bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sustaining the productivity of New Zealand's hill country - A land manager's view
Authors: Cameron D.
Published: April 2021

Key message summary â€¢ Farm plans have been an integral part of assisting landowners to manage eroding hill country in the Wellington region â€¢ Land Use Capability (LUC) mapping is a key tool in prioritising investment in erosion control and land development programmes â€¢ Improving pasture production and management on LUC Class 6 land provides a great opportunity in sustain the productivity of our hill country â€¢ Alternatives land uses such as forestry and manuka can provide increased returns from marginal pasture land.
Effect of easy calving beef sires on the birth weight and growth of dairy beef cattle
Authors: Burggraaf V.T. , Lineham D.B.
Published: April 2021

The impact of using high genetic merit beef bulls in a dairy beef supply chain was compared to using unrecorded beef bulls. Dairy cows were inseminated with Ezicalve Hereford semen (high genetic merit for calving ease and growth), followed by natural mating with Ezicalve and unrecorded Hereford bulls. The resulting 186 progeny were monitored from birth to 2 years old. Ezicalve sired calves required no calving assistance and averaged 4 kg lighter at birth than those from unrecorded sires (P
The opportunities and challenges of Maori agribusiness in hill farming
Authors: Cottrell R.V.
Published: April 2021

Introduction This paper is a personal view of the opportunities and challenges that face MÄori hill country farms over the next 20 years. This view is based on my observations and experiences working in the MÄori agribusiness sector over the last 35 years. MÄori agribusiness has come a long way in the last 50 years. The term "sleeping giant" is still relevant today. The last 30 years have seen the major land developments of the 1980s and 1990s consolidate, and many MÄori land blocks came back under full MÄori control. In the last 15 years there have been some major success stories across the MÄori farming sector, highlighted by the revitalisation of the Ahuwhenua Awards competition in 2003.
Consumers, farmers and the future of New Zealand hill country farming
Authors: Mcdermott A.K. , Scrimgeour F.G.
Published: April 2021

The future of hill country farmers depends on constructive engagements with international consumers and domestic values and politics. Antifragility, being at worst unharmed by or benefiting from stresses or shocks, involves both reducing system downside and maximising the upside potential. Antifragility is enhanced by farmers selecting partners with which they align in transparent relationships. Farmers should consider integration or collaboration rather than selfsufficiency. Maintaining an element of flexibility within the farm system is also essential. In addressing the market it is not appropriate to focus on the average consumer. New Zealand producers should target those who care about what is good for them with what is good for the world and good quality; listen to them and deliver what they want. Delivering on what is wanted requires farmers to "farm like they are watching you". They are. Farmers and companies need to be able to verify what they claim and celebrate an honest story. Keywords: antifragility, consumers, flexibility, honesty, quality, transparency Key messages â€¢ Establish aligned, transparent partnerships
A review of contaminant losses to water from pastoral hill lands and mitigation options
Authors: Dodd M.B. , Mcdowell R.W. , Quinn J.M.
Published: April 2021

Pastoral hill lands deliver a range of contaminants to receiving environments that are of concern to the wider sector stakeholder community: principally sediment, phosphorus, nitrogen and faecal microorganisms. Thermal energy may also be considered a contaminant. Pastoral waterways generally have higher concentrations of suspended sediments, nutrients, faecal micro-organisms, and water temperature relative to forested waterways. These effects can be quantitatively linked to animal stocking rates and management. The large variation in the micro-climates, parent materials, soil types and vegetation resources inherent in hill country is the major driver of spatial and temporal dynamics of contaminant losses. This variation is modified by animal behaviour and physiology. Stores of contaminants in surface or sub-surface flow paths create important temporal lags resulting from land use and management change. The concept of critical source areas has become a key focus for the development of mitigation options. A wide range of biophysical options are now available, covering multiple scales and levels of cost-benefit. The use of farm planning tools is critical in balancing the implementation of mitigations with farm system objectives to improve whole-system sustainability. More research is needed on long-term impacts, given spatial and temporal variation in drivers and known spatial and temporal lag effects. There will be ongoing demand for mitigations that have been developed through co-innovation processes. Keywords: environmental mitigations, erosion, hill country, nutrient loss, pastoral, sediment export
Nuclear photonics: results and prospects
Authors: Nedorezov V G , Rykovanov S G , Savel’ev A B
Published: April 2021

We review the modern state of research in a new scientific field that has emerged recently: nuclear photonics. The name is primarily associated with the development of new-generation gamma-ray sources based on traditional and laser–plasma electron accelerators. The use of the Compton backscattering method to ensure the required parameters of gamma-ray beams provides a high energy and high intensity of the beam, low angular divergence, and a high degree of polarization. Beams of ions, neutrons, and other particles can also be formed using modern high-power laser systems. Overall, the sources produced allow solving a number of important fundamental and applied problems, including optical anisotropy effects in nuclei and studies of nonlinear quantum electrodynamic effects in strong electromagnetic fields and of the excitation of nuclear isomers. Among the important applied problems are the generation of neutrons and positrons, laboratory astrophysics, the development of nuclear nonproliferation inspection systems, and nuclear medicine and biology.
Botryosphaeria Tree Fungal Pathogens and Their Diversity
Authors: Darge Wendu A. , Woldemariam Samuel S.
Published: April 2021

The genus Botryosphaeria identified in 1863 as saprophytes of dead tissue of woody plants have been described as pathogens of economically important plantation trees in agriculture and native forests. The genus is a species-rich, worldwide distributed occurring on diverse host ranges. Species of the Botryosphaeria are reported as the pathogens of many plantation trees, including species of Acacia, Eucalyptus, and Pinus causing canker and rapid dieback diseases which often end up in death. Botryosphaeria fungal pathogens have cross pathogenicity on different host tree species which enables them important and focus area of research. The taxonomy of Botryosphaeria spp. have been under research, identification of these fungi has generally been based on morphological features of the anamorph that usually seen under the microscope. Characters that are used to classify genera in the Botryosphaeria have mostly relied on the macroscopic features of the ascospores and the conidial features. Currently, molecular techniques such as DNA sequencing involving amplification of ITS region are important for exact identification of the genera to species level. Recent molecular, phylogenetic and morphological findings showed that order Botryosphaeriales is diverse consisting nine families and 33 genera with 23 genera only in the family Botryosphaeriaceae. Botryosphaeria spp. are naturally endophytes associated with tree plants known to cause monocyclic or polycyclic diseases resulting in polyetic epidemics. The factor that makes plants more prone to Botryosphaeria fungal species is assumed to be stress or wounding associated with the host plants. Global climate change driven drought is an important factor that initiate stress resulting in nutrient deficiencies. Botryosphaeria fungal tree diseases can be best managed by ensuring plants are in optimal health through appropriate integration of cultural, silvicultural and fungicidal applications to effectively prevent and control the diseases.
Combating Ug99 - Current Scenario
Authors: Afzal Amir , Ali Sayad R. , Ijaz Muhammad , Saeed Muhammad
Published: April 2021

The yield potential of wheat crop is not achieved abundantly because of disease pressure. One of the most destructive of such diseases is stem rust (SR). SR caused by Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici (Pgt), had been controlled successfully during three decades throughout the world with deployment of semi-dwarf resistant cultivars in the last half of previous century. During 1999 appearance and dispersion of stem rust race Ug-99 in Uganda (a virulent race against Sr31) created an alarming situation worldwide. Widespread germplasm was protected by gene Sr31 found susceptible to this terrible strain as the gene was protecting 80% wheat lines cultivated throughout planet. The emergence of the Ug99 race of stem rust in Africa and the Middle East together with the appearance of new strains in Europe catalyzed a main effort to recognize sources of stem rust resistance genes against new virulent strains and incorporate these genes into wheat lines. Scientific community addressed the dilemma in time and efforts did not go waste. Worldwide concern regarding the danger to global wheat production caused by Ug99 led to breeding wheat for durable resistance against disease and achieved considerably. This success is attributed to team work of experts and serves as an example for research workers in future. However, the continued emergence of stem rust variants that overcome new resistance genes, demands an amplified emphasis on pathogen evolution and virulence mechanisms. A major role for BGRI is to keep ‘the eye on the ball’ with regard to all these aspects. This article enables us to design strategy to tackle a situation which appears without alarm but in this case intellectuals coordinated each other and solution became possible. The same principle does not apply in plant pathology but in Human pathology and Veterinary pathology.
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF URBAN PLANNING
Authors:   Moscow State University of Geodesy and Cartography, Tararin Andrey M.
Published: April 2021

The purpose of the study is to reveal the features of the development of information support for urban planning in the context of digital transformation. The article summarizes new material on the topic under study: the latest amendments to the Urban Planning Code of the Russian Federation and relevant by-laws, prospects for the implementation of the national program "Digital Economy of the Russian Federation". The study provides a historical analysis of the development of information sup-port for urban planning. Particular attention is paid to the creation in the subject of the Russian Federa-tion of state information systems for ensuring urban planning with the functions of automated infor-mation and analytical support for the exercise of powers in the field of urban development (GISFUD) and the role of GIS technologies in its implementation. As a result of the study, there was proposed a scheme of information interaction between GISFUD and other information systems, including the Federal State Information System of Territorial Planning, the Federal State Information System for maintaining the Unified State Register of Real Estate, the Federal Information Address System, and the Unified State Register of expert conclusions for design documentation of capital construction facilities and the State Information System for maintaining a Unified Electronic Cartographic Basis for the ex-change of spatial data in order to provide automated support for the exercise of powers in the field of urban planning. The article defines the main trend of the digital transformation of urban planning ac-tivities, characterized by the transition to the provision of integrated services in the construction indus-try and the introduction of super services, as well as by the distribution of information models of capi-tal construction facilities and 3D printing in construction. It gives recommendations for digital trans-formation parameters in urban planning.
METHOD OF COMPLEX REFLECTION PARAMETERS MEASUREMENT OF TRANSISTOR LOADS USING A SIMULATOR-ANALYZER OF MICROWAVE AMPLIFIERS AND OSCILLATORS
Authors:   Siberian State University of Geosystems and Technologies, Savelkaev Sergei V. , Vikhareva Nadezhda A. ,   Siberian State University of Geosystems and Technologies, Chekotun Natalia V. ,   Siberian State University of Geosystems and Technologies
Published: April 2021

The article considers a simulator/analyzer that provides simulation modeling of microwave ampli-fiers and oscillators in accordance with their technical specifications, followed by the measurement of complex load reflection coefficients of the active component of these devices for their design. It also considers a method of measurement of these parameters and a method of calibration of the simula-tor/analyzer providing transfer of measurement results from the coaxial measuring line of the simula-tor-analyzer to the microstrip line. In addition, the article considers a method for analyzing the stability of the active component in the space of complex reflection coefficients of its loads, which facilitates their selection in the simulation of amplifiers and oscillators.
COMMUNICATIVE APPROACH WITH REFERENCE TO THE CORPUS-BASED DATA ANALYSIS BY TEACHING FOREIGN LANGUAGE (THE CASE OF TENSE-ASPECT FORMS OF THE VERB)
Authors:   Novosibirsk State Technical University, Bochkarev Arsentiy I. , Zhdanov Sergey S. ,   Siberian State University of Geosystems and Technologies; Novosibirsk State Technical University
Published: April 2021

The paper deals with the frequency of tense-aspect forms in British English for justifying the selec-tion of language phenomena from the linguistic point of view. This approach is applied through educa-tional process at universities. Moreover, communicative oriented approach to language education should be based on this selection. It presupposes educational orientation to real communicative situa-tions. Based on analyzing corpus data from the British National Corpus all tense-aspect forms can be divided into four groups: rare, occasional, frequent and constant. The authors have made the algorithm for learning tense-aspect forms in British English based on the frequency of these forms.
METHOD FOR DEFORMATION MONITORING OF WATER-BEARING DAMS
Authors:   St. Petersburg Mining University, Al Fatin Hasan Jamil , Mustafin Murat G. ,   St. Petersburg Mining University
Published: April 2021

Monitoring of the condition of water-supporting hydraulic structures (dams) is carried out in ac-cordance with GOST R 22.1.11–2002, which determines the list of main load indicators including hy-drostatic pressure exerted on the dam. The article gives the list of the main indicators of the condition of water-supporting hydraulic structures and the development of hazardous processes in soil massifs, which provides for the assessment of vertical (precipitation) and horizontal movements of structures and their bases. Thus, monitoring is carried out in two areas of research: the first is geotechnical; the second is geodetic. As a rule, surveyors develop an observation system, and geotechnicians, taking into account these data, determine the state of the dam. The article provides a methodology for ge-otechnical dam condition that combines these two areas. Accounting for hydrostatic pressure is possi-ble due to geodetic control of the water surface level and calculation of water reserves and, according-ly, the pressure on the dam. These data, together with the results of field measurements, make it possi-ble to identify critical and permissible water levels, which allow us to regulate the observation order depending on the water level. The article also considers an important issue about the scheme of de-formation marks location on the dam. Regular distance location is not always appropriate. A more ef-fective way is to locate them in accordance with the stress-strain state. On the basis of pre-calculation there was carried out irregular location of the deformation marks on the dam as well as the design and accuracy assessment of deformation network. The afore-mentioned approach is implemented on a specific example of the Dukan Dam in Iraq.
THE EXPERIENCE IN USING LASER SCANNING AND BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING FOR ENGINEERING DATA MANAGEMENT DURING THE LIFE CYCLE OF AN INDUSTRIAL OBJECT
Authors:   Emperor Alexander I St. Petersburg State Transport University, Sharafutdinova Anzhelika A. , Bryn Michael Ja. ,   Emperor Alexander I St. Petersburg State Transport University
Published: April 2021

An industrial object accumulates a great deal of information about its assets throughout its whole development period. This information is provided in the different drawings, passports, regulations, and other technical documentation. One of the common problems of most industrial objects is the disor-ganized storage of technical documentation on assets and its limited access to different industrial ser-vices. This greatly complicates the retrieval of information about the assets to ensure the steady opera-tion of the industrial object. As a consequence, one of the ongoing important tasks becomes the crea-tion of a unified source of up-to-date information about the object’s assets and the facilitation of the access to that data for all the participants of the project, construction, and operation process. Exactly these issues are tackled in the article alongside with the solutions based on using BIM and terrestrial laser scanning. This article also describes the types of BIM and detailed differences between them, the methods to form a BIM, as well as how the methods change at different stages of the life cycle. As well, the typology of tasks for which BIM solutions are applicable. TLS technology is described as a source of initial data for the formation of BIM. This article describes the results of the combined use of BIM and TLS at the stages of design, construction, and operation of an industrial object based on the implemented project. The article provides the result of clash detection in design documentation. The result of clash detection between designed and existing structures is also given. The article also provides the deviations at the construction stage of industrial objects, which were discovered. The ac-quired results demonstrated the effectiveness of using terrestrial laser scanning and BIM in engineering solutions.
ANALYSIS OF THE STATE GEODETIC NETWORK OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE DEVELOPMENT TRENDS
Authors:   Siberian State University of Geosystems and Technologies, Afonin Konstantin F. , Kinzhiguzhinov Samat M. ,   Republican State Enterprise "Kazgeodeziya", Drozd Andrey S. ,   Republican State Enterprise "Kazgeodeziya"
Published: April 2021

Coordination support of the territories is impossible without the creation of state geodesic net-works. The purpose of the publication is to analyze the prospects for the development of the state ge-odesic network in the Republic of Kazakhstan using GNSS technologies. Perspective analysis cannot be imagined without a historical retrospective on the subject. Therefore, the authors, firstly, analyzed the survey results of the astronomical and geodesic networks points and geodesic networks of conden-sation, created during the Soviet era on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan. More than 40,000 items were surveyed, representing more than 77 per cent of the total. The number of lost points did not exceed 9.5 % of the number of examined items. Secondly, the existing modern satellite geodesic net-works of permanent reference stations created by private firms are listed. The schemes of these net-works, the number of points are given. However, such networks are not free from a number of short-comings that are due to their departmental affiliation. The existing regulatory and technical documents on network construction have been analyzed. As a result of the completed studies, proposals have been made to create a new state geodesic network of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Such a network should consist of networks of three levels: FICS, HCV, SGS-1. The authors show the need to establish permanent FICS and HCV points.
PIPELINE TRANSPORT GEOSPACES
Authors:   JSC ", Dolgopolov Daniil V. ,   SpacInfo Geomatics"
Published: April 2021

One of the important tasks of safe operation of pipeline systems is information support of produc-tion units. The purpose of this work was to determine approaches to the formation of geoinformation space to ensure the operation of complex man-made complexes of pipeline systems. The methodolog-ical basis of the research is based on the theoretical foundations and methodological developments of scientists devoted to the collection and processing of spatial information, presented in the works of A. P. Karpik, V. B. Zharnikov, H. K. Yambaev, A. A. Varlamov, V. G. Bondur, D. V. Lisitsky, G. A. Ustavich, A. T. Zverev, V. A. Malinnikov, A. P. Sizov, V. A. Melkiy and other well-known scientists. To create a GIS of the current pipeline transport system there was defined the procedure of forming geo-information space, including the determination of the list of production problems associated with the use of spatial information, spatial data structure, needs in aerospace survey, performance require-ments and frequency of updates of spatial information.
Deriving and Using Descriptors of Elementary Functions in Rational Protein Design
Authors: Yin Melvin , Goncearenco Alexander , Berezovsky Igor N.
Published: April 2021

The rational design of proteins with desired functions requires a comprehensive description of the functional building blocks. The evolutionary conserved functional units constitute nature's toolbox; however, they are not readily available to protein designers. This study focuses on protein units of subdomain size that possess structural properties and amino acid residues sufficient to carry out elementary reactions in the catalytic mechanisms. The interactions within such elementary functional loops (ELFs) and the interactions with the surrounding protein scaffolds constitute the descriptor of elementary function. The computational approach to deriving descriptors directly from protein sequences and structures and applying them in rational design was implemented in a proof-of-concept DEFINED-PROTEINS software package. Once the descriptor is obtained, the ELF can be fitted into existing or novel scaffolds to obtain the desired function. For instance, the descriptor may be used to determine the necessary spatial restraints in a fragment-based grafting protocol. We illustrated the approach by applying it to well-known cases of ELFs, including phosphate-binding P-loop, diphosphate-binding glycine-rich motif, and calcium-binding EF-hand motif, which could be used to jumpstart templates for user applications. The DEFINED-PROTEINS package is available for free at https://github.com/MelvinYin/Defined_Proteins.
The Synthesis and Antitumor Activity of 1,8-Naphthalimide Derivatives Linked 1,2,3-Triazole
Authors: Xu Zhong-jie , Zhou Ying-jie , Wang Jia-hao , Mao Long-fei , Li Wei , Xu Gui-qing
Published: April 2021

In this study, acenaphthylene was used as the raw material, and a series of novel 1,8-naphthalimide-1,2,3-triazole derivatives was obtained through oxidation, acylation, alkylation, and click reactions, and subsequently, their anti-tumor activities were tested. After screening, we found that Compound 5e showed good activity against H1975 lung cancer cells, with the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) reaching 16.56 μM.
Graphene-Reinforced Titanium Enhances Soft Tissue Seal
Authors: Wei Jianxu , Qiao Shichong , Zhang Xiaomeng , Li Yuan , Zhang Yi , Wei Shimin , Shi Junyu , Lai Hongchang
Published: April 2021

The integrity of soft tissue seal is essential for preventing peri-implant infection, mainly induced by established bacterial biofilms around dental implants. Nowadays, graphene is well-known for its potential in biocompatibility and antisepsis. Herein, a new titanium biomaterial containing graphene (Ti-0.125G) was synthesized using the spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique. After material characteristics detection, the subsequent responses of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) and multiple oral pathogens (including Streptococci mutans, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Porphyromonas gingivalis) to the graphene-reinforced sample were assessed, respectively. Also, the dynamic change of the bacterial multispecies volume in biofilms was evaluated using absolute quantification PCR combined with Illumina high-throughput sequencing. Ti-0.125G, in addition to its particularly pronounced inhibitory effect on Porphyromonas gingivalis at 96 h, was broadly effective against multiple pathogens rather than just one strain. The reinforced material’s selective responses were also evaluated by a co-culture model involving HGFs and multiple strains. The results disclosed that the graphene-reinforced samples were highly effective in keeping a balance between the favorable fibroblast responses and the suppressive microbial growth, which could account for the optimal soft tissue seal in the oral cavity. Furthermore, the underlying mechanism regarding new material’s bactericidal property in the current study has been elucidated as the electron transfer, which disturbed the bacterial respiratory chain and resulted in a decrease of microbial viability. According to the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database, the PICRUSt tool was conducted for the prediction of microbial metabolism functions. Consequently, it is inferred that Ti-0.125G has promising potentials for application in implant dentistry, especially in enhancing the integrity of soft tissue and improving its resistance against bacterial infections around oral implants.
The Wdr1-LIMK-Cofilin Axis Controls B Cell Antigen Receptor-Induced Actin Remodeling and Signaling at the Immune Synapse
Authors: Bolger-Munro Madison , Choi Kate , Cheung Faith , Liu Yi Tian , Dang-Lawson May , Deretic Nikola , Keane Connor , Gold Michael R.
Published: April 2021

When B cells encounter membrane-bound antigens, the formation and coalescence of B cell antigen receptor (BCR) microclusters amplifies BCR signaling. The ability of B cells to probe the surface of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and respond to APC-bound antigens requires remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton. Initial BCR signaling stimulates actin-related protein (Arp) 2/3 complex-dependent actin polymerization, which drives B cell spreading as well as the centripetal movement and coalescence of BCR microclusters at the B cell-APC synapse. Sustained actin polymerization depends on concomitant actin filament depolymerization, which enables the recycling of actin monomers and Arp2/3 complexes. Cofilin-mediated severing of actin filaments is a rate-limiting step in the morphological changes that occur during immune synapse formation. Hence, regulators of cofilin activity such as WD repeat-containing protein 1 (Wdr1), LIM domain kinase (LIMK), and coactosin-like 1 (Cotl1) may also be essential for actin-dependent processes in B cells. Wdr1 enhances cofilin-mediated actin disassembly. Conversely, Cotl1 competes with cofilin for binding to actin and LIMK phosphorylates cofilin and prevents it from binding to actin filaments. We now show that Wdr1 and LIMK have distinct roles in BCR-induced assembly of the peripheral actin structures that drive B cell spreading, and that cofilin, Wdr1, and LIMK all contribute to the actin-dependent amplification of BCR signaling at the immune synapse. Depleting Cotl1 had no effect on these processes. Thus, the Wdr1-LIMK-cofilin axis is critical for BCR-induced actin remodeling and for B cell responses to APC-bound antigens.
LCZ696 Attenuated Doxorubicin-Induced Chronic Cardiomyopathy Through the TLR2-MyD88 Complex Formation
Authors: Ye Shiju , Su Lan , Shan Peiren , Ye Bozhi , Wu Shengjie , Liang Guang , Huang Weijian
Published: April 2021

Background and Purpose

The profibrotic and proinflammatory effects induced by doxorubicin (DOX) are key processes in the development of serious heart damage. Lack of effective drugs and the unclear mechanisms of its side effects limit the clinical treatment of DOX-induced cardiac injury. This study aimed to explore the protective role of LCZ696 and the potential mechanism of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) in doxorubicin-induced cardiac failure.

Experimental Approach

DOX (5 mg/kg/week, three times) was used to establish a chronic cardiomyopathy mouse model. Heart function tests, pathology examinations and molecular biology analyses were used to explore the effects of LCZ696 and TLR2 deficiency in vivo and in vitro. Computational docking was applied to predict the key residues for protein-ligand interaction.

Key Results

The EF% declined, and the LVIDd, pro-fibrosis marker levels and NF-κB related inflammatory response increased in the chronic cardiomyopathy group induced by DOX. LCZ696 treatment and TLR2 deficiency reversed these heart damage in vivo. In H9C2 cells, pre-treatment with LCZ696 and TLR2 knockdown suppressed the DOX-induced high expression of profibrotic and proinflammatory markers. Moreover, DOX notably increased the TLR2-MyD88 interaction in vivo and in vitro, which was inhibited by LCZ696. Finally, we demonstrated the direct interaction between DOX and TLR2 via hydrogen bonds on Pro-681 and Glu-727 and Pro-681 and Ser-704 may be the key residues by which LCZ696 affects the interaction between DOX and TLR2.

Conclusion and Implications

LCZ696 prevents DOX-induced cardiac dilation failure, fibrosis and inflammation by reducing the formation of TLR2-MyD88 complexes. LZC696 may be a potential effective drug to treat DOX-induced heart failure.
Mycobacterium PPE31 Contributes to Host Cell Death
Authors: Feng Siyuan , Hong Zhongsi , Zhang Guoliang , Li Jiachen , Tian Guo-Bao , Zhou Haibo , Huang Xi
Published: April 2021

Genome scale mutagenesis identifies many genes required for mycobacterial infectivity and survival, but their contributions and mechanisms of action within the host are poorly understood. Using CRISPR interference, we created a knockdown of ppe31Mm gene in Mycobacterium marinum (M. marinum), which reduced the resistance to acid medium. To further explore the function of PPE31, the ppe31 mutant strain was generated in M. marinum and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis), respectively. Macrophages infected with the ppe31Mm mutant strain caused a reduced inflammatory mediator expressions. In addition, macrophages infected with M. marinum Δppe31Mm had decreased host cell death dependent on JNK signaling. Consistent with these results, deletion of ppe31Mtb from M. tuberculosis increased the sensitivity to acid medium and reduced cell death in macrophages. Furthermore, we demonstrate that both ppe31 mutants from M. marinum and M. tuberculosis resulted in reduced survival in macrophages, and the survivability of M. marinum was deceased in zebrafish due to loss of ppe31Mm. Our findings confirm that PPE31 as a virulence associated factor that modulates innate immune responses to mycobacterial infection.
Regulatory T Cells as an Escape Mechanism to the Immune Response in Taenia crassiceps Infection
Authors: Adalid-Peralta Laura , Lopez-Roblero Alexander , Camacho-Vázquez Cynthia , Nájera-Ocampo Marisol , Guevara-Salinas Adrián , Ruiz-Monroy Nataly , Melo-Salas Marlene , Morales-Ruiz Valeria , López-Recinos Dina , Ortiz-Hernández Edgar , Demengeot Jocelyne , Vazquez-Perez Joel A. , Arce-Sillas Asiel , Gomez-Fuentes Sandra , Parkhouse Robert Michael Evans , Fragoso Gladis , Sciutto Edda , Sevilla-Reyes Edgar E.
Published: April 2021

Murine cysticercosis byTaenia crassicepsis a model for human neurocysticercosis. Genetic and/or immune differences may underlie the higher susceptibility to infection in BALB/cAnN with respect to C57BL/6 mice. T regulatory cells (Tregs) could mediate the escape ofT. crassicepsfrom the host immunity. This study is aimed to investigate the role of Tregs inT. crassicepsestablishment in susceptible and non-susceptible mouse strains. Treg and effector cells were quantified in lymphoid organs before infection and 5, 30, 90, and 130 days post-infection. The proliferative response post-infection was characterizedin vitro. The expression of regulatory and inflammatory molecules was assessed on days 5 and 30 post-infection. Depletion assays were performed to assess Treg functionality. Significantly higher Treg percentages were observed in BALB/cAnN mice, while increased percentages of activated CD127+ cells were found in C57BL/6 mice. The proliferative response was suppressed in susceptible mice, and Treg proliferation occurred only in susceptible mice. Treg-mediated suppression mechanisms may include IL-10 and TGFβ secretion, granzyme- and perforin-mediated cytolysis, metabolic disruption, and cell-to-cell contact. Tregs are functional in BALB/cAnN mice. Therefore Tregs could be allowing parasite establishment and survival in susceptible mice but could play a homeostatic role in non-susceptible strains.
By Regulating the NLRP3 Inflammasome Can Reduce the Release of Inflammatory Factors in the Co-Culture Model of Tuberculosis H37Ra Strain and Rat Microglia
Authors: Xie Zhen , Hui Hao , Yao Qian , Duan Yan , Li Wu , Cheng Ye , Zhang Meng , Tian Ye , Zhao Gang
Published: April 2021

Objective

Tuberculosis infection of the Central Nervous System can cause severe inflammation in microglia, and NLRP3 inflammasome is also an important source of inflammation in microglia. Therefore, in this study, we used a co-culture model of rat microglia and tuberculosis H37Ra strain to explore the influence of tuberculosis infection on the NLRP3 inflammasome in microglia and its regulation mechanism.

Methods

We cultured primary microglia from SD rats and co-cultured with tuberculosis H37Ra strain for 4 hours to establish a co-culture model. At the same time, MCC950, Z-YVAD-FMK, BAY-11-7082, Dexamethasone, RU486, BzATP, BBG and extracellular high potassium environment were used to intervene the co-cultivation process. Subsequently, western blot, real-time PCR, ELISA and other methods were used to detect the changes of NLRP3 inflammasome-related molecules in microglia.

Results

After co-cultivation, the NLRP3 inflammasomes in microglia were activated and released a large amount of IL-18 and IL-1β. By regulating NLRP3 inflammasome complex, caspase-1, NF-κB and P2X7R during the co-culture process, it could effectively reduce the release of IL-18 and IL-1β, and the mortality of microglia.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway is an important part of the inflammatory response of microglia caused by tuberculosis infection. By intervening the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway, it can significantly reduce the inflammatory response and mortality of microglia during the tuberculosis H37Ra strain infection. This research can help us further understand the inflammatory response mechanism of the central nervous system during tuberculosis infection and improve its treatment.
Comparative Phosphoproteomics of Classical Bordetellae Elucidates the Potential Role of Serine, Threonine and Tyrosine Phosphorylation in Bordetella Biology and Virulence
Authors: Luu Laurence Don Wai , Zhong Ling , Kaur Sandeep , Raftery Mark J. , Lan Ruiting
Published: April 2021

The Bordetella genus is divided into two groups: classical and non-classical. Bordetella pertussis, Bordetella bronchiseptica and Bordetella parapertussis are known as classical bordetellae, a group of important human pathogens causing whooping cough or whooping cough-like disease and hypothesized to have evolved from environmental non-classical bordetellae. Bordetella infections have increased globally driving the need to better understand these pathogens for the development of new treatments and vaccines. One unexplored component in Bordetella is the role of serine, threonine and tyrosine phosphorylation. Therefore, this study characterized the phosphoproteome of classical bordetellae and examined its potential role in Bordetella biology and virulence. Applying strict identification of localization criteria, this study identified 70 unique phosphorylated proteins in the classical bordetellae group with a high degree of conservation. Phosphorylation was a key regulator of Bordetella metabolism with proteins involved in gluconeogenesis, TCA cycle, amino acid and nucleotide synthesis significantly enriched. Three key virulence pathways were also phosphorylated including type III secretion system, alcaligin synthesis and the BvgAS master transcriptional regulatory system for virulence genes in Bordetella. Seven new phosphosites were identified in BvgA with 6 located in the DNA binding domain. Of the 7, 4 were not present in non-classical bordetellae. This suggests that serine/threonine phosphorylation may play an important role in stabilizing/destabilizing BvgA binding to DNA for fine-tuning of virulence gene expression and that BvgA phosphorylation may be an important factor separating classical from non-classical bordetellae. This study provides the first insight into the phosphoproteome of classical Bordetella species and the role that Ser/Thr/Tyr phosphorylation may play in Bordetella biology and virulence.
Revisiting “Additional Carbon”: Tracking Atmosphere–Ecosystem Carbon Exchange to Establish Mitigation and Negative Emissions From Bio-Based Systems
Authors: Field John L.
Published: April 2021

Climate stabilization plans rely heavily on advanced bioenergy and bioproducts for substitution of fossil-based energy sources and materials, and increasingly, for negative emissions via the direct sequestration of biogenic carbon. Yet, there remain persistent, largely unresolved critiques of bioenergy assessment methodology, particularly in the areas of land use and biogenic carbon accounting. The concept of “additional carbon” calls for evaluating the climate performance of bio-based systems by whether feedstock production creates measurable new local agro-ecosystem uptake of carbon from the atmosphere. This concept is challenging to operationalize for first-generation biofuels, and has largely been advanced as a negative critique. However, carbon additionality is more straightforward to establish—and less critical to overall system mitigation performance—in advanced bioenergy systems. In this Perspective, I review the additional carbon critique, and why it is analytically challenging to address in first-generation biofuel systems based on conventional food crops with large existing markets. Next, I make a case that carbon additionality (1) is more readily achievable with cellulosic feedstocks, (2) is more directly observable for dedicated biomass crops, and (3) is not a strict requirement for achieving net mitigation in carbon-negative bio-based systems. I end by discussing how centering atmosphere–ecosystem carbon exchanges in bio-based system assessment could create new opportunities for enterprise-scale performance monitoring and verification, augmenting and diversifying the current reliance on model-based life-cycle assessment approaches.
Tailoring Noble Metal-Free Ti@TiO2 Photocatalyst for Boosting Photothermal Hydrogen Production
Authors: El Hakim Sara , Chave Tony , Nada Amr A. , Roualdes Stéphanie , Nikitenko Sergey I.
Published: April 2021

In this work, we provide new insights into the design of Ti@TiO2photocatalyst with enhanced photothermal activity in the process of glycerol reforming. Ti@TiO2nanoparticles have been obtained by sonohydrothermal treatment of titanium metal nanoparticles in pure water. Variation of sonohydrothermal temperature allows controlling nanocrystalline TiO2shell on Ti0surface. At 100 < T < 150°C formation of TiO2NPs occurs mostly by crystallization of Ti(IV) amorphous species and oxidation of titanium suboxide Ti3O presented at the surface of Ti0nanoparticles. At T > 150°C, TiO2is also formed by oxidation of Ti0with overheated water. Kinetic study highlights the importance of TiO2nanocrystalline shell for H2generation. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy points out more efficient electron transfer for Ti@TiO2nanoparticles in correlation with photocatalytic data. The apparent activation energy, Ea= (25–31) ± 5 kJ·mol−1, assumes that photothermal effect arises from diffusion of glycerol oxidation intermediates or from water dynamics at the surface of catalyst. Under the heating, photocatalytic H2emission is observed even in pure water.
Androgen Deprivation Therapy in Patients With Prostate Cancer Increases Serum Levels of Thromboxane A2: Cardiovascular Implications
Authors: Álvarez-Maestro Mario , Eguibar Aritz , Chanca Patricia , Klett-Mingo Mercedes , Gómez Rivas Juan , Buño-Soto Antonio , de Bethencourt Fermín R. , Ferrer Mercedes
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Androgens have been described as important players in the regulation of vascular function/structure through their action on the release and effect of vasoactive factors, such as prostanoids. Patients with prostate cancer (PCa) under androgen deprivation therapies (ADTs) present increased risk of cardiovascular mortality. Since thromboxane A2 (TXA2) is one of the most studied prostanoids and its involvement in different cardiovascular diseases has been described, the aim of this study was to investigate: (i) the effect of ADT on the serum levels of TXA2 in PCa patients and its possible link to the redox status and (ii) the effect of the non-hydrolyzable TXA2 analog U-46619 on the function of the aorta of male rats.

Methods: The levels of TXA2 and total antioxidant status in 50 healthy subjects, 54 PCa patients, and 57 PCa under ADT were evaluated. These determinations were accompanied by levels of testosterone and C-reactive protein as an inflammation marker. In aortic segments from male rats, the U46619-induced effects on: (i) the vasomotor responses to acetylcholine (ACh), to the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP), to the carbon monoxide-releasing molecule-3 (CORM-3), and to noradrenaline (NA) and (ii) the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and phosphorylated ERK1/2 were analyzed.

Results: The serum level of TXA2 in patients with PCa was increased with respect to healthy subjects, which was further increased by ADT. There was no modification in the total antioxidant status among the three experimental groups. In aortic segments from male rats, the TXA2 analog decreased the endothelium-dependent relaxation and the sensitivity of smooth muscle cells to NO, while it increased the vasoconstriction induced by NA; the expression of COX-2, HO-1, and pERK1/2 was also increased.

Conclusions: ADT increased, along with other inflammatory/oxidative markers, the serum levels of TXA2. The fact that TXA2 negatively impacts the vascular function of the aorta of healthy male rats suggests that inhibition of TXA2-mediated events could be considered a potential strategy to protect the cardiovascular system.
Osteohistology of the Scapulocoracoid of Confuciusornis and Preliminary Analysis of the Shoulder Joint in Aves
Authors: Wu Qian , Bailleul Alida M. , Li Zhiheng , O’Connor Jingmai , Zhou Zhonghe
Published: April 2021

As key components of the tetrapod pectoral girdle, the scapula and coracoid have played a significant role in the evolution of forelimb locomotion among terrestrial vertebrates. The transition from a rigid fused scapulocoracoid in ancestral non-avian theropods to a presumably more flexible separated scapula-coracoid in early birds is considered to be one of the key morphological transitions related to the rapid refinement of flight. In most Mesozoic birds (e.g., Enantiornithes and Ornithuromorpha) and crown birds the scapula and coracoid are separate (unfused), with few exceptions (e.g., flightless paleognaths). In contrast, in Confuciusornis, a basal pygostylian from the Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota known from thousands of specimens, the scapula and coracoid remain plesiomorphically fused. This raises questions regarding the influence of shoulder girdle architecture on the early evolution and refinement of avian flight. The paravian scapula-coracoid joint has never previously been investigated using histology, and thus joint morphology has only been inferred superficially. In order to better understand the evolution of this joint in Mesozoic birds, we make the first histological study of the scapulocoracoid glenoid joint in Confuciusornis. The results demonstrate that the scapula and coracoid both consist of cancellous and compact bone, with both fibrolamellar and parallel-fibered structure. A thin layer of calcified cartilage is present on the glenoid fossa surface, representing remnants of the articular surface for the humerus. Both histology and computed tomography reveal that the scapulocoracoid of Confuciusornis is fully fused, forming a synostosis. Humeral histology suggests the studied individual was nearing completion of its first year of growth, suggesting the Confuciusornis scapulocoracoid fused before skeletal maturity was achieved, as in flightless paleognaths, whereas in the plesiomorphic condition fusion occurs late in ontogeny. We hypothesize the fused scapulocoracoid of Confuciusornis is secondarily evolved and suggest the primary factor responsible for this morphology may have been a decrease in mechanical stimulation at the glenoid of Confuciusornis relative to other volant birds, linked to the unique flight style of this taxon. Further investigation into the histology of the glenoid joint in other Mesozoic paravians and extant birds will help to clarify the morphological transition of the scapula-coracoid joint in early avian evolution.
The Sources of Organic Carbon in the Deepest Ocean: Implication From Bacterial Membrane Lipids in the Mariana Trench Zone
Authors: Li Jiwei , Chen Zhiyan , Li Xinxin , Chen Shun , Xu Hengchao , Ta Kaiwen , Dasgupta Shamik , Bai Shijie , Du Mengran , Liu Shuangquan , Peng Xiaotong
Published: April 2021

Hadal trenches have higher microbial carbon turnover rates as compared to adjacent abyssal plains. However, the source of organic carbon in the trench remains enigmatic. In this study, we show that a fraction of organic carbon is possibly derived in situ and correlated with chemoautotrophic communities supported by the fluid discharge of water-rock interaction in the trench wall, based on analysis of glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraether (GDGT) membrane lipids, including archaeal isoprenoid GDGTs (IsoGDGTs) and bacterial branched GDGTs (BrGDGTs), in sediments and rocks of the Mariana and Yap Trenches, northwest Pacific Ocean. These trench sediments contained relative higher BrGDGTs ratios, which was a rare observation in the open ocean. The BrGDGT-to-IsoGDGT ratios ranged in 0.02–0.88 (mean = 0.10 ± 0.11) in sediments and 0.09–0.38 (mean = 0.17 ± 0.13) in altered rocks. The calculated values of branched and isoprenoid tetraether (BIT) index ranged from 0.02–0.73 (mean = 0.18 ± 0.11) in sediments and from 0.16–0.9 in altered rocks (mean = 0.37 ± 0.27). Moreover, these GDGTs exhibited similar characteristics to those of altered basalt rocks, indicating inputs of organic carbon from the trench subsurface environment. Thus, in addition to organic-rich material settling, we propose chemoautotrophic activity in oceanic crust could be an additional source of organic carbon in the deepest part of the ocean, with an important role in deep-sea carbon cycles.