bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dual inhibition of TGFβR and ROCK reverses the epithelial to mesenchymal transition in collectively migrating zebrafish keratocytes
Authors: Pascual Agnes S. , Rapanan Jose L. , Uppalapati Chandana K. , Cooper Kimbal E. , Leyva Kathryn J. , Hull Elizabeth E.
Published: March 2021

There is a growing controversy about the role of the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the fibrosis associated with chronic disease. Recent studies suggest that it is not the EMT transcriptional program but differentiation of progenitor cells, response to chronic inflammation, or some combination of both which cause the appearance of fibroblasts and the production of the extracellular matrix. To address this issue, we study the EMT process in the zebrafish keratocytes which migrate from primary explants of epithelial tissue as these cells are both terminally differentiated and able to divide. To firmly place this EMT process in the context of other systems, we first demonstrate that the zebrafish keratocyte EMT process involves nuclear accumulation of twist and snail/slug transcription factors as part of a TGFβR‐mediated EMT process. As assessed by the expression and localization of EMT transcription factors, the zebrafish keratocyte EMT process is reversed by the addition of Rho‐activated kinase (ROCK) in combination with TGFβR inhibitors. The complete cycle of EMT to MET observed in this system links these in vitro results more closely to the process of wound healing in vivo. However, the absence of observable activation of EMT transcription factors when keratocytes are cultured on compliant substrata in a TGFβ1‐containing medium suggests that ROCK signaling, initiated by tension within the sheet, is an essential contributor to the EMT process. Most importantly, the requirement for ROCK activation by culturing on noncompliant substrata suggests that EMT in these terminally differentiated cells would not occur in vivo.
LncRNA HOTTIP inhibits cell pyroptosis by targeting miR‐148a‐3p/AKT2 axis in ovarian cancer
Authors: Tan Cai , Liu Wei , Zheng Zhi‐Hua , Wan Xiao‐Gang
Published: March 2021

Long noncoding RNA HOTTIP is a crucial regulator in multiple types of cancer, including ovarian cancer (OC). However, the biological roles and underlying mechanisms of HOTTIP in OC have rarely been studied. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the functional correlation between HOTTIP and pyroptosis in OC progression. The expression of HOTTIP in OC tissues and cell lines was characterized by quantitative real‐time PCR. Cell proliferation was evaluated using Cell Counting Kit‐8 and clone formation assays. Western blot was performed to quantify protein levels. A dual‐luciferase reporter assay was used to analyze the molecular interaction among HOTTIP, miR‐148a‐3p, and AKT2. The expression of HOTTIP was significantly upregulated in OC tissue samples and cell lines. The silencing of HOTTIP led to the inhibition of cell proliferation and NLRP1 inflammasome‐mediated pyroptosis. In addition, HOTTIP increased AKT2 expression by negatively regulating miR‐148a‐3p and then inhibited ASK1/JNK signaling. Further rescue experiments revealed that downregulation of miR‐148a‐3p and overexpression of AKT2 obviously diminished the effects of HOTTIP downregulation in OC cells. Thus, our study elucidated a novel pyroptosis‐related mechanism by which HOTTIP participated in OC progression, which might provide a theoretical reference for clinical treatment.
Ein Wasser‐Elektrolyseur für den Mars
Authors: Harrer Roswitha
Published: March 2021

Eine der größten Herausforderungen von bemannten Expeditionen zum Mars ist es, für genügend Sauerstoff zu sorgen. Wissenschaftler haben einen Elektrolyseur entwickelt, der reinen Sauerstoff sowie Wasserstoff als Brennstoff aus der Marssole produzieren könnte. Dieser Salzwasser‐Elektrolyseur benötigt weniger Leistung als der Kohlendioxid‐Elektrolyseur, den die NASA auf ihrer aktuellen Mars‐Mission ab Februar 2021 auf dem roten Planeten testen will.
Treatment approaches for treating hypertrophic scars and keloids
Authors: Gianatasio Chloe , Abrouk Michael , Waibel Jill S.
Published: March 2021

Background and Purpose

Hypertrophic and keloid scars can have a dramatic impact on the quality of life for patients. Their complexity and multimodal nature also present significant challenges to physicians. Each scar presentation is unique due to influences such as the source of injury and specific healing properties of the patient. As such, each treatment must be equally individual. The goal of this study is to provide the tools to navigate complex hypertrophic and keloid scar treatment by outlining treatment algorithms that can be tailored to each specific presentation.

Methods

The authors combined a review of rising clinical research and consensus papers with lessons drawn from clinical practice to create comprehensive treatment recommendations.

Results

A wide variety of treatment options were incorporated into the algorithms which were drawn from world scar expert consensus including moisturization/compression, surgery, laser therapy, and laser‐assisted drug delivery. Scars of all ages were included and should be treated, though age should factor into treatment intensity. Particularly with hypertrophic and keloid scars, location and resulting tension is a primary consideration in treatment strategy. In keloid scars, radiation therapy can also play a role.

Conclusion

The authors propose that a combination treatment strategy customized to scar type, depth, texture, and dyschromia is necessary to produce optimal results. Early intervention is preferable though not essential to achieve scar mitigation. With careful and appropriate treatment algorithms, patients with debilitating scarring may recover significant function, cosmesis, and overall quality of life.
Land‐use drives the temporal stability and magnitude of soil microbial functions and modulates climate effects
Authors: Kostin Julia E. , Cesarz Simone , Lochner Alfred , Schädler Martin , Macdonald Catriona A. , Eisenhauer Nico
Published: March 2021

Soil microbial community functions are essential indicators of ecosystem multifunctionality in managed land‐use systems. Going forward, the development of adaptation strategies and predictive models under future climate scenarios will require a better understanding of how both land‐use and climate disturbances influence soil microbial functions over time. Between March and November 2018, we assessed the effects of climate change on the magnitude and temporal stability of soil basal respiration, soil microbial biomass and soil functional diversity across a range of land‐use types and intensities in a large‐scale field experiment. Soils were sampled from five common land‐use types including conventional and organic croplands, intensive and extensive meadows, and extensive pastures, under ambient and projected future climate conditions (reduced summer precipitation and increased temperature) at the Global Change Experimental Facility (GCEF) in Bad Lauchstädt, Germany. Land‐use and climate treatment interaction effects were significant in September, a month when precipitation levels slightly rebounded following a period of drought in central Germany: compared to ambient climate, in future climate treatments, basal respiration declined in pastures and increased in intensive meadows, functional diversity declined in pastures and croplands, and respiration‐to‐biomass ratio increased in intensive and extensive meadows. Low rainfall between May and August likely strengthened soil microbial responses toward the future climate treatment in September. Although microbial biomass showed declining levels in extensive meadows and pastures under future climate treatments, overall, microbial function magnitudes were higher in these land‐use types compared to croplands, indicating that improved management practices could sustain high microbial ecosystem functioning in future climates. In contrast to our hypothesis that more disturbed land‐use systems would have destabilized microbial functions, intensive meadows and organic croplands showed stabilized soil microbial biomass compared to all other land‐use types, suggesting that temporal stability, in addition to magnitude‐based measurements, may be useful for revealing context‐dependent effects on soil ecosystem functioning.
Will predicted positive effects of climate change be enough to reverse declines of the regionally Endangered Natterjack toad in Ireland?
Authors: Reyne Marina , McGowan Natasha E. , Flanagan Jason , Nolan Paul , Aubry Aurélie , Emmerson Mark , Marnell Ferdia , Reid Neil
Published: March 2021

The global amphibian crisis is driven by a range of stressors including disease, habitat loss, and environmental contamination. The role of climate change remains poorly studied and is likely to influence environmental suitability, ranges, reproduction, and phenology. This study aimed to characterize the bioclimatic‐habitat niche space of the Natterjack toad (Epidalea calamita) throughout its European range and to assess the impact of climate on the toad's environmental suitability and breeding behavior in Ireland, where declines in recent decades have resulted in it being regionally Red‐Listed as Endangered. To address these questions, we first identified which climate variables best predict the current bioclimatic niche, fecundity (number of eggs deposit), and phenology. We then used future climate projections for two time periods (2041–2060 and 2061–2080) and two greenhouse gas emission scenarios (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5) to predict how the species range, fecundity, and phenology would change. The European range of the species was found to be limited by winter temperatures while its bioclimatic niche varied markedly throughout its range. Species distribution models suggested projected climate change will increase environmental suitability for the species throughout its range, including Ireland, but most notably in Scandinavia and the Baltic. Fecundity in Ireland was greatest during the cool temperatures of spring and after wet winters associated with ephemeral breeding pool availability. Warm, dry summers in the preceding year influenced fecundity the following spring indicative of carryover effects. Initiation of spawning was driven by spring temperatures, not rainfall. Projections suggested future climate change may increase fecundity in Ireland while spawning may commence earlier throughout the 21st century especially under a high greenhouse gas emission scenario (RCP 8.5). Despite recent range contraction and population declines due to habitat deterioration, the Natterjack toad, if subject to a suitable species conservation strategy, has the potential to be a climate change winner, notwithstanding unpredictable habitat and land‐use change, sea‐level rise inducing coastal erosion, changes in invertebrate prey abundance, and disease.
A parasite indirectly affects nutrient distribution by common mycorrhizal networks between host and neighboring plants
Authors: Yuan Yongge , van Kleunen Mark , Li Junmin
Published: March 2021

Cascading effects are ubiquitous in nature and can modify ecological processes. Most plants have mutualistic associations with mycorrhizal fungi, and can be connected to neighboring plants through common mycorrhizal networks (CMNs). However, little is known about how the distribution of nutrients by CMNs to the interconnected plants is affected by higher trophic levels, such as parasitic plants. We hypothesized that parasitism would indirectly drive CMNs to allocate more nutrients to the nonparasitized neighboring plants rather than to the parasitized host plants, and that this would result in a negative‐feedback effect on the growth of the parasitic plant. To test this, we conducted a container experiment, where each container housed two in‐growth cores that isolated the root system of a single Trifolium pratense seedling. The formation of CMNs was either prevented or permitted using nylon fabric with a mesh width of 0.5 or 25 μm, respectively. In each container, either both T. pratense plants were not parasitized or only one was parasitized by the holoparasite Cuscuta australis. To quantify the nutrient distribution by CMNs to the host and neighboring plants, we used 15N labeling. Growth and 15N concentrations of C. australis and T. pratense were measured, as well the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi–colonization rates of T. pratense. We found that parasitism by C. australis reduced the biomass of T. pratense. In the absence of the parasite, CMNs increased the 15N concentration of both T. pratense plants, but did not affect their biomass. However, with the parasite, the difference between host and neighboring T. pratense plants in 15N concentration and biomass were amplified by CMNs. Furthermore, CMNs decreased the negative effect of C. australis on growth of the host T. pratense plants. Finally, although CMNs did not influence the 15N concentration of C. australis, they reduced its biomass. Our results indicate that when T. pratense was parasitized by C. australis, CMNs preferentially distributed more mineral nutrients to the nonparasitized neighboring T. pratense plant, and that this had a negative feedback on the growth of the parasite.
Prolinol as a Chiral Auxiliary in Organophosphorus Chemistry
Authors: Kozioł Anna E. , Włodarczyk Adam
Published: March 2021

Several strategies for the development of the synthesis of P‐chiral organophosphorus compounds with (L)‐prolinol as a source of chirality have been examined. A reaction of L‐prolinol with a set of different alkyl/arylphosphonous acid diamides led in most of the cases to the quantitative formation of the appropriate bicyclic oxazaphospholidines with complete diastereo and enantioselectivity. The latter were reacted with BH3 complex and the formed borane analogues were submitted to structural modifications leading to tertiary phosphine‐boranes. Additionally, the effectiveness of oxazaphospholidines as ligands in transition metal asymmetric catalysis has been tested in hydrogenation of dehydroaminoacid esters and imine.
Sensitive Electrochemical Determination of Trifluralin at a Disposable Pencil Graphite Electrode
Authors: Gege Ümit , Karakaya Serkan , Dilgin Yusuf
Published: March 2021

A sensitive differential pulse (DP) voltammetric method has been proposed for the determination of trifluralin (TFA) based on both its reduction and oxidation at a disposable pencil graphite electrode (PGE). DP voltammograms recorded under optimized conditions show that oxidation and reduction peak currents increased linearly in the range from 1.0 to 75.0 μM and from 0.50 to 100.0 μM TFA, respectively. LOD and sensitivity values have been determined as 0.39 μM and 11170 μA mM−1 cm−2 for oxidation and as 0.20 μM and 22167 μA mM−1 cm−2 for reduction. The acceptable recovery values (95.2–104.8 %) were obtained from real water samples.
An aerial robotic system for inventory of stockpile warehouses
Authors: Gago Reynaldo M. , Pereira Matheus Y. A. , Pereira Guilherme A. S.
Published: March 2021

This article describes the development and evaluation of an aerial robotic system for smart inventory of stockpile warehouses. The system was developed to automatically measure piles of different bulk materials, such as phosphorus and potassium compounds, which are stored in bays of different sizes inside a warehouse. This warehouse configuration is very common among fertilizer and animal food industries in Brazil. While an inventory can be executed by a human technician, the insalubrious environment, the imprecision of the manual volume estimation, and the time spent by the technician to access the information motivate the automation of the process. The proposed system uses a multirotor electrical drone that navigates autonomously inside the warehouse while it acquires light detection and ranging (LIDAR) point cloud data. This data is used to build a three‐dimensional (3D) model of the environment, which is then processed to identify the stockpiles of material and calculate their volumes. Since the environment is GPS‐denied and its characteristics, including symmetry, illumination and texture, do not favor visual‐ or LIDAR‐based localization, a drone navigation strategy that relies on relative positioning with respect to simple structures of the warehouse was developed. This article also presents our approach for autonomous stockpile volume estimation, which was numerically evaluated both in simulation and with real data, yielding in accuracy and precision of about 98%. The results presented in the article show that the aerial system is able to substitute the previously adopted manual procedure, highly increasing its accuracy, repeatably and safety, and drastically reducing its time of execution and cost.
High‐Performance Micro‐Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator with Large‐Scale Integration of Multilayer Annular Arrays through Screen Printing and Stacking Coupling
Authors: Yuan Zicheng , Tang Xiaobin , Cabot Andreu , Xu Zhiheng , Liu Kai , Wang Hongyu , Liu Yunpeng , Bian Minxing , Meng Caifeng , Jiang Tongxin
Published: March 2021

Small distributed scientific monitoring equipment is an advanced concept in deep space exploration that requires a special power system. A micro‐radioisotope thermoelectric (TE) generator has the advantages of being of small volume, lightweight, and having a long life, which is regarded as the first choice. An annular radial TE conversion structure integrating 30 TE legs in 8.8 cm3 is designed, and a satisfactory temperature difference of 188.4 K is demonstrated. The p‐type Sb2Te3 and n‐type Bi2Te2.7Se0.3 TE thick films are prepared by screen printing, and Seebeck coefficients are 142.4 and −179.8 μV K−2, respectively. By serial–parallel stacking, modular single‐layer devices are effectively integrated on a large scale. The 900 TE legs are integrated into 15.86 cm3, which can provide a high voltage output of up to 13.2 V. When an electric heating source that simulates 3PuO2 is loaded, an open circuit voltage of 3.84 V and a maximum power of 1.26 mW can be obtained. As a demonstration, a prototype to drive a wireless sensor network is used. In the future, this kind of independent power source is expected to become a help for small autonomous and distributed scientific instruments.
A Black Woman's Flight Poem
Authors: Isoke Zenzele
Published: March 2021

“A Black Woman's Flight Poem” represents an experimental poetic exploration into how we might give language to Black femme ethnographic world making in our own tongues, and on our own terms. Written with undergraduate and graduate students in feminists and African and African Diasporic students in mind, I use the term Black ethnography to signify emotionally and politically engaged scholarly reflections that are used to build knowledge about contemporary Black social life using volitional ethnographic travel, toward the aim of producing knowledge about geographical difference and cultural resiliency in Black/African diasporic communities worldwide. Please note that I am not a professional poet, but that I have encouraged advanced undergraduate and doctoral students in my feminist studies courses to use alternative linguistic format and poets in order to grapple with the complexity of Black social theory. My hope is that this poem will inspire students to revisit and practice new/old ways of writing Black feminist ethnography. From a pedagogical perspective, I try to position poetry as a non‐violent, and more inclusive alternative to the standard (argumentative) formal essay for imagining and writing Black ethnography.
Black Feminist Plots before the Plantationocene and Anthropology's “Regional Closets”
Authors: Jegathesan Mythri
Published: March 2021

In 2015, Donna Haraway introduced the Plantationocene concept as an alternative to the Anthropocene in Environmental Humanities. Engaging Black feminist scholars who were thinking about the plantation before Haraway's Plantationocene, this article argues that a transregional centering of Black feminist scholarship within plantation studies is a mutually productive and ethical endeavor that affirms the rightful place of Black feminist scholars in the field of anthropology and builds more robust transnational feminist forms of restorative justice. Analyzing Black, Indigenous and feminist critiques of the Plantationocene, this article is a “reparative reading” (Sedgewick 2003) response to Lynn Bolles' call to identify the “ways of ‘miseducation’ in anthropology” (Bolles 2013, 58) and seeks to repair the erasure of Black feminists' contributions to plantation studies outside the Americas and Afro‐Caribbean contexts, specifically in South Asian studies. Situating new research among landless, minority Tamil plantation residents through a re‐reading of plots on Sri Lanka's tea plantations, I suggest that thinking alongside Black feminist scholarship outside plantation studies' “regional closets” (Alexander 2005) is not only an ethical choice but also one of co‐survival and liberation within the white habitus (Bonilla‐Silva, Goar, and Embrick 2006) of anthropology.
Spleen glia are a transcriptionally unique glial subtype interposed between immune cells and sympathetic axons
Authors: Lucas Tawaun A. , Zhu Li , Buckwalter Marion S.
Published: March 2021

Glia are known to play important roles in the brain, the gut, and around the sciatic nerve. While the gut has its own specialized nervous system, other viscera are innervated solely by autonomic nerves. The functions of glia that accompany autonomic innervation are not well known, even though they are one of the most abundant cell types in the peripheral nervous system. Here, we focused on non‐myelinating Schwann cells in the spleen, spleen glia. The spleen is a major immune organ innervated by the sympathetic nervous system, which modulates immune function. This interaction is known as neuroimmune communication. We establish that spleen glia can be visualized using both immunohistochemistry for S100B and GFAP and with a reporter mouse. Spleen glia ensheath sympathetic axons and are localized to the lymphocyte‐rich white pulp areas of the spleen. We sequenced the spleen glia transcriptome and identified genes that are likely involved in axonal ensheathment and communication with both nerves and immune cells. Spleen glia express receptors for neurotransmitters made by sympathetic axons (adrenergic, purinergic, and Neuropeptide Y), and also cytokines, chemokines, and their receptors that may communicate with immune cells in the spleen. We also established similarities and differences between spleen glia and other glial types. While all glia share many genes in common, spleen glia differentially express genes associated with immune responses, including genes involved in cytokine‐cytokine receptor interactions, phagocytosis, and the complement cascade. Thus, spleen glia are a unique glial type, physically and transcriptionally poised to participate in neuroimmune communication in the spleen.
Super‐resolution shadow imaging reveals local remodeling of astrocytic microstructures and brain extracellular space after osmotic challenge
Authors: Arizono Misa , Inavalli V.V.G. Krishna , Bancelin Stéphane , Fernández‐Monreal Mónica , Nägerl U. Valentin
Published: March 2021

The extracellular space (ECS) plays a central role in brain physiology, shaping the time course and spread of neurochemicals, ions, and nutrients that ensure proper brain homeostasis and neuronal communication. Astrocytes are the most abundant type of glia cell in the brain, whose processes densely infiltrate the brain's parenchyma. As astrocytes are highly sensitive to changes in osmotic pressure, they are capable of exerting a potent physiological influence on the ECS. However, little is known about the spatial distribution and temporal dynamics of the ECS that surrounds astrocytes, owing mostly to a lack of appropriate techniques to visualize the ECS in live brain tissue. Mitigating this technical limitation, we applied the recent SUper‐resolution SHadow Imaging technique (SUSHI) to astrocyte‐labeled organotypic hippocampal brain slices, which allowed us to concurrently image the complex morphology of astrocytes and the ECS with unprecedented spatial resolution in a live experimental setting. Focusing on ring‐like astrocytic microstructures in the spongiform domain, we found them to enclose sizable pools of interstitial fluid and cellular structures like dendritic spines. Upon experimental osmotic challenge, these microstructures remodeled and swelled up at the expense of the pools, effectively increasing the physical interface between astrocytic and cellular structures. Our study reveals novel facets of the dynamic microanatomical relationships between astrocytes, neuropil, and the ECS in living brain tissue, which could be of functional relevance for neuron–glia communication in a variety of (patho)physiological settings, for example, LTP induction, epileptic seizures or acute ischemic stroke, where osmotic disturbances are known to occur.
Association between health expenditures, economic growth and environmental pollution: Long‐run and causality analysis from Asian economies
Authors: Nasreen Samia
Published: March 2021

This study examines the association between health expenditures, economic growth (EG) and environmental pollution in Asia both at panel and country level. The separate impact of EG and environmental pollution on public and private health expenditures (PRHEs) are also examined. In doing so the panel cointegration tests with the level break, common correlated effects mean group and heterogeneous panel causality test are employed. The study covers 20 Asian economies and time‐period from 1995 to 2017. The results provide evidence in support of a long run association between selected variables. The results explain that EG and environmental pollution are positively associated with total health expenditures as well as with public and PRHEs in all countries. However, the magnitude of environmental pollution coefficient is greater from EG coefficient, thus indicate that environmental pollution is the key determinant in increasing national health expenditures. Causality results demonstrate the existence of two‐way causality between health expenditures and EG and unidirectional causality flowing from environmental pollution to health expenditures in Asian economies. Findings of this study have provided some important suggestions to policy makers which can be used to minimize the risk of environmental pollution on health in Asian economies.
Perceptions among Muslims regarding fasting, medication use and provider engagement during Ramadan in the United States
Authors: Alshehri Ahmed M. , Barner Jamie C. , Wong Shui Ling , Ibrahim Kemi R. , Qureshi Sana
Published: March 2021

Background

Muslims with chronic diseases tend to fast during Ramadan, although Islam allows them not to fast. Therefore, understanding their perceptions and how they manage their health, especially as a minority population, is very important.

Objective

To examine Muslims' (1) perceptions of fasting exemptions, (2) medication usage behaviour, (3) perceptions of relationships with healthcare providers and (4) factors impacting health management during Ramadan.

Method

This was a qualitative study employing four focus groups (two groups of women and two groups of men). Adult Muslims (aged 18 years or more) with chronic diseases were invited to participate. Participants were asked open‐ended questions about their fasting ability, medication usage behaviours, healthcare access and collaboration with providers during Ramadan. Trained researchers conducted the focus groups interviews in both English and Arabic. Each focus group was recorded, and three investigators independently transcribed the data and extracted themes and categories. Coding terminology issues were resolved through discussion.

Results

Twenty‐five Muslims with chronic diseases (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, renal failure and anaemia) participated. The most prominent themes/subthemes were as follows: (1) fasting exemption (e.g., uncontrolled medical conditions), (2) fasting nonexemption (e.g., controlled medical conditions), (3) nonoral medication use during Ramadan, (4) healthcare provider involvement during Ramadan, and (5) factors impacting health management during Ramadan.

Conclusion

Muslim patients perceive fasting as an important religious practice, so they tend to self‐modify their medication‐taking behaviours. Educating pharmacists and other healthcare providers about Muslim culture, especially their strong desire to fast, may lead to Muslims better managing their medications and viewing pharmacists and other healthcare providers as knowledgeable healthcare providers.
Pulsating hydromagnetic flow of Casson fluid in a vertical channel filled with non‐Darcian porous medium
Authors: Kumar Challa Kalyan , Srinivas Suripeddi
Published: March 2021

This paper analyzes the Joule heating, Dufour number, and Soret number effects on hydromagnetic pulsatile flow of a Casson fluid in a vertical channel filled with a non‐Darcian porous medium. The governing partial differential equations (PDEs) of the Casson fluid flow are transformed to ordinary differential equations (ODEs) using perturbation technique and solved by employing shooting method with Runge–Kutta (R–K) fourth‐order technique using MATHEMATICA function NDSolve. The influence of Forchheimer number, Casson fluid parameter, Dufour number, radiation parameter, and Soret number on flow variables has been studied and the numerical results obtained are presented. The results reveal that the velocity rises with the rise of Darcy number, whereas it decreases for a given rise in the Forchheimer number. Furthermore, the temperature distribution enhances by increasing the Dufour number.
River network travel time is correlated with dissolved organic matter composition in rivers of the contiguous United States
Authors: Hosen Jacob D. , Allen George H. , Amatulli Giuseppe , Breitmeyer Sara , Cohen Matthew J. , Crump Byron C. , Lu YueHan , Payet Jérôme P. , Poulin Brett A. , Stubbins Aron , Yoon Byungman , Raymond Peter A.
Published: March 2021

Most terrestrial allochthonous organic matter enters river networks through headwater streams during high flow events. In headwaters, allochthonous inputs are substantial and variable, but become less important in streams and rivers with larger watersheds. As allochthonous dissolved organic matter (DOM) moves downstream, the proportion of less aromatic organic matter with autochthonous characteristics increases. How environmental factors converge to control this transformation of DOM at a continental scale is less certain. We hypothesized that the amount of time water has spent travelling through surface waters of inland systems (streams, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs) is correlated to DOM composition. To test this hypothesis, we used established river network scaling relationships to predict relative river network flow‐weighted travel time (FWTT) of water for 60 stream and river sites across the contiguous United States (3090 discrete samples over 10 water years). We estimated lentic contribution to travel times with upstream in‐network lake and reservoir volume. DOM composition was quantified using ultraviolet and visible absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. A combination of FWTT and lake and reservoir volume was the best overall predictor of DOM composition among models that also incorporated discharge, specific discharge, watershed area, and upstream channel length. DOM spectral slope ratio (R2 = 0.77) and Freshness Index (R2 = 0.78) increased and specific ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nm (R2 = 0.68) and Humification Index (R2 = 0.44) decreased across sites as a function of FWTT and upstream lake volume. This indicates autochthonous‐like DOM becomes continually more dominant in waters with greater FWTT. We assert that river FWTT can be used as a metric of the continuum of DOM composition from headwaters to rivers. The nature of the changes to DOM composition detected suggest this continuum is driven by a combination of photo‐oxidation, biological processes, hydrologically varying terrestrial subsidies, and aged groundwater inputs.
Assessment of the cytotoxic, genotoxic, and apoptotic potential of flurbiprofen in HeLa and HepG2 cell lines
Authors: Bakır Elçin , Çal Tuğbagül , Aydın Dilsiz Sevtap , Canpınar Hande , Eken Ayşe , Ündeğer Bucurgat Ülkü
Published: March 2021

In the literature, the anticancer potential of flurbiprofen isn't fully understood. In this study, the cytotoxic, genotoxic, and apoptotic effects of flurbiprofen were evaluated in human cervical and liver cancer cells. Cytotoxicity was measured by 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, and it was observed that cytotoxicity increased in a concentration‐ and time‐dependent manner. Genotoxicity was determined using alkaline Comet assay. DNA damage increased in a concentration‐dependent manner. Early apoptosis was evaluated using real‐time polymerase chain reaction, and it was found that apoptotic gene levels increased while antiapoptotic gene levels decreased. Late apoptosis and cell cycle analyzes were determined using flow cytometry. No evidence of late apoptosis was observed, and no significant arrest was found in the cell cycle. In conclusion, it seems that flurbiprofen has a cytotoxic, genotoxic, and apoptotic effects in both human cancer cell lines. Moreover, the findings indicate that flurbiprofen is effective at the gene level and induces apoptosis with an intracellular pathway.
LIMONADA: A database dedicated to the simulation of biological membranes
Authors: Crowet Jean‐Marc , Buchoux Sébastien , Belloy Nicolas , Sarazin Catherine , Lins Laurence , Dauchez Manuel
Published: March 2021

Cellular membranes are composed of a wide diversity of lipid species in varying proportions and these compositions are representative of the organism, cellular type and organelle to which they belong. Because models of these molecular systems simulated by MD steadily gain in size and complexity, they are increasingly representative of specific compositions and behaviors of biological membranes. Due to the number of lipid species involved, of force fields and topologies and because of the complexity of membrane objects that have been simulated, LIMONADA has been developed as an open database allowing to handle the various aspects of lipid membrane simulation. LIMONADA presents published membrane patches with their simulation files and the cellular membrane it models. Their compositions are then detailed based on the lipid identification from LIPID MAPS database plus the lipid topologies and the force field used. LIMONADA is freely accessible on the web at https://limonada.univ-reims.fr/.
Procoagulant platelets: Generation, characteristics, and therapeutic target
Authors: Chu Yaxin , Guo Han , Zhang Yuncong , Qiao Rui
Published: March 2021

Platelets play a pivotal role in hemostasis. Activated platelets are classified into two groups, according to their agonist response: aggregating and procoagulant platelets. Aggregating platelets consist of activated integrin αIIbβ3 and stretch out pseudopods to further attract platelets to the site of injury by connecting with fibrinogen. They mainly gather in the core of the thrombus and perform a secretory function, such as releasing adenosine diphosphate (ADP). Procoagulant platelets promote the formation of thrombin and fibrin by interacting with coagulation factors and can thus be considered as the connector between primary and secondary hemostasis. In addition to their functions in blood coagulation, procoagulant platelets play a proinflammatory role by releasing platelet microparticles and inorganic polyphosphate. Considering these important functions of procoagulant platelets, this subpopulation warrants detailed study to analyze their potential in preventing human diseases. This review summarizes the generation and important characteristics of procoagulant platelets, as well as their potential for preventing the adverse effects associated with current antiplatelet therapies.
Assessment of the role of zinc in the prevention of COVID‐19 infections and mortality: A retrospective study in the Asian and European population
Authors: Ali Nurshad , Fariha Khandaker A. , Islam Farjana , Mohanto Nayan C. , Ahmad Iftekhar , Hosen Mohammad J. , Ahmed Shamim
Published: March 2021

Several studies have demonstrated an association between individual zinc status and viral respiratory infections; however, evidence regarding COVID‐19 is still missing or insufficient. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between the prevalence of zinc deficiency and COVID‐19 cases and deaths per million population in the Asian and European countries. The COVID‐19 data from two different time points, that is, May 30 and June 30, 2020 for the Asian population and May 15 and June 15, 2020 for the European population, were analyzed to determine the correlation with the estimated zinc deficiency for these two continents. The prevalence of zinc deficiency was about two times higher in the Asian population (mean 17.5%) than in the European population (mean 8.9%). A significant positive correlation (p < .05) was observed between the prevalence of zinc deficiency and COVID‐19 cases at both time periods for the Asian population. However, the correlation between zinc deficiency prevalence and COVID‐19 deaths was not significant in the Asian population. In contrast, a significant but negative correlation (p < .05 for all cases) was observed for zinc deficiency with both COVID‐19 cases and deaths per million population at both time periods in the European countries. Considering the direct antiviral properties of zinc, it can be suggested that zinc supplementation may be beneficial for most of the population, especially older people and those who are at risk of COVID‐19 infections. In conclusion, there is not enough evidence on the association between individual zinc status and COVID‐19 infections and mortality. Therefore, cohort studies and randomized controlled trials are required to test this hypothesis.
Changes in stability and in vitro digestion of egg‐protein stabilized emulsions and β‐carotene gels in the presence of sodium tripolyphosphate
Authors: Li Junhua , Wang Chenying , Chang Cuihua , Jiao Han , Su Yujie , Gu Luping , Yang Yanjun , Yu Haitao
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND

Egg proteins are effective emulsifiers and gelators in food systems. However, the physicochemical stability and control release properties of egg‐protein stabilized emulsions and gels need to be further improved. The potential of sodium tripolyphosphate (St) to improve the functionality of egg proteins was evaluated.

RESULTS

The emulsions with St had smaller particle sizes and higher zeta potential, leading to better physical stability. Furthermore, the oxidation stability increased with increasing St contents, possibly due to its metal chelating capacity and the improved emulsifying activity of whole‐egg dispersions. Phosphate had a positive impact on the chemical stability of β‐carotene in whole‐egg liquids and gels, decreasing the degradation during thermal treatment. The gel made with St was firm and broke down slowly, leading to a low rate of digestion and β‐carotene release in simulated gastric fluid.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that St is useful to improve the egg proteins stabilized emulsions and gels, which is applicable in the development of emulsion‐based food grade gel products. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry
Innovatively processed quinoa (Chenopodium quinoaWilld.) food: chemistry, structure and end‐use characteristics
Authors: Kuktaite Ramune , Repo‐Carrasco‐Valencia Ritva , de Mendoza Cesar CH , Plivelic Tomás S , Hall Stephen , Johansson Eva
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) flour and processed traditional Peruvian quinoa breakfast foods were studied to evaluate the effect of extrusion and post‐processing on protein properties, morphology and nutritional characteristics (amino acids and dietary fibers).

RESULTS

The extrusion increased quinoa protein crosslinking and aggregation observed by size exclusion high‐performance liquid chromatography and the amount of soluble fibers, as well as decreasing the amounts of insoluble fibers in the processed foods. The post‐processing drying resulted in additional crosslinking of large protein fractions in the quinoa products. The microstructure of the extruded quinoa breakfast flakes and heat‐post‐processed samples studied by scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray tomography differed greatly; post‐drying induced formation of aerated protein microstructures in the heat‐treated samples. Nanostructures revealed by small‐angle and wide‐angle X‐ray scattering indicated that extrusion imparted morphological changes in the quinoa protein and starch (dominance of V‐type). Overall, extrusion processing only reduced the content of most of the essential amino acids to a minor extent; the content of valine and methionine was reduced to a slightly greater extent, but the final products met the requirements of the Food and Drug Organization.

CONCLUSION

This study presents innovative examples on how extrusion processing and post‐processing heat treatment can be used to produce attractive future food alternatives, such as breakfast cereal flakes and porridge powder, from quinoa grains. Extrusion of quinoa flour into Peruvian foods was shown to be mostly impacted by the processing temperature and processing conditions used. Protein crosslinking increased due to extrusion and post‐processing heating. Starch crystallinity decreased most when the product was dried after processing. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Impact of the film‐forming dispersion pH on the properties of yeast biomass films
Authors: Delgado Juan F , Salvay Andrés G , de la Osa Orlando , Wagner Jorge R , Peltzer Mercedes A
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND

Yeast biomass, mainly composed of proteins and polysaccharides (mannans and β‐glucans), has been proposed to develop films. pH can affect the solubility of polysaccharides, the structure of the cell wall, and the interactions between proteins. Considering the potential impact of these effects, the pH of yeast film‐forming dispersions was studied from 4 to 11.

RESULTS

In tensile tests, samples increased their elongation by increasing pH, from 7 ± 2% (pH 4) to 29 ± 5% (pH 11), but Young's modulus was not significantly modified. Regarding thermal degradation, the maximum degradation rate temperature was shifted 46 °C from pH 4 to 11. Differences in water vapour permeability, colour, opacity, and roughness of films were also found. According to the results of differential protein solubility assay, hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding were promoted at pH 4, but disulfide bonds were benefited at pH 11, in addition to partial β‐glucan dissolution and break‐up of the alkali‐sensitive linkage in molecules from the cell wall.

CONCLUSION

The results lead to the conclusion that film‐functional characteristics were greatly benefited at pH 11 in comparison with the regular pH of dispersion (pH 6). These results could help in understanding and selecting the pH conditions to enhance the desired properties of yeast biomass films. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
The effect of anomalous weather on the seasonal clothing market in New York
Authors: Oh Jungmi , Jo Young‐Heon , Ha Kyung‐Ja
Published: March 2021

The occurrences of losing the merchandising calendar for seasonal clothes have become more frequent due to anomalous weather changes. In order to develop accurate sales forecasts for clothing retailers, weather changes should be incorporated. The purpose of the study was to find the timing of consumers' seasonal clothing demands and the relationship between the timing of consumers' searches for seasonal clothes and temperature changes. Specifically, drawing upon the United States' seasonal clothing demand from winter jacket Google Trends (GT) and air temperature data from empirical evidence, the study provided a methodology to discover the time lag for seasonal clothing demand timing based on temperature changes. Using the past five years (2014–2019) of GT and temperature data for the US state of New York, abnormal weather due to a significant El Niño year (2015–2016) and a weak La Niña year (2017–2018) was analysed. It suggested that consumers' search activities start when the temperature decreased rapidly continuously for at least six days. Furthermore, a plausible index was employed to determine the timing of peak demand with cumulative sums (CUSUMs). Based on the CUSUMs of air temperature for 18 days, consumers started to search for winter jackets at about 118–128 CUSUMs for a La Niña year, 217–248 CUSUMs for an El Niño year and 281 CUSUMs for a normal year. The results give a guideline to meet consumers' seasonal needs in a timely manner.
Exploring views of orthopaedic surgeons, rheumatologists and general practitioners about osteoarthritis management
Authors: Wallis Jason A. , Barton Christian J. , Brusco Natasha K. , Kemp Joanne L. , Sherwood James , Young Kirby , Jennings Sophie , Trivett Adrian , Ackerman Ilana N.
Published: March 2021

Background

Delivery of recommended treatments for hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA) is known to be discordant with guideline recommendations. However, professional views related to OA management across medical and surgical disciplines are not well understood. The aim of this study was to explore the views of medical professionals about management of hip and knee OA.

Methods

Qualitative study. Semistructured individual interviews were conducted with orthopaedic surgeons, rheumatologists and general practitioners routinely involved in the management of OA. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, member‐checked, coded and thematically analysed.

Results

Fifteen medical professionals were interviewed. Three main themes were: (i) recognition of the importance of nonsurgical management of hip and knee OA, focussed on self‐management, exercise‐therapy, weight management and analgesia; (ii) joint replacement being considered the ‘last resort' for end stage disease not responding to nonsurgical management; and (iii) determination of management ‘success' through patient perceptions was more common than the use of validated instruments. Views on management broadly converged across disciplines, except for the role of joint replacement, considered an adjunct in the overall management of OA by rheumatologists and as a definitive cure by orthopaedic surgeons.

Conclusions

Aligning with current guidelines, medical professionals recognised the importance of nonsurgical management focussed on exercise‐therapy for hip and knee OA, and concurred that joint replacement surgery should be a last resort. A focus on patient education was less prominent, which along with implementation of validated outcome measures in routine medical practice, may require greater health system support.