bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploring the effects of skeletal architecture and muscle properties on bipedal standing in the common chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) from the perspective of biomechanics
Authors: Xv Xiao-Wei , Chen Wen-Bin , Xiong Cai-Hua , Huang Bo , Cheng Long-Fei , Sun Bai-Yang 
Published: May 2023

Introduction: It is well known that the common chimpanzee, as both the closest living relative to humans and a facultative bipedal, has the capability of bipedal standing but cannot do so fully upright. Accordingly, they have been of exceeding significance in elucidating the evolution of human bipedalism. There are many reasons why the common chimpanzee can only stand with its hips–knees bent, such as the distally oriented long ischial tubercle and the almost absent lumbar lordosis. However, it is unknown how the relative positions of their shoulder–hip–knee–ankle joints are coordinated. Similarly, the distribution of the biomechanical characteristics of the lower-limb muscles and the factors that affect the erectness of standing as well as the muscle fatigue of the lower limbs remain a mystery. The answers are bound to light up the evolutional mechanism of hominin bipedality, but these conundrums have not been shed much light upon, because few studies have comprehensively explored the effects of skeletal architecture and muscle properties on bipedal standing in common chimpanzees.Methods: Thus, we first built a musculoskeletal model comprising the head-arms-trunk (HAT), thighs, shanks, and feet segments of the common chimpanzee, and then, the mechanical relationships of the Hill-type muscle-tendon units (MTUs) in bipedal standing were deduced. Thereafter, the equilibrium constraints were established, and a constrained optimization problem was formulated where the optimization objective was defined. Finally, thousands of simulations of bipedal standing experiments were performed to determine the optimal posture and its corresponding MTU parameters including muscle lengths, muscle activation, and muscle forces. Moreover, to quantify the relationship between each pair of the parameters from all the experimental simulation outcomes, the Pearson correlation analysis was employed.Results: Our results demonstrate that in the pursuit of the optimal bipedal standing posture, the common chimpanzee cannot simultaneously achieve maximum erectness and minimum muscle fatigue of the lower limbs. For uni-articular MTUs, the relationship between muscle activation, relative muscle lengths, together with relative muscle forces, and the corresponding joint angle is generally negatively correlated for extensors and positively correlated for flexors. For bi-articular MTUs, the relationship between muscle activation, coupled with relative muscle forces, and the corresponding joint angles does not show the same pattern as in the uni-articular MTUs.Discussion: The results of this study bridge the gap between skeletal architecture, along with muscle properties, and biomechanical performance of the common chimpanzee during bipedal standing, which enhances existing biomechanical theories and advances the comprehension of bipedal evolution in humans.
Identification of microRNAs implicated in modulating resveratrol-induced apoptosis in porcine granulosa cells
Authors: Zhang Huibin , Wang Jinglin , Xie Fan , Liu Yangguang , Qiu Mengyao , Han Zheng , Ding Yueyun , Zheng Xianrui , Yin Zongjun , Zhang Xiaodong 
Published: May 2023

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding RNAs that play a crucial role in the complex and dynamic network that regulates the apoptosis of porcine ovarian granulosa cells (POGCs). Resveratrol (RSV) is a nonflavonoid polyphenol compound that is involved in follicular development and ovulation. In previous study, we established a model of RSV treatment of POGCs, confirming the regulatory effect of RSV in POGCs. To investigate the miRNA-level effects of RSV on POGCs to reveal differentially expressed miRNAs, a control group (n = 3, 0 μM RSV group), a low RSV group (n = 3, 50 μM RSV group), and a high RSV group (n = 3, 100 μM RSV group) were created for small RNA-seq. In total, 113 differentially expressed miRNAs (DE-miRNAs) were identified, and a RT-qPCR analysis showed a correlation with the sequencing data. Functional annotation analysis revealed that DE-miRNAs in the LOW vs. CON group may be involved in cell development, proliferation, and apoptosis. In the HIGH vs. CON group, RSV functions were associated with metabolic processes and responses to stimuli, while the pathways were related to PI3K24, Akt, Wnt, and apoptosis. In addition, we constructed miRNA-mRNA networks related to Apoptosis and Metabolism. Then, ssc-miR-34a and ssc-miR-143-5p were selected as key miRNAs. In conclusion, this study provided an improved understanding of effects of RSV on POGCs apoptosis through the miRNA modulations. The results suggest that RSV may promote POGCs apoptosis by stimulating the miRNA expressions and provided a better understanding of the role of miRNAs combined with RSV in ovarian granulosa cell development in pigs.
Deficiency of germinal center kinase TRAF2 and NCK-interacting kinase (TNIK) in B cells does not affect atherosclerosis
Authors: van Os Bram W. , Kusters Pascal J. H. , den Toom Myrthe , Beckers Linda , van Tiel Claudia M. , Vos Winnie G. , de Jong Elize , Kieser Arnd , van Roomen Cindy , Binder Christoph J. , Reiche Myrthe E. , de Winther Menno P. , Bosmans Laura A. , Lutgens Esther 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundAtherosclerosis is the underlying cause of many cardiovascular diseases, such as myocardial infarction or stroke. B cells, and their production of pro- and anti-atherogenic antibodies, play an important role in atherosclerosis. In B cells, TRAF2 and NCK-interacting Kinase (TNIK), a germinal center kinase, was shown to bind to TNF-receptor associated factor 6 (TRAF6), and to be involved in JNK and NF-κB signaling in human B cells, a pathway associated with antibody production.ObjectiveWe here investigate the role of TNIK-deficient B cells in atherosclerosis.ResultsApoE−/−TNIKfl/fl (TNIKBWT) and ApoE−/−TNIKfl/flCD19-cre (TNIKBKO) mice received a high cholesterol diet for 10 weeks. Atherosclerotic plaque area did not differ between TNIKBKO and TNIKBWT mice, nor was there any difference in plaque necrotic core, macrophage, T cell, α-SMA and collagen content. B1 and B2 cell numbers did not change in TNIKBKO mice, and marginal zone, follicular or germinal center B cells were unaffected. Total IgM and IgG levels, as well as oxidation specific epitope (OSE) IgM and IgG levels, did not change in absence of B cell TNIK. In contrast, plasma IgA levels were decreased in TNIKBKO mice, whereas the number of IgA+ B cells in intestinal Peyer's patches increased. No effects could be detected on T cell or myeloid cell numbers or subsets.ConclusionWe here conclude that in hyperlipidemic ApoE−/− mice, B cell specific TNIK deficiency does not affect atherosclerosis.
On three types of sea breeze in Qingdao of East China: an observational analysis
Authors: Guo Zihan , Cao Lijuan , Guo Jianping , Shang Mengjiao , Guo Xiaoran 
Published: May 2023

Our knowledge of sea breeze remains poor in the coastal area of East China, due largely to the high terrain heterogeneity. Five–year (2016–2020) consecutive wind observations from a 10-m wind tower and radar wind profiler are used to characterize the sea–land breeze at Qingdao, a coastal city in East China. The sea surface temperatures at the nearby buoy station in the Yellow Sea are further used to elucidate the land–sea thermal contrast. First of all, three types of sea breeze are determined according to the temporal evolution of wind direction, including pure sea breeze (PSB), corkscrew sea breeze (CSB) and backdoor sea breeze (BSB). Statistically, there are 522 days experiencing sea breezes, of which 61 days belong to pure sea breeze, 40 days witness corkscrew sea breeze, and only 2 days see the backdoor sea breeze. The occurrence of sea breeze is found to peak from April to September and the average wind speed lies at 3–5 m s−1. This suggests a salient seasonality of sea breeze at Qingdao, which is likely caused by the seasonal dependence of land–sea thermal contrast. In terms of the diurnal variability, the sea breezes tend to occur more frequently and have more intensity in the afternoon compared with in the morning, irrespective of sea breeze types. Interestingly, the backdoor sea breeze is merely observed in autumn, whereas corkscrew sea breeze and pure sea breeze can be found year round. Among all types of sea breeze, the pure sea breeze has the highest intensity and most frequency throughout the daytime, same in the seasons of spring, summer and autumn. Further analyses are conduced of the atmospheric circulation, lower troposphere stability and bulk Richard number (Ri) for three types of sea breeze. Both pure sea breeze and corkscrew sea breeze in Qingdao are characterized by prevailing westerlies at 500 hPa. In contrast, the backdoor sea breeze is generally accompanied with easterlies at 850 hPa. Meanwhile, the backdoor sea breeze has the lowest lower troposphere stability, in sharp contrast to the highest lower troposphere stability for the pure sea breeze. This indicates that the backdoor sea breeze (pure sea breeze) tends to occur in an unstable (stable) lower troposphere. The findings obtained here highlight the importance of typing sea breeze.
Effects of geographic origin and temperature on survival, development, and emergence of the managed pollinator Osmia lignaria
Authors: Scalici Morgan B. , McCabe Lindsie M. , Alston Diane G. , Pitts-Singer Theresa L. 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionThe blue orchard bee,Osmia lignaria, is a widespread North American native pollinator that can be employed for commercial fruit and nut crop production. The largest supplies of these bees are collected in the wildlands ssssof Utah and Washington, United States. HowO. lignariafrom different geographic regions respond to current recommended management practices or translocation to novel environments is not fully understood.MethodsUtah- and Washington-originatedO. lignariawere reared in laboratory incubators under two thermal regimens: (1) constant temperatures used to manage bees through immature development, adult winter dormancy, and for spring emergence, and (2) hourly fluctuating temperatures programmed to mimic the natural daily (24 h) thermal cycles of the nearest cherry orchard growing region through their life cycles.ResultsIn comparison to rearing bees at orchard temperatures, we found that rearing bees at a constant temperature increased survival and shortened egg–adult development periods. Washington bees were more adversely affected by the consistent warm rearing temperatures than were Utah bees, possibly due to their adaptations to Washington’s relatively moderate climate. At orchard temperatures, Utah bees suffered high prepupal and pupal mortality, while Washington bees suffered high pupal and adult mortality. These late life stages coincided with the hottest maximum temperatures in their respective thermal regimens. Adult females from both states naturally emerged in synchrony with local bloom time, but their emergence period overall was prolonged compared to bees in the constant thermal regimen that were induced to emerge at orchard bloom times.DiscussionOur data support that bees originating from cool montane habitats of different U.S. states suffer from the warmer climatic conditions at lower altitudes of their respective crop-growing regions. A better understanding of optimal management temperatures forO. lignariafrom different geographic regions and the effect of bee origin and temperature on survival and development timing is needed for best managing these pollinators when they are translocated or when climate change results in increased temperatures during bee development periods.
Volatile organic compounds conversion pathways and odor gas emission characteristics in chicken manure composting process
Authors: Jiang Yan , Yao Yanying , Liu Haolang , Zhang Shengmin , Bai Xin , Ma Xiulan , Wang Yujun , Ren Qibiao 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionComposting is a highly effective method for managing the growing quantity of agricultural waste, promoting nutrient recycling, and advancing sustainable agriculture. However, the significant amounts of volatile inorganic compounds (VICs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) generated during the composting process cannot be ignored due to their serious ecological environmental hazards and detrimental impact on human health. The types and pathways of VICs and VOCs produced during the composting process remain not well understood.MethodsIn this study, we investigated the VOCs produced during chicken manure and straw composting using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS). We performed qualitative and quantitative analyses of VOCs in composting emissions gases and their correlation with odor.ResultsOur results showed that 44 VOCs were detected during composting, including 4 oxidation-containing compounds, 2 sulfur-containing organics, 5 alkanes, 19 halogenated compounds, and 14 aromatic compounds. Aromatic compounds were found to be the main component of VOCs, accounting for 59.14% of the total content. The highest VOC content was found in the pre-composting period, and the highest emitting VOC was p-Isopropyl Toluene, which reached 7870.50 μg/m3. We identified eight substances that were highly correlated with odor concentration (p &lt; 0.01) and are the main odor-causing substances that need to be monitored and controlled.DiscussionOur study provides important insights into the transformation of volatile gases during the composting process. It highlights the need for proper management practices to control VOCs emissions and reduce their environmental impact.
Genetics of spontaneous cervical and coronary artery dissections
Authors: Rada Isabel , Calderón Juan Francisco , Martínez Gonzalo , Muñoz Venturelli Paula 
Published: May 2023

ObjectivesSpontaneous cervical artery dissections (SCeAD) and coronary artery dissections (SCoAD) are major causes of neurovascular and cardiovascular morbidity in young adults. Although multiple aspects of their etiology are still unknown, most consensuses are focused on the presence of constitutional genetic aspects and environmental triggers. Since recent evidence of genetic contribution points to a possible overlap between these conditions, we aimed to describe current information on SCeAD and SCoAD genetics and their potential shared pathological aspects.Materials and methodsA narrative review is presented. Publications in English and Spanish were queried using database search. The articles were evaluated by one team member in terms of inclusion criteria. After collecting, the articles were categorized based on scientific content.ResultsGiven that patients with SCeAD and SCoAD rarely present connective tissue disorders, other genetic loci are probably responsible for the increased susceptibility in some individuals. The common variant rs9349379 at PHACTR1 gene is associated with predisposition to pathologies of the arterial wall, likely mediated by variations in Endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels. The risk of arterial dissection may be increased for those who carry the rs9349379(A) allele, associated with lower expression levels of ET-1; however, the local effect of this vasomotor imbalance remains unclear. Sex differences seen in SCeAD and SCoAD support a role for sex hormones that could modulate risk, tilting the delicate balance and forcing vasodilator actions to prevail over vasoconstriction due to a reduction in ET-1 expression.ConclusionsNew evidence points to a common gene variation that could explain dissection in both the cervical and coronary vasculatures. To further confirm the risk conferred by the rs9349379 variant, genome wide association studies are warranted, hopefully in larger and ethnically diverse populations.
Plasma lipidomics of primary biliary cholangitis and its comparison with Sjögren’s syndrome
Authors: Li Haolong , Zhan Haoting , Cheng Linlin , Huang Yuan , Li Xiaomeng , Yan Songxin , Liu Yongmei , Wang Li , Li Yongzhe 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundAbnormal lipid metabolism is common in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). PBC and Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) frequently coexist in clinical practice; however, the lipid characteristics of both diseases are unknown. Therefore, we aimed to analyze the plasma lipid profiles of both diseases.MethodsPlasma samples from 60 PBC patients, 30 SS patients, and 30 healthy controls (HC) were collected, and untargeted lipidomics was performed using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry. Potential lipid biomarkers were screened through an orthogonal projection to latent structure discriminant analysis and further evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.ResultsA total of 115 lipids were differentially upregulated in PBC patients compared with HC. Seventeen lipids were positively associated with the disease activity of PBC, and ROC analysis showed that all of these lipids could differentiate between ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) responders and UDCA non-responders. The top six lipids based on the area under the curve (AUC) values were glycerophosphocholine (PC) (16:0/16:0), PC (18:1/18:1), PC (42:2), PC (16:0/18:1), PC (17:1/14:0), and PC (15:0/18:1). In comparison with SS, 44 lipids were found to be differentially upregulated in PBC. Additionally, eight lipids were found to have a good diagnostic performance of PBC because of the AUC values of more than 0.9 when identified from SS and HC groups, which were lysophosphatidylcholines (LysoPC) (16:1), PC (16:0/16:0), PC (16:0/16:1), PC (16:1/20:4), PC (18:0/20:3), PC (18:1/20:2), PC (20:0/22:5), and PC (20:1/22:5).ConclusionOur study revealed differentially expressed lipid signatures in PBC compared with HC and SS. PC is the main lipid species associated with disease activity and the UDCA response in patients with PBC.
TANK shapes an immunosuppressive microenvironment and predicts prognosis and therapeutic response in glioma
Authors: Li Shasha , Guo Youwei , Hu Huijuan , Gao Na , Yan Xuejun , Zhou Quanwei , Liu Hui 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundGlioma, the most prevalent malignant intracranial tumor, poses a significant threat to patients due to its high morbidity and mortality rates, but its prognostic indicators remain inaccurate. Although TRAF-associated NF-kB activator (TANK) interacts and cross-regulates with cytokines and microenvironmental immune cells, it is unclear whether TANK plays a role in the immunologically heterogeneous gliomas.MethodsTANK mRNA expression patterns in public databases were analyzed, and qPCR and IHC were performed in an in-house cohort to confirm the clinical significance of TANK. Then, we systematically evaluated the relationship between TANK expression and immune characteristics in the glioma microenvironment. Additionally, we evaluated the ability of TANK to predict treatment response in glioma. TANK-associated risk scores were developed by LASSO-Cox regression and machine learning, and their prognostic ability was tested.ResultsTANK was specifically overexpressed in glioma and enriched in the malignant phenotype, and its overexpression was related to poor prognosis. The presence of a tumor microenvironment that is immunosuppressive was evident by the negative correlations between TANK expression and immunomodulators, steps in the cancer immunity cycle, and immune checkpoints. Notably, treatment for cancer may be more effective when immunotherapy is combined with anti-TANK therapy. Prognosis could be accurately predicted by the TANK-related risk score.ConclusionsHigh expression of TANK is associated with the malignant phenotype of glioma, as it shapes an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Additionally, TANK can be used as a predictive biomarker for responses to various treatments and prognosis.
GNPNAT1 is a potential biomarker correlated with immune infiltration and immunotherapy outcome in breast cancer
Authors: Yuan Renjie , Zhang Yulu , Wang Yange , Chen Hongling , Zhang Ruiming , Hu Zhiyuan , Chai Chengsen , Chen Tingmei 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundGlucosamine 6-phosphate N-acetyltransferase (GNPNAT1) is a crucial enzyme involving hexosamine biosynthesis pathway and is upregulated in breast cancer (BRCA). However, its biological function and mechanism on patients in BRCA have not been investigated.MethodsIn this study, the differential expression of GNPNAT1 was analyzed between BRCA tissues and normal breast tissues using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, which was validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Then, the potential clinical value of GNPNAT1 in BRCA was investigated based on TCGA database. Functional enrichment analyses, including Gene Ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, Gene Set Variation Analysis, were performed to explore the potential signaling pathways and biological functions involved in GNPNAT1 in BRCA. Tumor immune infiltration was analyzed using ESTIMATE, CIBERSORT and TISIDB database; and immune therapy response scores were assessed using TIDE. Finally, Western blot, Cell counting kit-8 and Transwell assay were used to determine the proliferation and invasion abilities of breast cancer cells with GNPNAT1 knockdown.ResultsGNPNAT1 was up-regulated in BRCA tissues compared with normal tissues which was subsequently verified in different cell lines and clinical tissue samples. Based on TCGA and GEO, the overexpression of GNPNAT1 in BRCA contributed to a significant decline in overall survive and disease specific survive. Functional enrichment analyses indicated that the enriched pathways in high GNPNAT1 expression group included citrate cycle, N-glycan biosynthesis, DNA repair, and basal transcription factors. Moreover, the overexpression of GNPNAT1 was negatively correlated with immunotherapy response and the levels of immune cell infiltration of CD8+ T cells, B cells, natural killer cells, dendritic cells and macrophages. Knockdown of GNPNAT1 impairs the proliferation and invasion abilities of breast cancer cells.ConclusionGNPNAT1 is a potential diagnostic, prognostic biomarker and novel target for intervention in BRCA.