bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The interplay between ASMase signaling pathway and NLRP3 in the epithelial to mesenchymal transition of HBE cells induced by silica
Authors: Li Yupei , Li Meiling , Wang Yuting , Guan Lan , Liu Xinmin , Zeng Ming 
Published: December 2021

AbstractEpithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an important part of pulmonary fibrosis. Our earlier study illustrated that the acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase) pathway plays significant role in silica (SiO2)‐induced transformation of lung fibroblasts into myofibroblasts. The metabolite of ASMase, ceramide (Cer), activates the inflammatory response by activating Nod‐like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) in macrophages, and NLRP3 is also involved in the EMT process. However, whether ASMase and NLRP3 are involved in regulating SiO2‐induced EMT has not been confirmed. In this study, an in vitro model of EMT in human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells was established by SiO2 dust staining to investigate the role of ASMase and NLRP3 in EMT and to provide new clues for the molecular mechanism of silicosis. HBE cells were stained with 100 μg/ml SiO2 dust for 72 h to establish the EMT model. The ASMase inhibitor desipramine decreased the level of S1P and the expression of α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) and NLRP3 in SiO2 dust‐stained HBE cells, whereas the expression of E‐cadherin (E‐cad) increased. The NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 inhibited the secretion of interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and decreased the expression of NLRP3, Caspase‐1, and α‐SMA in SiO2 dust‐stained HBE cells, whereas E‐cad expression increased and ASMase activity and S1P levels decreased. It was concluded that SiO2 dust increases the release of the inflammatory factor and induces EMT in HBE cells. Inhibition of ASMase activity or NLRP3 expression reduced the SiO2 dust‐induced cell inflammatory response and slowed the occurrence of EMT in HBE cells. Therefore, NLRP3 and ASMase may interact in SiO2 dust‐induced EMT in HBE cells.
Bone-Targeted Bortezomib Inhibits Bortezomib-Resistant Multiple Myeloma in Mice by Providing Higher Levels of Bortezomib in Bone
Authors: Tao Jianguo , Srinivasan Venkat , Yi Xiangjiao , Zhao Yingchun , Zhang Hengwei , Lin Xi , Zhou Xichao , Boyce Brendan F , Villalta Peter W , Ebetino Frank H , Ho Koc Kan , Boeckman Robert K , Xing Lianping 
Published: December 2021

ABSTRACT
Limited treatment options exist for cancer within the bone, as demonstrated by the inevitable, pernicious course of metastatic and blood cancers. The difficulty of eliminating bone-residing cancer, especially drug-resistant cancer, necessitates novel, alternative treatments to manipulate tumor cells and their microenvironment, with minimal off-target effects. To this end, bone-targeted conjugate (BP-Btz) was generated by linking bortezomib (Btz, an anticancer, bone-stimulatory drug) to a bisphosphonate (BP, a targeting ligand) through a cleavable linker that enables spatiotemporally controlled delivery of Btz to bone under acidic conditions for treating multiple myeloma (MM). Three conjugates with different linkers were developed and screened for best efficacy in mouse model of MM. Results demonstrated that the lead candidate BP-Btz with optimal linker could overcome Btz resistance, reduced tumor burden, bone destruction, or tumor metastasis more effectively than BP or free Btz without thrombocytopenia and neurotoxicity in mice bearing myeloma. Furthermore, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies showed that BP-Btz bound to bone matrix, released Btz in acidic conditions, and had a higher local concentration and longer half-life than Btz in bone. Our findings suggest the potential of bone-targeted Btz conjugate as an efficacious Btz-resistant MM treatment mechanism. © 2021 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Immunometabolic signatures predict recovery from thyrotoxic myopathy in patients with Graves' disease
Authors: Setoyama Daiki , Lee Ho Yeop , Moon Ji Sun , Tian Jingwen , Kang Yea Eun , Lee Ju Hee , Shong Minho , Kang Dongchon , Yi Hyon‐Seung 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundThyroid hormone excess induces protein energy wasting, which in turn promotes muscle weakness and bone loss in patients with Graves' disease. Although most studies have confirmed a relationship between thyrotoxicosis and muscle dysfunction, few have measured changes in plasma metabolites and immune cells during the development and recovery from thyrotoxic myopathy. The aim of this study was to identify specific plasma metabolites and T‐cell subsets that predict thyrotoxic myopathy recovery in patients with Graves' disease.MethodsOne hundred patients (mean age, 40.0 ± 14.2 years; 67.0% female), with newly diagnosed or relapsed Graves' disease were enrolled at the start of methimazole treatment. Handgrip strength and Five Times Sit to Stand Test performance time were measured at Weeks 0, 12, and 24. In an additional 35 patients (mean age, 38.9 ± 13.5 years; 65.7% female), plasma metabolites and immunophenotypes of peripheral blood were evaluated at Weeks 0 and 12, and the results of a short physical performance battery assessment were recorded at the same time.ResultsIn both patient groups, methimazole‐induced euthyroidism was associated with improved handgrip strength and lower limb muscle function at 12 weeks. Elevated plasma metabolites including acylcarnitines were restored to normal levels at Week 12 regardless of gender, body mass index, or age (P trend <0.01). Senescent CD8+CD28−CD57+ T‐cell levels in peripheral blood were positively correlated with acylcarnitine levels (P < 0.05) and decreased during thyrotoxicosis recovery (P < 0.05). High levels of senescent CD8+ T cells at Week 0 were significantly associated with small increases in handgrip strength after 12 weeks of methimazole treatment (P < 0.05), but not statistically associated with Five Times Sit to Stand Test performance.ConclusionsRestoring euthyroidism in Graves' disease patients was associated with improved skeletal muscle function and performance, while thyroid hormone‐associated changes in plasma acylcarnitines levels correlated with muscle dysfunction recovery. T‐cell senescence‐related systemic inflammation correlated with plasma acylcarnitine levels and was also associated with small increases in handgrip strength.
Reliability of methods to determine cutaneous evaporative water loss rate in furred and fleeced mammals
Authors: Fonsêca Vinícius de França Carvalho , Gomes da Silva Roberto , Moura Gustavo A. B. , Snelling Edward P. , Fuller Andrea , Mitchell Duncan , Costa Cíntia C. de Melo , Milan Hugo M. , Maia Alex S. C. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractWe used a high‐precision weighing system and flow‐through respirometry to quantify cutaneous evaporative water loss rates in woolly sheep (wool thickness, ca. 6.5 cm) and haired goats (coat thickness, ca. 2.5 cm), while simultaneously recording parallel data obtained from (1) a flow‐through ventilated capsule, (2) a closed hand‐held electronic evaporimeter chamber, and (3) a closed colorimetric paper disc chamber. In comparison to the weighing system and respirometry, used here as a “gold standard” measure of cutaneous evaporative water loss rate, we found relatively good agreement with data obtained from the flow‐through ventilated capsules. However, we found poor agreement with data obtained from the closed electronic evaporimeter chambers (underestimated by 60%, on average) and the closed colorimetric paper disc chambers (overestimated by 52%, on average). This deviation was likely associated with a requirement for shaved skin in the closed chamber methods. Our results therefore cast doubt on the validity of the closed chamber methods for measurement of cutaneous evaporative water loss rates in furred and fleeced mammals, and instead show that more accurate values can be obtained using flow‐through ventilated capsules.
Microfinance outreach and aggregate welfare
Authors: Ahmed Ishraq , Kitenge Erick 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThis study investigates the impact of microfinance outreach on aggregate economic well‐being. We specifically examine the effect of microfinance outreach on aggregate welfare, as measured by income and household consumption growth, across 108 countries over the period 2005–2015. Our empirical results confirm the aptitude of microfinance outreach to enhance aggregate welfare. Mainly, the average loan balance per borrower and the percentage of women borrowers positively impacted aggregate welfare. Additionally, outreach affects consumption growth strongly. Therefore, this study upholds the incorporation of microfinance into policies targeting aggregate welfare and economic development.
Dimensional changes in free epithelialized gingival/mucosal grafts at tooth and implant sites: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Monje Alberto , Blasi Gonzalo , Amerio Ettore , Sanz‐Martin Ignacio , Nart José 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundA study was made of the dimensional changes in free epithelialized gingival/mucosal grafts (FEGs) used to augment keratinized tissue (KT) at tooth and implant sites, and of the confounders influencing the dynamic changes over 6 months of follow‐up.MethodsA prospective cohort interventional study was made of implant and tooth sites needing KT augmentation by means of an apically positioned flap and FEG. Six intraoperative variables were recorded at baseline (T0). In addition, graft width (GW), graft length (GL), and graft dimension (GD) were assessed at 3 weeks (T1), 3 months (T2), and 6 months of follow‐up (T3). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to explore associations between the demographic and intraoperative variables and the outcomes over the study period.ResultsBased upon an a priori power sample size calculation, a total of 56 consecutive patients were recruited, of which 52 were available for assessment. A total of 73 graft units were included in 122 sites. At T3, the mean change in GD in FEG was 40.21%. In particular, the mean changes in GL and GW were 12.13% and 33.06%, respectively. Statistically significant changes in GD were recorded from T0 to T1 (P < 0.0005) and from T1 to T2 (P < 0.0005), but not from T2 to T3 (P = 0.13). The change in GD at T3 was 33.26% at tooth and 43.11% at implant site level (P = 0.01). Age and GW assessed at T0 proved to be related to the changes in GD and GW in the univariate and multivariate analyses. The univariate analysis showed the avascular area (AA) to be related to the changes in GD and GW at the implant sites, whereas graft thickness (GT) was associated to changes in GD and GW at the tooth sites in the univariate and multivariate analyses.ConclusionFree epithelialized grafts are exposed to dimensional changes that result in a reduction of approximately 40% of the original graft dimension–the changes being approximately 10% greater at the implant sites than at the tooth sites (NCT04410614).
Soil amendments for improving grain quality of grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) under drought
Authors: Mondal Subham C. , Gogoi Nirmali , Nath Dhrubajyoti , Gayan Anjuma 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundUse of soil amendments in agriculture is an old practice and with increase in demand of organic agriculture, it is gaining more attention. Work on the quality of the produce more particularly if crop faces any adverse situation like drought are scarce. This paper provides a comparative assessment of organic (farm yard manure) and inorganic (biochar) soil amendments on grain quality of grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) when crop faces drought. Different grain quality parameters were studied along with crop health and grain yield under the application of soil amendments during drought.ResultsBiochar and farm yard manure (FYM) lowered drought‐induced leaf water potential (upto 22%) and root nitrate reductase activity (by 62% and 67% respectively). Both inorganic and organic soil amendments improved in vitro protein digestibility (up to 16% and 37% respectively). Whereas higher grain phytic acid content (increased up to 40%) was noted from application of organic amendment (FYM) compared to inorganic (16% increase in biochar treated plots). Protein yield is enhanced (8%) under the application of Biochar‐enhanced protein yield by 8% when crops experienced drought at vegetative stage, whereas FYM reduced it by 9% under the same situation.ConclusionTested soil amendments can improve grain quality of grass pea. However, they were not equally efficient when the crop experienced drought at either stage of growth. Thus, screening of soil amendment is important when added under stressful situation like drought to ascertain better grain quality for consumers.
Consequences of migratory strategy on habitat selection by mule deer
Authors: Peterson Collin J. , DeCesare Nicholas J. , Hayes Teagan A. , Bishop Chad J. , Mitchell Michael S. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractUngulate behavior is often characterized as balancing selection for forage and avoidance of predation risk. Within partially migratory ungulate populations, this balancing occurs across multiple spatial scales, potentially resulting in different exposure to costs and benefits between migrants and residents. We assessed how availability and selection of forage and risk from predators varied between summer ranges of migrant and resident mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus; a species in which individual migratory strategies are generally fixed for life) in 3 study areas in western Montana, USA, during summers 2017–2019. We hypothesized that mule deer would face a tradeoff between selecting forage and avoiding predation risk, and that migration and residency would pose contrasting availability of forage and risk at a broad (summer range) spatial scale. We hypothesized deer exposed to lower forage at a given spatial scale would compensate for reduced availability by increasing selection of forage at the cost of reduced avoidance of predators, a mechanism whereby migrants and residents could potentially achieve similar exposure to forage despite disparate availability. We compared the availability of forage (kcal/m2) and predation risk from wolves (Canis lupus) and mountain lions (Puma concolor) between summer ranges of each migratory strategy, then assessed how selection for those factors at the home range (second order) and within‐home range (third order) scales varied using resource selection functions (RSFs). As forage availability increased among mule deer summer ranges and individual home ranges, selection for forage decreased at the second‐order (P = 0.052) and third‐order (P = 0.081) scales, respectively, but avoidance of predators varied weakly. In 1 study area, summer range of residents contained lower forage and higher risk than summer range of migrants, but residents compensated for this disadvantage through stronger selection of forage and avoidance of risk at finer spatial scales. In the other 2 study areas, summer range of migrants contained lower forage and higher risk than residents, but migrants did not compensate through stronger selection for beneficial resources. The majority of mule deer in our study system were migratory, though the benefits of migration were unclear, suggesting partial migration may persist in populations even when exposure to forage and predation risk appears unequal between strategies.
Experimental evaluation of predator exclosures on nest, chick, and adult survival of piping plovers
Authors: Anteau Michael J. , Swift Rose J. , Sherfy Mark H. , Koons David N. , Ellis Kristen S. , Shaffer Terry L. , Toy Dustin L. , Ring Megan M. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractSpecies of conservation concern often receive intensive management to improve vital rates and facilitate recovery. Piping plovers (Charadrius melodus) are federally listed in the United States and concerns over nest depredation have prompted widespread use of plover‐permeable predator exclosures placed around nests (0.5–2‐m radius). While effectiveness of exclosures for improving nest survival has been demonstrated, concerns remain about decreased chick survival (through predator cueing or density‐dependent processes) or increased vulnerability of adults to predation (ambush as adult leaves exclosure). Either one of these concerns could demographically outweigh the benefits of increased nest survival. During 2014–2016, we conducted an experiment designed to evaluate survival of uniquely identified nests (n = 418), chicks (n = 453), and adults (n = 367) at wetlands across the Northern Great Plains, USA. We assigned wetlands (n2014 = 26,n2015 = 28,n2016 = 25) into 2 groups: wetlands in which half of the nests received exclosures and wetlands in which none of the nests received exclosures. Exclosed nests had greater cumulative survival (0.73 [85% CI = 0.70–0.77]) than unexclosed nests at treatment wetlands (0.58 [0.54–0.62]) or unexclosed nests at control wetlands (0.52 [0.49–0.56]). Survival to fledging was highest for chicks hatched from exclosed nests (0.51 [0.47–0.56]), and similar between chicks hatched from unexclosed nests at treatment (0.34 [0.30–0.39]) and control (0.37 [0.32–0.42]) wetlands. Cumulative survival of adults during incubation varied by exclosure status, but adults associated with exclosed nests (0.90 [0.88–0.93]) and unexclosed nests at treatment wetlands (0.89 [0.86–0.92]) had greater survival than those associated with unexclosed nests at control wetlands (0.75 [0.64–0.84]). Adult annual survival rates varied by year (0.79–0.95) but not by exclosure status. The positive influence of exclosures on nest survival was not offset by a reduction in chick or adult survival, indicating that exclosures are a viable tool for piping plover conservation.
Understanding Yurok traditional ecological knowledge and wildlife management
Authors: Ramos Seafha C. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIndigenous communities have often been marginalized in the sciences through research approaches that are not inclusive of their cultures and histories. The term traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) has entered the discourse in wildlife management and conservation; however, there can be challenges in cross‐cultural communication and conceptualizations of TEK when working between Western and Indigenous paradigms. Indigenous research methodologies (IRM) is an area of scholarship intended to build ethically and culturally appropriate ways to conduct research with Indigenous communities. I implemented 7 tenets of IRM in research to explore the conceptualization of TEK and wildlife management with the Yurok Tribe of California, USA. After conducting semi‐structured interviews with 20 Yurok community members from 2011 to 2013, I conducted emergent analysis and present 5 themes from the interviews related to phases of time, the conceptualization of Yurok TEK, and views on wildlife management through the Yurok cultural lens. This research may be helpful to wildlife biologists, students, academics, and others who are interested in IRM and culturally sensitive wildlife research with Indigenous communities. By bridging concepts from Indigenous studies, wildlife management, and human dimensions of wildlife, this work may serve as a nascent trajectory that creates more inclusive space for Indigenous peoples and worldviews in The Wildlife Society and other scientific disciplines.
Age, landscape, and arrival date explain ranging behavior of wintering red kites in southwest Europe
Authors: Panter Connor T. , Literák Ivan , Raab Rainer , Tolhurst Bryony A. , White Rachel L. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractUnderstanding intrinsic and extrinsic influences of movement behavior in migratory species, with the potential to recommend management actions for species of conservation concern, requires data from across the species' range. For some raptor species, such as the red kite (Milvus milvus; kite), existing data focus on breeding populations or movements en route to wintering areas without considering movements within the wintering areas. Here, we contribute to filling this knowledge gap by investigating landscape‐level associations of kites in their southwestern European winter ranges between 2015 and 2020. We also explore aspects of the migration process in terms of geographical patterns in the location of over‐wintering grounds, including time spent and distances traveled within them. We predicted that space use in over‐wintering areas would be linked to the proportional amount of open, lowland, or urban land cover they contain at the landscape level. Specifically, we tested whether winter range sizes (95% kernel density estimator [KDE] home ranges and 50% KDE core areas) would be smaller in areas with greater proportional open and urban land cover within kite ranges. Controlling for the effects of age and sex, we compared results in 3 over‐wintering regions: the Iberian Peninsula, Italy, and the Pyrenean region of southern France. We tracked 36 kites by global positioning system‐global system for mobile communications (GPS‐GSM) telemetry over 70 individual winters between 2015 and 2020. Kites wintering in the Pyrenees had larger home ranges and core areas but moved less than those wintering in Italy and the Iberian Peninsula. As predicted, ranges were smaller in areas with greater proportional open and lowland land cover; however, there was no effect of urban areas. Older kites that arrived late to the wintering areas had larger home ranges than those that arrived early or on time. During the study 20 kites died or the transmitter malfunctioned. Six of 13 confirmed deaths were due to anthropogenic activity; 5 kites were poisoned. Our results confirm that land use and elevation are key influences of kite space use in southwestern European over‐wintering populations, but additional demographic intrinsic factors also affect ranging parameters. These data indicate that over‐winter conservation action for kites, for example supplementary feeding with livestock carrion, should focus on open lowland landscapes throughout the species' winter range.
De novo 22q11.2 deletions and auricular findings in two Chinese patients with microtia
Authors: Si Nuo , Zhang Zeya , Huang Xin , Wang Chanchen , Guo Peipei , Pan Bo , Jiang Haiyue 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundCongenital microtia is a common craniofacial malformation resulting from both environmental and genetic factors. Recurrent chromosomal imbalances were observed in patients with microtia. The 22q11.2 deletion is one of the most common microdeletions in human beings. The cell division cycle 45 gene (CDC45) embedded in the proximal 22q11.2 deleted region is involved in craniofacial development. However, only a few studies have focused on the 22q11.2 deletion as genetic etiology in microtia patients and studied its associated external ear deformity characteristics in detail.MethodsIn this research, a total of 65 patients from north China with sporadic microtia were studied. Copy number variations of CDC45 were screened using AccuCopy assay. The 22q11.2 deletion harboring CDC45 was identified by whole‐genome sequencing and targeted next‐generation sequencing. A parental test was carried out to determine the origin of the deletion.ResultsCDC45 copy number loss was identified in two patients with microtia. A set of qPCR assays demonstrated two patients carried a typical proximal 22q11.2 deletion between the low‐copy repeats on chromosome 22q11.2 (LCR22A and LCR22D), encompassing CDC45. The 22q11.2 deletions were de novo in each patient. In‐depth auricular phenotype assessment showed these two patients have a distinct concha‐type ear malformation while other microtia patients have lobule‐type microtia among the 65 microtia patient cohort in this study.ConclusionHere we present two additional Chinese microtia patients with de novo 22q11.2 proximal deletion harboring CDC45 and further report these patients’ distinct ear malformation.