in patients with fibrotic ILD. In this mixed-methods, randomised, assessor-blinded, controlled trial, 30 participants with fibrotic ILD who were dyspnoeic with a modified Medical Research Council Dyspnoea grade ≥ 2 were randomised to a HHF for symptom control or no intervention for 2 weeks. Primary outcomes were trial feasibility, change in Dyspnoea-12 scores at Week 2, and participants’ perspectives on using a HHF for dyspnoea management. Study recruitment was completed within nine months at a single site. Successful assessor blinding was achieved in the fan group [Bang’s Blinding Index − 0.08 (95% CI − 0.45, 0.30)] but not the control group [0.47 (0.12, 0.81)]. There were no significant between-group differences for the change in Dyspnoea-12 or secondary efficacy outcomes. During qualitative interviews, participants reported that using the HHF relieved breathlessness and provided relaxation, despite initial scepticism about its therapeutic benefit. Oxygen-experienced participants described the HHF being easier to use, but not as effective for symptomatic relief, compared to oxygen therapy. Our results confirmed the feasibility of a clinical trial of a HHF in fibrotic ILD. There was a high level of patient acceptance of a HHF for managing dyspnoea, with patients reporting both symptomatic benefits and ease of use.
Clinical impact of serum bilirubin levels on kidney transplant outcomes
Authors: Lee Juhan , Kim Eun Jin , Lee Jae Geun , Kim Beom Seok , Huh Kyu Ha , Kim Myoung Soo , Kim Soon Il , Kim Yu Seun , Joo Dong Jin 
Published: March 2021

AbstractSerum bilirubin, a potent endogenous antioxidant, has been associated with decreased risks of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and kidney disease. However, the effects of serum bilirubin on kidney transplant outcomes remain undetermined. We analyzed 1628 patients who underwent kidney transplantations between 2003 and 2017. Patients were grouped into sex-specific quartiles according to mean serum bilirubin levels, 3–12 months post-transplantation. Median bilirubin levels were 0.66 mg/dL in males and 0.60 mg/dL in females. The intra-individual variability of serum bilirubin levels was low (9%). Serum bilirubin levels were inversely associated with graft loss, death-censored graft failure, and all-cause mortality, independent of renal function, donor status, and transplant characteristics. Multivariable analysis revealed that the lowest serum bilirubin quartile was associated with increased risk of graft loss (HR 2.64, 95% CI 1.67–4.18, P < 0.001), death-censored graft failure (HR 2.97, 95% CI 1.63–5.42, P < 0.001), and all-cause mortality (HR 2.07, 95% CI 1.01–4.22, P = 0.046). Patients with lower serum bilirubin were also at greater risk of rejection and exhibited consistently lower glomerular filtration rates than those with higher serum bilirubin. Serum bilirubin levels were significantly associated with transplantation outcomes, suggesting that bilirubin could represent a therapeutic target for improving long-term transplant outcomes.
3D virtual reconstruction and quantitative assessment of the human intervertebral disc’s annulus fibrosus: a DTI tractography study
Authors: Stein Dan , Assaf Yaniv , Dar Gali , Cohen Haim , Slon Viviane , Kedar Einat , Medlej Bahaa , Abbas Janan , Hay Ori , Barazany Daniel , Hershkovitz Israel 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe intervertebral disc’s (IVD) annulus fibrosus (AF) retains the hydrostatic pressure of the nucleus pulposus (NP), controls the range of motion, and maintains the integrity of the motion segment. The microstructure of the AF is not yet fully understood and quantitative characterization is lacking, leaving a caveat in modern medicine’s ability to prevent and treat disc failure (e.g., disc herniation). In this study, we show a reconstruction of the 3D microstructure of the fibers that constitute the AF via MRI diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) followed by fiber tracking. A quantitative analysis presents an anisotropic structure with significant architectural differences among the annuli along the width of the fibrous belt. These findings indicate that the outer annuli's construction reinforces the IVD while providing a sufficient degree of motion. Our findings also suggest an increased role of the outer annuli in IVD nourishment.
Genome-wide identification and expression pattern analysis of the ribonuclease T2 family in Eucommia ulmoides
Authors: Qing Jun , Du Qingxin , Meng Yide , Liu Panfeng , Du Hongyan , Wang Lu 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe 2′,3′-cycling ribonuclease (RNase) genes are catalysts of RNA cleavage and include the RNase T2 gene family. RNase T2 genes perform important roles in plants and have been conserved in the genome of eukaryotic organisms. In this study we identified 21 EURNS genes in Eucommia ulmoides Oliver (E. ulmoides) and analyzed their structure, chromosomal location, phylogenetic tree, gene duplication, stress-related cis-elements, and expression patterns in different tissues. The length of 21 predicted EURNS proteins ranged from 143 to 374 amino acids (aa), their molecular weight (MW) ranged from 16.21 to 42.38 kDa, and their isoelectric point (PI) value ranged from 5.08 to 9.09. Two classifications (class I and class III) were obtained from the conserved domains analysis and phylogenetic tree. EURNS proteins contained a total of 15 motifs. Motif 1, motif 2, motif 3, and motif 7 were distributed in multiple sequences and were similar to the conserved domain of RNase T2. EURNS genes with similar structure and the predicted EURNS proteins with conserved motif compositions are in the same group in the phylogenetic tree. The results of RT-PCR and transcription data showed that EURNS genes have tissue-specific expression and exhibited obvious trends in different developmental stages. Gene duplication analysis results indicated that segment duplication may be the dominant duplication mode in this gene family. This study provides a theoretical basis for research on the RNase T2 gene family and lays a foundation for the further study of EURNS genes.
Initiation and propagation kinetics of inhibited lipid peroxidation
Authors: Farhoosh Reza 
Published: March 2021

AbstractEffect of hydroxytyrosol (HT) and tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) on the kinetics of lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH) accumulation during the initiation and propagation peroxidations of canola and fish oils at 60 °C was studied. The initiation kinetics of the inhibited peroxidation indicated considerable relative activities, A, for HT and TBHQ in the canola (> 3200 and > 27,000, respectively) and fish (> 120 and > 5000, respectively) oils. The critical concentrations of LOOH reverse micelles (CMCL = 33 mM and 57 mM in the canola and fish, respectively, oils) significantly decreased, on average, to about one-third and 8% of the initial values for HT and TBHQ, respectively. Interestingly, the propagation kinetics of the inhibited peroxidation demonstrated that the antioxidants were still able to inhibit peroxidation, so that the relative propagation oxidizability parameter Rn′ was significantly improved to < 0.5 for HT and to < 0.2 for TBHQ in the canola and fish, respectively, oils.
A novel metric of reliability in pressure pain threshold measurement
Authors: Liew Bernard , Lee Ho Yin , Rügamer David , De Nunzio Alessandro Marco , Heneghan Nicola R. , Falla Deborah , Evans David W. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe inter-session Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) is a commonly investigated and clinically important metric of reliability for pressure pain threshold (PPT) measurement. However, current investigations do not account for inter-repetition variability when calculating inter-session ICC, even though a PPT measurement taken at different sessions must also imply different repetitions. The primary aim was to evaluate and report a novel metric of reliability in PPT measurement: the inter-session-repetition ICC. One rater recorded ten repetitions of PPT measurement over the lumbar region bilaterally at two sessions in twenty healthy adults using a pressure algometer. Variance components were computed using linear mixed-models and used to construct ICCs; most notably inter-session ICC and inter-session-repetition ICC. At 70.1% of the total variance, the source of greatest variability was between subjects ($${\sigma }_{subj}^{2}$$

σ

subj

2

= 222.28 N2), whereas the source of least variability (1.5% total variance) was between sessions ($${\sigma }_{sess}^{2}$$

σ

sess

2

= 4.83 N2). Derived inter-session and inter-session-repetition ICCs were 0.88 (95%CI: 0.77 to 0.94) and 0.73 (95%CI: 0.53 to 0.84) respectively. Inter-session-repetition ICC provides a more conservative estimate of reliability than inter-session ICC, with the magnitude of difference being clinically meaningful. Quantifying individual sources of variability enables ICC construction to be reflective of individual testing protocols.
Directional charge delocalization dynamics in semiconducting 2H-MoS$$_{2}$$ and metallic 1T-Li$$_{\mathrm{x}}$$MoS$$_{2}$$
Authors: Haverkamp Robert , Sorgenfrei Nomi L. A. N. , Giangrisostomi Erika , Neppl Stefan , Kühn Danilo , Föhlisch Alexander 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe layered dichalcogenide MoS$$_{2}$$

2

is relevant for electrochemical Li adsorption/intercalation, in the course of which the material undergoes a concomitant structural phase transition from semiconducting 2H-MoS$$_{2}$$

2

to metallic 1T-Li$$_{\mathrm{x}}$$

x

MoS$$_{2}$$

2

. With the core hole clock approach at the S L$$_{1}$$

1

X-ray absorption edge we quantify the ultrafast directional charge transfer of excited S3p electrons in-plane ($$\parallel$$
‖
) and out-of-plane ($$\perp$$
⊥
) for 2H-MoS$$_{2}$$

2

as $$\tau _{2H,\parallel } = 0.38 \pm 0.08$$

τ

2
H
,
‖

=
0.38
±
0.08

fs and $$\tau _{2H,\perp } = 0.33 \pm 0.06$$

τ

2
H
,
⊥

=
0.33
±
0.06

fs and for 1T-Li$$_{\mathrm{x}}$$

x

MoS$$_{2}$$

2

as $$\tau _{1T,\parallel } = 0.32 \pm 0.12$$

τ

1
T
,
‖

=
0.32
±
0.12

fs and $$\tau _{1T,\perp } = 0.09 \pm 0.07$$

τ

1
T
,
⊥

=
0.09
±
0.07

fs. The isotropic charge delocalization of S3p electrons in the semiconducting 2H phase within the S-Mo-S sheets is assigned to the specific symmetry of the Mo-S bonding arrangement. Formation of 1T-Li$$_{\mathrm{x}}$$

x

MoS$$_{2}$$

2

by lithiation accelerates the in-plane charge transfer by a factor of $$\sim 1.2$$

∼
1.2

due to electron injection to the Mo-S covalent bonds and concomitant structural repositioning of S atoms within the S-Mo-S sheets. For excitation into out-of-plane orbitals, an accelerated charge transfer by a factor of $$\sim 3.7$$

∼
3.7

upon lithiation occurs due to S-Li coupling.
Bioactivity-guided separation of potential α-glycosidase inhibitor from clerodendranthus spicatus based on HSCCC coupled with molecular docking
Authors: Zhu Chunsheng , Niu Hongjuan , Nie Anzheng , Bian Meng 
Published: March 2021

AbstractClerodendranthus Spicatus is a traditional Dais medi-edible plant and it has been proven to have good blood glucose-lowering efficacy. However, the material basis of Clerodendranthus Spicatus has not been clarified yet and therefore needs to be determined. In this paper, the effective ingredients of this medicine were purified by high-speed counter-current chromatography. Alongside, their potential hypoglycemic activity was determined by α-glucosidase inhibitory activities in vitro and molecular docking. Finally, five compounds were purified and identified as 2-caffeoyl-L-tartaric acid (1), N-(E)-caffeoyldopamine (2), rosmarinc acid (3), methyl rosmarinate (4), 6,7,8,3′,4′-Pentamethoxyflavone (5). Examination of α-glucosidase inhibitory activity in vitro showed that 2-caffeoyl-L-tartaric acid and rosmarinic acid had a higher inhibitory activity than acarbose. Molecular docking indicated that the affinity energy of the identified compounds ranged from − 7.6 to − 8.6 kcal/mol, a more desirable result than acarbose (− 6.6 kcal/mol). Particularly, rosmarinc acid with the lowest affinity energy of − 8.6 kcal/mol was wrapped with 6 hydrogen bonds. Overall, α-glucosidase inhibitory activities and molecular docking suggested that rosmarinc acid was likely to be a promising hypoglycemic drug.
In silico investigation of critical binding pattern in SARS-CoV-2 spike protein with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2
Authors: Jafary Farzaneh , Jafari Sepideh , Ganjalikhany Mohamad Reza 
Published: March 2021

AbstractSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a newly-discovered coronavirus and responsible for the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). SARS-CoV-2 infected millions of people in the world and immediately became a pandemic in March 2020. SARS-CoV-2 belongs to the beta-coronavirus genus of the large family of Coronaviridae. It is now known that its surface spike glycoprotein binds to the angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2), which is expressed on the lung epithelial cells, mediates the fusion of the cellular and viral membranes, and facilitates the entry of viral genome to the host cell. Therefore, blocking the virus-cell interaction could be a potential target for the prevention of viral infection. The binding of SARS-CoV-2 to ACE2 is a protein–protein interaction, and so, analyzing the structure of the spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 and its underlying mechanism to bind the host cell receptor would be useful for the management and treatment of COVID-19. In this study, we performed comparative in silico studies to deeply understand the structural and functional details of the interaction between the spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 and its cognate cellular receptor ACE2. According to our results, the affinity of the ACE2 receptor for SARS-CoV-2 was higher than SARS-CoV. According to the free energy decomposition of the spike glycoprotein-ACE2 complex, we found critical points in three areas which are responsible for the increased binding affinity of SARS-CoV-2 compared with SARS-CoV. These mutations occurred at the receptor-binding domain of the spike glycoprotein that play an essential role in the increasing the affinity of coronavirus to ACE2. For instance, mutations Pro462Ala and Leu472Phe resulted in the altered binding energy from − 2 kcal mol−1 in SARS-COV to − 6 kcal mol−1 in SARS-COV-2. The results demonstrated that some mutations in the receptor-binding motif could be considered as a hot-point for designing potential drugs to inhibit the interaction between the spike glycoprotein and ACE2.
Extreme philopatry and genetic diversification at unprecedented scales in a seabird
Authors: Danckwerts D. K. , Humeau L. , Pinet P. , McQuaid C. D. , Le Corre M. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractEffective conservation requires maintenance of the processes underlying species divergence, as well as understanding species’ responses to episodic disturbances and long-term change. We explored genetic population structure at a previously unrecognized spatial scale in seabirds, focusing on fine-scale isolation between colonies, and identified two distinct genetic clusters of Barau’s Petrels (Pterodroma baraui) on Réunion Island (Indian Ocean) corresponding to the sampled breeding colonies separated by 5 km. This unexpected result was supported by long-term banding and was clearly linked to the species’ extreme philopatric tendencies, emphasizing the importance of philopatry as an intrinsic barrier to gene flow. This implies that loss of a single colony could result in the loss of genetic variation, impairing the species’ ability to adapt to threats in the long term. We anticipate that these findings will have a pivotal influence on seabird research and population management, focusing attention below the species level of taxonomic organization.