bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between serum uric acid and chronic kidney disease in patients with hypertension: A multicenter nationwide cross‐sectional study
Authors: Kaewput Wisit , Thongprayoon Charat , Rangsin Ram , Ruangkanchanasetr Prajej , Bathini Tarun , Mao Michael A. , Cheungpasitporn Wisit 
Published: September 2019

AbstractIntroductionCurrent data on the role of hyperuricemia as a risk factor for renal progression in patients with hypertension is inconclusive. This study aimed to assess the association of uric acid and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in hypertensive patients using a nationwide patient sample.MethodsWe conducted a nationwide cross‐sectional study based on the DM/HT study of the Medical Research Network of the Consortium of Thai Medical Schools.This study evaluated adult patients with hypertension from 831 Thailand public hospitals in the year 2014. Serum uric acid (SUA) was categorized into quintiles (≤4.5, 4.6 to 5.4, 5.5 to 6.2, 6.3 to 7.4, ≥7.5 mg/dL). CKD was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate of ≤ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess the association between SUA and CKD using uric acid of ≤4.5 mg/dL as the reference group.ResultsA total of 9776 hypertensive patients with available SUA were included in the analysis. The mean SUA was 6.1±1.8 mg/dL. The prevalence of CKD in hypertensive patients was 31.8%. SUA of 4.6 to 5.4, 5.5 to 6.2, 6.3 to 7.4, and ≥7.5 mg/dL were associated with an increased CKD with ORs of 1.57 (95% CI 1.28 to 1.92), 2.15 (95% CI 1.74 to 2.66), 3.31 (95% CI 2.72 to 4.04), and 7.11 (95% CI 5.76 to 8.78), respectively. The restricted cubic spline showed significant increased CKD prevalence when uric acid ≥4.6 mg/dL.ConclusionHigher SUA was associated with increased CKD prevalence in patients with hypertension. SUA should be monitored in hypertensive patients for CKD prevention.
The dental esthetic screening index: A new tool for assessment of dento‐facial esthetics in restorative dentistry
Authors: Frese Cornelia , Leciejewski Florian , Specht Regina , Wohlrab Theresa , Büsch Christopher , Boemicke Wolfgang , Probst Kirsten , Katsikogianni Eleni N. , Wolff Diana 
Published: September 2019

AbstractObjectivesThere is a lack of comprehensive indexes, which can measure conditions or changes in dento‐facial esthetics before and after treatment. Therefore, the 12‐item Dental Esthetic Screening Index (DESI) was developed and validated.Materials and MethodsReliability was tested by five dental professionals, who evaluated 30 standardized patient photographs baseline and after 14 days. Clinical validation was done on 52 patients before and after restorative treatment. For subjective assessment, patients completed a validated questionnaire before and after treatment. Statistical analysis included inter and intrarater reliability, Wilcoxon test and linear regression analysis.ResultsThe single item analysis identified two weak extraoral items (κ = 0.15; κ = −0.05), that were removed from the DESI. After this modification, both inter‐ (κ = 0.83‐0.86) and intrarater reliability (ICC1‐5 = 0.75‐0.86) were in excellent to good agreement. In the clinical validation, the DESI was significantly lower after restorative treatment (P < .0001). The patients' perception questionnaires showed significant improvement after restorative therapy (P < .0001). A correlation of the DESI and the results of patients' perception questionnaires could be assumed (P < .0001; R2 = 0.32).ConclusionsThe DESI was found to be a reliable and valid instrument for the quantitative assessment of dento‐facial esthetics. It correlated well with the subjective assessment of the patients.Clinical SignificanceThis comprehensive index would allow for objective quantification of clinical situations, for reliable baseline and outcome assessment in esthetic dentistry. As patients' esthetic feelings and sensations are subjective, this objective index is also proven to be congruent to patients' individual subjective assessment of dento‐facial esthetics.
Identification of a mitochondrial‐targeting secretory protein from Nocardia seriolae which induces apoptosis in fathead minnow cells
Authors: Chen Jianlin , Xia Liqun , Wang Wenji , Wang Zhiwen , Hou Suying , Xie Caixia , Cai Jia , Lu Yishan 
Published: September 2019

AbstractNocardia seriolae is the main pathogen responsible for fish nocardiosis. A mitochondrial‐targeting secretory protein (MTSP) 3141 with an N‐terminal transit peptide (TP) from N. seriolae was predicted by bioinformatic analysis based on the genomic sequence of the N. seriolae strain ZJ0503. However, the function of the MTSP3141 and its homologs remains totally unknown. In this study, mass spectrometry analysis of the extracellular products from N. seriolae proved that MTSP3141 was a secretory protein, subcellular localization research showed the MTSP3141‐GFP fusion protein co‐localized with mitochondria in fathead minnow (FHM) cells, the TP played an important role in mitochondria targeting, and only the TP located at N‐terminus but not C‐terminus can lead to mitochondria directing. Moreover, quantitative assays of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) value, caspase‐3 activity and apoptosis‐related gene (Bcl‐2, Bax, Bad, Bid and p53) mRNA expression suggested that cell apoptosis was induced in FHM cells by the overexpression of both MTSP3141 and MTSP3141ΔTP (with the N‐terminal TP deleted) proteins. Taken together, the results of this study indicated that the MTSP3141 of N. seriolae was a secretory protein, might target mitochondria, induce apoptosis in host cells and function as a virulence factor.
AtSec62 is critical for plant development and is involved in ER‐phagy in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Hu Shuai , Ye Hao , Cui Yong , Jiang Liwen 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the major site for protein folding in eukaryotic cells. ER homeostasis is essential for the development of an organism, whereby the unfolded protein response (UPR) within the ER is precisely regulated. ER‐phagy is a newly identified selective autophagic pathway for removal of misfolded or unfolded proteins within the ER in mammalian cells. Sec62, a component of the translocon complex, was recently characterized as an ER‐phagy receptor during the ER stress recovery phase in mammals. In this study, we demonstrated that the Arabidopsis Sec62 (AtSec62) is required for plant development and might function as an ER‐phagy receptor in plants. We showed that AtSec62 is an ER‐localized membrane protein with three transmembrane domains (TMDs) with its C‐terminus facing to the ER lumen. AtSec62 is required for plant development because atsec62 mutants display impaired vegetative growth, abnormal pollen and decreased fertility. atsec62 mutants are sensitive towards tunicamycin (TM)‐induced ER stress, whereas overexpression of AtSec62 subsequently enhances stress tolerance during the ER stress recovery phase. Moreover, YFP‐AtSec62 colocalizes with the autophagosome marker mCh‐Atg8e in ring‐like structures upon ER stress induction. Taken together, these data provide evidence for the pivotal roles of AtSec62 in plant development and ER‐phagy.
Geography is more important than host plant use for the population genetic structure of a generalist insect herbivore
Authors: Vidal Mayra C. , Quinn Tom W. , Stireman John O. , Tinghitella Robin M. , Murphy Shannon M. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractPopulation divergence can occur due to mechanisms associated with geographic isolation and/or due to selection associated with different ecological niches. Much of the evidence for selection‐driven speciation has come from studies of specialist insect herbivores that use different host plant species; however, the influence of host plant use on population divergence of generalist herbivores remains poorly understood. We tested how diet breadth, host plant species and geographic distance influence population divergence of the fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea; FW). FW is a broadly distributed, extreme generalist herbivore consisting of two morphotypes that have been argued to represent two different species: black‐headed and red‐headed. We characterized the differentiation of FW populations at two geographic scales. We first analysed the influence of host plant and geographic distance on genetic divergence across a broad continental scale for both colour types. We further analysed the influence of host plant, diet breadth and geographic distance on divergence at a finer geographic scale focusing on red‐headed FW in Colorado. We found clear genetic and morphological distinction between red‐ and black‐headed FW, and Colorado FW formed a genetic cluster distinct from other locations. Although both geographic distance and host plant use were correlated with genetic distance, geographic distance accounted for up to 3× more variation in genetic distance than did host plant use. As a rare study investigating the genetic structure of a widespread generalist herbivore over a broad geographic range (up to 3,000 km), our study supports a strong role for geographic isolation in divergence in this system.
DdlR, an essential transcriptional regulator of peptidoglycan biosynthesis in Clostridioides difficile
Authors: Bouillaut Laurent , Newton William , Sonenshein Abraham L. , Belitsky Boris R. 
Published: September 2019

SummaryD‐Ala‐D‐Ala ligase, encoded by ddl genes, is responsible for the synthesis of a dipeptide, D‐Ala‐D‐Ala, an essential precursor of bacterial peptidoglycan. In Clostridioides difficile, the single ddl gene is located upstream of the ddlR gene, which encodes a putative transcriptional regulator. Using mutational and transcriptional analysis and DNA‐binding assays, DdlR was found to be a direct activator of the ddl ddlR operon. DdlR is a member of the MocR/GabR‐type proteins that have aminotransferase‐like, pyridoxal 5′‐phosphate‐binding domains. A DdlR mutation that prevented covalent binding of pyridoxal 5′‐phosphate abolished the ability of DdlR to activate transcription. Addition of D‐Ala‐D‐Ala to the medium inactivated DdlR, reducing dipeptide biosynthesis. In contrast, D‐Ala‐D‐Ala limitation caused a dramatic increase in expression from the ddl promoter. Though uncommon for transcription regulators, C. difficile DdlR is essential, as the ddlR null mutant cells could not grow even in complex laboratory media in the absence of D‐Ala‐D‐Ala. A dyad symmetry sequence, which is located immediately upstream of the −35 region of the ddl promoter, serves as an important element of the DdlR‐binding site. This sequence is conserved upstream of putative DdlR targets in other bacteria of classes Clostridia and Bacilli, indicating a similar mode of regulation of these genes.
Temporal modulation in speech, music, and animal vocal communication: evidence of conserved function
Authors: Filippi Piera , Hoeschele Marisa , Spierings Michelle , Bowling Daniel L. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractSpeech is a distinctive feature of our species. It is the default channel for language and constitutes our primary mode of social communication. Determining the evolutionary origins of speech is a challenging prospect, in large part because it appears to be unique in the animal kingdom. However, direct comparisons between speech and other forms of acoustic communication, both in humans (music) and animals (vocalization), suggest that important components of speech are shared across domains and species. In this review, we focus on a single aspect of speech—temporal patterning—examining similarities and differences across speech, music, and animal vocalization. Additional structure is provided by focusing on three specific functions of temporal patterning across domains: (1) emotional expression, (2) social interaction, and (3) unit identification. We hypothesize an evolutionary trajectory wherein the ability to identify units within a continuous stream of vocal sounds derives from social vocal interaction, which, in turn, derives from vocal emotional communication. This hypothesis implies that unit identification has parallels in music and precursors in animal vocal communication. Accordingly, we demonstrate the potential of comparisons between fundamental domains of biological acoustic communication to provide insight into the evolution of language.
Effects of eye rotation and contact lens decentration on horizontal peripheral refraction
Authors: Jaisankar Durgasri , Leube Alexander , Gifford Kate L , Schmid Katrina L , Atchison David A 
Published: September 2019

AbstractPurposePeripheral refraction is important in design of myopia control therapies. The aim was to investigate the influence of contact lens decentration associated with eye rotation on peripheral refraction in the horizontal visual field.MethodsParticipants were 10 emmetropes and 10 myopes in good general and ocular health. Right eyes underwent cycloplegic peripheral refraction, using a Grand‐Seiko WAM‐5500 Autorefractor, in 5° steps to ±35° eccentricities along the horizontal visual field. Targets were fixated using eye rotation only or head rotation only. Refractions were measured without correction and with three types of contact lenses: single vision, a multifocal centre‐distance aspheric with +2.50 D add and NaturalVue aspheric. Photographs of eyes during lens wear were taken for each eye rotation. Effects of visual field angle, lens type and test method (head or eye rotation) on vector components of relative peripheral refraction were evaluated using repeated measures anovas. Test method for each visual field angle/lens combination were compared via paired t‐tests.ResultsHorizontal decentration ranges across the visual field were 1.2 ± 0.6 mm for single vision and 1.2 ± 0.4 mm for multifocal lenses but smaller at 0.7 ± 0.4 mm for NaturalVue lenses. There were only two significant effects of test method across the visual field angle/lens type combinations (single vision: for emmetropes horizontal/vertical astigmatism component at 35° nasal with mean difference −0.38 D and for myopes spherical equivalent refraction at 20° temporal with mean difference +0.24 D).ConclusionUpon eye rotation the contact lenses decentred on the eye, but not enough to affect peripheral refraction. For the types assessed and for the horizontal visual field out to ±35° when measurements were performed with the Grand‐Seiko WAM‐5500 autorefractor, it is valid to use eye rotations to investigate peripheral refraction.
CRISPR/Cas inactivation of RECQ4 increases homeologous crossovers in an interspecific tomato hybrid
Authors: de Maagd Ruud A. , Loonen Annelies , Chouaref Jihed , Pelé Alexandre , Meijer‐Dekens Fien , Fransz Paul , Bai Yuling 
Published: September 2019

SummaryCrossover formation during meiosis in plants is required for proper chromosome segregation and is essential for crop breeding as it allows an (optimal) combination of traits by mixing parental alleles on each chromosome. Crossover formation commences with the production of a large number of DNA double‐strand breaks, of which only a few result in crossovers. A small number of genes, which drive the resolution of DNA crossover intermediate structures towards non‐crossovers, have been identified in Arabidopisis thaliana. In order to explore the potential of modification of these genes in interspecific hybrids between crops and their wild relatives towards increased production of crossovers, we have used CRISPR/Cas9‐mutagenesis in an interspecific tomato hybrid to knockout RecQ4. A biallelic recq4 mutant was obtained in the F1 hybrid of Solanum lycopersicum and S. pimpinellifolium. Compared with the wild‐type F1 hybrid, the F1 recq4 mutant was shown to have a significant increase in crossovers: a 1.53‐fold increase when directly observing ring bivalents in male meiocytes microscopically and a 1.8‐fold extension of the genetic map when measured by analysing SNP markers in the progeny (F2) plants. This is one of the first demonstrations of increasing crossover frequency in interspecific hybrids by manipulating genes in crossover intermediate resolution pathways and the first to do so by directed mutagenesis.Significance statementIncreasing crossover frequency during meiosis can speed up or simplify crop breeding that relies on meiotic crossovers to introduce favourable alleles controlling important traits from wild relatives into crops. Here we show for the first time that knocking out an inhibitor of crossovers in an interspecific hybrid between tomato and its relative wild species using CRISPR/Cas9‐mutagenesis results in increased recombination between the two genomes.
Asiatic Acid Glucosamine Salt Alleviates Ultraviolet B‐induced Photoaging of Human Dermal Fibroblasts and Nude Mouse Skin
Authors: Huang Jia , Tu Tian , Wang Wenbo , Zhou Guangdong , Zhang Wenjie , Wu Xiaoli , Liu Wei 
Published: September 2019

AbstractHerbal extracts including asiatic acid (AA) have become popular candidates of anti‐photoaging agents due to their anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant properties and minimal side effect. Nevertheless, low bioavailability due to poor solubility limits their practical application. In this study, a highly bioavailable form of AA called AAGS (compounded by asiatic acid and glucosamine) was investigated for its anti‐photoaging effect using both in vitro and in vivo models along with UVB irradiation. The results showed that AAGS alleviated UVB‐induced cell proliferation inhibition by reducing G2 phase arrest and cell apoptosis rate as well as the gene expressions of P53, BAX, CASPASE 3 and CASPASE 9, but enhancing BCL‐2 expression. It also reduced the production of reactive oxygen species along with increased gene expression of GPX‐1 and downregulated the gene expression of IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐17 and TNF‐α compared to nontreated cells. In vivo results demonstrated the antiphotodamaging effects by restoring skin thickness, collagen content and reducing MMPs expression, which are also supported by reduced MMPs gene expression and enhanced collagen I and TGF‐β1 gene expression in vitro. Thus, AAGS may become a potential anti‐photoaging agent for topical use due to its capability of self‐assembling into a water gel.
First proteomic analysis of diestrus and anestrus canine oocytes at the germinal vesicle reveals candidate proteins involved in oocyte meiotic competence
Authors: Pereira Leda Maria Costa , Bersano Paulo Ricardo de Oliveira , Moura Arlindo de Alencar , Lopes Maria Denise 
Published: September 2019

AbstractIn domestic dogs, oocyte maturation rates are low and the percentage of oocytes that remain in the stage of germinal vesicle (GV) regardless of culture conditions is high. The present study was conducted to characterize the proteome of canine oocyte at the germinal vesicle stage using label‐free mass spectrometry. Ovaries were collected from 415 adult domestic dogs and oocytes were divided anestrus and diestrus group. Protein lysates were subjected to quantitative proteomic analysis to identify differentially expressed proteins in different status reproductive. All runs for each sample were performed on an Easy nLC1000 nano‐LC chromatograph system directly connected to a quadrupole‐type Orbitrap mass spectrometer. For identification of peptides and proteins, raw data of the spectra were loaded into MaxQuant software version 1.5.2.8. Proteomic data were analysed according to gene ontology and a protein–protein interaction network. 312 proteins were identified and grouped according to their biological processes, molecular functions and cellular component. Forty‐six differentially expressed proteins among diestrus and control group were associated with at least one GO term in the biological process database. Several proteins involved in the cell cycle, fertilization, regulation of transcription and signalling pathways that are essential for the full development of oocytes and fertilization were expressed. This study identified proteins that were absent, and more or less expressed in different status reproductive. These differentially expressed proteins revealed a framework of molecular reorganization within a GV that renders its competency. This knowledge will enable the identification of target competence biomarkers and thus the establishment of more adequate means of cultivation to improve the M‐I and II indexes in this species and also to better understand the physiology of the domestic dog, promoting the development of new reproduction biotechniques.
Circulating art and visual hybridity: cross‐cultural exchanges between Portugal, Japan, and Spain
Authors: Onn Clement 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThis article examines on circulation and visual hybridity in works of art produced in Japan and other major Asian port cities under the control of Portugal and Spain. Cultural influences from the Iberian Peninsula, via traders and missionaries, had a significant impact on artistic production in Japan in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth century. Many foreign objects brought by the Europeans into Japan exhibit hybrid forms. These hybrid objects played their part in influencing Japanese local production. The impact of Japanese art exported to Europe and colonial Mexico further illustrates the complex circulation of artists and craftsmen, goods and ideas. As artworks travelled in and out of the different artistic production centres in Asia, they both influenced new production and were adapted to local styles and traditions. This article demonstrates that artistic and cultural exchanges are not one‐directional transmission but rather a far more complicated process of hybridization. The article concludes with a call for new art historical approaches for looking at hybrid objects, wherein there is less focus on exactly where and by whom it was made, and more acknowledgement of the shared characteristics and long history of interactions among cultures embodied in the hybridity of objects.
The effect of predation risk on cash holdings: Empirical evidence from the U.S. property‐liability insurance industry
Authors: Che Xin , Fier Stephen G. , Liebenberg Andre P. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractCorporate cash holdings play a significant role in the U.S. property‐liability insurance industry yet the topic of insurer cash holdings policy has largely been overlooked by prior empirical research. While a number of studies have investigated firm‐specific factors related to cash holdings in the insurance industry, prior research has not examined how market concentration and potential predation risk impact cash holdings. We propose a new measure of market concentration and provide evidence in support of the predation risk theory. Specifically, we show that insurers exposed to more concentrated markets tend to hold more cash. Furthermore, the relation between market concentration and cash holdings is influenced by access to internal capital. While unaffiliated insurers without access to internal capital hold greater levels of cash in more concentrated markets, group insurers with access to internal capital do not hold greater levels of cash to mitigate predation risk.