bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of a novel monofilament bioabsorbable suture for biomedical applications
Authors: de la Harpe Kara M. , Marimuthu Thashree , Kondiah Pierre P. D. , Kumar Pradeep , Ubanako Philemon , Choonara Yahya E. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractIn this research, a novel bioabsorbable suture that is, monofilament and capable of localized drug delivery, was developed from a combination of natural biopolymers that where not previously applied for this purpose. The optimized suture formulation comprised of sodium alginate (6% wt/vol), pectin (0.1% wt/vol), and gelatin (3% wt/vol), in the presence of glycerol (4% vol/vol) which served as a plasticizer. The monofilament bioabsorbable sutures where synthesized via in situ ionic crosslinking in a barium chloride solution (2% wt/vol). The resulting suture was characterized in terms of mechanical properties, morphology, swelling, degradation, drug release, and biocompatibility, in addition to Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Powder X‐ray Diffraction (PXRD) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) analysis. The drug loaded and non‐drug loaded sutures had a maximum breaking strength of 4.18 and 4.08 N, in the straight configuration and 2.44 N and 2.59 N in the knot configuration, respectively. FTIR spectrum of crosslinked sutures depicted Δ9 cm−1 downward shift for the carboxyl stretching band which was indicative of ionic interactions between barium ions and sodium alginate. In vitro analysis revealed continued drug release for 7 days and gradual degradation by means of surface erosion, which was completed by day 28. Biocompatibility studies revealed excellent hemocompatibility and no cytotoxicity. These results suggest that the newly developed bioabsorbable suture meets the basic requirements of a suture material and provides a viable alternative to the synthetic polymer sutures that are currently on the market.
Antiamyloid β toxicity effect of genistein via activation of DAF‐16 and HSP‐16.2 signal pathways in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Li Ke , Zhang Saiya , Sun Yiyang , Chen Yusi , Chen Wenbo , Ruan Weibin , Liu Yanqiang 
Published: April 2022

Abstractβ‐Amyloid toxicity (Aβ) is an important pathological factor of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Studies have shown that genistein can reduce the toxicity of Aβ to a certain extent; however, the specific mechanism is still uncertain. In the study, we applied Caenorhabditis elegans strains expressing Aβ peptides to evaluate the role of genistein inhibiting Aβ toxicity and the undying mechanism. Genistein influencing the sterol metabolism pathway, the HSP‐16.2 pathway, and lipofuscin in different strains of C. elegans were studied using reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction, fluorescence labeling, RNA interference (RNAi), and so forth. Our results showed that genistein alleviated the paralysis of transgenic C. elegans strains. Furthermore, in AD C. elegans, genistein reduced the fluorescence of lipofuscin, downregulated the messenger RNA (mRNA) level of vit‐3 and vit‐6 which were related to the sterol metabolism pathway, significantly increased the mRNA level and protein level of HSP‐16.2, increased the nuclear translocation of the DAF‐16 transcription factor and increased the survival rate after heat stress, which was closely associated with HSP‐16.2 levels. However, the paralysis‐alleviating effect of genistein was greatly reduced because of RNAi‐mediated inhibition of hsp‐16.2, indicating that the anti‐Aβ toxicity effect of genistein was greatly dependent on HSP‐16.2. The above results suggest that genistein inhibiting the toxicity of Aβ in C. elegans, is involved in the modulation of the sterol metabolism pathway by promoting transcription factor DAF‐16 translocation into the nucleus, increasing the expression level of HSP‐16.2, and reducing the levels of lipofuscin through its antioxidant activity.
ACE2 maybe serve as a prognostic biomarker in breast invasive carcinoma
Authors: ling Jie , Peng Ning , luo Lifei 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackgroundBreast cancer is a frequently occurring malignant tumor in women. Angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is widely expressed in most organs; however, the association of ACE2 with prognosis and immune infiltration in breast invasive carcinoma (BRCA) remains elusive.MethodsWe explored the expression level and prognostic value of ACE2 in patients with BRCA using a series of online bioinformatics analysis databases encompassing Oncomine, UALCAN, Kaplan–Meier plotter, TIMER, LinkedOmics, and GEO. qRT‐PCR was performed to verify our findings.ResultsAngiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 mRNA and protein expression levels were decreased in BRCA tissues, and patients with low ACE2 expression levels had a poor prognosis. DNA promoter methylation of ACE2 significantly downregulated ACE2 expression in BRCA, while the expression of this protein was positively linked to immune infiltration of B cells, CD8+ and CD4+ T cells, neutrophils, and dendritic cells in BRCA tissues. The high expression level of ACE2 in enriched basophils, CD8+ T cells, and type‐2 helper T cells, which showed decreasing levels, indicated a better prognosis for BRCA. Enrichment analyses revealed that NF‐κB, IL‐17, and TNF signaling pathways were highly correlated to ACE2 in BRCA. Verification study revealed that downregulation of ACE2 was associated with a better prognosis in BRCA. Univariate and multivariate analysis confirmed ACE2 expression and clinical stage as independent prognostic factors for breast cancer.ConclusionsAngiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 may be a potential prognostic biomarker and target for BRCA. Nevertheless, future investigations are needed for validating our findings and promoting the clinical application of ACE2 in BRCA.
Hsa_circ_0060927 participates in the regulation of Caudatin on colorectal cancer malignant progression by sponging miR‐421/miR‐195‐5p
Authors: Chen Juan , Xu Li , Fang Mingzhi , Xue Yahong , Cheng Yan , Tang Xiuhong 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackgroundCaudatin is extracted from radix cynanchi bungei and has an inhibitory effect on cancer progression. The study aims to reveal the impacts of hsa_circ_0060927 on Caudatin‐mediated colorectal cancer (CRC) development and the underneath mechanism.MethodsThe expression levels of hsa_circ_0060927, microRNA‐421 (miR‐421) and miR‐195‐5p were detected by quantitative real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction. The protein expression was analyzed by Western blot or immunohistochemistry assay. Cell viability and proliferation were analyzed by 3‐(4,5)‐dimethylthiahiazo (‐z‐y1)‐3,5‐di‐phenytetrazoliumromide or 5‐Ethynyl‐29‐deoxyuridine assay. Cell apoptosis was quantified by flow cytometry analysis. Cell migration and invasion were investigated by transwell assay. The putative associations among hsa_circ_0060927, miR‐421 and miR‐195‐5p were predicted by the starbase online database, and identified by dual‐luciferase reporter, RNA pull‐down and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays. The impacts of Caudatin treatment on tumor growth in vivo were revealed by a xenograft tumor model assay.ResultsHsa_circ_0060927 expression was significantly upregulated, whereas miR‐421 and miR‐195‐5p were downregulated in CRC tissues and cells compared with control groups. Hsa_circ_0060927 expression was closely associated with lymph node metastasis and tumor‐node‐metastasis stage. Caudatin treatment significantly decreased hsa_circ_0060927 expression but increased miR‐421 and miR‐195‐5p expression. Caudatin exposure suppressed CRC cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and induced cell apoptosis; however, hsa_circ_0060927 overexpression hindered these impacts. Additionally, hsa_circ_0060927 was associated with miR‐421/miR‐195‐5p. Depletion of miR‐421 or miR‐195‐5p attenuated the influences of hsa_circ_0060927 silencing on CRC development. Furthermore, Caudatin treatment repressed tumor growth in vivo.ConclusionCaudatin inhibited CRC cell malignancy through the hsa_circ_0060927/miR‐421/miR‐195‐5p pathway, which provided a potential therapeutic agent for CRC.
Association of tumor necrosis factor alpha ‐308 single nucleotide polymorphism with SARS CoV‐2 infection in an Iraqi Kurdish population
Authors: Ali Hussein N. , Niranji Sherko S. , Al‐Jaf Sirwan M. A. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractUncovering risk factors playing roles in the severity of Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid‐19) are important for understanding pathoimmunology of the disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV‐2). Genetic variations in innate immune genes have been found to be associated with Covid‐19 infections. A single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in a promoter region of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) gene, TNF‐α −308G>A, increases expression of TNF‐α protein against infectious diseases leading to immune dysregulations and organ damage. This study aims to discover associations between TNF‐α −308G>A SNP and Covid‐19 infection. Polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) was used for genotyping a general Kurdish population and Covid‐19 patients. The homozygous mutant (AA) genotype was found to be rare in the current studied population. Interestingly, the heterozygous (GA) genotype was significantly (p value = 0.0342) higher in the Covid‐19 patients than the general population. This suggests that TNF‐α −308G>A SNP might be associated with Covid‐19 infections. Further studies with larger sample sizes focusing on different ethnic populations are recommended.
Inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor suppresses parathyroid hormone‐related protein expression in tumours and ameliorates cancer‐associated cachexia
Authors: Weber Bahar Zehra Camurdanoglu , Agca Samet , Domaniku Aylin , Bilgic Sevval Nur , Arabaci Dilsad H. , Kir Serkan 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackgroundLung cancer is the primary cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) leads to lung cancer progression and poor prognosis while involuntary weight loss remains a major problem. Tumour‐derived parathyroid hormone‐related protein (PTHrP) emerged as a potential mediator of cachexia. Here, we investigated the modulatory role of EGFR signalling in PTHrP (encoded by Pthlh) gene expression and the impact of this relationship on cancer cachexia.MethodsGlobal gene expression profiles of Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells were analysed. Pthlh mRNA levels were measured by qRT‐PCR in LLC cells treated with EGFR ligands and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). LLC tumour‐bearing mice received EGFR TKI erlotinib for 7 days via intraperitoneal injection or oral gavage. Tumour Pthlh mRNA, weight of fat/muscle tissue, and grip strength were assessed. RNA‐seq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and gene expression analysis tools were used to characterize expression profiles of PTHLH and EGFR along with correlation analysis of PTHLH with EGFR and transforming growth factor alpha (TGFA) in human lung cancer and head and neck squamous carcinoma (HNSC). Survival of lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) and lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients with EGFR gene alterations was analysed in regard to PTHLH expression.ResultsExpression of EGFR ligands, EGFR itself, and PTHrP co‐clusters in LLC cells. Activation of EGFR signalling with its ligands significantly increases (3.8‐fold, P < 0.0005) while EGFR TKIs significantly decrease (90%, P < 0.0005) Pthlh mRNA levels in LLC cells. Pthlh mRNA drops 65–75% (P < 0.0005) in tumours upon treatment of LLC tumour‐bearing mice with erlotinib while their muscle mass and grip strength increase (9.2% P < 0.05, 23% P < 0.005, respectively) compared with tumour‐bearing control mice. PTHLH is overexpressed in tumours of LUSC (45.8‐fold, P < 0.05) and HNSC (17.5‐fold, P < 0.05) compared with normal tissue. PTHLH expression correlates with EGFR and its ligand TGFA in both cancers (LUSC: n = 745, R = 0.32, P < 0.0001 and R = 0.51, P < 0.0001; HNSC: n = 545, R = 0.34, P < 0.001 and R = 0.50, P < 0.001, respectively). High PTHLH mRNA associates with poor overall survival in LUAD patients with activating EGFR mutations (n = 40, log‐rank test, P = 0.0451).ConclusionsEpidermal growth factor receptor signalling regulates expression of cachexia mediator PTHrP. EGFR inhibition reduces PTHrP expression in LLC tumours and ameliorates cachexia in LLC tumour‐bearing mice.
Polynomial bounds for chromatic number II: Excluding a star‐forest
Authors: Scott Alex , Seymour Paul , Spirkl Sophie 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe Gyárfás–Sumner conjecture says that for every forest , there is a function such that if is ‐free then (where are the chromatic number and the clique number of ). Louis Esperet conjectured that, whenever such a statement holds, can be chosen to be a polynomial. The Gyárfás–Sumner conjecture is only known to be true for a modest set of forests , and Esperet's conjecture is known to be true for almost no forests. For instance, it is not known when is a five‐vertex path. Here we prove Esperet's conjecture when each component of is a star.
Composite branch construction by dual autozooidal budding modes in hornerids (Bryozoa: Cyclostomatida)
Authors: Batson Peter B. , Tamberg Yuta , Taylor Paul D. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractHorneridae (Cyclostomatida: Cancellata) is a family of marine bryozoans that forms tree‐like colonies bearing functionally unilaminate branches. Colony development in this clade is not well understood. We used micro‐computed tomography and scanning electron microscopy to trace zooidal budding in Hornera from the ancestrula onwards. Results show that hornerid branches are constructed by dual zooidal budding modes occurring synchronously at two separate budding sites at the growing tips. Frontal autozooids bud from a multizooidal budding lamina. Lateral autozooids bud from discrete abfrontal budding loci by “exomural budding,” a previously undescribed form of frontal budding centered on hypostegal pores in interzooidal grooves on the colonial body wall. These two budding modes are integrated during primary branch morphogenesis, forming composite, developmentally bilaminate, branches. Patterns of exomural budding vary among hornerid taxa, and future studies of Cancellata taxonomy and phylogeny may benefit from morphological concepts presented here.
Ultrastructure of proboscis blood vessels in females of Bonellia viridis (Annelida: Bonellinae): New reconstructions
Authors: Kuznetsov Petr , Temereva Elena 
Published: April 2022

AbstractMany data on echiurid anatomy and ultrastructure are obtained for Bonellia viridis and extrapolated to other species. The ultrastructure of the axial blood vessels, which has been described as an “osmotic pump,” is regarded as one of the unusual features of echiurids. In this study, the ultrastructure of the proboscis blood vessels in females of B. viridis is described, illustrated by accurate schemes, and a new reconstruction of the axial blood vessel is suggested. The walls of the axial and lateral vessels of the proboscis are formed by myoepithelial cells, which are connected to each other via adherence junctions, underlined by basal lamina, and therefore form a true epithelium. Apical, middle, and basal parts of the myoepithelial cells form long, thin projections, which extend to the connective tissue (in axial vessel) or coelomic canals (in lateral vessels) and to the lumen of the vessels. The presence of such projections may evidence active cellular transport. Similarity in the fine structure of the myoepithelial cells of axial and lateral blood vessels evidence their common origin from myoepithelial cells of the coelomic lining. However, in evolution, the coelomic canals were retained around the lateral vessels and disappeared around the axial vessel. The reduction of a hypothetical ancestral axial coelom may be caused by the extensive development of the connective tissue and muscles in the central part of the proboscis, where the axial vessel extends.
The ant abdomen: The skeletomuscular and soft tissue anatomy of Amblyopone australis workers (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: Lieberman Ziv E. , Billen Johan , van de Kamp Thomas , Boudinot Brendon E. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractRecent studies of insect anatomy evince a trend towards a comprehensive and integrative investigation of individual traits and their evolutionary relationships. The abdomen of ants, however, remains critically understudied. To address this shortcoming, we describe the abdominal anatomy of Amblyopone australis Erichson, using a multimodal approach combining manual dissection, histology, and microcomputed tomography. We focus on skeletomusculature, but additionally describe the metapleural and metasomal exocrine glands, and the morphology of the circulatory, digestive, reproductive, and nervous systems. We describe the muscles of the dorsal vessel and the ducts of the venom and Dufour's gland, and characterize the visceral anal musculature. Through comparison with other major ant lineages, apoid wasps, and other hymenopteran outgroups, we provide a first approximation of the complete abdominal skeletomuscular groundplan in Formicidae, with a nomenclatural schema generally applicable to the hexapod abdomen. All skeletal muscles were identifiable with their homologs, while we observe potential apomorphies in the pregenital skeleton and the sting musculature. Specifically, we propose the eighth coxocoxal muscle as an ant synapomorphy; we consider possible transformation series contributing to the distribution of states of the sternal apodemes in ants, Hymenoptera, and Hexapoda; and we address the possibly synapomorphic loss of the seventh sternal–eighth gonapophyseal muscles in the vespiform Aculeata. We homologize the ovipositor muscles across Hymenoptera, and summarize demonstrated and hypothetical muscle functions across the abdomen. We also give a new interpretation of the proximal processes of gonapophyses VIII and the ventromedial processes of gonocoxites IX, and make nomenclatural suggestions in the context of evolutionary anatomy and ontology. Finally, we discuss the utility of techniques applied and emphasize the value of primary anatomical research.
Ontogeny of the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) prenatal head: A morphometric approach
Authors: Beeching Simon C. , Elsey Ruth M. , Rehorek Susan J. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractVariation in vertebrate cranial morphology is both extensive and functionally significant. Morphometric analysis attempts to explain such variation in form in evolutionary and functional contexts. Developmental morphometric analyses of vertebrate crania are less common, and many taxa are underrepresented. For example, the published morphometric studies of crocodilian cranial development focus mainly on posthatchling head development, with few, incomplete morphometric analyses of prehatchling heads. To further explore ontogenetic changes in the alligator head, we recorded and analyzed six linear cranial measurements in 77 preserved embryonic and hatchling American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) representing 20 different stages. Examination of individual measurements revealed nonlinear changes in growth rate during development, suggesting a level of dynamic complexity worthy of further analysis. Using principal components analysis, we identified three distinct phases in prenatal alligator head growth. The second (intermediate) phase disrupts an otherwise monotonic developmental trajectory and represents a phase of reduced snout growth. Although this is a detailed description of prehatchling ontogenetic trajectory of the alligator head, further studies in other crocodilians are needed to assess evolutionary patterns among crocodilians.
Morphological association between muscle attachments and ossification sites in the late cartilaginous skull of tuatara embryos
Authors: Zhang Zitong , Yaryhin Oleksandr , Koyabu Daisuke , Werneburg Ingmar 
Published: April 2022

AbstractDuring development, the embryonic cartilaginous skull in most vertebrates is partially replaced by bones with endochondral and perichondral ossifications. Muscle attachments are thought to influence the patterns of ossification and, hence, the differentiation of the skull. To investigate the association between muscle attachments and early ossifications of reptilian embryos, we conducted digital 3D reconstructions of the cranium, the head, and the neck musculature from a histological section series of a late term embryonic tuatara, Sphenodon punctatus, with a total body length of 52 mm. As the sole living rhynchocephalian species, it is an important outgroup in comparative studies of squamate evolution. We found that head and neck muscles are largely associated with early ossification of the basal plate and the palatoquadrate, and with three other ossifications in an older specimen with a total body length of 72 mm. These results suggest that tensile forces resulting from embryonic muscle contraction are largely, but not exclusively, correlated with the area of endochondral ossification in the chondrocranium and palatoquadrate in tuatara. Beyond little‐known genetic factors, the complexity of chondrocranial architecture, the progress of its development, and the effect of multiple muscle transmitting forces in the chondrocranium must be considered to provide a more comprehensive discussion of the mechanical properties of the embryonic skull.
Variant‐specific SARS‐CoV‐2 within‐host kinetics
Authors: Elie Baptiste , Roquebert Bénédicte , Sofonea Mircea T. , Trombert‐Paolantoni Sabine , Foulongne Vincent , Guedj Jérémie , Haim‐Boukobza Stpéhanie , Alizon Samuel 
Published: April 2022

AbstractSince early 2021, SARS‐CoV‐2 variants of concern (VOCs) have been causing epidemic rebounds in many countries. Their properties are well characterized at the epidemiological level but the potential underlying within‐host determinants remain poorly understood. We analyze a longitudinal cohort of 6944 individuals with 14 304 cycle threshold (Ct) values of reverse‐transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) VOC screening tests performed in the general population and hospitals in France between February 6 and August 21, 2021. To convertCtvalues into numbers of virus copies, we performed an additional analysis using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). We find that the number of viral genome copies reaches a higher peak value and has a slower decay rate in infections caused by Alpha variant compared to that caused by historical lineages. Following the evidence that viral genome copies in upper respiratory tract swabs are informative on contagiousness, we show that the kinetics of the Alpha variant translate into significantly higher transmission potentials, especially in older populations. Finally, comparing infections caused by the Alpha and Delta variants, we find no significant difference in the peak viral copy number. These results highlight that some of the differences between variants may be detected in virus load variations.
‘The most remarkable man’: James Croll, Quaternary scientist
Authors: Edwards Kevin J. 
Published: April 2022

ABSTRACTThe year 2021 marked the bicentenary of the birth of James Croll (1821–1890), the self‐educated son of a crofter‐stonemason, whose life was characterised by a dizzying range of occupations and homes, poor health and financial concerns, and yet he became a pioneer of orbital dynamics and ice age climate change with an impressive record of publication. Drawing upon archival information and recently published observations, this paper explores selected aspects of Croll's biography, his scientific connections and controversies, and that area of his life relevant to Quaternary science. He was a 19th century polymath whose multifaceted contributions have been a catalyst for subsequent systems‐based climate science on the grand scale, including the foundations for the seminal work of Milutin Milankovitch on the rhythms of Quaternary environmental change.