bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phenotypic and Genetic trends in Corriedale Sheep under temperate conditions
Authors: Hamadani Ambreen , Ganai N.A. , Nabi Nusrat , Shanaz Syed , Rather Mubashir Ali , Shah Ruksana 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Sheep constitute an important genetic resource to the J&K, India. Considering its worth, the Corriedale breed was imported for improving the production potential of sheep in J&K, India which has since been maintained at SKUAST K. The current study was undertaken to study the phenotypic, heritability and genetic trends of the Corriedale breed over the years under temperate climatic conditions. Data for Corriedale breed from 1969 to 2016 was collected from Mountain Research Station for Sheep and Goat, SKUAST K for birthweight, weaning weight, 6-month weight, 9-month weight and 12-month weight. Mean phenotypic values, heritability estimates and breeding values using BLUP animal model were used for regression on the birth year to estimate trends over four decades. A decline from 3.81kg to 3.84 kg for birthweight, 16.7 kg to 12.184 kg for weaning weight, 21.03 kg to 15.256 kg for 6-month bodyweight, 24.085 kg to 18.212 kg for 9-month body weight and 28.337 kg to 21.122 kg for 12-month body weight was seen from 1969 to 2017 in Corriedale Sheep. A change in EBV’s for birthweight, weaning weight, 6-month body weight, 9-month body weight and 12-month body weight from 0.00206 ± 0.0067, -0.00114 ± 0.0093, -0.00203 ± 0.0138, 0.00665 ± 0.0130, -0.00061 ± 0.0078 respectively to 0.00103 ± 0.0070, -0.02384 ±0.0159, -0.00918 ± 0.0177, -0.00783 ± 0.0238, -0.01332 ± 0.0171 respectively was seen. Average heritability values for birth weight, weaning weight, 6-month body weight, 9-month body weight and 12-month bodyweight showed a change from 0.1896, 0.1552, 0.2227, 0.2086 and 0.1508 respectively to 0.2754, 0.2768, 0.1961, 0.1892 and 0.1749 respectively. Trends for all the traits were found to be significant except birthweight. Significant heritability trends were found for weaning weight and genetic trends for 6-month body weight. Our study indicates that selection may not have taken place except for 6-month body weight at the farm for the traits under study which is a matter of concern. A robust breeding program for selection of sheep on the basis of economically important traits may be the need of the hour.
Enhancing the economic potential of organic waste by co-composting using optimized mixing ratios toward a circular economy
Authors: Ofei-Quartey Muriel Naa Lamiokor , Appiah-Effah Eugene , Akodwaa-Boadi Kofi , Ampaw Barnabas , Taylor Theodora Sophia , Millogo Zouma Emeline Nadège 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
This study successfully applied co-composting to municipal organic waste, faecal sludge and chicken manure feedstocks using optimized mixing ratios to yield high-end organic fertilizers. Nine (9) compost piles with different mixing ratios were prepared. Composting was monitored against physicochemical and nutritive parameters for 13 weeks. At curing, pH values and organic matter for piles were 5.5 to 9.0 and 15–45%, respectively. C/N ratio, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels of piles were satisfactory. Heavy metals Ni, Zn, Cu and Pb, met the EU standards except for Cd whose concentration was 12.9 to 73.2 mg/kg. Self-heating test results were comparable to the ambient temperature, and respiration tests showed values < 2 mg CO2•C/g organic carbon/day, indicating the cured compost is very stable. Although pathogens were present in the compost piles, the piles passed the phytotoxicity test with a minimum of 80.09%. Germination Index values were greater than 80% making the compost mature and phytotoxin-free. The variations between the cured compost piles were statistically significant, with a p-value < 0.05.
The Prevalence of HPV Genotypes Detected by Cobas HPV in Cervical Samples among Unvaccinated Women from Isfahan Province, Iran
Authors: Zafarbakhsh Azam , Behnamfar Fariba , Shariati Matin , Vaezi Atefeh , Seresht Leila Mousavi 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Purpose: Human papillomavirus is suggested as a well-known risk factor for cervical cancers and nowadays, primary HPV typing is recommended as an alternative test to cervical cytology. Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated the liquid-based cervical smears of 700 women with no history of HPV vaccination and cervical dysplastic disease from 2017 to 2020 in Isfahan, Iran. Here, we try to compare the prevalence of HPV genotypes using COBAS (@roch) with the results of pap smear cytology in evaluating the most appropriate test for cervical cancer screening, especially in low-resource societies. Results: The prevalence of HPV infection was 23.3%, including 8.7% with HPV 16/18 and 14.6% with other HR (high-risk) HPVs. Considering positive HPV genotypes, the frequency of HR HPV decreases in older age groups; 42.1% compared to 6.8%. In cytology reports, 8 out of 16 individuals with high-risk lesions were negative for any type of HPV; on the other hand, there were 129 HR HPV-positive patients out of 570 negative or low-risk pap smear results.Conclusion: It assumed that there is no superiority for HPV genotyping over cytology or vice versa in detecting high-risk patients for cervical cancer; As only 26.8% of women with HPV show abnormal cytology; and from those with normal cytology, 17.9% were positive for HR HPV. Screening with one method had a rare but high risk of delay in the timely detection of cervical cancer. Above that, the high prevalence of HPV infection in unvaccinated women also reveals the need for studies on the cost-effectiveness of universal vaccination.
Fate and Spatial Distribution of Co, Cr and Ni in the Water Column and in the Surface Sediment of Indonesian Estuary (Citarum River Estuary)
Authors: Fahimah Nurul , Oginawati Katharina , Salami Indah Rachmatiah Siti , Susetyo Septian Hadi , Mubiarto Haryo , Kurnia Asep , Ardiwinata Asep Nugraha , Sukarjo Sukarjo 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
The Citarum River estuary is directly connected to the Java Sea and is characterized by high salinity and turbidity. Estuaries are heavy metal receptors from anthropogenic sources. There is the potential for heavy metals in the sediment to be released back into the water column which can cause secondary contamination in the water column, this is influenced by hydrodynamic conditions and environmental factors. Water samples at 3 depth layers (surface, middle and bottom layer or) and samples from the sediment surface were collected to study this. Heavy metals contained in water and sediment samples were analyzed by Flame AAS variant 240FS. The results of investigation showed that Co and Ni in the water column still comply the river water quality standards, Cr are included in the slightly polluted category. In the sediment, Co is categorized as moderately polluted and Cr and Ni are categorized as unpolluted to lightly polluted. Heavy metal pollution in sediments comes from heavy metals in the water column which undergo adsorption and deposition processes or vice versa. Co, Cr and Ni in the waters of the Citarum River estuary tend to be particulates that are deposited to the bottom of the estuary waters and accumulate in sediments, while only a small part of heavy metals is dissolved in the water column. The distribution of heavy metals in the water column to the sediment and vice versa tends to occur in one layer (monolayer) and describes the process chemisorption. Ni, Co and Cr have a slightly mobile level and have hydrophobic or lipophilic properties There were significant differences between the concentrations of heavy metals, especially Co and Ni (p < 0.05) in several depth layers. Co and Ni in water and sediment were significantly positively correlated (p < 0.01) which indicated that the two metals had the same fate or behavior and came from the same source.
A Novel Defined Pyroptosis-Related Gene Signature for Predicting Prognosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Wang Fan 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Background
Pyroptosis is an inflammatory form of programmed necrotic cell death, but its potential prognostic value in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) still remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to construct a pyroptosis genes related signature that can effectively predict the prognosis of AML patients.
Methods
Based on the available AML data from TCGA and TARGET dabases, a pyroptosis-related prognostic model was constructed by performing a LASSO Cox regression analysis, and the predictive value of the model was validated in a GEO cohort. The impact of pyroptosis on the immune microenvironment of AML was explored as well.
Results
A 10-gene signature model was constructed to effectively predict AML prognosis, which showed that patients with low-risk score had a significantly better prognosis than the high-risk group, and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis proved superior performance of the prognostic model. The model was further verified well in an external GEO cohort. Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that in addition to age, the risk score was also an independent poor survival factor for AML patients. Moreover, the high-risk group generally had higher activity of cytolytic activity and increased levels of infiltrating immune cells including tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and regulatory T cells (Tregs).
Conclusion
A pyroptosis-related gene signature can independently predict the prognosis of AML patients with sufficient predictive power, and pyroptosis plays an important role in the immune microenvironment of AML, which may be used to develop a new effective immunotherapeutic method for AML in the future.
In silico simulations and functional cell studies evidence similar potency and distinct binding of Pacific and Caribbean ciguatoxins
Authors: Raposo-Garcia Sandra , Castro David , Lence Emilio , Estevez Pablo , Leão José Manuel , Gonzalez-Bello Concepción , Gago-Martínez Ana , Louzao M.Carmen , Vale Carmen , Botana Luis M 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Ciguatoxins (CTX) cause ciguatera fish poisoning, which is the most common reported hu-man food poisoning related to natural marine toxins. Pacific ciguatoxins are the most abundant and studied CTX analogues, however, the growing distribution of Caribbean analogues and the limited data available on their biological effects makes necessary to re-evaluate their relative potency. For decades, the guidelines established by regulatory agencies have assumed that the potency of the Caribbean CTXs were 10-fold lower than the Pacific CTXs. We present here an integrated study involving Neuro-2a MTT and electrophysiological assays and in silico simulations that evidence the similar cytotoxicity of both toxins and the asymmetry binding of CTXs with sodium channels. The simulation studies explain their distinct impact on the activation potential of the channel as experimentally observed and provided a detailed picture of the effects caused by these toxins on an atomic scale.
Direct antagonistic effect of entomopathogenic nematodes and their symbiotic bacteria on root knot nematodes migration toward tomato roots
Authors: Li Jingjing , Li Yang , Wei Xianqin , Cui Yonghe , Gu Xinhu , Li Xingyue , Yoshiga Toyoshi , Abd-Elgawad Mahfouz M. , Shapiro-Ilan David , Ruan Weibin , Rasmann Sergio 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Aims Negative interactions in the rhizosphere between entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) and plant-parasitic nematodes, such as root-knot nematodes (RKNs), have been documented over the past two decades but the mechanisms and dynamics of such interactions remain largely elusive. Methods Here, we evaluated the effect of inoculation position of two EPN species, Steinernema feltiae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, as well as different facets of the EPN-bacterial symbiont complex on the migration of RKNs toward tomato roots, both in sand and in Pluronic gel conditions. Results When EPNs were placed between the position of the RKNs and the roots, the movement of RKNs toward the roots was inhibited. We observed this same pattern both in sand and in Pluronic F-127 (PF-127) gel and for two species of EPNs. We also observed that different components of the EPNs/bacterial symbiont complex (bacteria separate from the nematodes vs. the nematode-bacterium complex), and particularly the cell-free supernatant produced by the bacterial culture, displayed inhibitory effects on RKNs.Conclusions Therefore, the EPNs/bacterial complex, by slowing down the movement of RKNs toward the host plant roots, can function as an effective biocontrol strategy. By screening for the most repulsive strains of EPNs that are also effective against insect pests, such combined target suppression should alleviate EPNs application costs in integrated pest management practices.
The Screening of Major Hepatotoxic Components of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. F. Based on Hepatotoxic Injury Patterns
Authors: Li Meng , Luo Qiong , Chen Xi , Qiu Furong , Tao Yanyan , Sun Xin , Liu Chenghai 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Background: Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. F. (TwHF), a traditional Chinese medicine, is widely used in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), etc.. Due to multiorgan toxicity, particularly hepatotoxicity, the application of TwHF is restricted. In order to clarify the hepatotoxic substances, zebrafishes, hepatocytes and macrophages were used for screening based on hepatotoxic injury patterns. It provided a basis for further hepatotoxic mechanism of TwHF. Methods: First, 12 compounds were selected according to the chemical categories of TwHF. The fluorescence area and fluorescence intensity of zebrafishes liver were observed and calculated. The viability of two hepatocyte lines were detected by CCK8. TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA expression of BMDM was used to evaluate macrophage activation, a factor of potential indirect hepatotoxicity. Finally, hepatotoxic characteristics of 4 representative components were verified by mice in vivo. Results: Parthenolide, Triptolide, Triptonide, Triptobenzene H, Celastrol, Demethylzeylasteral, Wilforlide A, Triptotriterpenic acid A and Regelidine can significantly reduce the fluorescence area and fluorescence intensity of zebrafish liver. The viability of L-02 or AML-12 was significantly inhibited by Parthenolide, Triptolide, Triptonide, Celatrol, Demethylzeylasteral, Triptotriterpenic acid A. Parthenolide, Triptolide, Triptonide, Celatrol, Demethylzeylasteral and Triptobenzene H significantly increased TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA levels of BMDM, while Triptophenolide, Hypodiolide and Wilforine significantly reduced. Triptotriterpenic acid A, Celastrol and Triptobenzene H at dose of 10 mg/kg significantly increased the levels of mice serum ALT and AST, and aggravated liver inflammation. Conclusions: Parthenolide, Triptolide, Triptonide, Celatrol, Demethylzeylasteral, Triptotriterpenic acid A and Triptobenzene H might be main hepatotoxic components of TwFH. Among them, Triptotriterpenic acid A only presented a direct hepatotoxicity. Triptobenzene H showed indirect liver damage by activating macrophages. Parthenolide, Triptolide, Triptonide, Celatrol, Demethylzeylasteral could directly and indirectly cause liver injury.
Which type of fear of cancer progression contributes to the quality of life of Romanian cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Authors: Kállay Éva , Medrea Flavia , Müller-Fábián Andrea , Dégi Csaba László 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Purpose: Fear of cancer progression (FoP) is one of the most frequently reported unmet needs invoked by the majority of cancer patients, which may significantly impair the quality of life (QoL) of patients. The major objective of the present study was to investigate the specificities of the relationship between different dimensions and intensity of FoP and different aspects of patients’ QoL during the COVID-19 pandemic in Romania. Methods: A nationwide sample of 330 participants completed a survey, including measures of demographic characteristics, medical variables, QoL, and FoP. Multivariate General Linear and Hierarchical Regression Models were conducted in order to assess the relationship between variables. Results: Our results indicate that less than a quarter of the sample experienced low, between 63%-70% moderate, and 15% high levels of FoP. Our results also indicate that anxiety/worry related to the possibility of progression of the disease, and loss of independence produced significant differences with large effect sizes in all the dimensions of QoL. Conclusions: Our results indicate that besides affective reactions, the fear of cancer survivors to lose independence, not being able to attend to their own lives, seems to be a considerable threat, especially in the context of Romanian health system which has difficulties in offering qualitative psychosocial care for cancer patients. The idea that patients will have to rely on others and may not function well independently, not being able to attend to their own lives, seems to be a considerable threat, next to the experienced affective reactions per se.
MoIsw2; the missing link between adaptation and mutation instrumental for natural adaptation-directed fast evolution (NADFE) of Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Pei Mengtian , Abubakar Yakubu , Ali Hina , Dou Xianying , Lu Guo-dong , Wang Zonghua , Li Ya , Olsson Stefan 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Isw2 binds DNA using a Myb-type DNA binding domain, interacts with histones (especially His4) in the closest nucleosome, and regulates gene access by the nucleosome limited-sliding mechanism resulting in lower access to DNA close to the binding site and better access in the immediate surroundings. We had previously made a GFP complementation of the potential MoIsw2 and first confirmed that MoISW2 is co-regulated with MoHIS4. ChIP-seq found DNA binding sites, and a common palindromic motif was identified in about 200 sequences that, in addition, were in retrotransposon sequences where most avirulence genes are. These were downregulated in the background strain compared to DMoisw2, while further away from the binding site, the absolute difference in regulation was higher and varied in a wave-like pattern as expected for the limited sliding-type mechanism. The avirulence genes downregulation in two M. oryzae isolates were compared and confirmed. Finally, we found that most genes differentially upregulated in the DMoisw2 mutant regulate biomass growth. In contrast, the ones downregulated have to do with mainly niche adaptations and niche fitness. MoIsw2 retrotransposon binding and actions lay a possible mechanistic ground for a natural adaptation-directed fast evolution (NADFE) of M. oryzae, a new concept for Eukaryotes.
Atrophy and hypometabolism patterns in Niemann-Pick type C: A cross-sectional and longitudinal study
Authors: Silva-Rodríguez Jesús , Castro Cristina , Cortés Julia , Arias Manuel , Pubul Virginia , Moscoso Alexis , Rouco Idoia , Gascón Jordi , Sobrido María Jesús , Aguiar Pablo 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Purpose
We present a cross-sectional study comparing hypometabolism and atrophy patterns in Niemann–Pick disease type C (NP-C). We also present a longitudinal analysis of NP-C [18F]FDG-PET data.
Methods
22 patients NP-C patients underwent MRI and [18F]FDG-PET imaging at baseline, and a subset of 12 patients were able to complete at least one follow-up PET imaging acquisition. Visual assessment and group-level voxel- and region-based analyses of the baseline MRI and PET images were performed by comparing our NP-C cohort to PET and MRI healthy volunteer cohorts. Per cent changes in metabolism (%/year/region) were calculated for longitudinal analysis.
Results
Significant atrophy was present in the cerebellum (p < 0.0001), thalamus (p < 0.001), and frontal and hippocampal regions (p < 0.01). The most common hypometabolism pattern included severe cerebellum, thalamus and cingulate hypometabolism (p < 0.0001), together with mild involvement of cortical areas. [18F]FDG PET provided stronger effect sizes and was able to show significant hypometabolism even in areas without atrophy. [18F]FDG uptake annual changes (p < 0.01) were found mainly in the cerebellum (-11%/year) and different frontal and temporal cortical regions (<-2%/year).
Conclusions
Our results add evidence to support the addition of [18F]FDG PET as a tool for the assessment of cross-sectional and longitudinal neurodegeneration in NP-C.
Exosomes derived from colon cancer cells promote tumour progression by affecting the tumour microenvironment
Authors: Kim Minsung , Son Il Tae , Noh Gyoung Tae , Woo So-Youn , Lee Ryung-Ah , Oh Bo Young 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Cancer cell-derived exosomes deliver oncogenic factors to other cells and their tumour microenvironment. We aimed to investigate the role of cancer cell-derived exosomes in colon cancer. Exosomes were isolated from colon cancer cell lines HT-29, SW480, and LoVo. Subsequently, HT-29 cells were treated with these exosomes to evaluate the effect of exosomes on cancer progression. MTT and wound-healing assays were performed to evaluate the effect of exosomes on cellular viability and migration. Moreover, we obtained cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) from patients with colorectal cancer to analyse the effects of cancer cell-derived exosomes on the tumour microenvironment. We performed RNA sequencing to evaluate changes in the mRNA components of the CAFs after exosome treatment. Compared with control cells, exosome-treated cells showed significantly increased proliferation. Regarding western blotting for epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers, exosome-treated cells showed N-cadherin upregulation followed by E-cadherin downregulation. In the wound-healing assay, exosome-treated cells exhibited increased mobile properties. Additionally, exosome-treated CAFs showed increased downregulated genes. In the functional enrichment analysis, exosomes derived from each cell affected different gene regulation pathways. Our findings suggest that cancer cell-derived exosomes are crucially involved in tumour progression and metastasis by affecting the tumour microenvironment.
Validation study of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Cognitive Function – Version 3 for the Portuguese population
Authors: Oliveira Ana F. , Torres Ana , Fernandes Sofia , Bem-Haja Pedro , Santos Isabel M. 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cognitive Function–Version 3 (FACT-Cog-v3) among non-central nervous system (CNS) cancer patients in Portugal. Methods: The validation study was conducted based on a convenience sample of 281 non-CNS cancer patients, aged between 18 and 65 years, recruited online. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to test the factor structure of the Portuguese FACT-Cog-v3 version; internal consistency analysis was also conducted. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core-30 (EORTC QLQ-C30–version 3) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were also used to test the concurrent, convergent, and discriminant validity of the scale.Results: CFA supported a four-factor model with good fix indexes and internal consistencies: perceived cognitive impairments (α=0.97), comments from others (α=0.92), perceived cognitive abilities (α=0.93), and impact on quality of life (α=0.92). Concurrent, convergent, and discriminant validities were confirmed. Moderate and strong correlations were found between the FACT-Cog-v3 subscales and the QLQ-C30 cognitive functioning subscale. Good convergent validity, with moderate correlations, was found between the FACT-Cog-v3 subscales and the HADS-A, HADS-D, and QLQ-C30 fatigue, sleep disturbance, and global health status subscales. There was acceptable discriminant validity, with weak and moderate correlations, between the FACT-Cog-v3 subscales and the QLQ-C30 pain and nausea/vomiting subscales.Conclusion: The Portuguese FACT-Cog-v3 version can be considered a reliable and valid measure to assess cognitive concerns of non-CNS cancer patients, with relevance for research and clinical practice.