bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impacts of repeated glyphosate use on growth of orchard crops
Authors: Osipitan O. Adewale , Yildiz-Kutman Bahar , Watkins Seth , Brown Patrick H. , Hanson Bradley D.
Published: August 2020

Glyphosate is an important component of herbicide programs in orchard crops in California. It can be applied alone or in tank-mix combinations under the crop rows or to the entire field and often is used multiple times each year. There has been speculation about the potential impacts of repeated use of glyphosate in perennial crop systems, because of uptake from shallow root systems or indirectly because of effects on nutrient availability in soil. To address these concerns, research was conducted from 2013 to 2020 on key orchard crops to evaluate tree response to glyphosate regimens. Almond, cherry, and prune were evaluated in separate experiments. In each crop, the experimental design was a factorial arrangement of two soil types, four glyphosate rates (0, 1.1, 2.2, and 4.4 kg ae ha−1, applied three times annually), and two post-glyphosate application irrigation treatments. In the first 2 yr of the study, there was no clear impact of the glyphosate regimens on shikimate accumulation or leaf chlorophyll content, which suggested no direct effect on the crop. In the seventh year of the study, after six consecutive years of glyphosate application to the orchard floors, there were no negative impacts of glyphosate application on leaf nutrient concentration or on cumulative trunk growth in any of the three orchard crops. Lack of a negative growth impact even at the highest treatment rate, which included 18 applications of glyphosate totaling nearly 80 kg ae ha−1 glyphosate over the course of the experiment suggest there is not likely a significant risk to tree health of judicious use of the herbicide in these production systems. Given the economic importance of orchard crops in California, and grower and industry concerns about pesticides generally and specifically about glyphosate, these findings are timely contributions to weed management concerns in perennial specialty crops.
The influence of soybean population and POST herbicide application timing on in-season and subsequent-season Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) control and economic returns
Authors: Mahoney Denis J. , Jordan David L. , Hare Andrew T. , Roma-Burgos Nilda , Jennings Katherine M. , Leon Ramon G. , Vann Matthew C. , Everman Wesley J. , Cahoon Charles W.
Published: August 2020

Overreliance on herbicides for weed control has led to the evolution of herbicide-resistant Palmer amaranth populations. Farm managers should consider the long-term consequences of their short-term management decisions, especially when considering the soil weed seedbank. The objectives of this research were to (1) determine how soybean population and POST herbicide application timing affects in-season Palmer amaranth control and soybean yield, and (2) how those variables influence Palmer amaranth densities and cotton yields the following season. Soybeans were planted (19-cm row spacing) at a low-, medium-, and high-density population (268,000, 546,000, and 778,000 plants ha–1, respectively). Fomesafen and clethodim (280 and 210 g ai ha–1, respectively) were applied at the VE, V1, or V2 to V3 soybean growth stage. Nontreated plots were also included to assess the effect of soybean population alone. The following season, cotton was planted into these plots so as to understand the effects of soybean planting population on Palmer amaranth densities in the subsequent crop. When an herbicide application occurred at the V1 or V2 to V3 soybean stage, weed control in the high-density soybean population increased 17% to 23% compared to the low-density population. Economic return was not influenced by soybean population and was increased 72% to 94% with herbicide application compared to no treatment. In the subsequent cotton crop, Palmer amaranth densities were 24% to 39% lower 3 wk after planting when following soybean sprayed with herbicides compared to soybean without herbicides. Additionally, Palmer amaranth densities in cotton were 19% lower when soybean was treated at the VE stage compared to later stages. Thus, increasing soybean population can improve Palmer amaranth control without adversely affecting economic returns and can reduce future weed densities. Reducing the weed seedbank and selection pressure from herbicides are critical in mitigating resistance evolution.
Conceptual Model of Arsenic Mobility in the Shallow Alluvial Aquifers Near Venice (Italy) Elucidated Through Machine Learning and Geochemical Modeling
Authors: Dalla Libera Nico , Pedretti Daniele , Tateo Fabio , Mason Leonardo , Piccinini Leonardo , Fabbri Paolo
Published: August 2020

This work proposed a novel method to elucidate the controls of As mobility in complex aquifers based on an unsupervised machine learning algorithm, Self‐Organizing Map (SOM), and process‐based geochemical modeling. The approach is tested in the shallow aquifers of the Venetian Alluvial Plain (VAP) near Venice, Italy, where As concentrations seasonally and locally exceed recommended drinking water limits. SOM was fed using information from two geochemical surveys on eight VAP boreholes, and continuous reading of hourly groundwater head levels and weekly geochemical analyses from three VAP boreholes between mid‐October 2017 and end of January 2018. The SOM analysis is consistent with redox‐controlled dissolution‐precipitation hydrous ferric oxides (HFOs) as a key control of As mobility in the aquifer. Dissolved As is positively correlated to Fe and
and negatively to the oxidizing‐reducing potential (ORP). Negative correlation between As and groundwater head levels suggests a redox control by rainfall‐driven recharge, which adds oxidants to the aquifer while progressively attenuating As. This mechanism is tested using process‐based geochemical modeling, which simulates different transport modalities of oxidants entering the aquifer. Starting from reducing aquifer conditions, the model reproduces correctly the observed ORP and the trends in As and Fe, when the function describing the occurrence of oxidizing events scales according to the temporal occurrence of rainfall events. Heterogeneity can strongly control the local‐scale effectiveness of recharge as a natural As attenuating factor, requiring a different model analysis to be properly assessed and to be developed in a follow‐up study.
Evolution of the Upper Ocean Stratification in the Japan Sea Since the Last Glacial
Authors: Wu Yonghua , Shi Xuefa , Gong Xun , Jian Zhimin , Zou Jianjun , Liu Yanguang , Lohmann Gerrit , Gorbarenko Sergey A. , Tiedemann Ralf , Lembke‐Jene Lester
Published: August 2020

Paleoceanographic evidence commonly indicates that Last Glacial Maximum surface temperatures in the Japan Sea were comparable to modern conditions, in striking difference to colder neighboring regions. Here, based on a core from the central Japan Sea, our results show similar UK′37‐ and TEXL86‐derived temperatures between 24.7 and 16.3 ka BP, followed by an abrupt divergence at ~16.3 ka BP and a weakening of divergence after ~8.7 ka BP. We attribute this process to a highly stratified glacial upper ocean controlled by the East Asian Summer Monsoon, increasing thermal gradient between surface and subsurface layers during the deglaciation and the intrusion of Tsushima Warm Current since the mid‐Holocene, respectively. Therefore, we suggest that threshold‐like changes in upper‐ocean temperatures linked to sea level rise and monsoon dynamics, rather than just sea surface temperatures, play a critical role in shaping the thermal and ventilation history of this NW Pacific marginal sea.
Physical Properties and Gas Hydrate at a Near‐Seafloor Thrust Fault, Hikurangi Margin, New Zealand
Authors: Cook Ann E. , Paganoni Matteo , Clennell Michael Benedict , McNamara David D. , Nole Michael , Wang Xiujuan , Han Shuoshuo , Bell Rebecca E. , Solomon Evan A. , Saffer Demian M. , Barnes Philip M. , Pecher Ingo A. , Wallace Laura M. , LeVay Leah J. , Petronotis Katerina E.
Published: August 2020

The Pāpaku Fault Zone, drilled at International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Site U1518, is an active splay fault in the frontal accretionary wedge of the Hikurangi Margin. In logging‐while‐drilling data, the 33‐m‐thick fault zone exhibits mixed modes of deformation associated with a trend of downward decreasing density, P‐wave velocity, and resistivity. Methane hydrate is observed from ~30 to 585 m below seafloor (mbsf), including within and surrounding the fault zone. Hydrate accumulations are vertically discontinuous and occur throughout the entire logged section at low to moderate saturation in silty and sandy centimeter‐thick layers. We argue that the hydrate distribution implies that the methane is not sourced from fluid flow along the fault but instead by local diffusion. This, combined with geophysical observations and geochemical measurements from Site U1518, suggests that the fault is not a focused migration pathway for deeply sourced fluids and that the near‐seafloor Pāpaku Fault Zone has little to no active fluid flow.
Impact of the Oyashio Extension SST Front on Synoptic Variability of Oceanic Low‐Level Cloud in Summertime Based on WRF Numerical Simulation
Authors: Takahashi Naoya , Hayasaka Tadahiro , Manda Atsuyoshi , Schneider Niklas
Published: August 2020

The sea surface temperature (SST) front in the North Pacific (NP) has a potential to modulate the atmospheric boundary layer and cloud properties within it. We investigated the impact of the SST gradient along with the Oyashio Extension on low‐level cloud properties during summertime based on a Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) numerical simulation. To reveal the SST gradient impact, we conducted two experiments with different boundary conditions from July to August for 3 years from 2014 to 2016: the first with 0.25° daily SST data (CTL experiment) and the second with spatially smoothed SST without SST frontal characteristics (SMO experiment). The period mean cloud water mixing ratio of marine fog on the northern flank of the front in the CTL experiment was larger than that in the SMO experiment by about 20% of the mean value. The SST front affected not only the mean state but also the synoptic variability of the marine fog, and the magnitude of the effects depended on the meridional wind across the SST front. We found two competing physical processes modulating the marine fog on the northern flank. First, a local cold SST anomaly reduced the saturated water vapor pressure near the surface, which is favorable for fog formation (SST anomaly effect). Second, warm temperature advection from southern to northern flanks suppressed the fog formation, and the suppression was effective when the horizontal gradient of SST anomaly was large (SST frontal effect). Our results indicated the importance of the SST gradient in summertime Oyashio Extension for the marine fog formation.
A novel mitochondrial amidoxime reducing component 2 is a favorable indicator of cancer and suppresses the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma by regulating the expression of p27
Authors: Wu Dehai , Wang Yan , Yang Guangchao , Zhang Shugeng , Liu Yao , Zhou Shuo , Guo Hongrui , Liang Shuhang , Cui Yifeng , Zhang Bo , Ma Kun , Zhang Congyi , Liu Yufeng , Sun Linmao , Wang Jiabei , Liu Lianxin
Published: August 2020

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States. Exploring the mechanism of HCC and identifying ideal targets is critical. In the present study, we demonstrated metabolism dysfunction might be a key diver for the development of HCC. The mitochondrial amidoxime reducing component 2 (MARC2) as a newly discovered molybdenum enzyme was downregulated in human HCC tissues and HCC cells. Downregulated MARC2 was significantly associated with clinicopathological characteristics of HCC, such as tumor size, AFP levels, and tumor grade and was an independent risk factor of poor prognosis. Both in vitro and in vivo studies suggested that MARC2 suppressed the progression of HCC by regulating the protein expression level of p27. The Hippo signaling pathway and RNF123 were required for this process. Moreover, MARC2 regulated expression of HNF4A via the Hippo signaling pathway. HNF4A was recruited to the promoter of MARC2 forming a feedback loop. MARC2 levels were downregulated by methylation. We demonstrated the prognostic value of MARC2 in HCC and determined the mechanism by which MARC2 suppressed the progression of HCC in this study. These findings may lead to new therapeutic targets for HCC.
Phosphorylation by Aurora B kinase regulates caspase-2 activity and function
Authors: Lim Yoon , De Bellis Dylan , Sandow Jarrod J. , Capalbo Luisa , D’Avino Pier Paolo , Murphy James M. , Webb Andrew I. , Dorstyn Loretta , Kumar Sharad
Published: August 2020

Mitotic catastrophe (MC) is an important oncosuppressive mechanism that serves to eliminate cells that become polyploid or aneuploid due to aberrant mitosis. Previous studies have demonstrated that the activation and catalytic function of caspase-2 are key steps in MC to trigger apoptosis and/or cell cycle arrest of mitotically defective cells. However, the molecular mechanisms that regulate caspase-2 activation and its function are unclear. Here, we identify six new phosphorylation sites in caspase-2 and show that a key mitotic kinase, Aurora B kinase (AURKB), phosphorylates caspase-2 at the highly conserved residue S384. We demonstrate that phosphorylation at S384 blocks caspase-2 catalytic activity and apoptosis function in response to mitotic insults, without affecting caspase-2 dimerisation. Moreover, molecular modelling suggests that phosphorylation at S384 may affect substrate binding by caspase-2. We propose that caspase-2 S384 phosphorylation by AURKB is a key mechanism that controls caspase-2 activation during mitosis.
Long non-coding RNA LRRC75A-AS1 facilitates triple negative breast cancer cell proliferation and invasion via functioning as a ceRNA to modulate BAALC
Authors: Li Sijie , Wu Di , Jia Hongyao , Zhang Zhiru
Published: August 2020

As a common female malignancy, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most serious subtype in breast cancer (BC). BAALC binder of MAP3K1 and KLF4 (BAALC) is a common oncogene in acute myelocytic leukemia (AML). We sought to explore the role of BAALC in TNBC. In this study, BAALC was significantly upregulated in TNBC tissues and cells. Then, the results of functional assays disclosed that BAALC facilitated cell proliferation, invasion, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) processes, but repressed cell apoptosis in TNBC. Next, miR-380–3p was identified as the upstream of BAALC in TNBC cells. Moreover, LRRC75A-AS1 (also named small nucleolar RNA host gene 29: SNHG29) was verified to act as the sponge of miR-380–3p to elevate BAALC expression in TNBC. Besides, LRRC75A-AS1 could negatively regulate miR-380–3p but positively regulate BAALC expression. Finally, rescue assays elucidated that LRRC75A-AS1 facilitated cell proliferation, invasion, and EMT processes in TNBC by targeting miR-380–3p/BAALC pathway. Taken together, our study revealed a novel ceRNA network of LRRC75A-AS1/miR-380–3p/BAALC in accelerating TNBC development, indicating new promising targets for TNBC treatment.
Caveolin1 and YAP drive mechanically induced mesothelial to mesenchymal transition and fibrosis
Authors: Strippoli Raffaele , Sandoval Pilar , Moreno-Vicente Roberto , Rossi Lucia , Battistelli Cecilia , Terri Michela , Pascual-Antón Lucía , Loureiro Marta , Matteini Francesca , Calvo Enrique , Jiménez-Heffernan José Antonio , Gómez Manuel José , Jiménez-Jiménez Victor , Sánchez-Cabo Fátima , Vázquez Jesús , Tripodi Marco , López-Cabrera Manuel , del Pozo Miguel Ángel
Published: August 2020

Despite their emerging relevance to fully understand disease pathogenesis, we have as yet a poor understanding as to how biomechanical signals are integrated with specific biochemical pathways to determine cell behaviour. Mesothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (MMT) markers colocalized with TGF-β1-dependent signaling and yes-associated protein (YAP) activation across biopsies from different pathologies exhibiting peritoneal fibrosis, supporting mechanotransduction as a central driving component of these class of fibrotic lesions and its crosstalk with specific signaling pathways. Transcriptome and proteome profiling of the response of mesothelial cells (MCs) to linear cyclic stretch revealed molecular changes compatible with bona fide MMT, which (i) overlapped with established YAP target gene subsets, and were largely dependent on endogenous TGF-β1 signaling. Importantly, TGF-β1 blockade blunts the transcriptional upregulation of these gene signatures, but not the mechanical activation and nuclear translocation of YAP per se. We studied the role therein of caveolin-1 (CAV1), a plasma membrane mechanotransducer. Exposure of CAV1-deficient MCs to cyclic stretch led to a robust upregulation of MMT-related gene programs, which was blunted upon TGF-β1 inhibition. Conversely, CAV1 depletion enhanced both TGF-β1 and TGFBRI expression, whereas its re-expression blunted mechanical stretching-induced MMT. CAV1 genetic deficiency exacerbated MMT and adhesion formation in an experimental murine model of peritoneal ischaemic buttons. Taken together, these results support that CAV1-YAP/TAZ fine-tune the fibrotic response through the modulation of MMT, onto which TGF-β1-dependent signaling coordinately converges. Our findings reveal a cooperation between biomechanical and biochemical signals in the triggering of MMT, representing a novel potential opportunity to intervene mechanically induced disorders coursing with peritoneal fibrosis, such as post-surgical adhesions.
Melatonin suppresses chronic restraint stress-mediated metastasis of epithelial ovarian cancer via NE/AKT/β-catenin/SLUG axis
Authors: Bu Shixia , Wang Qian , Sun Junyan , Li Xiao , Gu Tingting , Lai Dongmei
Published: August 2020

Chronic stress has been shown to facilitate progression of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), however, the neuro-endocranial mechanism participating in this process still remains unclear. Here, we reported that chronic restraint stress (CRS) promoted the abdominal implantation metastasis of EOC cells and the expression of epithelial–mesenchymal transition-related markers in tumor-bearing mouse model, including TWIST, SLUG, SNAIL, and β-catenin. We observed that β-catenin co-expressed with SLUG and norepinephrine (NE) in tumor tissues obtained from nude mice. Further ex vivo experiments revealed that NE promoted migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells and SLUG expression through upregulating expression and improving transcriptional function of β-catenin in vitro. A human phosphor-kinase array suggested that NE activated various kinases in ovarian cancer cells, and we further confirmed that AKT inhibitor reduced NE-mediated pro-metastatic impacts and activation of the β-catenin/SLUG axis. Furthermore, the expression levels of NE and β-catenin were examined in ovarian tumor tissues by using tumor tissue arrays. Results showed that the expression levels of both NE and β-catenin were associated with poor clinical stage of serous EOC. Moreover, we found that melatonin (MLT) effectively reduced the abdominal tumor burden of ovarian cancer induced by CRS, which was partially related to the inhibition of the NE/AKT/β-catenin/SLUG axis. Collectively, these findings suggest a novel mechanism for CRS-mediated ovarian cancer metastasis and MLT has a potential therapeutic efficacy against ovarian cancer.
Micro triboelectric ultrasonic device for acoustic energy transfer and signal communication
Authors: Chen Chen , Wen Zhen , Shi Jihong , Jian Xiaohua , Li Peiyang , Yeow John T. W. , Sun Xuhui
Published: August 2020

As a promising energy converter, the requirement for miniaturization and high-accuracy of triboelectric nanogenerators always remains urgent. In this work, a micro triboelectric ultrasonic device was developed by integrating a triboelectric nanogenerator and micro-electro-mechanical systems technology. To date, it sets a world record for the smallest triboelectric device, with a 50 µm-sized diaphragm, and enables the working frequency to be brought to megahertz. This dramatically improves the miniaturization and chip integration of the triboelectric nanogenerator. With 63 kPa@1 MHz ultrasound input, the micro triboelectric ultrasonic device can generate the voltage signal of 16.8 mV and 12.7 mV through oil and sound-attenuation medium, respectively. It also achieved the signal-to-ratio of 20.54 dB and exhibited the practical potential for signal communication by modulating the incident ultrasound. Finally, detailed optimization approaches have also been proposed to further improve the output power of the micro triboelectric ultrasonic device.
Closed-loop control of a GaAs-based singlet-triplet spin qubit with 99.5% gate fidelity and low leakage
Authors: Cerfontaine Pascal , Botzem Tim , Ritzmann Julian , Humpohl Simon Sebastian , Ludwig Arne , Schuh Dieter , Bougeard Dominique , Wieck Andreas D. , Bluhm Hendrik
Published: August 2020

Semiconductor spin qubits have recently seen major advances in coherence time and control fidelities, leading to a single-qubit performance that is on par with other leading qubit platforms. Most of this progress is based on microwave control of single spins in devices made of isotopically purified silicon. For controlling spins, the exchange interaction is an additional key ingredient which poses new challenges for high-fidelity control. Here, we demonstrate exchange-based single-qubit gates of two-electron spin qubits in GaAs double quantum dots. Using careful pulse optimization and closed-loop tuning, we achieve a randomized benchmarking fidelity of (99.50±0.04)% and a leakage rate of 0.13% out of the computational subspace. These results open new perspectives for microwave-free control of singlet-triplet qubits in GaAs and other materials.
A glycoprotein B-neutralizing antibody structure at 2.8 Å uncovers a critical domain for herpesvirus fusion initiation
Authors: Oliver Stefan L. , Xing Yi , Chen Dong-Hua , Roh Soung Hun , Pintilie Grigore D. , Bushnell David A. , Sommer Marvin H. , Yang Edward , Carfi Andrea , Chiu Wah , Arvin Ann M.
Published: August 2020

Members of the Herpesviridae, including the medically important alphaherpesvirus varicella-zoster virus (VZV), induce fusion of the virion envelope with cell membranes during entry, and between cells to form polykaryocytes in infected tissues. The conserved glycoproteins, gB, gH and gL, are the core functional proteins of the herpesvirus fusion complex. gB serves as the primary fusogen via its fusion loops, but functions for the remaining gB domains remain unexplained. As a pathway for biological discovery of domain function, our approach used structure-based analysis of the viral fusogen together with a neutralizing antibody. We report here a 2.8 Å cryogenic-electron microscopy structure of native gB recovered from VZV-infected cells, in complex with a human monoclonal antibody, 93k. This high-resolution structure guided targeted mutagenesis at the gB-93k interface, providing compelling evidence that a domain spatially distant from the gB fusion loops is critical for herpesvirus fusion, revealing a potential new target for antiviral therapies.
Age-dependent loss of adipose Rubicon promotes metabolic disorders via excess autophagy
Authors: Yamamuro Tadashi , Kawabata Tsuyoshi , Fukuhara Atsunori , Saita Shotaro , Nakamura Shuhei , Takeshita Hikari , Fujiwara Mari , Enokidani Yusuke , Yoshida Gota , Tabata Keisuke , Hamasaki Maho , Kuma Akiko , Yamamoto Koichi , Shimomura Iichiro , Yoshimori Tamotsu
Published: August 2020

The systemic decline in autophagic activity with age impairs homeostasis in several tissues, leading to age-related diseases. A mechanistic understanding of adipocyte dysfunction with age could help to prevent age-related metabolic disorders, but the role of autophagy in aged adipocytes remains unclear. Here we show that, in contrast to other tissues, aged adipocytes upregulate autophagy due to a decline in the levels of Rubicon, a negative regulator of autophagy. Rubicon knockout in adipocytes causes fat atrophy and hepatic lipid accumulation due to reductions in the expression of adipogenic genes, which can be recovered by activation of PPARγ. SRC-1 and TIF2, coactivators of PPARγ, are degraded by autophagy in a manner that depends on their binding to GABARAP family proteins, and are significantly downregulated in Rubicon-ablated or aged adipocytes. Hence, we propose that age-dependent decline in adipose Rubicon exacerbates metabolic disorders by promoting excess autophagic degradation of SRC-1 and TIF2.
Geometric principles underlying the proliferation of a model cell system
Authors: Wu Ling Juan , Lee Seoungjun , Park Sungshic , Eland Lucy E. , Wipat Anil , Holden Séamus , Errington Jeff
Published: August 2020

Many bacteria can form wall-deficient variants, or L-forms, that divide by a simple mechanism that does not require the FtsZ-based cell division machinery. Here, we use microfluidic systems to probe the growth, chromosome cycle and division mechanism ofBacillus subtilisL-forms. We find that forcing cells into a narrow linear configuration greatly improves the efficiency of cell growth and chromosome segregation. This reinforces the view that L-form division is driven by an excess accumulation of surface area over volume. Cell geometry also plays a dominant role in controlling the relative positions and movement of segregating chromosomes. Furthermore, the presence of the nucleoid appears to influence division both via a cell volume effect and by nucleoid occlusion, even in the absence of FtsZ. Our results emphasise the importance of geometric effects for a range of crucial cell functions, and are of relevance for efforts to develop artificial or minimal cell systems.
Identifying candidate hosts for quantum defects via data mining
Authors: Ferrenti Austin M. , de Leon Nathalie P. , Thompson Jeff D. , Cava Robert J.
Published: August 2020

Atom-like defects in solid-state hosts are promising candidates for the development of quantum information systems, but despite their importance, the host substrate/defect combinations currently under study have almost exclusively been found serendipitously. Here we systematically evaluate the suitability of host materials by applying a combined four-stage data mining and manual screening process to all entries in the Materials Project database, with literature-based experimental confirmation of band gap values. We identify a total of 541 viable hosts (16 unary and 74 binary) for quantum defect introduction and potential use in quantum information systems. This represents a significant (99.57%) reduction from the total number of known inorganic phases, and the application of additional selection criteria for specific applications will reduce their number even further. The screening principles outlined may easily be applied to previously unrealized phases and other technologically important materials systems.
Brief communication: immunogenicity of measles vaccine when co-administered with 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
Authors: Toh Zheng Quan , Temple Beth , Huu Tran Ngoc , Dai Vo Thi Trang , Toan Nguyen Trong , Uyen Doan Y. , Bright Kathryn , Do Lien Anh Ha , Mulholland E. Kim , Licciardi Paul V.
Published: August 2020

This brief communication describes the findings from a randomised controlled trial in Vietnam that co-administration of measles vaccine (MV) with 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV10, Synflorix®, GSK) does not affect the immunogenicity of MV. These findings are most relevant for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in Asia considering PCV introduction.
The green and blue crop water requirement WATNEEDS model and its global gridded outputs
Authors: Chiarelli Davide Danilo , Passera Corrado , Rosa Lorenzo , Davis Kyle Frankel , D’Odorico Paolo , Rulli Maria Cristina
Published: August 2020

Accurately assessing green and blue water requirements from croplands is fundamental to promote sustainable water management. In the last decade, global hydrological models have provided important insights into global patterns of water requirements for crop production. As important as these models are, they do not provide monthly crop-specific and year-specific data of green and blue water requirements. Gridded crop-specific products are therefore needed to better understand the spatial and temporal evolution of water demand. Here, we present a global gridded database of monthly crop-specific green (rain-fed) and blue (irrigated) water requirements for 23 main crops and 3 crop groups obtained using our WATNEEDS model. For the time periods in which our dataset matched, these estimates are validated against existing global products and satellite based datasets of evapotranspiration. The data are publicly available and can be used by practitioners in the water-energy-food nexus to assess the water sustainability of our food and energy systems at multiple spatial (local to global) and temporal (seasonal to multi-year) scales.
Temperature increase altered Daphnia community structure in artificially heated lakes: a potential scenario for a warmer future
Authors: Dziuba Marcin K. , Herdegen-Radwan Magdalena , Pluta Estera , Wejnerowski Łukasz , Szczuciński Witold , Cerbin Slawek
Published: August 2020

Under conditions of global warming, organisms are expected to track their thermal preferences, invading new habitats at higher latitudes and altitudes and altering the structure of local communities. To fend off potential invaders, indigenous communities/populations will have to rapidly adapt to the increase in temperature. In this study, we tested if decades of artificial water heating changed the structure of communities and populations of theDaphnia longispinaspecies complex. We compared the species composition of contemporaryDaphniacommunities inhabiting five lakes heated by power plants and four non-heated control lakes. The heated lakes are ca. 3–4 °C warmer, as all lakes are expected to be by 2100 according to climate change forecasts. We also genotyped subfossil resting eggs to describe past shifts inDaphniacommunity structure that were induced by lake heating. Both approaches revealed a rapid replacement of indigenousD. longispinaandD. cucullataby invaderD. galeataimmediately after the onset of heating, followed by a gradual recovery of theD. cucullatapopulation. Our findings clearly indicate that, in response to global warming, community restructuring may occur faster than evolutionary adaptation. The eventual recolonisation byD. cucullataindicates that adaptation to novel conditions can be time-lagged, and suggests that the long-term consequences of ecosystem disturbance may differ from short-term observations.
Stimulus-specific regulation of visual oddball differentiation in posterior parietal cortex
Authors: Zhou Zhe Charles , Huang Wei Angel , Yu Yiyi , Negahbani Ehsan , Stitt Iain M. , Alexander Morgan L. , Hamm Jordan P. , Kato Hiroyuki K. , Fröhlich Flavio
Published: August 2020

The frequency at which a stimulus is presented determines how it is interpreted. For example, a repeated image may be of less interest than an image that violates the prior sequence. This process involves integration of sensory information and internal representations of stimulus history, functions carried out in higher-order sensory areas such as the posterior parietal cortex (PPC). Thus far, there are few detailed reports investigating the single-neuron mechanisms for processing of stimulus presentation frequency in PPC. To address this gap in knowledge, we recorded PPC activity using 2-photon calcium imaging and electrophysiology during a visual oddball paradigm. Calcium imaging results reveal differentiation at the level of single neurons for frequent versus rare conditions which varied depending on whether the stimulus was preferred or non-preferred by the recorded neural population. Such differentiation of oddball conditions was mediated primarily by stimulus-independent adaptation in the frequent condition.
The ubiquitin ligase Cullin-1 associates with chromatin and regulates transcription of specific c-MYC target genes
Authors: Sweeney Melanie A. , Iakova Polina , Maneix Laure , Shih Fu-Yuan , Cho Hannah E. , Sahin Ergun , Catic Andre
Published: August 2020

Transcription is regulated through a dynamic interplay of DNA-associated proteins, and the composition of gene-regulatory complexes is subject to continuous adjustments. Protein alterations include post-translational modifications and elimination of individual polypeptides. Spatially and temporally controlled protein removal is, therefore, essential for gene regulation and accounts for the short half-life of many transcription factors. The ubiquitin–proteasome system is responsible for site- and target-specific ubiquitination and protein degradation. Specificity of ubiquitination is conferred by ubiquitin ligases. Cullin-RING complexes, the largest family of ligases, require multi-unit assembly around one of seven cullin proteins. To investigate the direct role of cullins in ubiquitination of DNA-bound proteins and in gene regulation, we analyzed their subcellular locations and DNA-affinities. We found CUL4A and CUL7 to be largely excluded from the nucleus, whereas CUL4B was primarily nuclear. CUL1,2,3, and 5 showed mixed cytosolic and nuclear expression. When analyzing chromatin affinity of individual cullins, we discovered that CUL1 preferentially associated with active promoter sequences and co-localized with 23% of all DNA-associated protein degradation sites. CUL1 co-distributed with c-MYC and specifically repressed nuclear-encoded mitochondrial and splicing-associated genes. These studies underscore the relevance of spatial control in chromatin-associated protein ubiquitination and define a novel role for CUL1 in gene repression.
Evidence of genetic isolation between two Mediterranean morphotypes of Parazoanthus axinellae
Authors: Villamor Adriana , Signorini Lorenzo F. , Costantini Federica , Terzin Marko , Abbiati Marco
Published: August 2020

Coralligenous assemblages are among the most species-rich and vulnerable habitats of the Mediterranean Sea. Nevertheless, data on connectivity patterns on species inhabiting these habitats, crucial to define management and protection priorities, are largely lacking. Moreover, unreliable species-level taxonomy can confound ecological studies and mislead management strategies. In the northwestern Mediterranean two Parazoanthus axinellae morphotypes differing in size, color and preferred substrate are found in sympatry. In this study, we used COI and ITS sequence polymorphism to assess (1) the genetic divergence between the two morphotypes, (2) their connectivity patterns and (3) their phylogenetic position within the Parazoanthidae. Specimens of P. axinellae were sampled in 11 locations along the northwestern Mediterranean; in 6 locations, samples of the two morphotypes were collected in sympatry. Small genetic diversity and structure were found within morphotypes, while marked and consistent differentiation was detected between them. Moreover, the less widespread morphotype appeared to be closer to Pacific species as P. juanfernandezii and P. elongatus. Our findings confirmed the limited knowledge on Parazoanthus species complex, and how this gap can have important implication for the conservation strategies of this widespread and valuable genus in the Mediterranean Sea.
Inhalation of odors containing DMHF generated by the Maillard reaction affects physiological parameters in rats
Authors: Yokoyama Issei , Ohata Motoko , Komiya Yusuke , Nagasao Jun , Arihara Keizo
Published: August 2020

The effects of odors generated by the Maillard reaction from amino acids and reducing sugars on physiological parameters (blood pressure, heart rate, and oxidative stress levels) in Wistar rats were investigated in the present study. The Maillard reaction samples were obtained from glycine, arginine, or lysine of 1.0 mol/L and glucose of 1.0 mol/L with heat treatment. The odor-active compounds in the Maillard reaction samples were identified using the aroma extract dilution analysis. Among the odor-active compounds identified, 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone (DMHF, FURANEOL and strawberry furanone) had the highest odor activity and its concentration was affected by amino acid types. The Maillard reaction odors generated from glycine or arginine significantly decreased systolic blood pressure and heart rate in rats when inhaled. These physiological effects were associated with DMHF. Furthermore, oxidative stress marker levels in rat plasma were decreased by the inhalation of DMHF. The inhalation of DMHF appears to at least partly affect physiological parameters by decreasing oxidative stress.
Transcriptome analysis reveals the genetic basis underlying the development of skin appendages and immunity in hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)
Authors: Li Hui-Ming , Yang Bi-Ze , Zhang Xiu-Juan , Jiang Hai-Ying , Li Lin-Miao , Ahmad Hafiz Ishfaq , Chen Jin-Ping
Published: August 2020

The expression of hair features is an evolutionary adaptation resulting from interactions between many organisms and their environment. Elucidation of the mechanisms that underlie the expression of such traits is a topic in evolutionary biology research. Therefore, we assessed the de novo transcriptome of Atelerix albiventris at three developmental stages and compared gene expression profiles between abdomen hair and dorsal spine tissues. We identified 328,576 unigenes in our transcriptome, among which 4,435 were differentially expressed between hair- and spine-type tissues. Dorsal and abdomen skin tissues 5 days after birth were compared and the resulting DEGs were mainly enriched in keratin filament, epithelium cell differentiation, and epidermis development based on GO enrichment analysis, and tight junction, p53, and cell cycle signaling pathways based on KEGG enrichment analysis. MBP8, SFN, Wnt1 and KRT1 gene may involve in the development of hedgehog skin and its appendages. Strikingly, DEGs in hair-type tissues were also significantly enriched in immune-related terms and pathways with hair-type tissues exhibiting more upregulated immune genes than spine-type tissues. Our study provided a list of potential genes involved in skin appendage development and differentiation in A. albiventris, and the candidate genes provided valuable information for further studies of skin appendages.
Sex-specific microRNAs in women with diabetes and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction or HFpEF associate with microvascular injury
Authors: Florijn Barend W. , Valstar Gideon B. , Duijs Jacques M. G. J. , Menken Roxana , Cramer Maarten J. , Teske Arco J. , Ghossein-Doha Chahinda , Rutten Frans H. , Spaanderman Marc E. A. , den Ruijter Hester M. , Bijkerk Roel , van Zonneveld Anton Jan
Published: August 2020

Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) are microcirculation defects following diabetes mellitus (DM). Unrecognized HFpEF is more prevalent in women with diabetes compared to men with diabetes and therefore sex-specific diagnostic strategies are needed. Previously, we demonstrated altered plasma miRs in DM patients with microvascular injury [defined by elevated plasma Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) levels]. This study hypothesized the presence of sex-differences in plasma miRs and Ang-2 in diabetic (female) patients with LVDD or HFpEF. After a pilot study, we assessed 16 plasma miRs in patients with LVDD (n = 122), controls (n = 244) and female diabetic patients (n = 10). Subsequently, among these miRs we selected and measured plasma miR-34a, -224 and -452 in diabetic HFpEF patients (n = 53) and controls (n = 52). In LVDD patients, miR-34a associated with Ang-2 levels (R2 0.04, R = 0.21, p = 0.001, 95% CI 0.103–0.312), with plasma levels being diminished in patients with DM, while women with an eGFR < 60 ml/min and LVDD had lower levels of miR-34a, -224 and -452 compared to women without an eGFR < 60 ml/min without LVDD. In diabetic HFpEF women (n = 28), plasma Ang-2 levels and the X-chromosome located miR-224/452 cluster increased compared to men. We conclude that plasma miR-34a, -224 and -452 display an association with the microvascular injury marker Ang-2 and are particularly targeted to women with LVDD or HFpEF.
Molecular insights into biochar-mediated plant growth promotion and systemic resistance in tomato against Fusarium crown and root rot disease
Authors: Jaiswal Amit K. , Alkan Noam , Elad Yigal , Sela Noa , Philosoph Amit M. , Graber Ellen R. , Frenkel Omer
Published: August 2020

Molecular mechanisms associated with biochar-elicited suppression of soilborne plant diseases and improved plant performance are not well understood. A stem base inoculation approach was used to explore the ability of biochar to induce systemic resistance in tomato plants against crown rot caused by a soilborne pathogen, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis lycopersici. RNA-seq transcriptome profiling of tomato, and experiments with jasmonic and salycilic acid deficient tomato mutants, were performed to elucidate the in planta molecular mechanisms involved in induced resistance. Biochar (produced from greenhouse plant wastes) was found to mediate systemic resistance against Fusarium crown rot and to simultaneously improve tomato plant growth and physiological parameters by up to 63%. Transcriptomic analysis (RNA-seq) of tomato demonstrated that biochar had a priming effect on gene expression and upregulated the pathways and genes associated with plant defense and growth such as jasmonic acid, brassinosteroids, cytokinins, auxin and synthesis of flavonoid, phenylpropanoids and cell wall. In contrast, biosynthesis and signaling of the salicylic acid pathway was downregulated. Upregulation of genes and pathways involved in plant defense and plant growth may partially explain the significant disease suppression and improvement in plant performance observed in the presence of biochar.
LncRNA EIF3J-AS1 enhanced esophageal cancer invasion via regulating AKT1 expression through sponging miR-373-3p
Authors: Wei Wei-tian , Wang Liang , Liang Jin-xiao , Wang Jiang-feng , Li Qing , Zeng Jian
Published: August 2020

Esophageal cancer (ECa) remains a major cause of mortality across the globe. The expression of EIF3J-AS1 is altered in a plethora of tumors, but its role in ECa development and progression are undefined. Here, we show that EIF3J-AS1 is up-regulated in ECa and that its expression correlates with advanced TNM stage (P = 0.014), invasion depth (P = 0.001), positive lymph node metastasis (P < 0.001) and poor survival (OS: P = 0.0059; DFS: P = 0.0037) in ECa. Functional experiments showed that knockdown EIF3J-AS1 inhibited ECa growth and metastasis through in vitro and in vivo experiments. Regarding the mechanism, EIF3J-AS1/miR-373-3p/AKT1 established the ceRNA network involved in the modulation of cell progression of ECa cells. Overall, EIF3J-AS1 may exhibit an oncogenic function in ECa via acting as a sponge for miR-373-3p to up-regulate AKT1 mRNA level, and may serve as a potential therapeutic target and a prognostic biomarker for ECa patients.
Identification of strong candidate genes for backfat and intramuscular fatty acid composition in three crosses based on the Iberian pig
Authors: Crespo-Piazuelo Daniel , Criado-Mesas Lourdes , Revilla Manuel , Castelló Anna , Noguera José L. , Fernández Ana I. , Ballester Maria , Folch Josep M.
Published: August 2020

Meat quality has an important genetic component and can be modified by the fatty acid (FA) composition and the amount of fat contained in adipose tissue and muscle. The present study aimed to find genomic regions associated with the FA composition in backfat and muscle (longissimus dorsi) in 439 pigs with three different genetic backgrounds but having the Iberian breed in common. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were performed between 38,424 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) covering the pig genome and 60 phenotypic traits related to backfat and muscle FA composition. Nine significant associated regions were found in backfat on theSus scrofachromosomes (SSC): SSC1, SSC2, SSC4, SSC6, SSC8, SSC10, SSC12, and SSC16. For the intramuscular fat, six significant associated regions were identified on SSC4, SSC13, SSC14, and SSC17. A total of 52 candidate genes were proposed to explain the variation in backfat and muscle FA composition traits. GWAS were also reanalysed including SNPs on five candidate genes (ELOVL6,ELOVL7,FADS2,FASN, andSCD). Regions and molecular markers described in our study may be useful for meat quality selection of commercial pig breeds, although several polymorphisms were breed-specific, and further analysis would be needed to evaluate possible causal mutations.
Multidisciplinary team approach to the prenatal management of orofacial clefts: a single center cohort study in Taiwan
Authors: Ko Hsuan , Chang Tung-Yao , Lussier Eric C. , Olisova Ksenia , Sung Chan-Yu , Chen Philip Kuo-Ting , Li Wen-Chu , Yang Tze-Yi , Wang Ru-Xuan
Published: August 2020

Advances in ultrasound fetal diagnostics and treatment have created a dilemma for doctors and parents: choosing whether to continue with a pregnancy as well as choosing between various treatment options. A multidisciplinary approach has been widely accepted in the management of other prenatally diagnosed anomalies and has shown superior results compared to routine care. We present a retrospective cohort of patients prenatally diagnosed with orofacial clefts who were offered consultation by an expert multidisciplinary team, including: a fetal medicine specialist, an obstetrician, a plastic surgeon, and a case managing nurse. We analyzed factors influencing parents' decision to utilize a consultation service, as well as their decision about pregnancy continuation. Our results suggest that the presence of other anomalies and maternal age heavily influenced the decision about the uptake of consultations. If consulted by the team, parents tended to continue with the pregnancy, even when accounting for fetal gender and maternal age. On the other hand, having a consultation had varying effects depending on the cleft type. The findings suggest that multidisciplinary consultations may be an efficient approach in managing pregnancies complicated by orofacial cleft anomalies; which may help in preventing unnecessary pregnancy terminations and developing a sufficient postnatal care plan.
Pentadecafluorooctanoic-acid-free polytetrafluoroethylene and mechanism of PFOA formation by γ-irradiation
Authors: Oshima Akihiro , Tanaka Takayuki , Nakaya Hideki , Senba Ryosuke , Satoh Kazuyuki
Published: August 2020

Low-molecular-weight (Mw) polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) micropowder is added to wax for use in automotive equipment and printing machines and is produced by radiation-initiated degradation under atmospheric conditions. However, pentadecafluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is produced as a by-product in concentrations greater than 25 ppb, which is problematic because PFOA does not degrade in the environment. Herein, we clarify the PFOA-formation mechanism and develop a manufacturing process for a novel low-Mw PTFE micropowder that does not contain PFOA (less than 5 ppb). The process uses combined irradiation and heat treatment in an oxygen-free atmosphere. Furthermore, PFOA-free PTFE micropowder can be produced on the 10-kg scale.