bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lipid availability during in vitro maturation alters oocyte lipid content and blastocyst development and metabolism
Authors: de Lima Camila Bruna , Barbosa Giulia Zanotto , Ispada Jessica , dos Santos Erika Cristina , Milazzotto Marcella Pecora 
Published: April 2023

AbstractLipids play a crucial role in various biological functions, including membrane composition, energy storage, cell signalling, and metabolic and epigenetic processes. Abnormal lipid accumulation and metabolism during in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes have been linked to the use of fetal bovine serum (FBS), even though it provides several beneficial molecules, contributing to the oocyte competence. Delipidating agents have been used to mitigate these deleterious effects, but they can have adverse effects on embryonic development. In this study, we explored how lipids present in fetal bovine serum (FBS) can impact the composition of oocytes and their resulting blastocysts in vitro. For that, we used organic solvents to separate the polar and nonpolar (lipid enriched) phase of FBS. Oocytes were in vitro matured in the presence of 10% whole FBS (control), 10% FBS plus 10% nonpolar lipids (lipid enriched – OL) or 10% polar lipids only (partially delipidated – ODL). After 24 h, part of the matured oocytes was collected and those remaining in each group underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) and culture (IVC) under the same conditions and expanded blastocysts were collected at day 7 (control, BL and BDL). Oocytes and embryos were analysed by Multiple Reaction Monitoring mass spectrometry (MRM‐MS) to determine their lipid composition. Interestingly, principal component analysis (PCA) revealed a clear distinction in the lipid profile of oocytes and blastocysts from both treatments compared to the control group. Control oocytes and blastocysts had higher triacylglycerol and cholesterol ester enrichment while the OL, ODL, BL and BDL groups had higher amounts of free fatty acids (FFAs). The structural and signalling phospholipids also differed among groups. Our findings suggest that the lipid‐enriched fraction of FBS can be manipulated for IVM to ensure proper maturation, resulting in oocytes and blastocysts with less accumulated intracellular lipids and an improved metabolic status.
Longitudinal relations of emotion knowledge to psychosocial adjustment in European and Chinese American school‐age children
Authors: Yang Yang , Wang Qi 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe study is the first to examine the developmental trajectory of emotion knowledge as it relates to psychosocial adjustment in a cross‐cultural context. European American (EA, n = 68, 28 boys) and Chinese American (CA, n = 62, 31 boys) children and their mothers participated. Children's emotion knowledge was assessed, and their psychosocial adjustment was reported by mothers at three time points when children were 6.5, 7, and 8 years of age. Although EA children had greater emotion knowledge at Time 1, CA children's emotion knowledge grew faster over the following 1.5 years. In addition, emotion knowledge predicted fewer internalizing problems in CA children but predicted fewer externalizing problems in EA children. Thus, emotion knowledge was associated with psychosocial adjustment for both cultural groups, and particularly helpful for children to cope with issues to which they are most vulnerable in their respective cultural contexts. The findings shed critical light on the developmental trajectories of emotion understanding and psychosocial adjustment in specific cultural contexts.
Development of a recombinant hepatitis B immunoglobulin derived from B cells collected from healthy individuals administered with hepatitis B virus vaccines: A feasibility study
Authors: Furuta Rika A. , Yasui Teruhito , Minamitani Takeharu , Akiba Hiroki , Toyoda Chizu , Tobita Ryutaro , Yasui Kazuta , Aminaka Ryota , Masaki Mikako , Satake Masahiro 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackgroundIn Japan, plasma with a high concentration of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) antibodies for hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) is almost entirely imported. We aimed to produce recombinant HBIG by isolating immunoglobulin cDNAs against the HBV surface antigen (HBsAg).Study Design and MethodsB cells expressing HBsAg antibodies were obtained from blood center personnel who had been administered HB vaccine booster and then isolated by either an Epstein–Barr virus hybridoma or an antigen‐specific memory B cell sorting method. Each cDNA of the heavy and light chains of the target antibody was cloned into an IgG1 expression vector and transfected into Expi293F cells to produce a recombinant monoclonal antibody (mAb), which was screened by ELISA and in vitro HBV neutralizing assays. The cross‐reactivity of the mAbs to normal human molecules was evaluated by ELISA and immunohistochemistry.ResultsAntibody cDNAs were cloned from 11 hybridoma cell lines and 204 HBsAg‐bound memory B cells. Three of the resulting recombinant mAbs showed stronger neutralizing activity in vitro than the currently used HBIG. All three bind to the conformational epitope(s) of HBsAg but not to human DNA or cells.DiscussionWe successfully isolated HBV‐neutralizing monoclonal antibodies from B cells collected from healthy plasma donors boosted against the HBV. To obtain an alternative source for HBIG, HBV‐neutralizing monoclonal antibodies from B cells collected from healthy plasma donors boosted against the HBV may be useful.
Emergency treatment with intravenous infusion of methylene blue followed by oral administration in a cat presented with severe recurrent methemoglobinemia
Authors: Brunori Lara , Elias Santo‐Domingo Neus , Donnelly Emma , Bassolino Serena , Lewis Daniel 
Published: April 2023

AbstractObjectiveTo describe the use of IV infusion followed by oral administration of methylene blue (MB) to successfully treat recurrent methemoglobinemia (MetHb) in a young cat.Case SummaryA 6‐month‐old male Ragdoll cat presented with recurrent episodes of severe MetHb and was successfully managed with IV infusion of MB followed by a course of oral MB. Although the definitive cause of the patient's MetHb remains unknown, the cat made a full recovery following treatment without developing any significant side effects secondary to therapy and at the time of writing not had any further recurrences. Follow‐up at 6 months found the patient in good health and without any long‐term consequences.New Information ProvidedTo the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of a cat presented with severe MetHb quantitatively assessed via co‐oximetry and successfully treated with both IV and oral administration of MB.
Comparative evaluation of corneal and limbal epithelial thickness in brachycephalic dogs with and without corneal diseases using spectral domain optical coherence tomography
Authors: Jeong Youngseok , Kang Seonmi , Seo Kangmoon 
Published: April 2023

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate alterations in epithelial thickness during corneal degeneration, corneal pigmentation, and additional features observed through spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT) in brachycephalic dogs.Animals and ProceduresThe study used 55 eyes from 49 brachycephalic dogs that underwent OCT‐containing ophthalmic examinations. The examined eyes were classified into corneal degeneration, corneal pigmentation, and normal groups according to corneal lesions. For each eye, corneal epithelial thickness (CET) in the central cornea and maximum limbal epithelial thickness (maxLET) in 4 quadrants of limbus (superior, inferior, nasal, and temporal) were measured from OCT images. Additional abnormal findings on OCT images, including irregular epithelium, subepithelial hyperreflectivity, and conjunctivochalasis, were also recorded.ResultsThe corneal degeneration group had significantly thinner nasal and temporal maxLETs than that of the normal group (p < .001). In the central corneal OCT image of the corneal degeneration group, an irregular epithelium was observed in 70.6% and subepithelial hyperreflectivity in 82.4%, both of which were significantly higher than the normal group (p < .001). In a comparative analysis, the nasal, temporal, and inferior maxLETs were significantly thinner in the corneal pigmentation group than those in the normal group (p < .001, p < .001, and p = .01, respectively).ConclusionsMorphological changes in the limbal epithelium were observed in dogs with corneal degeneration and corneal pigmentation. LET reduction could be associated with their pathogenesis and would be valuable as an additional parameter for corneal diseases.
PCR and peptide based PCMV detection in pig – development and application of a combined testing procedure differentiating newly from latent infected pigs
Authors: Fischer Nicole , Gulich Barbara , Keßler Barbara , Längin Matthias , Fishman Jay A. , Wolf Eckhard , Boller Klaus , Tönjes Ralf R. , Godehardt Antonia W. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractPorcine cytomegalovirus (PCMV) is widely distributed in pigs and difficult to detect due to latency. PCMV infection of source pigs was associated with early graft failure after cardiac and renal xenotransplantation into nonhuman primates. Importantly, PCMV infection of the first genetically modified pig heart into a human may have contributed to the reduced survival of the patient. Sensitive and reliable assays for detection of latent PCMV infection are thus indispensable. Here, we report the development of five peptide‐induced rabbit antisera specific for PCMV glycoprotein B (gB) and their validation for detection of PCMV in infected pig fallopian tube (PFT) cells by immunofluorescence and electron microscopy (EM). The anti‐gB antibodies were also used for detection by Western blot analysis of PCMV purified from the supernatant of infected PFT cells. Sera of infected versus non‐infected pigs have been compared. In parallel, PCMV viral load in blood samples of the animals was quantified by a novel highly sensitive nested‐PCR and qPCR assay. A combination of four partly overlapping peptides from the gB C‐terminus was used to establish a diagnostic ELISA for PCMV gB specific pig antibodies which is able to differentiate infected from non‐infected animals and to quantify maternal antibodies in neonates. The combination of a highly sensitive nested PCR for direct virus detection with a sensitive peptide‐based ELISA detecting anti‐PCMV gB‐antibodies, supplemented by Western blot analysis and/or immunohistochemistry for virus detection will reliably differentiate pigs with active infection, latently infected pigs, and non‐infected pigs. It may significantly improve the virologic safety of xenotransplantation.
Mechanosensory encoding in ex vivo muscle–nerve preparations
Authors: Housley Stephen N. , Gardolinski Evelyn A. , Nardelli Paul , Reed J'Ana , Rich Mark M. , Cope Timothy C. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractOur objective was to evaluate an ex vivo muscle–nerve preparation used to study mechanosensory signalling by low threshold mechanosensory receptors (LTMRs). Specifically, we aimed to assess how well the ex vivo preparation represents in vivo firing behaviours of the three major LTMR subtypes of muscle primary sensory afferents, namely type Ia and II muscle spindle (MS) afferents and type Ib tendon organ afferents. Using published procedures for ex vivo study of LTMRs in mouse hindlimb muscles, we replicated earlier reports on afferent firing in response to conventional stretch paradigms applied to non‐contracting, that is passive, muscle. Relative to in vivo studies, stretch‐evoked firing for confirmed MS afferents in the ex vivo preparation was markedly reduced in firing rate and deficient in encoding dynamic features of muscle stretch. These deficiencies precluded conventional means of discriminating type Ia and II afferents. Muscle afferents, including confirmed Ib afferents were often indistinguishable based on their similar firing responses to the same physiologically relevant stretch paradigms. These observations raise uncertainty about conclusions drawn from earlier ex vivo studies that either attribute findings to specific afferent types or suggest an absence of treatment effects on dynamic firing. However, we found that replacing the recording solution with bicarbonate buffer resulted in afferent firing rates and profiles more like those seen in vivo. Improving representation of the distinctive sensory encoding properties in ex vivo muscle–nerve preparations will promote accuracy in assigning molecular markers and mechanisms to heterogeneous types of muscle mechanosensory neurons.
Unpacking the multimodal, multi‐scale data of the fast and slow lanes of the cardiac vagus through computational modelling
Authors: Gee Michelle M. , Hornung Eden , Gupta Suranjana , Newton Adam J. H. , Cheng Zixi (Jack) , Lytton William W. , Lenhoff Abraham M. , Schwaber James S. , Vadigepalli Rajanikanth 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe vagus nerve is a key mediator of brain–heart signaling, and its activity is necessary for cardiovascular health. Vagal outflow stems from the nucleus ambiguus, responsible primarily for fast, beat‐to‐beat regulation of heart rate and rhythm, and the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, responsible primarily for slow regulation of ventricular contractility. Due to the high‐dimensional and multimodal nature of the anatomical, molecular and physiological data on neural regulation of cardiac function, data‐derived mechanistic insights have proven elusive. Elucidating insights has been complicated further by the broad distribution of the data across heart, brain and peripheral nervous system circuits. Here we lay out an integrative framework based on computational modelling for combining these disparate and multi‐scale data on the two vagal control lanes of the cardiovascular system. Newly available molecular‐scale data, particularly single‐cell transcriptomic analyses, have augmented our understanding of the heterogeneous neuronal states underlying vagally mediated fast and slow regulation of cardiac physiology. Cellular‐scale computational models built from these data sets represent building blocks that can be combined using anatomical and neural circuit connectivity, neuronal electrophysiology, and organ/organismal‐scale physiology data to create multi‐system, multi‐scale models that enable in silico exploration of the fast versus slow lane vagal stimulation. The insights from the computational modelling and analyses will guide new experimental questions on the mechanisms regulating the fast and slow lanes of the cardiac vagus toward exploiting targeted vagal neuromodulatory activity to promote cardiovascular health.
Increased pyramidal and VIP neuronal excitability in rat primary auditory cortex directly correlates with tinnitus behaviour
Authors: Ghimire Madan , Cai Rui , Ling Lynne , Brownell Kevin A. , Hackett Troy A. , Llano Daniel A. , Caspary Donald M. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractTinnitus affects roughly 15%–20% of the population while severely impacting 10% of those afflicted. Tinnitus pathology is multifactorial, generally initiated by damage to the auditory periphery, resulting in a cascade of maladaptive plastic changes at multiple levels of the central auditory neuraxis as well as limbic and non‐auditory cortical centres. Using a well‐established condition‐suppression model of tinnitus, we measured tinnitus‐related changes in the microcircuits of excitatory/inhibitory neurons onto layer 5 pyramidal neurons (PNs), as well as changes in the excitability of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) neurons in primary auditory cortex (A1). Patch‐clamp recordings from PNs in A1 slices showed tinnitus‐related increases in spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) and decreases in spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs). Both measures could be correlated to the rat's behavioural evidence of tinnitus. Tinnitus‐related changes in PN excitability were independent of changes in A1 excitatory or inhibitory cell numbers. VIP neurons, part of an A1 local circuit that can control the excitation of layer 5 PNs via disinhibitory mechanisms, showed significant tinnitus‐related increases in excitability that directly correlated with the rat's behavioural tinnitus score. That PN and VIP changes directly correlated to tinnitus behaviour suggests an important role in A1 tinnitus pathology. Tinnitus‐related A1 changes were similar to findings in studies of neuropathic pain in somatosensory cortex suggesting a common pathology of these troublesome perceptual impairments. Improved understanding between excitatory, inhibitory and disinhibitory sensory cortical circuits can serve as a model for testing therapeutic approaches to the treatment of tinnitus and chronic pain.
imageKey points
We identified tinnitus‐related changes in synaptic function of specific neuronal subtypes in a reliable animal model of tinnitus.
The findings show direct and indirect tinnitus‐related losses of normal inhibitory function at A1 layer 5 pyramidal cells, and increased VIP excitability.
The findings are similar to what has been shown for neuropathic pain suggesting that restoring normal inhibitory function at synaptic inputs onto A1 pyramidal neurons (PNs) could conceptually reduce tinnitus discomfort.
High burden of rheumatic heart disease confirmed by echocardiography among Pacific adults living in New Zealand
Authors: Webb Rachel , Culliford-Semmens Nicola , ChanMow Andrew , Doughty Robert , Tilton Elizabeth , Peat Briar , Stirling John , Gentles Thomas L , Wilson Nigel J 
Published: April 2023

BackgroundDespite numerous echocardiographic screening studies of children in high incidence acute rheumatic fever (ARF)/rheumatic heart disease (RHD) communities, little is known about the prevalence of RHD in adults in these populations.We sought to determine the prevalence of RHD in an urban area of South Auckland, New Zealand, where previous studies had shown the prevalence of RHD in children to be around 2%.MethodsA cross-sectional screening study was conducted between 2014 and 2016. Echocardiography clinics were conducted at an urban Pacific-led primary healthcare clinic in New Zealand. Eligible persons aged 16–40 years were recruited according to a stratified randomised approach. Echocardiograms were performed with a standardised image acquisition protocol and reported by cardiologists.ResultsThere were 465 individuals who underwent echocardiograms. The overall prevalence of RHD (define and borderline) was 56 per 1000 (95% CI 36 to 78 per 1000). Definite RHD was found in 10 individuals (4 of whom were already under cardiology review at a hospital clinic) with a prevalence of 22 per 1000 (95% CI 9 to 36 per 1000). Non-rheumatic cardiac abnormalities were found in 29 individuals.ConclusionsThere is a high burden of both rheumatic and non-rheumatic cardiac abnormalities in this population. Rates described in New Zealand are as high as lower-middle-income countries in Africa. Addressing knowledge gaps regarding the natural history of RHD detected by echocardiography in adults is a priority issue for the international RHD community.
Machine-learning design of graphene nanoribbon waveguide side-coupled absorber
Authors: Yao Qi , Yang Jingjing , Li Peng , Huang Ming 
Published: April 2023

Machine learning is emerging as a new approach that provides more options for solving complex problems involving electromagnetic phenomena. This paper evaluates the application of machine learning to the design of graphene-based absorbers, which is a research challenge. Five machine learning algorithms — [Formula: see text]-nearest neighbor regression (kNN), artificial neural network (ANN), decision tree (DT), extremely randomized trees (ETs) and random forest (RF) — are applied to realize the transmission spectrum prediction and reverse design of a graphene nanoribbon waveguide side-coupled absorber. The results show that all five algorithms are effective, with RF being the most accurate in the inverse design. Compared with previous work, the application of machine learning in the intelligent design of graphene absorbers is evaluated more comprehensively, providing a reference for the selection of machine learning algorithms for future inverse design problems.
A Privacy Preservation Strategy Using Hybrid Fully Homomorphic Encryption Scheme in IoT
Authors: Chaudhari Anita , Bansode Rajesh 
Published: April 2023

The Wireless Sensor Network affords the basis for the Internet of Things (IoT) systems that typically produce large and imprecise information. This information has to be integrated faster and efficiently handled. Various devices deployed with IoT exists like organizational automation, smart grid etc. To sub-ordinate this system software as well as their applications, the Packet Authentication Code (PAC) and routing protocols are essentially required for interoperability and scalability. Hence, this study intends to propose a system based on PAC to preserve privacy, thereby handling the False Data Injection (FDI) attacks. The study performs the authentication process where the nodes are authenticated even before the data transmission for efficient security. A privacy preservation model is also employed to deal with the FDI attacks. Data aggregation is also performed to reduce the end-to-end delay and communication overhead. A hybrid Gentry, Sahai and Waters (GSW) and Ducas and Micciancio (DM) are proposed to handle the FDI attacks through a key generation process. In addition, a PAC is generated to improvise the security that includes various processes such as group formation of the node members, key generation, as well as distribution and unique sensor number generation to authenticate using PAC. The performance of the proposed system is analyzed through a comparative analysis in terms of specific significant parameters to evaluate the efficacy of the proposed method. The analytical results reveal the efficiency of the proposed hybrid GSW–DM with PAC for privacy preservation than the existing systems.
ASSOCIATION AMONG PAIN, SKIN BLOOD FLOW AND TEMPERATURE, PLANTAR FASCIA AND FLEXOR DIGITORUM BREVIS THICKNESS, AND FOOT FUNCTION INDEX IN INDIVIDUALS WITH PLANTAR FASCIITIS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
Authors: Palee Phongsathon , Sakulsriprasert Prasert , Thammajaree Chutiporn , Theapthong Montartip , Pakpakorn Phrattaya , Sitti Tippawan , Bunprajun Tipwadee , Thong-On Suthasinee 
Published: April 2023

Background: Plantar fasciitis, the impairments include pain, changed skin blood flow (SBF) and temperature, changed plantar fascia (PF) and flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) thickness, and affected foot function index. However, the association is still unknown. Objective: The study aimed to determine the association among pain, SBF and temperature, PF and FDB thickness, and foot function index in individuals with plantar fasciitis. Methods: Thirty-two individuals with unilateral plantar fasciitis were interviewed for demographic data and assessed for pain at the first step in the morning (Pain[Formula: see text]), pain at rest (Pain[Formula: see text]), and pain at 80 N/cm2 pressure (Pain[Formula: see text]) by visual analog scale (VAS), SBF, and skin temperature (ST) by laser dropper flowmetry (LDF), PF and FDB thickness by ultrasound imaging (USI), and foot function by foot functional index (FFI). The association was analyzed by the Spearman correlation coefficient. Results: A significant correlation was found among Pain[Formula: see text] and Pain[Formula: see text], Pain[Formula: see text], SBF, PF, and FFI. Pain[Formula: see text] was correlated with SBF, and FFI. Pain[Formula: see text] was also correlated with FFI. SBF was correlated with ST and FFI. Conclusions: The association among pain, PF thickness, and FFI was reported in individuals with plantar fasciitis, which can be meaningful relationship between clinical outcomes and ultrasonographic evidence.