bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Study on two nematode species suggests climate change will inflict greater crop damage
Authors: Khanal Churamani , Land Julian 
Published: August 2023

AbstractFood security has become one of the greatest challenges of the millennium and it is predicted to be exacerbated by climate change due to the adverse effects of soil temperature on crop productivity. Although plant-parasitic nematodes are one of the most important limiting factors of agricultural production, the fate of soil temperature in their biology is not fully understood. Here we present the effects of soil temperature on survival, reproduction, virulence, and disease severity from the perspective of two nematode species Rotylenchulus reniformis and Meloidogyne floridensis. The two nematode species were purposefully selected to represent a significant threat to annual and perennial crops. We employed novel approaches of direct as well as indirect heat exposure to evaluate nematode biology. The direct heat exposure assay involved the exposure of nematodes to hot water in a heating block at 32, 33, and 34 °C for 7 h, and subsequent evaluation of their survival after 18 h. The indirect exposure assay employed a commercial heat mat to raise soil temperatures to 32, 33, and 34 °C for 7 h during the daytime, and subsequent evaluation of nematode reproduction, virulence, and/or disease severity over the period of 6 weeks after inoculation. When directly exposed to hot water at 34 °C, the survival of R. reniformis increased by 10% while the survival of M. floridensis decreased by 12% relative to that at 32 °C. Upon increasing soil temperatures from 32 to 34 °C, the reproduction of R. reniformis and M. floridensis decreased by 49% and 53%, respectively. A significant reduction in the reproduction of M. floridensis occurred when soil temperature was increased from 33 to 34 °C, however, the same condition did not significantly affect R. reniformis reproduction suggesting the latter species has a greater ability to adapt to increasing soil temperature. Additionally, the virulence of R. reniformis was greater at 33 and 34 °C relative to that at 30 °C indicating increased aggressiveness of the nematode at higher soil temperatures. The virulence of M. floridensis appeared to be decreased as evident from increased root biomass when soil temperature was increased from 32 to 34 °C, however, the greater root biomass may have resulted from increased root galling at the higher temperatures. Results of the current study suggest that while higher soil temperatures due to climate change may lead to reduced nematode reproduction, crop losses will likely increase due to increased nematode virulence. Through the current study, we report practical evidence of the quantitative impact of climate change on the biology of plant-parasitic nematodes. Further studies involving a wider range of temperature and exposure time are needed to better understand nematode biology under climate change.
Automated hand-marked semantic text recognition from photographs
Authors: Suh Seungah , Lee Ghang , Gil Daeyoung , Kim Yonghan 
Published: August 2023

AbstractAutomated text recognition techniques have made significant advancements; however, certain tasks still present challenges. This study is motivated by the need to automatically recognize hand-marked text on construction defect tags among millions of photographs. To address this challenge, we investigated three methods for automating hand-marked semantic text recognition (HMSTR)—a modified scene text recognition-based (STR) approach, a two-step HMSTR approach, and a lumped approach. The STR approach involves locating marked text using an object detection model and recognizing it using a competition-winning STR model. Similarly, the two-step HMSTR approach first localizes the marked text and then recognizes the semantic text using an image classification model. By contrast, the lumped approach performs both localization and identification of marked semantic text in a single step using object detection. Among these approaches, the two-step HMSTR approach achieved the highest F1 score (0.92) for recognizing circled text, followed by the STR approach (0.87) and the lumped approach (0.78). To validate the generalizability of the two-step HMSTR approach, subsequent experiments were conducted using check-marked text, resulting in an F1 score of 0.88. Although the proposed methods have been tested specifically with tags, they can be extended to recognize marked text in reports or books.
Design of an alternate antibody fragment format that can be produced in the cytoplasm of Escherichia coli
Authors: Tungekar Aatir A. , Ruddock Lloyd W. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractWith increased accessibility and tissue penetration, smaller antibody formats such as antibody fragments (Fab) and single chain variable fragments (scFv) show potential as effective and low-cost choices to full-length antibodies. These formats derived from the modular architecture of antibodies could prove to be game changers for certain therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Microbial hosts have shown tremendous promise as production hosts for antibody fragment formats. However, low target protein yields coupled with the complexity of protein folding result in production limitations. Here, we report an alternative antibody fragment format ‘FabH3’ designed to overcome some key bottlenecks associated with the folding and production of Fabs. The FabH3 molecule is based on the Fab format with the constant domains replaced by engineered immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) CH3 domains capable of heterodimerization based on the electrostatic steering approach. We show that this alternative antibody fragment format can be efficiently produced in the cytoplasm of E. coli using the catalyzed disulfide-bond formation system (CyDisCo) in a natively folded state with higher soluble yields than its Fab counterpart and a comparable binding affinity against the target antigen.
A comparative study of posterior cingulate metabolism in patients with mild cognitive impairment due to Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Huang Mingming , Yu Hui , Cai Xi , Zhang Yong , Pu Wei , Gao Bo 
Published: August 2023

AbstractFew comparative studies have assessed metabolic brain changes in cognitive impairment among neurodegenerative disorders, and the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) is a metabolically active brain region with high involvement in multiple cognitive processes. Therefore, in this study, metabolic abnormalities of the PCC were compared in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to Parkinson’s disease (PD) or Alzheimer’s disease (AD), as examined by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS). Thirty-eight patients with idiopathic PD, including 20 with mild cognitive impairment (PDMCI) and 18 with normal cognitive function (PDN), 18 patients with probable mild cognitive impairment (ADMCI), and 25 healthy elderly controls (HCs) were recruited and underwent PCC 1H-MRS scans. Compared with HCs, patients with PDMCI exhibited significantly reduced concentrations of N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), total NAA (tNAA), choline (Cho), glutathione (GSH), glutamate + glutamine (Glx) and total creatine (tCr), while ADMCI cases exhibited significantly elevated levels of myo-inositol (Ins) and Ins/tCr ratio, as well as reduced NAA/Ins ratio. No significant metabolic changes were detected in PDN subjects. Compared with ADMCI, reduced NAA, Ins and tCr concentrations were detected in PDMCI. Besides, ROC curve analysis revealed that tCr concentration could differentiate PDMCI from PDN with an AUC of 0.71, and NAA/Ins ratio could differentiate patients with MCI from controls with normal cognitive function with an AUC of 0.74. Patients with PDMCI and ADMCI exhibited distinct PCC metabolic 1H-MRS profiles. The findings suggested cognitively normal PD patients with low NAA and tCr in the PCC might be at risk of preclinical PDMCI, and Ins and/or NAA/MI ratio in the PCC should be reconsidered a possible biomarker of preclinical MCI in clinical practice. So, comparing PCC’s 1H-MRS profiles of cognitive impairment among neurodegenerative illnesses may provide useful information for better defining the disease process and elucidate possible treatment mechanisms.
Network of muscle fibers activation facilitates inter-muscular coordination, adapts to fatigue and reflects muscle function
Authors: Garcia-Retortillo Sergi , Romero-Gómez Carlos , Ivanov Plamen Ch. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractFundamental movement patterns require continuous skeletal muscle coordination, where muscle fibers with different timing of activation synchronize their dynamics across muscles with distinct functions. It is unknown how muscle fibers integrate as a network to generate and fine tune movements. We investigate how distinct muscle fiber types synchronize across arm and chest muscles, and respond to fatigue during maximal push-up exercise. We uncover that a complex inter-muscular network of muscle fiber cross-frequency interactions underlies push-up movements. The network exhibits hierarchical organization (sub-networks/modules) with specific links strength stratification profile, reflecting distinct functions of muscles involved in push-up movements. We find network reorganization with fatigue where network modules follow distinct phase-space trajectories reflecting their functional role and adaptation to fatigue. Consistent with earlier observations for squat movements under same protocol, our findings point to general principles of inter-muscular coordination for fundamental movements, and open a new area of research, Network Physiology of Exercise.
Equine conjunctival pseudotumors
Authors: Moore Cecil P. , Grevan Victoria L. , Champagne Erin S. , Collins B. Keith , Collier Linda L. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractFive horses presented with unilateral pink, smooth, nonulcerated conjunctival masses with histologic features characteristic of inflammatory pseudotumors, i.e. proliferative inflammatory lesions clinically resembling true neoplasia. Although causes for the inflammatory lesions were not determined, based on the presence histologically of mononuclear (predominantly lymphocytic) inflammatory cell infiltrates and the absence of infectious agents, parasites or foreign bodies, an immune‐mediated pathogenesis was suspected. Affected horses ranged from 5 to 8 years of age with no apparent breed or sex predilection. Conjunctival lesions were nodular in two cases and relatively flat and more diffuse in three cases. Third eyelid lesions were present in three cases and two affected eyes had corneal involvement. Based on findings from these five cases, the prognosis for equine conjunctival pseudotumors appears to be good when lesions are treated by partial or complete surgical excision, local administration of anti‐inflammatory agents, or a combination of surgery and anti‐inflammatory therapy.
Tear‐deficient and evaporative dry eye syndromes of the horse
Authors: Crispin Sheila M. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractTear‐deficient dry eye (keratoconjunctivities sicca), and evaporative dry eye, with some overlap between these two categories, are two major categories of dry eye recognized in the horse. Careful examination of the eyelid margins, the inner and outer surfaces of the upper and lower eyelids, assessment of blink and third eyelid movement, specific testing of tear production, assessment of corneal sensitivity, and slit‐lamp examination of the ocular surface before and after fluorescein dye application is recommended to detect dry eye problems. Rose Bengal dye application is also recommended in many cases. Facial nerve paresis is a possible complicating factor in some instances. Evaporative dry eye deserves closer scrutiny for it may be a contributory factor when ocular surface disease such as keratomycosis is present. Factors which influence ocular surface health need more close examination in horses.
Posterior lamellar keratoplasty for treatment of deep stromal absesses in nine horses
Authors: Andrew Stacy E. , Brooks Dennis E. , Biros Daniel J. , Denis Heidi M. , Cutler Timothy J. , Gelatt Kirk N. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractObjectiveTo describe and evaluate the use of posterior lamellar keratoplasty as a surgical treatment for deep corneal stromal abscesses in horses.Animals studiedNine horses of various breeds and ages that presented with corneal stromal abscesses located in the posterior one‐third of the cornea.ProcedureRetrospective medical record study.ResultsNine horses had deep corneal stromal abscesses that were treated with posterior lamellar keratoplasty. Median patient age was 3 years. Six patients were females and three were geldings. Medical therapy alone had been attempted prior to surgery in all nine animals. Corneal abscess culture and histopathology were performed in 8/9 horses. Cultures were positive for an infectious etiology in 4/8 (50%). Histopathology was positive for an infectious etiology in 5/8 (62.5%). Mean surgical time was 71.0 ± 18.8 min and the average healing time was 23.7 ± 5.2 days. Visual outcome was positive in 8/9 cases.ConclusionPosterior lamellar keratoplasty is a promising procedure for treatment of deep corneal stromal abscesses in horses. The procedure resulted in considerable shorter surgery time and healing time than had been observed with full‐thickness penetrating keratoplasty. Scar formation with this procedure was not significantly different than with penetrating keratoplasty.
Long‐term effect on the equine eye of an intravitreal device used for sustained release of cyclosporine A
Authors: Gilger Brian C. , Malok Emily , Stewart Tammy , Ashton Paul , Smith Thomas , Jaffe Glenn J. , Allen Janice B. 
Published: August 2023

Abstract Objective To determine the long‐term toxicity of an intravitreal device releasing continuous cyclosporinee A (CsA) in normal eyes of horses by evaluating clinical signs, electroretinography, and histopathology. Animals Studied Ten adult horses with normal ophthalmic examinations were used in this study Procedure(s) Four horses had one eye implanted with a CsA device, and six horses had the right eye implanted with a CsA‐containing device (10 eyes with CsA in total) and the left eye (six eyes in total) with the device without drug (control). The implants were placed in the vitreous of the eyes through a sclerotomy 1 cm posterior to the limbus in the dorso‐temporal quadrant of the eye. Scotopic electroretinograms were performed prior to implantation and at 1 week, and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months postimplantation. Two of the unilaterally implanted horses were euthanized at 1 weeks postimplantation, and two at 6 weeks postimplantation. Two of the bilaterally implanted horses were euthanized at 6 months, two at 9 months, and two at 12 months postimplantation. At euthanasia, the eyes were removed, aqueous and vitreous humor aspirated, and tissues fixed in 10% buffered formalin and processed for histopathology. CsA concentrations were measured by high pressure liquid chromatography in the aqueous and vitreous humors, and in peripheral blood. Results The devices were tolerated well in 14 of 16 eyes. There was minimal postoperative inflammation in most eyes, with a normal appearance within 7 days. In two eyes implanted with the CsA device, severe inflammation resulted in phthisis bulbi by 28 days. One of these eyes exhibited suspected bacterial endophthalmitis, and one had a sterile endophthalmitis and cataract presumably from trauma to the lens during implantation. In the other 14 eyes, no change was observed in the scotopic electroretinograms (ERG) from preoperative results, and no significant differences between the right (CsA) and left (control device) eyes were observed. CsA levels in the aqueous and vitreous humor, and peripheral blood were below the detection limit of the HPLC. Histologic findings revealed only a mild lymphoplasmacytic cellular infiltrate in the ciliary body and pars plana near the implantation site. Conclusions The CsA devices were well tolerated with no long‐term complications from the implants themselves. However, complications may occur from inadvertent implantation trauma or contamination during surgery. The long‐term safety of the device may make it useful for delivery of CsA in the control of equine recurrent uveitis.
Evaluation of tear film proteinases in horses with ulcerative keratitis
Authors: Strubbe D. Todd , Brooks Dennis E. , Schultz Gregory S. , Willis‐Goulet Heather , Gelatt Kirk N. , Andrew Stacy E. , Kallberg Maria E. , Mackay Edward O. , Collante Warner R. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractUlcerative keratitis is a common and potentially blinding ocular disease of horses, capable of progressing to corneal perforation in as little as 24 h. This rapid stromal degeneration is mediated in part by exogenous and endogenous proteinases. We measured and compared the concentrations of two matrix metalloproteinases (MMP‐2 and MMP‐9) and a serine proteinase (neutrophil elastase) present in the precorneal tear film of normal horses and horses with rapidly progressing ulcerative keratitis. Precorneal tear film samples were collected from 23 ulcerated and 21 unaffected eyes of 23 horses with unilateral ulcerative keratitis, and from 33 normal eyes of 17 control horses. MMP‐2, MMP‐9, and neutrophil elastase were identified by casein and gelatin zymography and quantified by computerized image analysis. Median MMP‐9 levels were significantly higher in the precorneal tear film of young control horses vs. older control horses (P= 0.005). Median MMP‐2, MMP‐9, and neutrophil elastase levels were significantly higher in the precorneal tear film of ulcerated eyes when compared to age‐matched normal controls (P= 0.004, P= 0.001, and P= 0.012, respectively). Median MMP‐2 levels were also significantly higher in the precorneal tear film of contralateral eyes of affected horses when compared to age‐matched normal controls (P= 0.004). No significant differences in median proteinase levels were detected between ‘sterile’ ulcers and those from which bacteria or mixed infections (bacteria and fungi) were isolated. However, median MMP‐2 and neutrophil elastase levels were significantly higher in the precorneal tear film of eyes with ‘sterile’ ulcers when compared with ulcerated eyes from which fungi were isolated (P < 0.05). The results of this study support the use of topical antiproteinase therapy which targets both MMPs and serine proteinases in progressive equine ulcerative keratitis.
Ulcerative keratitis caused by beta‐hemolyticStreptococcus equiin 11 horses
Authors: Brooks D. E. , Andrew S. E. , Biros D. J. , Denis H. M. , Cutler T. J. , Strubbe D. T. , Gelatt K. N. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractPurposeTo describe 11 clinical cases of ulcerative keratitis in horses associated with betahemolyticStreptococcus equiin Florida, USA.MethodsRetrospective clinical study (1996–99).ResultsBeta‐hemolyticStreptococcus equiwas cultured from 11 horses with deep ulcers, descemetoceles or iris prolapse (n= 8), a suture abscess found with a penetrating keratoplasty for a stromal abscess (n= 1), and ulceration that developed following keratectomy/irradiation for corneal squamous cell carcinoma (n= 2). Beta‐hemolyticStreptococcus equisubspecieszooepidemicuswas found in 10 eyes and subspeciesequiin one. Marked signs of uveitis including miosis and hypopyon were present in 8/11 (72.7%) eyes. Keratomalacia was severe in all eyes. The mean diameter of the ulcers associated with betahemolyticStreptococcuswas 10.2 ± 6.1 mm. Eight of the eyes required conjunctival flap surgery (four grafts dehisced) and one eye corneal transplantation. Two eyes were treated with medication only. Isolate sensitivity to antibiotics included ampicillin (6/11), bacitracin (11/11), cephalothin (11/11), chloramphenicol (11/11), gentamicin (5/11), polymyxin B (2/11), and tobramycin (1/11). All isolates were resistant to neomycin. The average healing time was 44.7 ± 26.7 days. The visual outcome was positive in 8/11 eyes, and the globe retained in 9/11 eyes.ConclusionsAlthough Gram‐positive bacteria predominate in the normal conjunctival microflora of horses throughout the world, Gram‐negative bacteria and fungi are more often isolated from equine ulcers. Beta‐hemolyticStreptococcusspp. are associated with a very aggressive ulcerative keratitis with the capability to digest conjunctival graft tissue. Clinical signs are pronounced. Aggressive surgical and intensive medical therapy with topical antibiotics and protease inhibitors is indicated.
Immunohistochemistry of the extracellular matrix of the normal equine lamina cribrosa
Authors: Brooks D. E. , Komaromy A. M. , Garcia‐Fernandez M. C. , Cutler T. J. , Samuelson D. A. , Kallberg M. E. 
Published: August 2023

Abstract Purpose To use immunohistochemical techniques to identify and localize the structural macromolecules of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the normal adult equine lamina cribrosa in order to make comparisons to the extracellular matrix of the lamina cribrosa of horses with glaucoma. Methods Normal eyes of five adult horses between 5 and 10 years of age were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin and embedded in paraffin. Polyclonal rabbit‐derived antibodies against human elastin, laminin, fibrillin‐1, and collagen types I, III and IV, and polyclonal goat‐derived antibodies against collagen type VI were used as primary antibodies.Transverse and longitudinal histologic sections of the optic nerve head and lamina cribrosa were stained using several dilutions of the primary antibodies, biotinylated link antibody, horseradish peroxidase‐labeled streptavidin, and 3,3′‐diaminobenzidine as a chromogen.The immunohistochemical staining patterns were qualitatively interpreted. Results The normal adult horse lamina cribrosa labeled positively for collagen types I, III and VI, laminin, elastin and fibrillin. Collagen type VI staining of the laminar ECM was most intense, followed by labeling for collagen types III and I, respectively. Laminar blood vessels were weakly positive for laminin and slightly positive for type IV collagen. The scleral ECM of the laminar insertion zone had more intense labeling for collagen types I and VI than did the laminar plates. Conclusions The extracellular matrix of the laminar plates of the adult equine lamina cribrosa is similar to the dog as it consists of elastic and collagen fibers (with collagen types VI, III and I). Both the normal dog and horse lamina display more intense staining of collagen type VI than is found in the ECM of the normal human lamina cribrosa. The macromolecular structure of the equine lamina cribrosa suggests that it is a very resilient structure that may provide some protection to the optic nerve axons during episodes of elevated intraocular pressure.