bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative analysis of mitochondrial genomes of maize CMS-S subtypes provides new insights into male sterility stability
Authors: Xiao Senlin , Xing Jingfen , Nie Tiange , Su Aiguo , Zhang Ruyang , Zhao Yanxin , Song Wei , Zhao Jiuran 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background: Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is a trait of economic importance in the production of hybrid seeds. In CMS-S maize, spontaneous revertants appear frequently in field-grown female populations where only male-sterile plants were expected. Loss of sterility conferring regions or other rearrangements in the mitochondrial genome were reported to associate with these reversions. However, the relationship about mitochondrial function and sterility stability is largely unknown. Results: Here we reported different spontaneous reversion rates between two CMS-S subtypes, one with high rate of reversion to fertility (CMS-Sa) and another with more stable sterility (CMS-Sb). Through next-generation sequencing, we assembled and compared mitochondrial genomes of two CMS-S subtypes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed strong similarity between two mitochondrial genomes. The sterility associated regions, S plasmids, and terminal inverted repeats (TIRs) were intact in both. Two subtypes maintained high level of sterility gene orf355 transcription in anther tissue. Majority of the functional genes are identical in both amino acid and nucleotide sequence in both subtypes, except for that of NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1). In the mitochondrial genome of CMS-Sb, 3.3-kilobase sequence was lost in the 17-kb repeat region, leading to the elimination of one copy of nad1 exon1. Consequently, there are two copies of nad1 exon1 in CMS-Sa, but only one copy in CMS-Sb. During pollen development, obvious induction of nad1 transcription and mitochondrial biogenesis were observed in anther of CMS-Sa, but not in anther of CMS-Sb. We suggested that the impaired mitochondrial function in anther of CMS-Sb is associated with the enhanced sterility stability.Conclusions: Comprehensive analysis revealed the sequence diversity in copy number of mitochondrial encoding gene nad1 in two subtypes of CMS-S maize. This copy number shift affects the gene transcription and organelle biogenesis of anther tissue, and is associated with different spontaneous sterility reversion. Our study suggests the mechanism that the robustness of mitochondrial function underlying the sterility stability of CMS-S maize.
Eye tracking technology to improve communication with intubated critical care patients: a randomized study
Authors: SZYMKOWICZ Emilie , BODET-CONTENTIN Laetitia , MARECHAL Yoann , EHRMANN Stephan 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Purpose: Communication with patients undergoing mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit represents a challenge. The aims of the study were (1) to describe communication difficulties related to mechanical ventilation as experienced by caregivers and patients, and (2) to compare the use of a conventional low-tech communication board and a high-tech eye tracking technology-based device in order to improve communication effectiveness of mechanically ventilated patients in intensive care.Methods: This prospective study consisted of a descriptive cross-sectional part describing the communication difficulties in the intensive care unit and an experimental randomized crossover part comparing the use of two technologically opposed augmentative and alternative communication interfaces. A mixed method approach was applied with a quantitative primary method and a qualitative complementary method.Results: A total of 101 caregivers and 44 patients participated. Regarding the descriptive part, the communication difficulty analysis confirmed that mechanical ventilation constitutes a major problem in patient-caregiver communication. Regarding the quantitative experimental part, the treatment effects on transmitted messages quantity (2 median messages per exchange for the board versus 4 median messages per exchange for the eye tracking, p < 0.0001), success rate (80% for the board versus 100% for the eye tracking, p < 0.05) and patient satisfaction (68% negative satisfaction level for the board versus 100% positive satisfaction level for eye tracking, p < 0.0001) were significant. Regarding the qualitative experimental part, the communication content covered 8 themes for the board compared to 9 themes for the eye tracking and he use difficulties included 4 categories for the board as well as for the eye tracking. Conclusion: The eye tracking device may improve communication effectiveness of mechanically ventilated patients compared to the conventional communication board, both quantitatively and qualitatively.
New fossils from Kromdraai and Drimolen, South Africa, and their distinctiveness among Paranthropus robustus
Authors: Braga José , Chinamatira G. , Zipfel B. , Zimmer V.A. 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Most fossil hominin species are sampled with spatial, temporal or anatomical biases that render difficult the assessments of their paleodiversity, and may not yield genuine evolutionary signals. We use new fossils from the Kromdraai (Unit P) and Drimolen sites to provide insights into the paleodiversity of Paranthropus robustus and to assess the possible occurrence of “robust” features in Australopithecus africanus. Our focus is first, the shape allometry of the semi-circular canals (SCC), an aspect that has not yet been investigated among southern African australopiths, and second, the morphology of the temporal bone. We find significant differences in P. robustus SCC shape between the sites of Kromdraai, Drimolen and Swartkrans, with some allometric trends. This site-related variation is consistent with other differences in the morphology and overall size of the temporal bone. P. robustus from Kromdraai Unit P is distinctive because of its smaller adult temporal bone and its smaller SCC size combined with its proportionally less developed posterior SCC, independently of age and sex. This SCC pattern is interpreted as either the consequence of allometric scaling of body size, or as a yet unknown ecological/functional diversity in P. robustus. Combined with the occurrence of plesiomorphic features of its temporal bone, the P. robustus palaeodiversity may result from either an adaptive radiation subsequent to the origin of this species, or phyletic evolution.
Beyond Steps per Day: Other Measures of Real-World Walking After Stroke Related to Physical Health
Authors: Miller Allison , Collier Zachary , Reisman Darcy S. 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
The health implications associated with reduced physical activity have facilitated the measurement of real-world walking activity in people with stroke. However, significant variability exists in how real-world walking has been measured in prior studies, and it is unknown which measures are most important for physical health in stroke. Measures of walking capacity are strong predictors of real-world walking activity, suggesting these measures could serve as a proxy for real-world walking. However, whether real-world monitoring is more informative than laboratory-based measures of capacity in the context of physical health is not known. The purpose of this study was to determine a subset of real-world walking activity measures most strongly associated with systolic blood pressure (SBP) in people with stroke and if these measures are associated with SBP above and beyond walking capacity.
Methods
This was a cross-sectional analysis of 276 individuals with chronic (≥ 6 months) stroke. Participants wore an activity monitor for ≥ 3 days. Measures of activity volume, activity frequency, activity intensity, and sedentary behavior were calculated. Best subset selection and lasso regression were used to determine which activity measures were most strongly associated with systolic blood pressure. Sequential linear regression was used to determine if these activity measures were associated with systolic blood pressure after accounting for walking capacity (6-Minute Walk Test).
Results
Average bout cadence and the number of long sedentary bouts were most strongly associated with systolic blood pressure. These measures were significantly associated with systolic blood pressure (ΔR2 = 0.027, p = 0.02) after accounting for covariates (ΔR2 = 0.089, p < 0.001) and walking capacity (ΔR2 = 0.002, p = 0.48). Higher systolic blood pressure was associated with older age (β = 0.219, p < 0.001), male gender (β = -0.121, p = 0.046), black race (β = 0.165, p = 0.008), and a slower average bout cadence (β = -0.159, p = 0.022).
Conclusions
Measures of activity intensity and sedentary behavior may be superior to commonly used measures, such as steps/day, when the outcome of interest is physical health. The relationship between walking activity and physical health cannot be inferred through laboratory-based assessments of walking capacity.
Conjugated STING-agonist nanoparticles enhance antitumor immunity in multiple tumor models
Authors: Dosta Pere , Cryer Alexander M. , Dion Michelle Z. , Shiraishi Tsubasa , Langston Steven P. , Lok David , Wang Jianing , Harrison Sean , Ferber Shiran , Kalash Santhosh , Prado Michaela , Rodríguez Alma L. , Abu-Yousif Adnan O. , Artzi Natalie 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonist is a promising activator of antitumor immunity. However, the systemic delivery of STING agonist, based on cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs), yields limited anticancer activity owing to poor serum stability and cellular internalization. Here, we show, in multiple models of murine cancer, that the intravenous administration of sub-microgram doses of chemically-modified CDNs covalently bound to poly(β-amino ester) nanoparticles (CDN-NP) results in potent innate and adaptive antitumor immune responses. The combination of CDN-NPs and immune checkpoint blockade led to largely curative outcomes, even after tumor re-challenge, in mouse models of melanoma and colon cancer and to survival benefit in a preclinical murine breast cancer model. The NPs activated STING signaling in immune cells in tumor and lymphoid tissues. We demonstrate, in a mouse melanoma model, that cancer-cell STING signaling is not necessary for therapeutic responses, but act as a nanoparticle reservoir, releasing CDN to proximal immune cells.
Get screened! The role of fear and disgust in the activation of behavioural harm avoidance in medical settings
Authors: Birkás Béla , Kiss Botond , Coelho C. M. , Zsidó András N. 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Although adaptive defence mechanisms are useful in helping us avoid getting injured, they are also triggered by medical interventions and procedures, when avoidance is harmful. A body of previous results showed that both fear and disgust play a pivotal role in medical avoidance. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Thus, the aim of the current study was to examine the effects of experience, perceived control and pain on medical avoidance with disgust and fear as mediating factors from an evolutionary perspective. We accessed participants’ knowledge of and experience with medical procedures and former negative medical experiences, lack of health-related information; their life history strategy variation; pain-related fear and anxiety of medical procedures; perceived control over emotional reactions and extreme threats; disgust sensitivity; blood-injury-injection phobia and medical treatment avoidance. We found that more knowledge, experience and a slower life strategy were linked to a greater level of perceived control and attenuated emotional reactions. Further, better ability to control affective and stress reactions to negative experiences was linked to reduced disgust and fear of pain, and thus might mitigate the level of perceived threat, and diminish fear and disgust reactions. Altogether this might decrease the probability of avoiding medical situations. Implications to treatment are discussed. Results support the importance of targeting these contextual factors in preventions to increase the likelihood of people attending regular screenings or seeking medical care when needed.
Downregulation of Sp1 suppresses cell proliferation and migration in breast cancer
Authors: RAO Langyu , CUI Zhigang , XIE Na , QI Yaling , LAN Yonghong 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background: Specificity protein 1 (Sp1) is a transcription factor which has been associated with metastasis in several cancers. Recent study found that Sp1 expression was upregulated in breast cancer. However, the precise function of Sp1 in breast cancer is still unclear. The aim of this study is to explore the expression of Sp1 and its effect on proliferation and migration in breast cancer.Methods: Expression of Sp1 in breast cancer and adjacent tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. Quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) and western blotting assays were utilized to measure mRNA and protein expression levels of cells, respectively. Short hairpin RNA (shRNA) transfection was performed to suppress the expression of Sp1. MTT assay and Transwell assays were used to determine the cell proliferative and migratory ability. Results: The expression of Sp1 was significantly increased in breast cancer tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. The knockdown of Sp1 significantly inhibited the Sp1protein and mRNA expressions, and downregulation of Sp1 significantly suppressed the proliferation and migration of MCF-7 cells. Conclusion: Sp1 may be involved in metastasis of cancer cell and considered as potential therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment.
Workforce Diversity and Disparities in Opioid Treatment Wait Time and Retention
Authors: Guerrero Erick G. , Kong Yinfei , Khachikian Tenie , Wang Suojin , D’Aunno Thomas , Howard Daniel L. 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background: Workforce diversity is a key strategy to improve treatment engagement among members of racial and ethnic minority groups. In this study, we seek to determine whether programs with higher workforce diversity show differences in wait time to treatment entry and retention in treatment for opioid use disorders among individuals self-identified as Black/African American or Latino/Hispanic. We account for the role of Medicaid expansion and program ownership type (i.e., public, non-profit, for-profit) among opioid treatment programs (OTP) located across the United States. Methods: We examined four waves of the National Drug Abuse Treatment System Survey (NDATSS), a nationally representative longitudinal dataset (2000- 2017), to assess the associations between OTPs’ program ownership type and workforce diversity on wait time and retention. We conducted comparative and predictive analysis in an analytic sample of programs pre- and post-Medicaid expansion (162 in 2000, 173 in 2005, 282 in 2014, and 300 in 2017). We considered the moderated effect of workforce diversity and program ownership type on wait time and retention. Results: We found significant differences in wait time to treatment entry and retention in treatment across waves. Average days waiting decreased in the last two waves of the NDATSS (2014 and 2017) (post Medicaid expansion per the Affordable Care Act), while retention rates varied across years. Key findings show that programs with both a higher percent of African American staff and a higher percent of African American clients were associated with longer wait times to enter treatment. Programs with both a higher percent of Latino staff and a higher percent of Latino clients were associated with lower retention in treatment. Program ownership type (public, non-profit and for-profit) played an important role in whether diversity was related to wait time and/or retention. Conclusions: Findings show decreases in wait time over the years with significant variation in retention during the same period. Workforce diversity was associated with higher wait time and lower retention when programs also had high percentages of African American and Latino clients. Findings have implications for OTPs in minority communities to enhance wait time to treatment entry and retention in treatment.
A machine learning-based SNP-set analysis approach for identifying disease-associated susceptibility loci
Authors: Silva Princess P. , Gaudillo Joverlyn , Vilela Julianne A. , Roxas-Villanueva Ranzivelle Marianne L. , Tiangco Beatrice J. , Domingo Mario , Albia Jason 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
BackgroundIdentifying disease-associated susceptibility loci is one of the most pressing and crucial challenges in modeling complex diseases. Existing approaches to biomarker discovery are subject to several limitations including underpowered detection, neglect for variant interactions, and restrictive dependence on prior biological knowledge. Addressing these challenges necessitates more ingenious ways of approaching the “missing heritability” problem.ObjectivesThis study aims to discover disease-associated susceptibility loci by augmenting previous genome-wide association study (GWAS) using the integration of random forest and cluster analysis.MethodsThe proposed integrated framework is applied to a hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance GWAS data. Multiple cluster analyses were performed on (1) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) considered significant by GWAS and (2) SNPs with the highest feature importance scores obtained using random forest. The resulting SNP-sets from the cluster analyses were subsequently tested for trait-association. ResultsThree susceptibility loci possibly associated with HBsAg seroclearance were identified: (1) SNP rs2399971, (2) gene LINC00578, and (3) locus 11p15. SNP rs2399971 is a biomarker reported in the literature to be significantly associated with HBsAg seroclearance in patients who had received antiviral treatment. The latter two loci are linked with diseases influenced by the presence of hepatitis B virus infection.ConclusionThese findings demonstrate the potential of the proposed integrated framework in identifying disease-associated susceptibility loci. With further validation, results herein could aid in better understanding complex disease etiologies and provide inputs for a more advanced disease risk assessment for patients.
Propagation properties of radially polarized Gaussian Schell-model array beams
Authors: yang xiangyang , fu wenyu 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
We introduce a new class of vector array beams named radially polarized Gaussian Schell-model array (RPGSMA) beams for producing far fields with controllable optical lattice average intensity patterns, and derive the realizability conditions for a RPGSMA source and the beam condition for radiation produced by this source based on the unified theory of coherence and polarization, Moreover, the statistical properties of such beam propagating in free space are investigated in detail. It is found that, the statistical properties of the RPGSMA beams on propagation are closely related to source parameters of the beam. with an appropriate choice of the source parameters, the average intensity will produce far fields with controllable optical lattice average intensity patterns, and the degree of coherence (DOC) from the lattice distribution on the original plane evolves into a Gaussian profile in the far field, Furthermore, the degree of polarization (DOP) appears a periodical grid-like distribution on propagation. These results may be useful in optical trapping and free-space optical communications.
WHO cone bioassay boards with or without holes: Relevance for bioassay outcomes in long-lasting insecticidal net studies
Authors: Koinari Melanie , Bubun Nakei , Amos Brogan , Kiari Kiari , Lahu David , Karl Stephan 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) cone bioassay is a key method used to evaluate the bioefficacy of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) used for vector control. These tests also play an important role in LLIN product prequalification and longitudinal monitoring. Standardization of these assays is therefore important. While many parameters for WHO cone bioassays are defined in the respective WHO guidelines, others are not. One of these undefined parameters is the exact configuration of the bioassay boards. In cone bioassays, LLIN samples are pinned onto a bioassay board for testing. Anecdotal evidence suggests that bioassay boards with holes behind the LLIN samples lead to greater exposure to insecticide, as the mosquitoes are ‘forced to stand on the net material’. This may increase the key assay outcomes of 60 min knockdown (KD60) and 24h mortality (M24). Here, we test this hypothesis in two facilities using two fully susceptible mosquito strains.Methods: WHO cone bioassays were performed using bioassay boards with holes and boards without holes in parallel following WHO guidelines. Five brands of LLINs with four new and unwashed samples per brand were used (total n=20). Knock-down (KD) was recorded in 10 min intervals within the first hour after exposure and mortality was recorded at 24 h. Assays with Anopheles farauti were done at the Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research (PNGIMR) and assays with Aedes aegypti were done at James Cook University, Australia.Results: Results varied not only with bioassay board configuration but also with mosquito strain. In particular, with An. farauti we observed significantly higher M24 when boards with holes were used, while this was not observed with Ae. aegypti. WHO cone bioassay results were systematically biased between the two facilities such that the use of An. farauti at PNGIMR predicted higher KD60 and M24.Conclusion: The present study highlights the need for further harmonization of WHO cone bioassay methodology. Parameters such as bioassay board configuration and mosquito species systematically affect the observations, which impedes generalizability of WHO cone bioassay outcomes.
Food-to-food fortification of a traditional pearl millet gruel with a natural source of β-carotene (sweet potato) improves the bioaccessibility of iron and zinc
Authors: Mawouma Saliou , Awoudamkine Emmanuel , Ponka Roger , Ndjidda Yaya Verlai 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Iron and zinc deficiencies are still a public health concern in the Far North region of Cameroon where staple foods are mainly cereals containing appreciable amounts of minerals, but also inhibitors of their intestinal absorption. In this work, the effect of food-to-food fortification of a traditional pearl millet gruel with a natural source of β-carotene on the bioaccessibility of iron and zinc was assessed. A sensory evaluation of a gruel fortified at 20, 30 and 40% with mashed sweet potato were first carried out. Then the studied samples were analysed for carotenoids, polyphenols, phytates, iron and zinc contents using spectrophotometric methods. Bioaccessible iron and zinc were evaluated through a simulated in vitro digestion technique. The results showed that fortified gruels were more appreciated than the control (p˂0.05). Carotenoids, phytates and polyphenols were higher in fortified gruels (p˂0.05) while iron and zinc were lower. A maximum increase (p˂0.05) in the bioaccessibility of both iron and zinc was observed in the gruel fortified at 20 and 30%. By improving the bioaccessibility of iron and zinc, food-to-food fortification of pearl millet gruels with mashed sweet potato could contribute to alleviate these minerals deficiencies in the Far North region of Cameroon.