bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Continuous positive airway pressure therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea and psychotropic drug use: a retrospective observational matched-cohort study
Authors: Delbarre Angélique , Gagnadoux Frédéric , Gohier Bénédicte , Pelletier-Fleury Nathalie 
Published: September 2018

AbstractPatients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) frequently present symptoms of depression, anxiety and insomnia and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) can improve these symptoms. Using a real-world administrative database, we analysed the trend of psychotropic drug use (antidepressants, anxiolytics and hypnotics) on a long-term period in OSA individuals before-after CPAP initiation. A total of 869 OSA individuals to whom psychotropic drugs were prescribed were followed for 4 years. They were matched to 2,607 non-OSA individuals, who were similar in terms of demographics, chronic diseases and care consumption. Generalized estimating equations models were used to compare psychotropic drug defined daily doses (DDD). Results showed no significant differences in mean trends of psychotropic drug DDD between OSA individuals and non-OSA matched controls during the three years following CPAP initiation. Only time had a significant effect on DDD, which decreased in both groups: −9% in Y1 and −17% in Y3, compared to Y0 (p-values < 0.0001). Hence, CPAP therapy does not result in an earlier decrease of psychotropic drug use in OSA individuals compared to non-OSA matched controls. Further studies are needed to analyse long-term psychotropic drug use, particularly in non-adherent OSA individuals.
Thermal management of epidermal electronic devices/skin system considering insensible sweating
Authors: Nie Shuang , Zhang Chenxi , Song Jizhou 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThermal management of the system consisting of epidermal electronics devices (EEDs) and skin is critically important since a few degrees in temperature increase may induce thermal discomfort. In this paper, considering insensible sweating, a three-dimensional analytical thermal model, validated by finite element analysis, is developed to derive analytical expressions for the steady temperature distributions in the EED/skin system. The influences of various parameters including the thickness and thermal conductivity of the substrate in EEDs on the maximum skin temperature are investigated. The comfort analysis is then carried out based on the model to provide design guidelines for optimizing the geometric and material properties of EEDs to avoid the adverse thermal effects. These results pave the theoretical foundation for thermal management of EEDs/skin system in practical applications.
Biosafety assessment of water samples from Wanzhou watershed of Yangtze Three Gorges Reservoir in the quiet season in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Xiao Guosheng , Zhao Li , Huang Qian , Du Huihui , Guo Dongqin , Xia Mingxing , Li Guangman , Chen Zongxiang , Wang Dayong 
Published: September 2018

AbstractWe here employed a model animal of Caenorhabditis elegans to perform toxicity assessment of original surface water samples collected from Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) in the quiet season in Wanzhou, Chongqing. Using some sublethal endpoints, including lifespan, body length, locomotion behavior, brood size, and intestinal reactive oxygen species (ROS) induction, we found that the examined five original surface water samples could not cause toxicity on wild-type nematodes. Nevertheless, the surface water sample collected from backwater area induced the significant increase in expressions of genes (sod-2 and sod-3) encoding Mn-SODs in wild-type nematodes. Among the examined five original surface water samples, exposure to the original surface water sample collected from backwater area could further cause the toxicity in decreasing locomotion behavior and in inducing intestinal ROS production in sod-3 mutant nematodes. Moreover, the solid phase of surface water sample collected from backwater area might mainly contribute to the observed toxicity in sod-3 mutant nematodes. Our results are helpful for understanding the potential effects of surface water in the TGR region in the quiet season on environmental organisms.
Anomalous behavior of membrane fluidity caused by copper-copper bond coupled phospholipids
Authors: Jiang Xiankai , Zhang Jinjin , Zhou Bo , Li Pei , Hu Xiaojuan , Zhu Zhi , Tan Yanwen , Chang Chao , Lü Junhong , Song Bo 
Published: September 2018

AbstractMembrane fluidity, essential for cell functions, is obviously affected by copper, but the molecular mechanism is poorly understood. Here, we unexpectedly observed that a decrease in phospholipid (PL) bilayer fluidity caused by Cu2+ was more significant than those by Zn2+ and Ca2+, while a comparable reduction occurred in the last two ions. This finding disagrees with the placement in the periodic table of Cu just next to Zn and far from Ca. The physical nature was revealed to be an anomalous attraction between Cu+ cations, as well as the induced motif of two phospholipids coupled by Cu-Cu bond (PL-diCu-PL). Namely, upon Cu2+ ion binding to a negatively charged phosphate group of lipid, Cu2+ was reduced to Cu+. The attraction of the cations then caused one Cu+ ion simultaneously binding to two lipids and another Cu+, resulting in the formation of PL-diCu-PL structure. In contrast, this attraction cannot occur in the cases of Zn and Ca ions. Remarkably, besides lipids, the phosphate group also widely exists in other biological molecules, including DNA, RNA, ADP and ATP. Our findings thus provide a new view for understanding the biological functions of copper and the mechanism underlying copper-related diseases, as well as lipid assembly.
The effect of serum triglyceride concentration on the outcome of acute pancreatitis: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kiss Lóránd , Fűr Gabriella , Mátrai Péter , Hegyi Péter , Ivány Emese , Cazacu Irina Mihaela , Szabó Imre , Habon Tamás , Alizadeh Hussain , Gyöngyi Zoltán , Vigh Éva , Erőss Bálint , Erős Adrienn , Ottoffy Máté , Czakó László , Rakonczay Zoltán 
Published: September 2018

AbstractElevated serum triglyceride concentration (seTG, >1.7 mM or >150 mg/dL) or in other words hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is common in the populations of developed countries. This condition is accompanied by an increased risk for various diseases, such as acute pancreatitis (AP). It has been proposed that HTG could also worsen the course of AP. Therefore, in this meta-analysis, we aimed to compare the effects of various seTGs on the severity, mortality, local and systemic complications of AP, and on intensive care unit admission. 16 eligible studies, including 11,965 patients were retrieved from PubMed and Embase. The results showed that HTG significantly elevated the odds ratio (OR = 1.72) for severe AP when compared to patients with normal seTG (<1.7 mM). Furthermore, a significantly higher occurrence of pancreatic necrosis, persistent organ failure and renal failure was observed in groups with HTG. The rates of complications and mortality for AP were significantly increased in patients with seTG >5.6 mM or >11.3 mM versus <5.6 mM or <11.3 mM, respectively. We conclude that the presence of HTG worsens the course and outcome of AP, but we found no significant difference in AP severity based on the extent of HTG.
Kinetics of the invasion and egress processes of Babesia divergens, observed by time-lapse video microscopy
Authors: Sevilla Elena , González Luis Miguel , Luque Daniel , Gray Jeremy , Montero Estrella 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBased on confocal fluorescence and bright field video microscopy, we present detailed observations on the processes of invasion and egress of erythrocytes by the apicomplexan parasite Babesia divergens. Time-lapse images reveal numerous unexpected findings associated with the dynamics of B. divergens and its ability to manipulate the erythrocyte during both processes in its asexual cycle under in vitro conditions. Despite the speed at which these processes occur and the small size of the parasite, we capture infective merozoites moving vigorously and causing striking deformations in the erythrocyte’s plasma membrane during an active invasion. We also observed intraerythrocytic dynamic stages as paired pyriforms, double paired pyriforms, tetrads, unattached pyriform sister cells and multiple parasite stages resulting in the release of large numbers of merozoites over a short period. Of considerable interest is that time-lapse images reveal a novel mechanism of egress used by B. divergens to exit the human erythrocyte. The release occurs when B. divergens parasites establish contacts with the plasma membrane of the erythrocyte from within, before exiting the cell. Visualization and analysis of the images enabled us to obtain useful information and broaden our knowledge of complex and crucial events involved with parasitisation of human erythrocytes by B. divergens.
Recovering Motor Activation with Chronic Peripheral Nerve Computer Interface
Authors: Eggers Thomas E. , Dweiri Yazan M. , McCallum Grant A. , Durand Dominique M. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractInterfaces with the peripheral nerve provide the ability to extract motor activation and restore sensation to amputee patients. The ability to chronically extract motor activations from the peripheral nervous system remains an unsolved problem. In this study, chronic recordings with the Flat Interface Nerve Electrode (FINE) are employed to recover the activation levels of innervated muscles. The FINEs were implanted on the sciatic nerves of canines, and neural recordings were obtained as the animal walked on a treadmill. During these trials, electromyograms (EMG) from the surrounding hamstring muscles were simultaneously recorded and the neural recordings are shown to be free of interference or crosstalk from these muscles. Using a novel Bayesian algorithm, the signals from individual fascicles were recovered and then compared to the corresponding target EMG of the lower limb. High correlation coefficients (0.84 ± 0.07 and 0.61 ± 0.12) between the extracted tibial fascicle/medial gastrocnemius and peroneal fascicle/tibialis anterior muscle were obtained. Analysis calculating the information transfer rate (ITR) from the muscle to the motor predictions yielded approximately 5 and 1 bit per second (bps) for the two sources. This method can predict motor signals from neural recordings and could be used to drive a prosthesis by interfacing with residual nerves.
Draining phenomenon in closed narrow tubes pierced at the top: an experimental and theoretical analysis
Authors: Kumar Amit , Ray Subhabrata , Das Gargi 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe phenomenon of draining, although ubiquitous in nature, has received scant attention especially in the meso-scale. We observe that closed top tubes drain by the inception of an axisymmetric ‘Taylor finger’ while a minute pierce of the top closure results in an altogether different physics with air entry from the top pushing the liquid out. Again, a coupled mechanism comprising full bore followed by film draining is observed for “too small” a top pierce at “high enough” Eotvos number. Top pierce initiates draining in dimensions which would not drain otherwise and finger entry hastens the process of draining. The myriad of phenomena thus exhibited is depicted as phase diagrams in vertical and inclined conduits. A mechanistic model has been proposed to predict draining and the onset of finger entry in vertical tubes.
Stable isotope measurements show increases in corn water use efficiency under deficit irrigation
Authors: Wu Youjie , Du Taisheng , Yuan Yusen , Shukla Manoj K. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractDeficit irrigation has usually improved crop water use efficiency (WUE), but there are still gaps in our understanding of the mechanisms. Four irrigation treatments were a conventional furrow irrigation (CFI), border irrigation (BI), alternate furrow irrigation (AFI), and an AFI(M/2) (the amount of irrigation was 50% of the AFI). The volume of irrigation water applied were nearly the same for CFI, BI, and AFI. The isotope (δ18O and δD) method was used to quantify corn root water uptake (RWU) during 2013–2014. Compared to CFI and BI, corn yield and WUE were 17.0-30.2% and 13.3-33.8% higher in AFI, respectively. No significant yield reduction were observed between AFI and AFI(M/2). Corn RWU was more from deeper soil with increasing growth stage for AFI(M/2), AFI, and CFI, but from shallower depth for BI. The depth for RWU varied in the order of AFI(M/2)  > AFI > CFI > BI. The maximum root density was in the depth of 40–80 cm at the growing stage in AFI, and 4–26% more water was extracted from the wetter and deeper root zones. The WUE increased under deficit irrigation, and stimulated the root growth with attendant decreases in water loss to deep percolation.
Evaluation of the roles of the cytosolic N-terminus and His-rich loop of ZNT proteins using ZNT2 and ZNT3 chimeric mutants
Authors: Fukue Kazuhisa , Itsumura Naoya , Tsuji Natsuko , Nishino Katsutoshi , Nagao Masaya , Narita Hiroshi , Kambe Taiho 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe physiological roles of Zn transporter (ZNT) proteins are being increasingly recognized, and three dimensional structures of ZNT bacterial homologs have facilitated our understanding of their biochemical characteristics at the molecular level. However, the biological role of the unique structural features of vertebrate ZNTs, which are absent in their bacterial homologues, is not completely understood. These ZNT sequences include a cytosolic His-rich loop between transmembrane helices IV and V and the cytosolic N-terminus. This study investigated the contribution of these features to zinc transport by ZNT proteins. The importance of the His residues in the cytosolic His-rich loop was investigated using ZNT2 Ala substitution and deletion mutants. The presence of His residues was not essential for zinc transport, even though they possibly participate in modulation of zinc transport activity. Furthermore, we determined the role of the N-terminus by characterizing ZNT2 and ZNT3 domain-swapped and deletion mutants. Unexpectedly, the N-terminus was also not essential for zinc transport by ZNT2 and the domain-swapped ZNT2 mutant, in which the cytosolic His-rich loop was substituted with that of ZNT3. These results provide molecular insights into understanding the roles of the cytosolic parts of ZNT2, ZNT3, and probably other members of their subgroup.
Direct-fed microbial supplementation influences the bacteria community composition of the gastrointestinal tract of pre- and post-weaned calves
Authors: Fomenky Bridget E. , Do Duy N. , Talbot Guylaine , Chiquette Johanne , Bissonnette Nathalie , Chouinard Yvan P. , Lessard Martin , Ibeagha-Awemu Eveline M. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThis study investigated the effect of supplementing the diet of calves with two direct fed microbials (DFMs) (Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii CNCM I-1079 (SCB) and Lactobacillus acidophilus BT1386 (LA)), and an antibiotic growth promoter (ATB). Thirty-two dairy calves were fed a control diet (CTL) supplemented with SCB or LA or ATB for 96 days. On day 33 (pre-weaning, n = 16) and day 96 (post-weaning, n = 16), digesta from the rumen, ileum, and colon, and mucosa from the ileum and colon were collected. The bacterial diversity and composition of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of pre- and post-weaned calves were characterized by sequencing the V3-V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. The DFMs had significant impact on bacteria community structure with most changes associated with treatment occurring in the pre-weaning period and mostly in the ileum but less impact on bacteria diversity. Both SCB and LA significantly reduced the potential pathogenic bacteria genera, Streptococcus and Tyzzerella_4 (FDR ≤ 8.49E-06) and increased the beneficial bacteria, Fibrobacter (FDR ≤ 5.55E-04) compared to control. Other potential beneficial bacteria, including Rumminococcaceae UCG 005, Roseburia and Olsenella, were only increased (FDR ≤ 1.30E-02) by SCB treatment compared to control. Furthermore, the pathogenic bacterium, Peptoclostridium, was reduced (FDR = 1.58E-02) by SCB only while LA reduced (FDR = 1.74E-05) Ruminococcus_2. Functional prediction analysis suggested that both DFMs impacted (p < 0.05) pathways such as cell cycle, bile secretion, proteasome, cAMP signaling pathway, thyroid hormone synthesis pathway and dopaminergic synapse pathway. Compared to the DFMs, ATB had similar impact on bacterial diversity in all GIT sites but greater impact on the bacterial composition of the ileum. Overall, this study provides an insight on the bacteria genera impacted by DFMs and the potential mechanisms by which DFMs affect the GIT microbiota and may therefore facilitate development of DFMs as alternatives to ATB use in dairy calf management.
Cu-bearing stainless steel reduces cytotoxicity and crystals adhesion after ureteral epithelial cells exposing to calcium oxalate monohydrate
Authors: Cao Zhiqiang , Zhao Jing , Yang Ke 
Published: September 2018

AbstractCalcium oxalate monohydrate (COM), which is the main component of encrustation, may result in cell membrane injury. In addition, cellular damage is suggested to be the primary event attributing to COM crystal binding. To study the interaction between cells and crystals after incubating with a Cu-bearing stainless steel (316L-Cu SS), MTS and flow cytometric analyses were used to assess the cellular responses. The results confirmed that 316L-Cu SS could inhibit cytotoxicity and cellular apoptosis of ureteral epithelial cells (UECs) after COM treatment. Furthermore, molecular expressions of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD), which were evaluated by western blot analysis and real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR), indicated that 316L-Cu SS could inhibit the oxidative stress attributing to up-regulating of CuZnSOD. Moreover, the crystal adhesion cytokine CD44 was examined with western blot and qPCR, and the corresponding hyaluronic (HA) secreted into the medium was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All results were confirmed that the expressions of cells cultured with 316L-Cu SS were down-regulated, demonstrating the inhibitory performance of 316L-Cu SS against crystal adhesion.
Metabolite accumulation and metabolic network in developing roots of Rehmannia glutinosa reveals its root developmental mechanism and quality
Authors: Zhou Yanqing , Yang Ke , Zhang Dandan , Duan Hongying , Liu Yongkang , Guo Mengmeng 
Published: September 2018

AbstractRehmannia glutinosa root contains many compounds with important medicinal properties and nutritional benefits, but only more than 140 compounds have been reported so far. Many other compounds and their accumulation and metabolic networks during its development remain unclear. In order to clarify them, its metabolic profiles at three different developmental stages were analyzed using untargeted LC-MS analysis. Multivariate analysis revealed that 434 metabolites differently accumulated in its different stages, suggesting different change trends. The metabolites having the same trend share common metabolic pathways, the metabolites showing increasing contents during its development have medical and nutritional values, and some mature root-specific metabolites may be better candidates for its quality control; 434 metabolites were mapped onto 111 KEGG pathways including 62 enzymes, whose increasing and decreasing patterns were shown during its development. Some metabolites complicatedly interacted with some enzymes and the top-10 pathways enriched from 111 KEGG pathways in network analysis. These findings extended the dataset of its identified compounds, and revealed that its development and quality were associated with the accumulation of different metabolites. Our work will lay the foundation for the better understanding of its chemical constituents, quality and developmental mechanism.
A quantitative analysis of 3D-cell distribution in regenerative muscle-skeletal system with synchrotron X-ray computed microtomography
Authors: Tesařová Markéta , Mancini Lucia , Simon Andras , Adameyko Igor , Kaucká Markéta , Elewa Ahmed , Lanzafame Gabriele , Zhang Yi , Kalasová Dominika , Szarowská Bára , Zikmund Tomáš , Novotná Marie , Kaiser Jozef 
Published: September 2018

AbstractOne of the greatest enigmas of modern biology is how the geometry of muscular and skeletal structures are created and how their development is controlled during growth and regeneration. Scaling and shaping of vertebrate muscles and skeletal elements has always been enigmatic and required an advanced technical level in order to analyse the cell distribution in 3D. In this work, synchrotron X-ray computed microtomography (µCT) and chemical contrasting has been exploited for a quantitative analysis of the 3D-cell distribution in tissues of a developing salamander (Pleurodeles waltl) limb – a key model organism for vertebrate regeneration studies. We mapped the limb muscles, their size and shape as well as the number and density of cells within the extracellular matrix of the developing cartilage. By using tomographic approach, we explored the polarity of the cells in 3D, in relation to the structure of developing joints. We found that the polarity of chondrocytes correlates with the planes in joint surfaces and also changes along the length of the cartilaginous elements. Our approach generates data for the precise computer simulations of muscle-skeletal regeneration using cell dynamics models, which is necessary for the understanding how anisotropic growth results in the precise shapes of skeletal structures.
Artificial Light at Night Affects Emergence from a Refuge and Space Use in Guppies
Authors: Kurvers R. H. J. M. , Drägestein J. , Hölker F. , Jechow A. , Krause J. , Bierbach D. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractArtificial light at night (ALAN) is a major form of anthropogenic pollution. ALAN is well known to affect different behaviours during nighttime, when changes in light conditions often have immediate consequences for the trade-offs individuals experience. How ALAN affects daytime behaviours, however, has received far less attention. Here we studied how ALAN affected daytime personality traits and learning ability. We exposed Trinidadian guppies,Poecilia reticulata, for 10 weeks to different ALAN levels: bright light (24 hrs bright light, ~5,000 lx), dim light (12 hrs bright light; 12 hrs dim light, ~0.5 lx) and control (12 hrs bright light; 12 hrs dark). Afterwards, we tested how the treatments affected diurnal emergence from a refuge, space use, activity, sociability and the ability to memorize the location of companion fish. Individuals exposed to the light treatments (both dim and bright light) emerged quicker from a refuge and fish from the bright light treatment spent relatively more time in the open area of the arena. ALAN did not affect any of the other behaviours, although memory could not be tested since fish did not learn the companions’ location. Our results demonstrate that ALAN, next to affecting nocturnal behaviours, can also affect key diurnal behavioural processes, associated with risk-taking.