bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Drier Winters Drove Cenozoic Open Habitat Expansion in North America
Authors: Kukla T. , Rugenstein J. K. C. , Ibarra D. E. , Winnick M. J. , Strömberg C. A. E. , Chamberlain C. P. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe shift from denser forests to open, grass‐dominated vegetation in west‐central North America between 26 and 15 million years ago is a major ecological transition with no clear driving force. This open habitat transition (OHT) is considered by some to be evidence for drier summers, more seasonal precipitation, or a cooler climate, but others have proposed that wetter conditions and/or warming initiated the OHT. Here, we use published (n = 2,065) and new (n = 173) oxygen isotope measurements (δ18O) in authigenic clays and soil carbonates to test the hypothesis that the OHT is linked to increasing wintertime aridity. Oxygen isotope ratios in meteoric water (δ18Op) vary seasonally, and clays and carbonates often form at different times of the year. Therefore, a change in precipitation seasonality can be recorded differently in each mineral. We find that oxygen isotope ratios of clay minerals increase across the OHT while carbonate oxygen isotope ratios show no change or decrease. This result cannot be explained solely by changes in global temperature or a shift to drier summers. Instead, it is consistent with a decrease in winter precipitation that increases annual mean δ18Op (and clay δ18O) but has a smaller or negligible effect on soil carbonates that primarily form in warmer months. We suggest that forest communities in west‐central North America were adapted to a wet‐winter precipitation regime for most of the Cenozoic, and they subsequently struggled to meet water demands when winters became drier, resulting in the observed open habitat expansion.
“Designing synthetic topological matter with atoms and lights”
Authors: Zhao Entong , He Chengdong , Jo Gyu-Boong 
Published: February 2022

AbstractOne of the most interesting directions in quantum simulations with ultracold atoms is the expansion of our capability to investigate exotic topological matter. Using sophisticated atom-light couplings in an atomic system, scientists have demonstrated several iconic lattice models that exhibit non-trivial band topology in a controlled manner.
Polygenic risk for mental disorder reveals distinct association profiles across social behaviour in the general population
Authors: Schlag Fenja , Allegrini Andrea G. , Buitelaar Jan , Verhoef Ellen , van Donkelaar Marjolein , Plomin Robert , Rimfeld Kaili , Fisher Simon E. , St Pourcain Beate 
Published: February 2022

AbstractMany mental health conditions present a spectrum of social difficulties that overlaps with social behaviour in the general population including shared but little characterised genetic links. Here, we systematically investigate heterogeneity in shared genetic liabilities with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders (ASD), bipolar disorder (BP), major depression (MD) and schizophrenia across a spectrum of different social symptoms. Longitudinally assessed low-prosociality and peer-problem scores in two UK population-based cohorts (4–17 years; parent- and teacher-reports; Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children(ALSPAC): N ≤ 6,174; Twins Early Development Study(TEDS): N ≤ 7,112) were regressed on polygenic risk scores for disorder, as informed by genome-wide summary statistics from large consortia, using negative binomial regression models. Across ALSPAC and TEDS, we replicated univariate polygenic associations between social behaviour and risk for ADHD, MD and schizophrenia. Modelling variation in univariate genetic effects jointly using random-effect meta-regression revealed evidence for polygenic links between social behaviour and ADHD, ASD, MD, and schizophrenia risk, but not BP. Differences in age, reporter and social trait captured 45–88% in univariate effect variation. Cross-disorder adjusted analyses demonstrated that age-related heterogeneity in univariate effects is shared across mental health conditions, while reporter- and social trait-specific heterogeneity captures disorder-specific profiles. In particular, ADHD, MD, and ASD polygenic risk were more strongly linked to peer problems than low prosociality, while schizophrenia was associated with low prosociality only. The identified association profiles suggest differences in the social genetic architecture across mental disorders when investigating polygenic overlap with population-based social symptoms spanning 13 years of child and adolescent development.
Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 (EIF4EBP1) expression in glioblastoma is driven by ETS1- and MYBL2-dependent transcriptional activation
Authors: Hauffe Laura , Picard Daniel , Musa Julian , Remke Marc , Grünewald Thomas G. P. , Rotblat Barak , Reifenberger Guido , Leprivier Gabriel 
Published: February 2022

AbstractEukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 (EIF4EBP1) encodes the 4EBP1 protein, a negative regulator of mRNA translation and a substrate of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), whose function and relevance in cancer is still under debate. Here, we analyzed EIF4EBP1 expression in different glioma patient cohorts and investigated its mode of transcriptional regulation in glioblastoma cells. We verified that EIF4EBP1 mRNA is overexpressed in malignant gliomas, including isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-wildtype glioblastomas, relative to non-neoplastic brain tissue in multiple publically available datasets. Our analyses revealed that EIF4EBP1 overexpression in malignant gliomas is neither due to gene amplification nor to altered DNA methylation, but rather results from aberrant transcriptional activation by distinct transcription factors. We found seven transcription factor candidates co-expressed with EIF4EBP1 in gliomas and bound to the EIF4EBP1 promoter, as revealed by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-sequencing data. We investigated the ability of these candidates to activate the EIF4EBP1 promoter using luciferase reporter assays, which supported four transcription factors as candidate EIF4EBP1 regulators, namely MYBL2, ETS1, HIF-1A, and E2F6. Finally, by employing transient knock-down experiments to repress either of these transcription factors, we identified MYBL2 and ETS1 as the relevant transcriptional drivers of enhanced EIF4EBP1 expression in malignant glioma cells. Taken together, our findings confirm enhanced expression of EIF4EBP1 in malignant gliomas relative to non-neoplastic brain tissue and characterize the underlying molecular pathomechanisms.
An organ-derived extracellular matrix triggers in situ kidney regeneration in a preclinical model
Authors: Tajima Kazuki , Yagi Hiroshi , Morisaku Toshinori , Nishi Kotaro , Kushige Hiroko , Kojima Hideaki , Higashi Hisanobu , Kuroda Kohei , Kitago Minoru , Adachi Shungo , Natsume Tohru , Nishimura Kumiko , Oya Mototsugu , Kitagawa Yuko 
Published: February 2022

AbstractIt has not been considered that nephrons regenerate in adult mammals. We present that an organ-derived extracellular matrix in situ induces nephron regeneration in a preclinical model. A porcine kidney-derived extracellular matrix was sutured onto the surface of partial nephrectomy (PN)-treated kidney. Twenty-eight days after implantation, glomeruli, vessels, and renal tubules, characteristic of nephrons, were histologically observed within the matrix. No fibrillogenesis was observed in the matrix nor the matrix-sutured kidney, although this occurred in a PN kidney without the matrix, indicating the structures were newly induced by the matrix. The expression of renal progenitor markers, including Sall1, Six2, and WT-1, within the matrix supported the induction of nephron regeneration by the matrix. Furthermore, active blood flow was observed inside the matrix using computed tomography. The matrix provides structural and functional foundations for the development of cell-free scaffolds with a remarkably low risk of immune rejection and cancerization.
Microneedle patch as a new platform to effectively deliver inactivated polio vaccine and inactivated rotavirus vaccine
Authors: Moon Sung-Sil , Richter-Roche Marly , Resch Theresa K. , Wang Yuhuan , Foytich Kimberly R. , Wang Houping , Mainou Bernardo A. , Pewin Winston , Lee Jeongwoo , Henry Sebastien , McAllister Devin V. , Jiang Baoming 
Published: February 2022

AbstractWe recently reported a lack of interference between inactivated rotavirus vaccine (IRV) and inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) and their potential dose sparing when the two vaccines were administered intramuscularly either in combination or standalone in rats and guinea pigs. In the present study, we optimized the formulations of both vaccines and investigated the feasibility of manufacturing a combined IRV-IPV dissolving microneedle patch (dMNP), assessing its compatibility and immunogenicity in rats. Our results showed that IRV delivered by dMNP alone or in combination with IPV induced similar levels of RV-specific IgG and neutralizing antibody. Likewise, IPV delivered by dMNP alone or in combination with IRV induced comparable levels of neutralizing antibody of poliovirus types 1, 2, and 3. We further demonstrated high stability of IRV-dMNP at 5, 25, and 40 °C and IPV-dMNP at 5 and 25 °C, and found that three doses of IRV or IPV when co-administered at a quarter dose was as potent as a full target dose in inducing neutralizing antibodies against corresponding rotavirus or poliovirus. We conclude that IRV-IPV dMNP did not interfere with each other in triggering an immunologic response and were highly immunogenic in rats. Our findings support the further development of this innovative approach to deliver a novel combination vaccine against rotavirus and poliovirus in children throughout the world.
Superconductivity in (Ba,K)SbO3
Authors: Kim Minu , McNally Graham M. , Kim Hun-Ho , Oudah Mohamed , Gibbs Alexandra S. , Manuel Pascal , Green Robert J. , Sutarto Ronny , Takayama Tomohiro , Yaresko Alexander , Wedig Ulrich , Isobe Masahiko , Kremer Reinhard K. , Bonn D. A. , Keimer Bernhard , Takagi Hidenori 
Published: February 2022

Abstract(Ba,K)BiO3 constitute an interesting class of superconductors, where the remarkably high superconducting transition temperature Tc of 30 K arises in proximity to charge density wave order. However, the precise mechanism behind these phases remains unclear. Here, enabled by high-pressure synthesis, we report superconductivity in (Ba,K)SbO3 with a positive oxygen–metal charge transfer energy in contrast to (Ba,K)BiO3. The parent compound BaSbO3−δ shows a larger charge density wave gap compared to BaBiO3. As the charge density wave order is suppressed via potassium substitution up to 65%, superconductivity emerges, rising up to Tc = 15 K. This value is lower than the maximum Tc of (Ba,K)BiO3, but higher by more than a factor of two at comparable potassium concentrations. The discovery of an enhanced charge density wave gap and superconductivity in (Ba,K)SbO3 indicates that strong oxygen–metal covalency may be more essential than the sign of the charge transfer energy in the main-group perovskite superconductors.
The SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin in patients hospitalized for acute heart failure: a multinational randomized trial
Authors: Voors Adriaan A. , Angermann Christiane E. , Teerlink John R. , Collins Sean P. , Kosiborod Mikhail , Biegus Jan , Ferreira João Pedro , Nassif Michael E. , Psotka Mitchell A. , Tromp Jasper , Borleffs C. Jan Willem , Ma Changsheng , Comin-Colet Joseph , Fu Michael , Janssens Stefan P. , Kiss Robert G. , Mentz Robert J. , Sakata Yasushi , Schirmer Henrik , Schou Morten , Schulze P. Christian , Spinarova Lenka , Volterrani Maurizio , Wranicz Jerzy K. , Zeymer Uwe , Zieroth Shelley , Brueckmann Martina , Blatchford Jonathan P. , Salsali Afshin , Ponikowski Piotr 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor empagliflozin reduces the risk of cardiovascular death or heart failure hospitalization in patients with chronic heart failure, but whether empagliflozin also improves clinical outcomes when initiated in patients who are hospitalized for acute heart failure is unknown. In this double-blind trial (EMPULSE; NCT04157751), 530 patients with a primary diagnosis of acute de novo or decompensated chronic heart failure regardless of left ventricular ejection fraction were randomly assigned to receive empagliflozin 10 mg once daily or placebo. Patients were randomized in-hospital when clinically stable (median time from hospital admission to randomization, 3 days) and were treated for up to 90 days. The primary outcome of the trial was clinical benefit, defined as a hierarchical composite of death from any cause, number of heart failure events and time to first heart failure event, or a 5 point or greater difference in change from baseline in the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire Total Symptom Score at 90 days, as assessed using a win ratio. More patients treated with empagliflozin had clinical benefit compared with placebo (stratified win ratio, 1.36; 95% confidence interval, 1.09–1.68; P = 0.0054), meeting the primary endpoint. Clinical benefit was observed for both acute de novo and decompensated chronic heart failure and was observed regardless of ejection fraction or the presence or absence of diabetes. Empagliflozin was well tolerated; serious adverse events were reported in 32.3% and 43.6% of the empagliflozin- and placebo-treated patients, respectively. These findings indicate that initiation of empagliflozin in patients hospitalized for acute heart failure is well tolerated and results in significant clinical benefit in the 90 days after starting treatment.
Efficacy of escitalopram for poststroke depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Feng Rong-fang , Ma Rui , Wang Peng , Ji Xu , Zhang Zhen-xiang , Li Meng-meng , Jiao Jia-wei , Guo Li 
Published: February 2022

AbstractDepression is very common after stroke, causing multiple sequelae. We aimed to explore the efficacy of escitalopram for poststroke depression (PSD). PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Clinical trials. gov, Wan fang Data (Chinese), VIP (Chinese) and CNKI (Chinese) were retrieved from inception to May 2021. We recruited Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) which met the inclusion criteria in our study. The depression rating scores, the incidence of PSD, adverse events as well as functional outcomes were analyzed. 11 studies and 1374 participants were recruited in our work. The results were depicted: the reduction of depression rating scores was significant in the escitalopram groups and the standard mean difference (SMD) was − 1.25 (P < 0.001), 95% confidence interval (95% CI), − 1.82 to − 0.68; the risk ratio (RR) of the incidence of PSD was 0.52 (95% CI, 0.29 to 0.91; P = 0.007 < 0.05), which was significantly lower in the escitalopram groups; Escitalopram is safe for stroke patients; there was improvement of the motor function. However, in sensitivity analyses, the conclusions of the motor function and the incidence of drowsiness were altered. The study suggests that escitalopram has a potentially effective role compared with control groups and demonstrates escitalopram is safe. However, the results of the motor function and the incidence of drowsiness should be considered carefully and remain to be discussed in the future.
Evolutionary conservation of a regulative pathway of erythropoiesis in Poikilothermic vertebrates
Authors: Manca Rosa , Delia Monia , Abate Marianna , Zappavigna Silvia , Papa Sergio , Glomski Chester , Pica Alessandra 
Published: February 2022

AbstractApoptosis, programmed cell death, plays a central role in haematopoiesis. Mature erythrocytes of non-mammalian vertebrates maintain a permanent nucleus; these cells can undergo apoptosis (eryptosis), as do other somatic cells of a given non-mammalian vertebrate. In this study, we have investigated the expression and subcellular distribution of Bcl-2, Bcl-XL and Bax proteins in the maturation phases and after X-ray irradiation of nucleated erythrocytes of Torpedo marmorata and Caretta caretta and the effect of X-ray irradiation on nucleated circulating erythrocytes of Torpedo marmorata. The cellular distribution of proteins was detected in erythrocytes by using immunocytochemistry at light microscopy and immunoelectron microscopy. The electrophoretic separation and immunoblotting of pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins of immature and mature erythroid cells was performed too, after X-ray irradiation of torpedoes. The results of the immunocytochemical analyses show an increase, in the expression level of Bax in mature as compared to young erythrocytes and a corresponding decrease of Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL. This maturation pattern of Bax, Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL was abrogated in X-ray irradiated torpedo erythrocytes. On the basis of these observations, Bax, Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL seems to play a role in the erythropoiesis of Torpedo marmorata Risso and in Caretta caretta. In conclusion, the same apoptotic proteins of somatic cells appear to be conserved in circulating nucleated erythrocytes thus suggesting to play a role in the maturation of these cells.
LncRNA MALAT1 functions as a biomarker of no-reflow phenomenon in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients receiving primary percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Yang Xiheng , Dai Rixin , Qin Zhong , Cai Ruping , Xu Yuli , Su Qiang 
Published: February 2022

AbstractMALAT1 was reported to sponge miR-30e, miR-126 and miR-155 in the pathogenesis of many diseases. Plasma miR-30e can indicate the risk of no-reflow during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI), while miR-126 can be used as a predictor of coronary slow flow phenomenon. In this study, we compared the diagnostic value of above genes in the prediction of no-reflow phenomenon in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) subjects receiving pPCI. Quantitative real-time PCR, ELISA, Western blot and luciferase assays were performed to explore the regulatory relationship of MALAT1/miR-30e, MALAT1/miR-126, MALAT1/miR-155, miR-126/HPSE, and miR-155/EDN1. ROC analysis was carried out to evaluate the potential value of MALAT1, miRNAs and target genes in differentiating normal reflow and no-reflow in STEMI patients receiving pPCI. Elevated MALAT1, CRP, HPSE, and EDN1 expression and suppressed miR-30e, miR-155 and miR-126 expression was found in the plasma of STEMI patients receiving pPCI who were diagnosed with no-reflow phenomenon. ROC analysis showed that the expression of MALAT1, miR-30e, miR-126 and CRP could be used as predictive biomarkers to differentiate normal reflow and no-reflow in STEMI patients receiving pPCI. MALAT1 was found to suppress the expression of miR-30e, miR-126 and miR-155, and HPSE and EDN1 were respectively targeted by miR-126 and miR-155. This study demonstrated that MALAT1 could respectively sponge the expression of miR-30e, miR-126 and miR-155. And miR-30e, miR-126 and miR-155 respectively targeted CRP, HPSE and EDN1 negatively. Moreover, MALAT1 could function as an effective biomarker of no-reflow phenomenon in STEMI patients receiving pPCI.
Precipitation effects on grassland plant performance are lessened by hay harvest
Authors: Castillioni Karen , Patten Michael A. , Souza Lara 
Published: February 2022

AbstractClimate and human management, such as hay harvest, shape grasslands. With both disturbances co-occurring, understanding how these ecosystems respond to these combined drivers may aid in projecting future changes in grasslands. We used an experimental precipitation gradient combined with mimicked acute hay harvest (clipping once a year) to examine (1) whether hay harvest influences precipitation effects on plant performance (cover and height) and (2) the role of inter-specific responses in influencing plant performance. We found that hay harvest reduced the strength of precipitation effects on plant performance through changes in bare-ground soil cover. Species performance were mainly influenced by change in abiotic factors, often responding negatively, as hay harvest increased bare-ground amount. Conversely, altered precipitation without hay harvest promoted plant species performance through abiotic factors change first, followed by biotic. Most species, including the dominant grass Schizachyrium scoparium, increased their performance with greater leaf area index (proxy for canopy structure). Our experiment demonstrates that plant performance responds directly to abiotic factors with hay harvest, but indirectly without hay harvest. Positive effects of increasing precipitation were likely due to microhabitat amelioration and resource acquisition, thus inclusion of hay harvest as a disturbance lessens positive impacts of biotic variables on species performance to climate change.
Probiotic normalization of systemic inflammation in siblings of type 1 diabetes patients: an open-label pilot study
Authors: Cabrera Susanne M. , Coren Alison T. , Pant Tarun , Ciecko Ashley E. , Jia Shuang , Roethle Mark F. , Simpson Pippa M. , Atkinson Samantha N. , Salzman Nita H. , Chen Yi-Guang , Hessner Martin J. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe incidence of type 1 diabetes (T1D) has increased, coinciding with lifestyle changes that have likely altered the gut microbiota. Dysbiosis, gut barrier dysfunction, and elevated systemic inflammation consistent with microbial antigen exposure, have been associated with T1D susceptibility and progression. A 6-week, single-arm, open-label pilot trial was conducted to investigate whether daily multi-strain probiotic supplementation could reduce this familial inflammation in 25 unaffected siblings of T1D patients. Probiotic supplementation was well-tolerated as reflected by high participant adherence and no adverse events. Community alpha and beta diversity were not altered between the pre- and post-supplement stool samplings. However, LEfSe analyses identified post-supplement enrichment of the family Lachnospiraceae, producers of the anti-inflammatory short chain fatty acid butyrate. Systemic inflammation was measured by plasma-induced transcription and quantified with a gene ontology-based composite inflammatory index (I.I.com). Post-supplement I.I.com was significantly reduced and pathway analysis predicted inhibition of numerous inflammatory mediators and activation of IL10RA. Subjects with the greatest post-supplement reduction in I.I.com exhibited significantly lower CD4+ CD45RO+ (memory):CD4+ CD45RA+ (naïve) T-cell ratios after supplementation. Post-supplement IL-12p40, IL-13, IL-15, IL-18, CCL2, and CCL24 plasma levels were significantly reduced, while post-supplement butyrate levels trended 1.4-fold higher. Probiotic supplementation may modify T1D susceptibility and progression and warrants further study.
Identification-detection group testing protocols for COVID-19 at high prevalence
Authors: Chiani Marco , Liva Gianluigi , Paolini Enrico 
Published: February 2022

AbstractGroup testing allows saving chemical reagents, analysis time, and costs, by testing pools of samples instead of individual samples. We introduce a class of group testing protocols with small dilution, suited to operate even at high prevalence (5–10$$\%$$
%
), and maximizing the fraction of samples classified positive/negative within the first round of tests. Precisely, if the tested group has exactly one positive sample then the protocols identify it without further individual tests. The protocols also detect the presence of two or more positives in the group, in which case a second round could be applied to identify the positive individuals. With a prevalence of $$5\%$$

5
%

and maximum dilution 6, with 100 tests we classify 242 individuals, $$92\%$$

92
%

of them in one round and $$8\%$$

8
%

requiring a second individual test. In comparison, the Dorfman’s scheme can test 229 individuals with 100 tests, with a second round for $$18.5\%$$

18.5
%

of the individuals.