bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
GLIS1 regulates trabecular meshwork function and intraocular pressure and is associated with glaucoma in humans
Authors: Nair K. Saidas , Srivastava Chitrangda , Brown Robert V. , Koli Swanand , Choquet Hélène , Kang Hong Soon , Kuo Yien-Ming , Grimm Sara A. , Sutherland Caleb , Badea Alexandra , Johnson G. Allan , Zhao Yin , Yin Jie , Okamoto Kyoko , Clark Graham , Borrás Terete , Zode Gulab , Kizhatil Krishnakumar , Chakrabarti Subhabrata , John Simon W. M. , Jorgenson Eric , Jetten Anton M. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractChronically elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is the major risk factor of primary open-angle glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness. Dysfunction of the trabecular meshwork (TM), which controls the outflow of aqueous humor (AqH) from the anterior chamber, is the major cause of elevated IOP. Here, we demonstrate that mice deficient in the Krüppel-like zinc finger transcriptional factor GLI-similar-1 (GLIS1) develop chronically elevated IOP. Magnetic resonance imaging and histopathological analysis reveal that deficiency in GLIS1 expression induces progressive degeneration of the TM, leading to inefficient AqH drainage from the anterior chamber and elevated IOP. Transcriptome and cistrome analyses identified several glaucoma- and extracellular matrix-associated genes as direct transcriptional targets of GLIS1. We also identified a significant association between GLIS1 variant rs941125 and glaucoma in humans (P = 4.73 × 10−6), further supporting a role for GLIS1 into glaucoma etiology. Our study identifies GLIS1 as a critical regulator of TM function and maintenance, AqH dynamics, and IOP.
PERM1 interacts with the MICOS-MIB complex to connect the mitochondria and sarcolemma via ankyrin B
Authors: Bock Theresa , Türk Clara , Aravamudhan Sriram , Keufgens Lena , Bloch Wilhelm , Rozsivalova Dieu Hien , Romanello Vanina , Nogara Leonardo , Blaauw Bert , Trifunovic Aleksandra , Braun Thomas , Krüger Marcus 
Published: August 2021

AbstractSkeletal muscle subsarcolemmal mitochondria (SSM) and intermyofibrillar mitochondria subpopulations have distinct metabolic activity and sensitivity, though the mechanisms that localize SSM to peripheral areas of muscle fibers are poorly understood. A protein interaction study and complexome profiling identifies PERM1 interacts with the MICOS-MIB complex. Ablation of Perm1 in mice reduces muscle force, decreases mitochondrial membrane potential and complex I activity, and reduces the numbers of SSM in skeletal muscle. We demonstrate PERM1 interacts with the intracellular adaptor protein ankyrin B (ANKB) that connects the cytoskeleton to the plasma membrane. Moreover, we identify a C-terminal transmembrane helix that anchors PERM1 into the outer mitochondrial membrane. We conclude PERM1 functions in the MICOS-MIB complex and acts as an adapter to connect the mitochondria with the sarcolemma via ANKB.
Nickel-catalyzed deaminative Sonogashira coupling of alkylpyridinium salts enabled by NN2 pincer ligand
Authors: Zhang Xingjie , Qi Di , Jiao Chenchen , Liu Xiaopan , Zhang Guisheng 
Published: August 2021

AbstractAlkynes are amongst the most valuable functional groups in organic chemistry and widely used in chemical biology, pharmacy, and materials science. However, the preparation of alkyl-substituted alkynes still remains elusive. Here, we show a nickel-catalyzed deaminative Sonogashira coupling of alkylpyridinium salts. Key to the success of this coupling is the development of an easily accessible and bench-stable amide-type pincer ligand. This ligand allows naturally abundant alkyl amines as alkylating agents in Sonogashira reactions, and produces diverse alkynes in excellent yields under mild conditions. Salient merits of this chemistry include broad substrate scope and functional group tolerance, gram-scale synthesis, one-pot transformation, versatile late-stage derivatizations as well as the use of inexpensive pre-catalyst and readily available substrates. The high efficiency and strong practicability bode well for the widespread applications of this strategy in constructing functional molecules, materials, and fine chemicals.
Cellularized small-caliber tissue-engineered vascular grafts: looking for the ultimate gold standard
Authors: Fayon Adrien , Menu Patrick , El Omar Reine 
Published: August 2021

AbstractDue to the lack of efficacy of synthetic vascular substitutes in the replacement of small-caliber arteries, vascular tissue engineering (VTE) has emerged as a promising solution to produce viable small-caliber tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVG). Previous studies have shown the importance of a cellular intimal layer at the luminal surface of TEVG to prevent thrombotic events. However, the cellularization of a TEVG seems to be a critical approach to consider in the development of a TEVG. To date, no standard cellularization method or cell type has been established to create the ideal TEVG by promoting its long-term patency and function. In this review, advances in VTE are described and discussed with a particular focus on the construction approaches of cellularized small-caliber TEVGs, the cell types used, as well as their preclinical and clinical applications.
Ground motion baseline analysis of the Cheshire UK GeoEnergy Observatory
Authors: Novellino Alessandro , Bateson Luke , Jordan Colm 
Published: August 2021

AbstractSubsurface geonergy can induce ground motion and seismicity, however a scarcity of observations usually obscures the mechanisms underpinning such behaviour. Here, we analyse Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) data from ERS, ENVISAT and Sentinel-1 satellites for the period 1995–2017 and interpret ground deformation in the area of the planned Cheshire UK GeoEnergy Observatory ahead of facility contruction. Ground motion is dominated by the compaction of tidal flat deposits overlying two paleo-valleys, trending NNW–SSE. The western paleo-valley experienced faster subsidence rates in the period 1995–2007, whereas the eastern paleo-valley subsided faster in the period 2016–2017. The research highlights how baseline assessment can help differentiate natural variation from any anthropogenic effects associated with the growth of new subsurface technologies.
The implications of lag times between nitrate leaching losses and riverine loads for water quality policy
Authors: McDowell R. W. , Simpson Z. P. , Ausseil A. G. , Etheridge Z. , Law R. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractUnderstanding the lag time between land management and impacts on riverine nitrate–nitrogen (N) loads is critical to understand when action to mitigate nitrate–N leaching losses from the soil profile may start improving water quality. These lags occur due to leaching of nitrate–N through the subsurface (soil and groundwater). Actions to mitigate nitrate–N losses have been mandated in New Zealand policy to start showing improvements in water quality within five years. We estimated annual rates of nitrate–N leaching and annual nitrate–N loads for 77 river catchments from 1990 to 2018. Lag times between these losses and riverine loads were determined for 34 catchments but could not be determined in other catchments because they exhibited little change in nitrate–N leaching losses or loads. Lag times varied from 1 to 12 years according to factors like catchment size (Strahler stream order and altitude) and slope. For eight catchments where additional isotope and modelling data were available, the mean transit time for surface water at baseflow to pass through the catchment was on average 2.1 years less than, and never greater than, the mean lag time for nitrate–N, inferring our lag time estimates were robust. The median lag time for nitrate–N across the 34 catchments was 4.5 years, meaning that nearly half of these catchments wouldn’t exhibit decreases in nitrate–N because of practice change within the five years outlined in policy.
Low level visual features support robust material perception in the judgement of metallicity
Authors: Harvey Joshua S. , Smithson Hannah E. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe human visual system is able to rapidly and accurately infer the material properties of objects and surfaces in the world. Yet an inverse optics approach—estimating the bi-directional reflectance distribution function of a surface, given its geometry and environment, and relating this to the optical properties of materials—is both intractable and computationally unaffordable. Rather, previous studies have found that the visual system may exploit low-level spatio-chromatic statistics as heuristics for material judgment. Here, we present results from psychophysics and modeling that supports the use of image statistics heuristics in the judgement of metallicity—the quality of appearance that suggests an object is made from metal. Using computer graphics, we generated stimuli that varied along two physical dimensions: the smoothness of a metal object, and the evenness of its transparent coating. This allowed for the exploration of low-level image statistics, whilst ensuring that each stimulus was a naturalistic, physically plausible image. A conjoint-measurement task decoupled the contributions of these dimensions to the perception of metallicity. Low-level image features, as represented in the activations of oriented linear filters at different spatial scales, were found to correlate with the dimensions of the stimulus space, and decision-making models using these activations replicated observer performance in perceiving differences in metal smoothness and coating bumpiness, and judging metallicity. Importantly, the performance of these models did not deteriorate when objects were rotated within their simulated scene, with corresponding changes in image properties. We therefore conclude that low-level image features may provide reliable cues for the robust perception of metallicity.
Peer victimization and the association with hippocampal development and working memory in children with ADHD and typically-developing children
Authors: Papadopoulos Alissa , Seguin Diane , Correa Susana , Duerden Emma G. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity and inattention displayed by children with ADHD put them at risk of experiencing peer victimization. Hippocampal maturation, may reduce a child’s vulnerability to the experience of peer victimization, as it has been associated with decreased ADHD symptomatology. Working memory is an important executive function in the formation and maintenance of social relationships, which is often impaired in ADHD. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between problem behaviours, peer victimization, hippocampal morphology, and working memory in children with and without ADHD. 218 typically-developing participants (50.5% male) and 232 participants diagnosed with ADHD (77.6% male) were recruited. The ADHD group was subdivided into inattentive (ADHD-I) or combined (ADHD-C) types. The Child Behavior Checklist measured problem behaviours and peer victimization. Children underwent Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Hippocampal subfield volumes were obtained using FreeSurfer. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-fifth edition measured working memory (WM). The ADHD-C group displayed significantly higher levels of problem behaviours and peer victimization (all,p < 0.001), compared to the other groups. Left Cornu Ammonis 3 (CA3) volume was a positive predictor of peer victimization (all,p < 0.013). Left CA3 volume was a positive predictor of WM and left Cornu Ammonis 4 (CA4) volume negatively predicted WM (all,p < 0.025). A cluster analysis revealed that children displaying symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity are the most at risk for peer victimization. Interventions focusing on minimizing peer victimization may aid in mitigating adverse downstream effects, and assist in promoting brain health and cognitive function.
Determination of critical decision points for COVID-19 measures in Japan
Authors: Kim Junu , Matsunami Kensaku , Okamura Kozue , Badr Sara , Sugiyama Hirokazu 
Published: August 2021

AbstractCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread throughout the world. The prediction of the number of cases has become essential to governments’ ability to define policies and take countermeasures in advance. The numbers of cases have been estimated using compartment models of infectious diseases such as the susceptible-infected-removed (SIR) model and its derived models. However, the required use of hypothetical future values for parameters, such as the effective reproduction number or infection rate, increases the uncertainty of the prediction results. Here, we describe our model for forecasting future COVID-19 cases based on observed data by considering the time delay (tdelay). We used machine learning to estimate the future infection rate based on real-time mobility, temperature, and relative humidity. We then used this calculation with the susceptible-exposed-infectious-removed (SEIR) model to forecast future cases with less uncertainty. The results suggest that changes in mobility affect observed infection rates with 5–10 days of time delay. This window should be accounted for in the decision-making phase especially during periods with predicted infection surges. Our prediction model helps governments and medical institutions to take targeted early countermeasures at critical decision points regarding mobility to avoid significant levels of infection rise.
Livestock movement informs the risk of disease spread in traditional production systems in East Africa
Authors: Ekwem Divine , Morrison Thomas A. , Reeve Richard , Enright Jessica , Buza Joram , Shirima Gabriel , Mwajombe James K. , Lembo Tiziana , Hopcraft J. Grant C. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIn Africa, livestock are important to local and national economies, but their productivity is constrained by infectious diseases. Comprehensive information on livestock movements and contacts is required to devise appropriate disease control strategies; yet, understanding contact risk in systems where herds mix extensively, and where different pathogens can be transmitted at different spatial and temporal scales, remains a major challenge. We deployed Global Positioning System collars on cattle in 52 herds in a traditional agropastoral system in western Serengeti, Tanzania, to understand fine-scale movements and between-herd contacts, and to identify locations of greatest interaction between herds. We examined contact across spatiotemporal scales relevant to different disease transmission scenarios. Daily cattle movements increased with herd size and rainfall. Generally, contact between herds was greatest away from households, during periods with low rainfall and in locations close to dipping points. We demonstrate how movements and contacts affect the risk of disease spread. For example, transmission risk is relatively sensitive to the survival time of different pathogens in the environment, and less sensitive to transmission distance, at least over the range of the spatiotemporal definitions of contacts that we explored. We identify times and locations of greatest disease transmission potential and that could be targeted through tailored control strategies.
Co-morbidity of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder among children with seizure disorders at University of Gondar referral hospital Ethiopia (2016)
Authors: Mulat Haregewoin , Yegezaw Niguse , Eyasu Tewodros 
Published: August 2021

AbstractAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a disorder in which a person is unable to control behavior due to difficulty in processing neural stimuli, accompanied by an extremely high level of motor activity. The prevalence is much higher ranging from 8 to 77% among children with seizure disorders than in the general population. When attention deficit hyperactivity disorder presents in children with seizure disorder, it makes the treatment complicated and the prognosis poor. Hence, understanding the magnitude of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and associated factors would be important to have a policy intention towards these people and to design appropriate interventions. Therefore, the current study was conducted to determine the comorbidity of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and associated factors in children with seizure disorders. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted by taking 260 children who have follow ups in the pediatric seizure clinic. The systematic random sampling technique was used to recruit participants. A structured, pretested and interviewer-administered questionnaire which included questions on associated factors and standard disruptive behavioral disorder rating scale was used to collect data. Data were coded, entered and cleaned by using the Epi-Data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 20 for further analysis. The multivariate binary logistic regression was used to check the association between independent and dependent variables. Variables with significant associations were identified based on adjusted odds ratio, with a 95% CI and p-value of < 0.05 will be considered as statistically significant. The prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder among epileptic children was found to be 115 (44.2%),with a confidence interval of (38.1–50.5),out of which only 3 (2.6%) were detected as having mental health problems by the clinician. The predominant subtype was inattentive type 96 (61.1%). Factors significantly associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder were male sex (AOR = 2.70 CI 1.46–4.97), family history of seizure disorder (AOR = 2.42 CI 1.26–4.65), family history of mental illnesses (AOR = 4.14 CI 1.76–9.68), sudden onset of the seizure (AOR = 2.37 CI 1.32–4.27), and uncontrolled seizure (AOR = 2.55 CI 1.41–4.61). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder was common among children with seizure disorders in the study area. Male sex, sudden onsets of seizure, family history of seizure, and that of other psychiatric disorders as well as uncontrolled seizures were factors that increased the odds of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Therefore, interventions that would address such factors would help to overcome further complications.
Fire suppression and seed dispersal play critical roles in the establishment of tropical forest tree species in southeastern Africa
Authors: Fujita Tomohiro 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThis study examined the mechanisms of facilitation and importance of seed dispersal during establishment of forest tree species in an Afrotropical woodland. Seedling survival of Syzygium guineense ssp. afromontanum was monitored for 2.5 years at four different microsites in savannah woodland in Malawi (southeastern Africa) under Ficus natalensis (a potential nurse plant), Brachystegia floribunda (a woodland tree), Uapaca kirkiana (a woodland tree), and at a treeless site. The number of naturally established forest tree seedlings in the woodland was also counted. Additionally, S. guineense ssp. afromontanum seed deposition was monitored at the four microsites. Insect damage (9% of the total cause of mortality) and trampling by ungulates (1%) had limited impact on seedling survival in this area. Fire (43%) was found to be the most important cause of seedling mortality and fire induced mortality was especially high under U. kirkiana (74%) and at treeless site (51%). The rate was comparatively low under F. natalensis (4%) and B. floribunda (23%), where fire is thought to be inhibited due to the lack of light-demanding C4 grasses. Consequently, seedling survival under F. natalensis and B. floribunda was higher compared with the other two microsites. The seedling survival rate was similar under F. natalensis (57%) and B. floribunda (59%). However, only a few S. guineense ssp. afromontanum seedlings naturally established under B. floribunda (25/285) whereas many seedlings established under F. natalensis (146/285). These findings indicate that the facilitative mechanism of fire suppression is not the only factor affecting establishment. The seed deposition investigation revealed that most of the seeds (85%) were deposited under F. natalensis. As such, these findings suggest that in addition to fire suppression, dispersal limitations also play a role in forest-savannah dynamics in this region, especially at the community level.
Comparative transcriptomics provides a strategy for phylogenetic analysis and SSR marker development in Chaenomeles
Authors: Shao Wenhao , Huang Shiqing , Zhang Yongzhi , Jiang Jingmin , Li Hui 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe genus Chaenomeles has long been considered an important ornamental, herbal and cash crop and is widely cultivated in East Asia. Traditional studies of Chaenomeles mainly focus on evolutionary relationships at the phenotypic level. In this study, we conducted RNA-seq on 10 Chaenomeles germplasms supplemented with one outgroup species, Docynia delavayi (D. delavayi), on the Illumina HiSeq2500 platform. After de novo assemblies, we generated from 40,084 to 49,571 unigenes for each germplasm. After pairwise comparison of the orthologous sequences, 9,659 orthologues within the 11 germplasms were obtained, with 6,154 orthologous genes identified as single-copy genes. The phylogenetic tree was visualized to reveal evolutionary relationships for these 11 germplasms. GO and KEGG analyses were performed for these common single-copy genes to compare their functional similarities and differences. Selective pressure analysis based on 6,154 common single-copy genes revealed that 45 genes were under positive selection. Most of these genes are involved in building the plant disease defence system. A total of 292 genes containing simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were used to develop SSR markers and compare their functions in secondary metabolism pathways. Finally, 10 primers were chosen as SSR marker candidates for Chaenomeles germplasms by comprehensive standards. Our research provides a new methodology and reference for future related research in Chaenomeles and is also useful for improvement, breeding and selection projects in other related species.
Prolonged sitting-induced back pain influences abdominal muscle thickness in a sitting but not a supine position
Authors: Kim Yeon , Kang Hye-won , Kim Si-hyun , Park Kyue-nam 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe current study explored whether (i) abdominal muscle thickness differed between non-painful supine and painful sitting positions and (ii) the sitting position was more reliable and useful than the supine position to discriminate between people with and without prolonged sitting-induced lower back pain (LBP). Participants with and without prolonged sitting-induced LBP participated. The thickness of the transversus abdominis (TrA), internal oblique (IO), and external oblique (EO) muscles was measured using ultrasonography in supine, usual sitting, and upright sitting positions. Analysis of variance was used to compare muscle thickness among the positions. Intraclass correlation coefficients and receiver operating characteristic curves were used to determine which position reliably identified between group. The group with LBP showed significantly greater EO muscle thickness than that without LBP only in the upright sitting position. In the group without LBP, the TrA thickness was significantly greater in the usual and upright sitting positions than in the supine position, but there was no significant difference in TrA thickness among three positions in LBP group. Only EO thickness in the upright sitting position significantly predicted prolonged sitting-induced LBP. The current study suggests that clinicians should assess abdominal activation patterns in the upright sitting rather than supine position before applying abdominal muscle motor control training for patients with prolonged sitting-induced LBP, and to distinguish between those with and without prolonged sitting-induced LBP.