bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Natural Killer Cells Regulate the Maturation of Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells Thereby Promoting Intrahepatic T-Cell Responses in a Mouse Model
Authors: Du Yanqin , Yan Hu , Zou Shi , Khera Tanvi , Li Jia , Han Meihong , Yang Xiaoli , Wang Baoju , Liu Jia , Sun Shuilin , Zheng Xin , Dittmer Ulf , Lu Mengji , Yang Dongliang , Wedemeyer Heiner , Wu Jun 
Published: February 2021

Functional maturation of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) plays an important role in intrahepatic T-cell activation and control of viral infections. Natural killer (NK) cells have been reported to prompt the maturation of antigen-presenting cells (APCs), especially for dendritic cells (DCs), but the interaction between NK cells and LSECs is elusive. Here, we investigated whether and how NK cells are involved in regulating LSEC maturation and if this has a role in controlling hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in a mouse model. A chronic HBV replication mouse model was established by hydrodynamic injection (HI) of 6 μg adeno-associated virus plasmid (pAAV)/HBV 1.2. The nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 1 (NOD1) ligand diaminopemelic acid (DAP) was imported into liver by HI at day 14 after plasmid injection. We found that HI of DAP recruited conventional NK cells (cNK) into the liver and promoted tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) production of NK cells in a chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 3 (CXCR3)-dependent manner. Importantly, the maturation of LSECs and the anti-HBV effects of DAP were impaired in CXCR3−/− mice; this possibly was associated with the decreased number of intrahepatic cNK cells. Consistently, depleting cNK cells but not liver-resident NK cells also impaired the maturation and antigen-presenting function of LSECs, which reduced intrahepatic HBV-specific T-cell responses and thus inhibited HBV clearance both in wild-type and in Rag1−/− mice. Moreover, TNF-α or IFN-γ stimulation as well as coculture with intrahepatic NK cells partly promoted LSEC phenotypic and functional maturation in vitro. Conclusion: NOD1-triggered NK cell activation may lead to the enhancement of intrahepatic T-cell responses by promoting maturation of LSECs through soluble cytokines and cell–cell contact, thereby controlling HBV replication and expression.
NK cells promote intrahepatic T cell responses by regulating LSEC maturation. The potential mechanisms by which NK cells regulate the maturation of LSECs may involve soluble cytokines as well as cell-cell contact. The recruitment and activation of conventional NK cells (cNK) cells after NOD1 activation depend on CXCR3 axis.
Variability of stream extents controlled by flow regime and network hydraulic scaling
Authors: Lapides Dana A. , Leclerc Christine D. , Moidu Hana , Dralle David N. , Hahm W. Jesse 
Published: February 2021

AbstractStream networks expand and contract through time, impacting chemical export, aquatic habitat, and water quality. Although recent advances improve prediction of the extent of the wetted channel network (L) based on discharge at the catchment outlet (Q), controls on the temporal variability of L remain poorly understood and unquantified. Here we develop a quantitative, conceptual framework to explore how flow regime and stream network hydraulic scaling factors co‐determine the relative temporal variability in L (denoted here as the total wetted channel drainage density). Network hydraulic scaling determines how much L changes for a change in Q, while the flow regime describes how Q changes in time. We compiled datasets of co‐located dynamic stream extent mapping and discharge to analyze all globally available empirical data using the presented framework. We found that although variability in L is universally damped relative to variability in Q (i.e., streamflow is relatively more variable in time than network extent), the relationship is elastic, meaning that for a given increase in the variability in Q, headwater catchments will experience greater‐than‐proportional increases in the variability of L. Thus, under anticipated climatic shifts towards more volatile precipitation, relative variability in headwater stream network extents can be expected to increase even more than the relative variability of discharge itself. Comparison between network extents inferred from the L‐Q relationship and blue lines on USGS topographic maps shows widespread underestimation of the wetted channel network by the blue line network.
Strive towards investment efficiency among Egyptian companies: Do board characteristics and information asymmetry matter?
Authors: Menshawy Ibrahim M. , Basiruddin Rohaida , Mohd‐Zamil Nor‐Aiza , Hussainey Khaled 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis study examines the impact of the board of directors (BoD) characteristics, namely BoD independence, compensation, leadership, and CEO career concerns on investment efficiency, using information asymmetry as a mediator. Using a sample of 326 firm‐year observations of non‐financial firms listed in the EGX 100 Index of the Egyptian stock market from 2014 to 2018, we find that board independence, board compensation, and board leadership are negatively associated with inefficient investment and information asymmetry, whereas the opposite is true for CEO career concerns. Furthermore, a positive relationship between information asymmetry and inefficient investment is documented. Finally, we find that information asymmetry mediates the relationship between the three BoD characteristics (i.e., board independence, leadership, and compensation) and inefficient investment. Conversely, it does not interfere with the relationship between CEO career concerns and inefficient investment. These findings are consistent in both under‐investment and over‐investment scenarios and across the pooled sample. Our findings contribute to corporate governance and investment literature by addressing new relationships, providing empirical evidence from a one‐tier board model in developing countries, and offering a useful explanation for the inconsistent results in prior studies. These findings help regulators, investors, and policymakers realize the importance of BoD characteristics in mitigating information asymmetry and improving corporate investment efficiency.
Expression profiling and bioinformatics analysis of exosomal long noncoding RNAs in patients with myasthenia gravis by RNA sequencing
Authors: Lu Wei , Lu Yao , Wang Chun‐Feng , Chen Ting‐Ting 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundMyasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease mediated by acetylcholine receptor antibodies. Exosomes were shown to be involved in the immune modulation and autoimmune diseases. However, the expression and function of exosomal long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in MG are still unclear.MethodsWe conducted high‐throughput sequencing to detect the lncRNA profiles of serum exosomes in 6 MG patients (2 grade I, 2 grade IIa, and 2 grade IIb) and 6 healthy controls (HC). Then, differentially expressed (DE) lncRNAs with the greatest difference between the MG and HC groups were selected for further quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) validation in additional 30 MG patients and 10 HC. The DE lncRNAs were used to construct the coding/noncoding network and perform enrichment analysis.ResultsWe identified 378 significantly upregulated and 348 significantly downregulated lncRNAs in MG patients compared with HC. The top 5 lncRNAs (NR_104677.1, ENST00000583253.1, NR_046098.1, NR_022008.1, and ENST00000581362.1) were validated and shown to be significantly increased in the serum exosome of MG, and the expression level of NR_046098.1 significantly increased with the MG grading. Enrichment analysis showed that DE genes mainly participated in the basic biological regulation of MG and immune‐related pathways, such as autoimmune thyroid disease pathway and T‐cell receptor signaling pathway. A specific lncRNA‐miRNA‐mRNA regulatory network associated with the 5 lncRNAs, 14 MG‐related miRNAs and 30 mRNAs was constructed.ConclusionsWe conducted a comprehensive analysis of exosomal lncRNAs to reveal potential biomarkers for the MG diagnosis and severity assessment.
Pharmacokinetics of Ribociclib in Subjects With Hepatic Impairment
Authors: Samant Tanay S. , Yang Shu , Miller Michelle , Ji Yan 
Published: February 2021

AbstractRibociclib is an orally bioavailable, highly selective small‐molecule inhibitor of cyclin‐dependent kinases 4 and 6. It is currently approved for the treatment of hormone receptor–positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–negative breast cancer with a starting dose of 600 mg. Both in vitro and in vivo studies indicate that ribociclib is primarily metabolized in the liver via cytochrome P450 3A4. A phase 1, open‐label, multicenter, parallel cohort, single‐oral‐dose study was conducted to characterize the pharmacokinetics of ribociclib in subjects with varying degrees of hepatic impairment as measured by the Child‐Pugh classification. Subjects were divided into 4 cohorts determined by their degree of hepatic impairment: normal, mild, moderate, or severe. Thirty subjects were enrolled and received a single 400 mg dose of ribociclib. Ribociclib exposure was similar in subjects with mild hepatic impairment compared with subjects with normal hepatic function, but was increased by approximately 30% in subjects with moderate and severe hepatic impairment. At a dose of 400 mg, ribociclib was generally well tolerated in all subjects regardless of the level of hepatic impairment. These results indicate that no dose adjustment (recommended dose of ribociclib is 600 mg daily, 3 weeks on and 1 week off) is necessary for patients with mild hepatic impairment but that a reduced dose of 400 mg daily, 3 weeks on and 1 week off in patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment is recommended.
The role of college knowledge and proactive behavior on participation in cocurricular activities
Authors: Millunchick Joanna Mirecki , Brennan‐Wydra Emma , Henderson Trevion , Johnson Aaron , Finelli Cynthia J. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundDemographic characteristics are known to influence participation in cocurricular activities. Less studied are the effects of other background characteristics.PurposeWe hypothesize that considering college knowledge and students' proactive behaviors in tandem with demographics provides better models for predicting such participation.MethodWe developed a questionnaire and administered it to 3,618 domestic third‐ and fourth‐year undergraduate engineering students at a large public R1 Midwestern university, yielding 860 responses. Logistic regression models predicting five types of cocurricular participation were constructed with demographic characteristics, college knowledge, and proactive behaviors in all combinations as predictors.ResultsFour of five types of cocurricular participation were better modeled using factors beyond demographics. Two were better modeled using only proactive behavior as predictors and two were better modeled using demographics in combination with either college knowledge or proactive behavior. Only one type of participation could be best predicted by demographics alone.ConclusionsThese findings contribute quantitative evidence establishing relationships between participation in engineering cocurricular activities and a wider range of factors than previously reported. Furthermore, they provide guidance for creating intervention programs because, unlike demographics, college knowledge and proactive behavior can be shaped by either the individual or the institution.
Conditional cash transfers, female bargaining power and parental labour supply
Authors: Novella Rafael , Ripani Laura , Vazquez Claudia 
Published: February 2021

AbstractRecent empirical evidence shows that conditional cash transfer (CCT) programmes do not have an aggregate effect on the adult labour supply. However, little attention has been paid to the role of other intrahousehold dynamics. This paper examines how the parental labour supply response to CCT programmes varies with the bargaining power structure of households. We analyse a randomized experimental CCT design from rural areas of Honduras (PRAF) and found that women with more bargaining power in the household are four percentage points less likely to be employed than other women.
Seizure phenotype in CLN3 disease and its relation to other neurologic outcome measures
Authors: Abdennadher Myriam , Inati Sara , Soldatos Ariane , Norato Gina , Baker Eva H. , Thurm Audrey , Bartolini Luca , Masvekar Ruturaj , Theodore William , Bielekova Bibiana , Porter Forbes D. , Dang Do An N. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractCLN3 disease is a pediatric neurodegenerative condition wherein seizures are common. The most common disease‐causing variant is an ~1‐kb deletion in CLN3. We investigated seizure phenotype in relation to genotype and to adaptive behavior, MR spectroscopy and CSF biochemical markers in a CLN3 cohort. We performed seizure phenotyping using clinical history, EEG, and the Unified Batten Disease Rating Scale (UBDRS) seizure score. We assessed correlations of seizure severity with disease severity (UBDRS capability), adaptive behavior composite score (ABC; Vineland‐3), glutamate+glutamine+GABA and N‐acetylaspartate+N‐acetylaspartyl glutamate (MR spectroscopy), and CSF neurofilament light chain (NEFL) levels. In 20 participants, median age was 10.7 years (IQR = 7.8). Eighteen completed baseline EEG; 12 had a 1‐year follow‐up. Seizures were reported in 14 (8 1‐kb deletion homozygotes), with median age at onset of 10.0 (IQR = 6.8). Epileptiform discharges were noted in 15 (9 homozygotes). Bilateral tonic clonic (n = 11) and nonmotor seizures (n = 7) were most common. UBDRS seizure score correlated with age (rp = 0.50; [0.08,0.77]; P = .02), UBDRS capability (rp = −0.57; [−0.81,−0.17]; P = .009) and ABC (rp = −0.66; [−0.85,−0.31]; P = .001) scores, glutamate+glutamine+GABA (rp = −0.54; [−0.80,−0.11]; P = .02) and N‐acetylaspartate+N‐acetylaspartyl glutamate (rp = −0.54; [−0.80,−0.11]; P = .02), and CSF NEFL (rp = 0.65; [0.29,0.85]; P = .002) levels. After controlling for age, correlations with ABC and CSF NEFL remained significant. In our CLN3 cohort, seizures and epileptiform discharges were frequent and often started by age 10 years without significant difference between genotypes. ABC and CSF NEFL correlate with UBDRS seizure score, reflecting the role of seizures in the neurodegenerative process. Longitudinal evaluations in a larger cohort are needed to confirm these findings.
A tripole pattern of summer surface air temperature anomalies over northern Eurasia and its precursory signals in the tropical Atlantic and northern Asian land
Authors: He Kejun , Liu Ge , Wu Renguang , Li Jingxin , Wang Huimei , Yue Xiaoyuan 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis study investigates the variability of summer surface air temperature (SAT) over northern Eurasia and its precursory signals in the tropical Atlantic and northern Asian land. The leading mode of summer SAT variations features a northern Eurasian SAT tripole (NEST) pattern, with two same‐sign SAT anomaly regions over eastern Europe–western Siberia and the Far East region and an opposite‐sign SAT anomaly region around the Baikal Lake. It is found that sea surface temperature (SST) or SAT anomalies in the tropical Atlantic and rainfall‐soil moisture anomalies around the Baikal Lake during May can modulate the NEST pattern. The SST anomalies in the tropical Atlantic persist from May to summer and induce a downstream zonal wave train across northern Eurasia, consequently causing the variation in the summer NEST pattern. May rainfall anomalies around the Baikal Lake affect the overlying atmospheric circulation during summer through the ‘memory’ effect of soil moisture and the soil moisture‐rainfall interaction, correspondingly modulating the downstream wave train and the associated NEST pattern. Based on the above results, a statistical prediction model is established using the two precursory signals, that is, SAT in the tropical Atlantic and rainfall around the Baikal Lake during May. The leave‐three‐out cross‐validation shows that the model has a high skill in predicting the summer NEST pattern, with a correlation coefficient of 0.51 (significant at the 99.8% confidence level) between observation and prediction during the period 1980–2016.
Effect of Core‐Crosslinking on Protein Corona Formation on Polymeric Micelles
Authors: Alberg Irina , Kramer Stefan , Leps Christian , Tenzer Stefan , Zentel Rudolf 
Published: February 2021

AbstractMost nanomaterials acquire a protein corona upon contact with biological fluids. The magnitude of this effect is strongly dependent both on surface and structure of the nanoparticle. To define the contribution of the internal nanoparticle structure, protein corona formation of block copolymer micelles with poly(N‐2‐hydroxypropylmethacrylamide) (pHPMA) as hydrophilic shell, which are crosslinked—or not—in the hydrophobic core is comparatively analyzed. Both types of micelles are incubated with human blood plasma and separated by asymmetrical flow field‐flow fractionation (AF4). Their size is determined by dynamic light scattering and proteins within the micellar fraction are characterized by gel electrophoresis and quantified by liquid chromatography‐high‐resolution mass spectrometry‐based label‐free quantitative proteomics. The analyses reveal only very low amounts of plasma proteins associated with the micelles. Notably, no significant enrichment of plasma proteins is detectable for core‐crosslinked micelles, while noncrosslinked micelles show a significant enrichment of plasma proteins, indicative of protein corona formation. The results indicate that preventing the reorganization of micelles (equilibrium with unimers) by core‐crosslinking is crucial to reduce the interaction with plasma proteins.
Localized corrosion of (lean) duplex stainless steels in immersion units of urban wastewater treatment plants
Authors: Larché Nicolas , Emo Benoit , Allion Audrey , Johansson Elisabeth , Thierry Dominique 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWith lower alloying cost and higher mechanical properties, lean duplex stainless steels can be an alternative to the more commonly used austenitic stainless steels. However, these alloys are still not the preferred choice, probably due to a lack of field experience. A study was thus initiated in view of defining the limits of use of selected (lean) duplexes for urban wastewater treatment units. The present paper shows the localized corrosion performance of selected lean duplexes in chloride contaminated solutions. The results are compared with austenitic S30403 and S31603 and with the more standard duplexes S82441 and S32205. The effect of welding was also investigated. Exposures in field municipal wastewater plants were conducted for 1 year in low and high chloride content units. The results show that lean duplexes S32101 and S32202 can be used as alternatives to S30403 and S31603 in low chloride electrolytes. At 500 ppm of chloride content, duplex stainless steel S32304 showed better corrosion resistance than S30403 and S31603. For higher chloride contents (1000 ppm and above) the standard duplexes S82441 and S32205 shall be preferred.
Benzo/Naphthodifuranone‐Based Polymers: Effect of Perpendicular‐Extended Main Chain π‐Conjugation on Organic Field‐Effect Transistor Performances
Authors: Li Rui , Dai Zhicheng , Zheng Meng , Wang Cheng , Deng Zhifeng , Zhuang Tao , Feng Kui , Yang Wenjun , Yang Kun , Zhang Haichang 
Published: February 2021

AbstractFor polymer semiconductors, the backbone structure plays an essential role in determining their physicochemical properties and charge transport behaviors. In this work, two donor–acceptor‐type polymers (P‐BDF and P‐NDF) based on benzodifuranone (BDF) and naphthodifunarone (NDF) as electron‐deficient moieties and indaceno‐dithiophene as electron‐rich groups are designed, synthesized and, for the first time, applied in organic field‐effect transistor. P‐BDF and P‐NDF differ from their backbone structures while P‐BDF has a more planar backbone conformation due to its smaller conjugated core size and P‐NDF features a perpendicular‐extended main chain structure. As a result, P‐BDF polymer exhibits bathochromic optical absorption, deeper molecular orbital energy levels, and more importantly, closer π‐stacking and stronger aggregation in the solid state and thus affords a more promising hole mobility of up to 0.85 cm2 V−1 s−1 in OFET devices, while that of the P‐NDF‐based devices is only 0.55 cm2 V−1 s−1. The results suggest the great potential of BDF/NDF‐type chromophores in constructing novel organic semiconductors and also indicate that the main chain coplanarity of polymer semiconductors is more essential than the sole extension of π‐conjugations (especially at the perpendicular direction of polymer main chains) for the design of high‐performance OFET materials.
No man's land: Species‐specific formation of exclusion zones bordering Actinomyces graevenitzii microcolonies in nanoliter cultures
Authors: Jalali Fatemeh , Ellett Felix , Balani Pooja , Duncan Margaret J. , Dewhirst Floyd E. , Borisy Gary G. , Irimia Daniel 
Published: February 2021

AbstractTo survive within complex environmental niches, including the human host, bacteria have evolved intricate interspecies communities driven by competition for limited nutrients, cooperation via complementary metabolic proficiencies, and establishment of homeostatic relationships with the host immune system. The study of such complex, interdependent relationships is often hampered by the challenges of culturing many bacterial strains in research settings and the limited set of tools available for studying the dynamic behavior of multiple bacterial species at the microscale. Here, we utilize a microfluidic‐based co‐culture system and time‐lapse imaging to characterize dynamic interactions between Streptococcus species, Staphylococcus aureus, and Actinomyces species. Co‐culture of Streptococcus cristatus or S. salivarius in nanoliter compartments with Actinomyces graevenitzii revealed localized exclusion of Streptococcus and Staphylococcus from media immediately surrounding A. graevenitzii microcolonies. This community structure did not occur with S. mitis or S. oralis strains or in co‐cultures containing other Actinomycetaceae species such as S. odontolyticus or A. naeslundii. Moreover, fewer neutrophils were attracted to compartments containing both A. graevenitzii and Staphylococcus aureus than to an equal number of either species alone, suggesting a possible survival benefit together during immune responses.