bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification of the crucial parameters regarding the efficacy of ribavirin therapy in Crimean–Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Arab-Bafrani Zahra , Jabbari Ali , Mostakhdem Hashemi Mohammad , Arabzadeh Ali Mohammad , Gilanipour Atena , Mousavi Elham 
Published: July 2019

Abstract

Objectives
Recently, ribavirin has been suggested as a therapeutic approach in Crimean–Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) patients; however, there are controversial findings about its efficacy. In the current study, a meta-analysis was systematically performed to assess the effectiveness of ribavirin administration regarding CCHF patient survival and to explore the most important influential parameters for its efficacy.

Methods
All of the outcomes of the clinically studied CCHF patients who were treated with ribavirin were included in the meta-analysis.

Results
Overall, 24 studies met our criteria. Although the studies did not have high quality there was no heterogeneity and publication bias across studies. The results indicated that the administration of ribavirin to CCHF patients significantly decreased the mortality rate (by 1.7-fold) compared with those who did not receive this medication. Furthermore, it was found that the prescription of ribavirin in the initial phase of disease was more effective, and a delay in the start of treatment resulted in a 1.6-fold increase in mortality rate. In addition, interventional therapy resulted in an ∼2.3-fold reduction in the mortality rate of those who received ribavirin along with corticosteroids compared with those who were treated with ribavirin monotherapy.

Conclusions
This meta-analysis reveals that ribavirin should be considered as a crucial antiviral drug in the therapeutic approach used for CCHF patients, especially in early phases of the disease. Additionally, it seems that the administration of corticosteroids alongside ribavirin can play an effective role in alleviation of the disease status, particularly in haemorrhagic phases.
Genetic variance of metabolomic features and their relationship with body weight and body weight gain in Holstein cattle1
Authors: Aliakbari Amir , Ehsani Alireza , Vaez Torshizi Rasoul , Løvendahl Peter , Esfandyari Hadi , Jensen Just , Sarup Pernille 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
In recent years, metabolomics has been used to clarify the biology underlying biological samples. In the field of animal breeding, investigating the magnitude of genetic control on the metabolomic profiles of animals and their relationships with quantitative traits adds valuable information to animal improvement schemes. In this study, we analyzed metabolomic features (MFs) extracted from the metabolomic profiles of 843 male Holstein calves. The metabolomic profiles were obtained using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. We investigated 2 alternative methods to control for peak shifts in the NMR spectra, binning and aligning, to determine which approach was the most efficient for assessing genetic variance. Series of univariate analyses were implemented to elucidate the heritability of each MF. Furthermore, records on BW and ADG from 154 to 294 d of age (ADG154–294), 294 to 336 d of age (ADG294–336), and 154 to 336 d of age (ADG154–336) were used in a series of bivariate analyses to establish the genetic and phenotypic correlations with MFs. Bivariate analyses were only performed for MFs that had a heritability significantly different from zero. The heritabilities obtained in the univariate analyses for the MFs in the binned data set were low (<0.2). In contrast, in the aligned data set, we obtained moderate heritability (0.2 to 0.5) for 3.5% of MFs and high heritability (more than 0.5) for 1% of MFs. The bivariate analyses showed that ~12%, ~3%, ~9%, and ~9% of MFs had significant additive genetic correlations with BW, ADG154–294, ADG294–336, and ADG154–336, respectively. In all of the bivariate analyses, the percentage of significant additive genetic correlations was higher than the percentage of significant phenotypic correlations of the corresponding trait. Our results provided insights into the influence of the underlying genetic mechanisms on MFs. Further investigations in this field are needed for better understanding of the genetic relationship among the MFs and quantitative traits.
Bta-miR-34b regulates milk fat biosynthesis by targeting mRNA decapping enzyme 1A (DCP1A) in cultured bovine mammary epithelial cells1
Authors: Wang Yujuan , Guo Wenli , Tang Keqiong , Wang Yaning , Zan Linsen , Yang Wucai 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Milk fat is a main nutritional component of milk, and it has become one of the important traits of dairy cow breeding. Recently, there is increasing evidence that microRNAs (miRNA) play significant roles in the process of milk fat synthesis in the mammary gland. Primary bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMEC) were harvested from midlactation cows and cultured in DMEM/F-12 medium with 10% fetal bovine serum, 100 units/mL penicillin, 100 µg/mL streptomycin, 5 µg/mL bovine insulin, 1 µg/mL hydrocortisone, and 2 µg/mL bovine prolactin. We found that miR-34b mimic transfection in BMEC reduced the content of intracellular triacylglycerol (TAG) and lipid droplet accumulation via triacylglycerol assay and Oil Red O staining; meanwhile, overexpression of miR-34b inhibited mRNA expression of lipid metabolism-related genes such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), fatty acid synthase (FASN), fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), and CCAAT enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPα). Whereas miR-34b inhibitor resulted in completely opposite results. Furthermore, q-PCR and western blot analysis revealed the mRNA and protein expression levels of DCP1A were downregulated in miR-34b mimic transfection group and upregulated in miR-34b inhibitor group. Moreover, luciferase reporter assays verified that DCP1A was the direct target of miR-34b and DCP1A gene silencing in BMEC-inhibited TAG accumulation and suppressed lipid droplet formation. In conclusion, these findings revealed a novel miR-34b–DCP1A axis that has a significant role in regulating milk fat synthesis and suggested that miR-34b may be used to improve the beneficial ingredients in milk.
Characterization and Biological Action of Avermectin Granules on the Moroccan Locust, Dociostaurus maroccanus (Orthoptera: Acrididae)
Authors: Alekseev Alexander , Tyurin Maxim , Khairov Khuramjon , Kotina Oxana , Odeyanko Vyacheslav , Danilov Viktor , Kryukov Vadim , Glupov Viktor 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Granules composed of alfalfa and sunflower meal that were impregnated with avermectins (AVMs) were developed for use against the Moroccan locust, Dociostaurus maroccanus (Thunberg). Laboratory experiments with granules containing 0.15% of AVMs fed to locust nymphs resulted in 100% death within 5 d. The quantification of AVM loss after exposure of AVM-containing preparative forms to UV light for various time periods was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results showed no loss of AVMs from the granules after 3 h of their exposure to UV light. The effect of UV radiation on a thin layer of the AVM solution led to the rapid degradation of AVMs. Only 0.2% of the initial AVM amount was detected after 3 h of exposure. In the granulated form, the AVM content remained stable for 10 mo when stored at room temperature in the dark. A method combining solid-phase extraction with HPLC was developed for the quantification of AVMs in locust nymphs. The granulated AVMs are characterized by their high resistance to UVB radiation. The use of plant-based granules impregnated with AVMs can be considered a very promising tool for locust control.
High Frequency of Multiple Paternity in Eastern Red Bats, Lasiurus borealis, Based on Microsatellite Analysis
Authors: Ammerman Loren K , Lee Dana N , Jones Brittney A , Holt Morgan P , Harrison Samuel J , Decker Sydney K 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Most species of bats give birth to only 1 pup each year, although Eastern red bats (Lasiurus borealis) can produce up to 5 pups per litter. Offspring in a single litter have been documented to be at different stages of development, suggesting that multiple paternity occurs. We tested the null hypothesis of genetic monogamy in red bats using 6 autosomal microsatellites and 1 X-linked microsatellite from 31 parent/offspring groups for a total of 128 bats. We sampled both pregnant females and mothers with pups that were obtained from bats submitted to departments of health in Oklahoma and Texas for rabies testing. Multiple paternity was assessed using a maximum-likelihood approach, hypothesis testing, and X-linked locus exclusion. The mean polymorphic information content of our markers was high (0.8819) and combined non-exclusion probability was low (0.00027). Results from the maximum-likelihood approach showed that 22 out of 31 (71%) parent/offspring groups consisted of half siblings, hypothesis testing rejected full sibship in 61% of parent/offspring groups, and X-linked locus exclusion suggested multiple paternity in at least 12 parent/offspring groups, rejecting our hypothesis of genetic monogamy. This frequency of multiple paternity is the highest reported thus far for any bat species. High levels of multiple paternity have the potential to impact interpretations of genetic estimates of effective population size in this species. Further, multiple paternity might be an adaptive strategy to allow for increased genetic variation and large litter size, which would be beneficial to a species threatened by population declines from wind turbines.
Vertical Transmission of Zika Virus (Flaviviridae, Flavivirus) in Amazonian Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) Delays Egg Hatching and Larval Development of Progeny
Authors: Chaves Barbara Aparecida , Junior Ademir Bentes Vieira , Silveira Karine Renata Dias , Paz Andreia da Costa , Vaz Evelyn Beatriz da Costa , Araujo Raphaela Guedes Pereira , Rodrigues Nilton Barnabe , Campolina Thais Bonifacio , Orfano Alessandra da Silva , Nacif-Pimenta Rafael , Villegas Luis Eduardo Martinez , Melo Fabrício Freire de , Silva Breno de Mello , Monteiro Wuelton Marcelo , Guerra Maria das Graças Vale Barbosa , Lacerda Marcus Vinicius Guimarães de , Norris Douglas Eric , Secundino Nagila Francinete Costa , Pimenta Paulo Filemon Paolucci 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) has emerged as a globally important arbovirus and has been reported from all states of Brazil. The virus is primarily transmitted to humans through the bite of an infective Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) or Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1895). However, it is important to know if ZIKV transmission also occurs from Ae. aegypti through infected eggs to her offspring. Therefore, a ZIKV and dengue virus (DENV) free colony was established from eggs collected in Manaus and maintained until the third–fourth generation in order to conduct ZIKV vertical transmission (VT) experiments which used an infectious bloodmeal as the route of virus exposure. The eggs from ZIKV-infected females were allowed to hatch. The resulting F1 progeny (larvae, pupae, and adults) were quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assayed for ZIKV. The viability of ZIKV vertically transmitted to F1 progeny was evaluated by cultivation in C6/36 cells. The effects of ZIKV on immature development of Ae. aegypti was assessed and compared with noninfected mosquitoes. AmazonianAe. aegypti were highly susceptible to ZIKV infection (96.7%), and viable virus passed to their progeny via VT. Moreover, eggs from the ZIKV-infected mosquitoes had a significantly lower hatch rate and the slowest hatching. In addition, the larval development period was slower when compared to noninfected, control mosquitoes. This is the first study to illustrate VT initiated by oral infection of the parental population by using mosquitoes, which originated from the field and a ZIKV strain that is naturally circulating in-country. Additionally, this study suggests that ZIKV present in the Ae. aegypti can modify the mosquito life cycle. The data reported here suggest that VT of ZIKV to progeny from naturally infected females may have a critical epidemiological role in the dissemination and maintenance of the virus circulating in the vector.
Clues on Arp 142: The spiral–elliptical merger
Authors: Mora Marcelo D , Torres-Flores Sergio , Firpo Verónica , Hernandez-Jimenez Jose A , Urrutia-Viscarra Fernanda , Mendes de Oliveira Claudia 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Nearby merging pairs are unique laboratories in which one can study the gravitational effects on the individual interacting components. In this manuscript, we report the characterization of selected H ii regions along the peculiar galaxy NGC 2936, member of the galaxy pair Arp 142, an E+S interaction, known as ‘The Penguin’. Using Gemini South spectroscopy, we have derived a high enhancement of the global star formation rate (SFR) = 35.9 M⊙ yr−1 probably stimulated by the interaction. Star-forming regions on this galaxy display oxygen abundances that are consistent with solar metallicities. The current data set does not allow us to conclude any clear scenario for NGC 2936. Diagnostic diagrams suggest that the central region of NGC 2936 is ionized by active galactic nucleus (AGN) activity and the eastern tidal plume in NGC 2936 is experiencing a burst of star formation, which may be triggered by the gas compression due to the interaction event with its elliptical companion galaxy: NGC 2937. The ionization mechanism of these sources is consistent with shock models of low velocities of 200–300 km s −1. The isophotal analysis shows tidal features on NGC 2937: at inner radii non-concentric (or off-centring) isophotes, and at large radii, a faint excess of the surface brightness profile with respect to de Vaucouleurs law. By comparing the radial velocity profiles and morphological characteristics of Arp 142 with a library of numerical simulations, we conclude that the current stage of the system would be about 50 ± 25 Myr after the first pericentre passage.
Chemodynamics of newly identified giants with a globular cluster like abundance patterns in the bulge, disc, and halo of the Milky Way
Authors: Fernández-Trincado José G , Beers Timothy C , Tang Baitian , Moreno Edmundo , Pérez-Villegas Angeles , Ortigoza-Urdaneta Mario 
Published: July 2019

ABSTRACT
The latest edition of the APOGEE-2/DR14 survey catalogue and the first Payne data release of APOGEE abundance determinations by Ting et al. are examined. We identify 31 previously unremarked metal-poor giant stars with anomalously high levels of [N/Fe] abundances, which is not usually observed among metal-poor stars in the Milky Way. We made use of the Brussels Automatic Stellar Parameter (BACCHUS) code to re-derive manually the chemical abundances of 31 field stars in order to compile the main element families, namely the light elements (C, N), a-elements (O, Mg, Si), iron-peak element (Fe), s-process elements (Ce, Nd), and the light odd-Z element (Na, Al). We have found all these objects have a [N/Fe] ≳ +0.5, and are thus identified here as nitrogen-rich stars. An orbital analysis of these objects revealed that a handful of them shares the orbital properties of the bar/bulge, and possibly linked to tidal debris of surviving globular clusters trapped into the bar component. Three of the 31 stars are actually halo interlopers into the bulge area, which suggests that halo contamination is not insignificant when studying N-rich stars found in the inner Galaxy, whereas the rest of the N-rich stars share orbital properties with the halo population. Most of the newly identified population exhibits chemistry similar to the so-called second-generation globular cluster stars (enriched in aluminum, [Al/Fe] ≳ +0.5), whereas a handful of them exhibit lower abundances of aluminum, [Al/Fe] &lt; +0.5, which are thought to be chemically associated with the first generation of stars, as seen in globular clusters, or compatible with origin from a tidally disrupted dwarf galaxy.
The relation between the turbulent Mach number and observed fractal dimensions of turbulent clouds
Authors: Beattie James R , Federrath Christoph , Klessen Ralf S , Schneider Nicola 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Supersonic turbulence is a key player in controlling the structure and star formation potential of molecular clouds (MCs). The three-dimensional (3D) turbulent Mach number, $\operatorname{\mathcal {M}}$, allows us to predict the rate of star formation. However, determining Mach numbers in observations is challenging because it requires accurate measurements of the velocity dispersion. Moreover, observations are limited to two-dimensional (2D) projections of the MCs and velocity information can usually only be obtained for the line-of-sight component. Here we present a new method that allows us to estimate $\operatorname{\mathcal {M}}$ from the 2D column density, Σ, by analysing the fractal dimension, $\mathcal {D}$. We do this by computing $\mathcal {D}$ for six simulations, ranging between 1 and 100 in $\operatorname{\mathcal {M}}$. From this data we are able to construct an empirical relation, $\log \operatorname{\mathcal {M}}(\mathcal {D}) = \xi _1(\operatorname{erfc}^{-1} [(\mathcal {D}-\operatorname{\mathcal {D}_\text{min}})/\Omega ] + \xi _2),$ where $\operatorname{erfc}^{-1}$ is the inverse complimentary error function, $\operatorname{\mathcal {D}_\text{min}}= 1.55 \pm 0.13$ is the minimum fractal dimension of Σ, Ω = 0.22 ± 0.07, ξ1 = 0.9 ± 0.1, and ξ2 = 0.2 ± 0.2. We test the accuracy of this new relation on column density maps from Herschel observations of two quiescent subregions in the Polaris Flare MC, ‘saxophone’ and ‘quiet’. We measure $\operatorname{\mathcal {M}}\sim 10$ and $\operatorname{\mathcal {M}}\sim 2$ for the subregions, respectively, which are similar to previous estimates based on measuring the velocity dispersion from molecular line data. These results show that this new empirical relation can provide useful estimates of the cloud kinematics, solely based upon the geometry from the column density of the cloud.
Fundamental parameters and evolutionary status of the magnetic chemically peculiar stars HD 188041 (V1291 Aquilae), HD 111133 (EP Virginis), and HD 204411: spectroscopy versus interferometry
Authors: Romanovskaya A , Ryabchikova T , Shulyak D , Perraut K , Valyavin G , Burlakova T , Galazutdinov G 
Published: July 2019

ABSTRACT
The determination of fundamental parameters of stars is one of the main tasks of astrophysics. For magnetic chemically peculiar stars, this problem is complicated by the anomalous chemical composition of their atmospheres, which requires special analysis methods. We present the results of the effective temperature, surface gravity, abundance, and radius determinations for three CP stars HD 188041, HD 111133, and HD 204411. Our analysis is based on a self-consistent model fitting of high-resolution spectra and spectrophotometric observations over a wide wavelength range, taking into account the anomalous chemical composition of atmospheres and the inhomogeneous vertical distribution for three chemical elements: Ca, Cr, and Fe. For two stars, HD 188041 and HD 204411, we also performed interferometric observations that provided us with the direct estimates of stellar radii. Comparison of the radii determined from the analysis of spectroscopic/spectrophotometric observations with direct measurements of the radii by interferometry methods for seven CP stars shows that the radii agree within the limits of measurement errors, which proves indirect spectroscopic analysis capable of proving reliable determinations of the fundamental parameters of fainter Ap stars that are not possible to study with modern interferometric facilities.
KRAS pathway expression changes in pancreatic cancer models by conventional and experimental taxanes
Authors: Oliverius M , Flasarova D , Mohelnikova-Duchonova B , Ehrlichova M , Hlavac V , Kocik M , Strouhal O , Dvorak P , Ojima I , Soucek P 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
The KRAS signalling pathway is pivotal for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) development. After the failure of most conventional cytotoxic and targeted therapeutics tested so far, the combination of taxane nab-paclitaxel (Abraxane) with gemcitabine recently demonstrated promising improvements in the survival of PDAC patients. This study aimed to explore interactions of conventional paclitaxel and experimental taxane SB-T-1216 with the KRAS signalling pathway expression in in vivo and in vitro PDAC models in order to decipher potential predictive biomarkers or targets for future individualised therapy. Mouse PDAC PaCa-44 xenograft model was used for evaluation of changes in transcript and protein levels of the KRAS signalling pathway caused by administration of experimental taxane SB-T-1216 in vivo. Subsequently, KRAS wild-type (BxPc-3) and mutated (MiaPaCa-2 and PaCa-44) cell line models were treated with paclitaxel to verify dysregulation of the KRAS signalling pathway gene expression profile in vitro and investigate the role of KRAS mutation status. By comparing the gene expression profiles, this study observed for the first time that in vitro cell models differ in the basal transcriptional profile of the KRAS signalling pathway, but there were no differences between KRAS mutated and wild-type cells in sensitivity to taxanes. Generally, the taxane administration caused a downregulation of the KRAS signalling pathway both in vitro and in vivo, but this effect was not dependent on the KRAS mutation status. In conclusion, putative biomarkers for prediction of taxane activity or targets for stimulation of taxane anticancer effects were not discovered by the KRAS signalling pathway profiling in various PDAC models.
Are the intrinsically disordered linkers involved in SSB binding to accessory proteins?
Authors: Shinn Min Kyung , Kozlov Alexander G , Nguyen Binh , Bujalowski Wlodek M , Lohman Timothy M 
Published: July 2019

AbstractEscherichia coli single strand (ss) DNA binding (SSB) protein protects ssDNA intermediates and recruits at least 17 SSB interacting proteins (SIPs) during genome maintenance. The SSB C-termini contain a 9 residue acidic tip and a 56 residue intrinsically disordered linker (IDL). The acidic tip interacts with SIPs; however a recent proposal suggests that the IDL may also interact with SIPs. Here we examine the binding to four SIPs (RecO, PriC, PriA and χ subunit of DNA polymerase III) of three peptides containing the acidic tip and varying amounts of the IDL. Independent of IDL length, we find no differences in peptide binding to each individual SIP indicating that binding is due solely to the acidic tip. However, the tip shows specificity, with affinity decreasing in the order: RecO > PriA ∼ χ > PriC. Yet, RecO binding to the SSB tetramer and an SSB–ssDNA complex show significant thermodynamic differences compared to the peptides alone, suggesting that RecO interacts with another region of SSB, although not the IDL. SSB containing varying IDL deletions show different binding behavior, with the larger linker deletions inhibiting RecO binding, likely due to increased competition between the acidic tip interacting with DNA binding sites within SSB.