bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-Term Changes in the Dominance of Drought Tolerant Trees Reflect Climate Trends on a Micronesian Island
Authors: Abrams Marc D. , Shimizu Yoshikazu , Ishida Atsushi
Published: June 2019

Background: The Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands of Micronesia lie in the western Pacific Ocean and are unique in terms of their isolation, climate, soils and diversity of rare plant species. We hypothesized that the vegetation on the islands will be a robust model system to study long-term climate change impacts on vegetation dynamics.

Methods: A large, long-term vegetation monitoring plot was established on Chichijima Island and measured in 1976 and 2017. It was located in an undisturbed dry forest area that contained many endemic and endangered species.

Results: During the 41 year study period, total basal area of tree species increased by 24.6% and was dominated by Schima, Distylium and Pouteria, whereas tree density declined by 30%. Tree genera exhibiting the largest increases in basal area were Elaeocarpus, Ilex, Pandanus, Pouteria, Rhaphiolepis, Syzgium and Schima. During the study period, the annual average (23.2ºC), minimum and maximum temperatures increased by 0.5 to 0.8ºC, respectively. The average annual precipitation was 1276 mm with severe droughts occurring in 1980, 1990 and 2016. The largest increases in the basal area were exhibited in trees species with wide functional distribution and attributes, including drought tolerance.

Conclusions: The results of this study suggest a link between the drought tolerance, species dominance and climate change at the study location. Our unique approach of linking functional attributes with long-term vegetation and climate change can serve as a model for other studies of global change impacts.
Changes in Glucosinolates, Sinapine and Flavonols during Seed Development of Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz
Authors: Russo Roberto , Reggiani Remo
Published: June 2019

Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz is an oilseed crop whose oil is used as biofuel and the meal as animal feed. While the seed composition is widely documented, little is known about variations in the concentration of some compounds during seed development of camelina. The aim of this study was to characterize changes in the content of glucosinolates, sinapine, sinapic acid and flavonols (quercetin and koempferol) at different stages of seed maturation. Glucosinolates are accumulated in camelina seed in the first 4 weeks after pollination, while the other substances were transiently accumulated during development and may play a role in seed development.
The Effects of Compost and Farmyard Manures on the Growth, Yield and Yield Parameters of Sweet Pepper (Capsicum annum L.) in Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria
Authors: Audu I. , Bello Z. , Abakura J. B.
Published: June 2019

Field experiment was conducted during the 2016 and 2017 raining season in the Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Crop Production, Modibbo Adama University of Technology Yola, Adamawa State. The experiment was designed to study the effect of compost and farmyard manure on growth yield and yield parameters of sweet pepper (capsicum annum L.) in Yola, Adamawa state. Eight purposes of study, eight research questions and two hypotheses were formulated for the study. The research was an experimental design with three treatments and three replicate. Factorial application of 6 kg of each manure was used for 2500 m2 (0.25 ha) after two weeks of transplanting except in the case of control group which is 0 kg application. All data collected were measured and subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) appropriate to complete randomized block design (RCBD). The result shows that there was significant effect of farmyard manure in the growth and yield parameters of sweet pepper such as plant height, number of leaves, number of branches and stem girth at two, four and six weeks after transplanting (WAT) and number of fruits, length of fruits, diameter of fruits and fruits weight at one, two, and three weeks of harvest with regard to the effect of compost manure, which shows least significant different in the growth and yield of sweet pepper (Capsicum annum L.) in Adamawa state.
Ethnobotanical Study of South Eastern Foothills of Bhutan
Authors: Chetri Bimal Kumar
Published: June 2019

Ninety three plant species from 82 genera and 44 families with their ethnomedicinal uses were enumerated along with 3 genera of different families of Pteridophytes. Preference ranking of the medicinal plants used for treating 7 different diseases indicated 1st, as the most effective treatment. Direct matrix ranking of 12 medicinal plants suggest that people have preference over the highest ranked species for their multipurpose uses besides medicinal use. Use value (UVis) of Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers, Saccharum officinarum with honey and Gmelina arborea Roxb. is 2, 1.5 and 1.7 respectively.
Major Leaf Diseases and Pathogenicity of Fungal Flora Associated with Jatropha curcas L. Foliar Diseases in Burkina Faso
Authors: Sama Hemayoro , Bonzi Schémaeza , Hilou Adama , Somda Irénée
Published: June 2019

The major foliar diseases and pathogenicity of fungal flora associated with leaf diseases of Jatropha curcas L were investigated in Burkina Faso. Prospecting and collection were carried out the plantations and hedges of J. curcas distributed in different climatic zones of Burkina Faso. The results indicate that foliar diseases are present in all climatic zones of the country. Mainly 4 foliar pathologies were recorded in the 18 sites of the study. These are yellowing of leaves with brown spots, yellowing of leaves with brown spots and black mycelium, drying of leaves from the border and virus diseases. The frequencies of observation of the various diseases show that the yellowing of the leaves with brown spots is the most disease predominant manifestation with a frequency of observation of 72%. Yellowing of the leaves with a presence of black spots and mycelium occupies the second rank with a prevalence of 33% followed by drying of leaves from borders and viroses with frequencies of 22 and 11% respectively. ANOVA analysis has shown that the climatic zone has a significant effect on the distribution of leaf viruses and leaf burns and a non-significant effect on yellowing of the leaves with or without brown spots and mycelium. The characterisation of fungal pathogens associated with these diseases identified Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani, Fusarium subglutinans, Phoma sorghina, Botrytis cinerea, Curvularia lunata, Botryodiplodiat hreobromae, Cercospora cesami and Curvularia eragrostidis. Curvularia lunata is the most widespread with a frequency of 44% followed by Fusarium solani with a frequency of 33%. The most seldom observed are Cercospora cesamiand Fusarium subglutinans with a frequency of 10%. Among these characterised species, pathogenicity tests identified Botryodiplodia threobromae, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium solani and Curvularia eragrostidisas the pathogenic species of observed leaf diseases of J. curcas. These results confirm that Jatropha is infested by many fungal species. There is yet an urgency to develop a plant health program adapted to the local context to fight these fungal pathogens.
Effect of Lopping on Lodging, Productivity and Labor Utilization for Rice Cultivation at Transplanting Aman Season
Authors: Islam Md. Sirajul , Rashid Md. Mamunur , Begum Setara
Published: June 2019

To study the effect of lopping on lodging, productivity and labor utilization for rice cultivation an experiment was conducted at BRRI Farm, Gazipur during Transplanting Aman in a randomized complete block design (Factorial) with three replications. The experimental treatments were: three lopping Viz. i) Control i.e., no lopping ii) lopping at 30 DAT and iii) lopping at 45 DAT; and two cultivars viz. i) BR 22 and ii) BRRI dhan32. Interaction effect of lopping and variety was not significant. The tallest plant (123 cm) was found in ‘no lopping’ treatment followed by lopping at 30 and 45 DAT. A similar trend was observed in lodging (%) and labor requirement for harvesting of rice. Lopping at 45 DAT produced the highest number of filled grain panicle-1 (117), grain yield (5.9tha-1) and straw yield (6.5tha-1) followed by lopping at 30 DAT and no lopping (control). However, there was no significant effect of lopping on labor requirements for threshing of rice. Therefore, effect of lopping on the yield and yield contributing characters of rice showed that lopping had positive effect on yield and decreasing lodging tendency of the studied variety. It was found that lopping at 45 DAT and 30 DAT could increase the rice yield. BR22 and BRRI dhan32 had statistically similar effect on lodging tendency.
Persea americana Leaf Ethyl Acetate Extract Phytochemical, In-vitro Antioxidant and In-vivo Potentials to Mitigate Oxidative Stress in Alloxan-induced Hyperglycaemic Rats
Authors: Mashi J. A. , Sa’id A. M. , Idris R. I. , Aminu I. , Muhammad A. A. , Inuwa I. M.
Published: June 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the in-vivo and in-vitro potentials of ethyl acetate extract of P. americana leaf in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Quantitative phytochemicals analyzed includes; flavonoids, saponins, tannins, alkaloids and phenolics. Measurement of antioxidant activity using 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, total antioxidant capacity, hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide, superoxide radical and ferric reducing activity of the extract was carried out. Hyperglycemia was induced by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan monohydrate to albino rats. In-vivo anti-oxidant potentials of the extract were evaluated by measuring liver homogenate activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase and malondyaldehyde in alloxan-induced diabetic rats administered with the extract.  A total of 30 Albino rats were used for this experiment and they were divided into six groups of 5 rats each. Group A; normal control, Group B; diabetic control, Groups C-E; experimental groups administered with different doses (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight respectively); of the extract and Group F; glucophage (84 mg/kg body weight, standard drug) for 4 weeks. This study was conducted in the Department of Biochemistry, Bayero University, Kano, in August, 2018. Data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA with P=.05 value considered as significant. Results of the quantitative phytochemical investigation shows that the extract is rich in phenolics (184.1±0.6), flavonoids (115.8±2.1), alkaloids (41.5±1.8), with least concentration of tannis (21.2±0.8) and saponins (15.2±2.3). The extract exhibited high radical scavenging activity against synthetic free radicals (DPPH), reactive oxygen species (peroxide, superoxide and hydroxyl acid) and high ability to reduce Fe3+ to Fe2+ (FRAP). The activities of antioxidant enzymes of the treated rats were increased significantly (P=.05) while the level malondyaldehyde was significantly decreased (P=.05) in the treated groups. Ethyl acetate leaf extract of Persea americana contains phytochemical substances which improved antioxidant status and can be use as herbal therapy for the management of oxidative stress induced by diabetes mellitus and associated complications.
Influence of Sri Fertilizer Practice on Yield Components and Grain Yield of Hybrid Rice Varieties in Kenya
Authors: N. Mbatha Wathome , K. Korir Nicholas , Gweyi-Onyango Joseph P.
Published: June 2019

Rice is one of the staple food crops in Kenya and its demand is generally increasing annually especially when maize production has declined due to various factors. The national rice consumption is estimated at 300,000 metric tonnes compared to annual production of 45,000-80,000 where the deficit is met through importation. The low production can be increased through adoption of system of rice intensification methods that can lead to higher yields and sustainable production. Several studies have been conducted on SRI water requirements, plant systems and soil but very little has been done on fertilizer regime on hybrid rice in Kenya. To address this challenge, yield performance of two rice hybrid varieties; Arize Tej Gold and Arize 6444 Gold against a locally inbred variety (BW 196) under SRI fertilizer regime were evaluated at two sites; Mwea irrigation scheme in Kirinyaga County and Ahero irrigation scheme in Kisumu County. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design where the SRI fertilizer practices were the main plots (2.5 t ha-1 Evergrow, 200 Kg ha-1  SA, 2.5 t/ha Evergrow + 100 Kg ha-1  SA, 2.5 t ha-1 Evergrow +200 Kg ha-1  SA, and a control-without fertilizer) and the rice varieties were the sub-plots and replicated three times. Data was collected on number of grains per panicle, filled grains per panicle and grain yield then subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SAS 9.2 and means separated using Fischer’s Protected LSD. Significant differences were observed on the number of grains per plant with the Evergrow+100 Kg ha-1 SA and Evergrow+200 Kg ha-1 SA SRI fertilizer treatments showing the highest at 293 and 275 grains per plant respectively under variety Arize Tej Gold at Mwea and 256 grains per plant at Ahero. The high number of grains per plant consequently led to the highest grain yield under the SRI treatments where the Evergrow+100 Kg ha-1 SA treatment had the highest grain yield per plot in Ahero (1202 g) and Mwea (4002 g). The application of 100 Kg ha-1 of SA and organic fertilizer is recommended in rice production.
Priming Induction in Neighbouring Plants of Gossypium hirsutum under Salt Stress
Authors: Tanveer Khuram , Tung Muhammad Haseeb , . Aneeq-ur-Rehman , Ahmad Usman , Hussain Mubashar
Published: June 2019

Plants are subjected to various types of environmental stresses throughout their lifecycle. It has been found that plants are able to communicate with the neighbouring plants under stress conditions through volatile organic compounds. These volatiles act as signals for the neighbouring plants thus preparing them for the upcoming stress, a phenomenon known as priming. So, the present study explores the effects of salt stress on cotton plants and the resultant induction of priming in the nearby plants. For this purpose, salt tolerant cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) variety was used. Two concentration levels, 100 mM, and 150 mM of salt were used to study the impacts of the stress. The experiment was divided into two steps for each treatment. In the first step, a set of plants (emitters) was given salt stress. The second set of plants (receivers) was placed adjacent to the stressed plants (emitters), while the third set of plants was placed separately as a control for both the treatments. Various physiological and morphological parameters were measured at the beginning and the end of the first step. In the second step, the receiver plants now termed as "primed" were given the same levels of stress while a new set of non-primed plants was placed near the primed plants. These non-primed plants were now treated with 100mM and 150mM of NaCl respectively and the results were compared. The results show that plants were able to get signals from neighbouring stressed plants. Plants responded by altering morphology and physiology to prepare themselves for future stress conditions.
The Use of Littoral Benthic Macroinvertebrates of the Martín Garcia Island Nature Reserve as Indicators of Water Quality
Authors: César I. I. , Martín S. M. , Colla M. F.
Published: June 2019

At Martín García Island—a Natural Reserve located at the confluence of the Paraná and Uruguay rivers—we used benthic-macroinvertebrate biotic indices to elucidate the structure and community parameters of the littoral benthos and their response to environmental variables and to evaluate the island's coastal water quality. Seasonal campaigns were carried out (March/1995-March/1996) at eight sites of the island's littoral sites, selected according to the substrate characteristics (fine sands, sandy-silty, reedbed, and silty with great hydrophyte development). From the sites with a soft substrate, triplicate samples were extracted using a 225-cm2 Ekman manual dredge. The relative abundances of 71 taxa were measured: Nematoda, Turbelaria, Oligochaeta (23 sps.), Mollusca (21 sps.), Crustacea (11 sps.), Insecta (12 families), and Tardigrada. Macroinvertebrate density: 15-58,800 ind.m-2. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences between the average annual macroinvertebrate-population densities among the five sites (F: 3.059; p<0.05). Site 7 exhibited the highest density at 38,700±19,000 ind.m-2 Community parameters: diversity (H'; 0.77-2.16 bits); equitability (J; 0.16-1.02), and species richness (S; 3-29). Canonical-correspondence analysis indicated the environmental variables experiencing the greatest fluctuation to be: dissolved-oxygen concentration, pH, temperature, and conductivity. The results of this analysis suggest that macroinvertebrate-species distribution involves the physicochemical conditions of the water. Of the correlation between species and environmental variables, 95.5% were distributed on the canonical-correspondence ordering diagram's Axis 1. Functional feeding groups: In all sites and seasons, the gathering collectors predominated, followed by the scrapers, filtering collectors, shredders, and predators. Macroinvertebrate Index of Pampean-Rivers: values generally ranged from weak to weak-to-very-weak to zero pollution, but there was a high degree of pollution (2.4 and 1.5) in the spring of 1995.
Some Effects of Sound and Music on Organisms and Cells: A Review
Authors: Exbrayat Jean-Marie , Brun Claire
Published: June 2019

In animals, the sound vibrations are captured by the auditory cells, then transformed into electrical signals and conveyed to the nervous centers where they can be interpreted such as music. A lot of studies concern the effect of sound on the auditory cells and on the brain. Nevertheless, musical vibrations also affect other cells types in several organisms. These researches being not of the same nature, they need to be classified in order to provide elements of understanding the effects of music on cell biology. A lot of works were done on the effects of music on non-auditory cells. Effects on growth, apoptosis, immune system, protein activities in animal, plant and bacterial cells have been shown. These effects are of a physiological nature and require molecules and physicochemical mechanisms. Some works were performed on vegetal or animal total organisms, others directly on cells themselves, using cell cultures. Few works concern eukaryotic unicellular organisms. Results of these studies show music and sound exert effects on the physiology. But the experiments and results are still well disparate, with effects of different types of music on organisms via auditory on non-auditory cells, sometimes involving both auditory and non-auditory cells. Whatever the large variation of results, the study of the effects of sound and especially music on the cells is a subject on the future, considering the immense possibilities offered by music in modulating physiology, with potential therapeutic applications.
Comparative Analysis of BIM Adoption Efforts by Developed Countries as Precedent for New Adopter Countries
Authors: Hamma-adama Mansur , Kouider Tahar
Published: June 2019

Building Information Modelling (BIM) adoption is generally assessed through one of these two main approaches: Statistical evaluation of survey from stakeholders operating within a country or market and the use of macro BIM-adoption models and metrics. The recent paper “macro-BIM adoption: Comparative market analysis” sets a pace to continues development of comparative market studies. However, precedent is important for continues learning and adoption to contextualise this evolving field. This study aimed to set a unique precedent through comparative analysis of BIM adoption trends in the USA, UK and Australia to set a pace for beginners or early BIM adopting countries to learn from. This study is literature based analysed using content analysis. The study reveals the following:          

✓ For a vibrant and even BIM adoption, government is involved;

✓ Government mandate facilitates wide BIM adoption and integrates a country’s industry to the world;

✓ The mandate also facilitates BIM research and training that lead to rise in country’s income through providing trainings and work force export;

✓ Diffusion dynamic varies at different times, depending on country’s flexibility to adoption of innovation;

✓ The dynamic also changes as the industry’s culture/regulation changes.

Recommendations are made based on the study findings especially to the new adopter countries planning to develop a strategy for macro-BIM adoption.
MODFLOW’s River Package: Part 1: A Critique
Authors: Morel-Seytoux Hubert J.
Published: June 2019

Most widely used integrated hydrologic models were conceived and their development started some 50-60 years ago.  These models have undertaken many major improvements since. However they still describe the flow interaction between streams and aquifers using the primitive early concepts. Most users seem unaware of the limitations of these concepts, which use parameters that are empirical and can only be obtained by calibration.  In this Part1 the shortcomings of the methodology are shown in great details. In the article reference is made specifically to the code MODFLOW.  Most of the other integrated hydrologic models used for large-scale regional studies apply essentially the same methodology to estimate seepage.

In a second Part means are presented by which improvements can be introduced in the procedures.
Bleeding detection in wireless capsule endoscopy videos — Color versus texture features
Authors: Pogorelov Konstantin , Suman Shipra , Azmadi Hussin Fawnizu , Saeed Malik Aamir , Ostroukhova Olga , Riegler Michael , Halvorsen Pål , Hooi Ho Shiaw , Goh Khean‐Lee
Published: June 2019

Wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) is an effective technology that can be used to make a gastrointestinal (GI) tract diagnosis of various lesions and abnormalities. Due to a long time required to pass through the GI tract, the resulting WCE data stream contains a large number of frames which leads to a tedious job for clinical experts to perform a visual check of each and every frame of a complete patient’s video footage. In this paper, an automated technique for bleeding detection based on color and texture features is proposed. The approach combines the color information which is an essential feature for initial detection of frame with bleeding. Additionally, it uses the texture which plays an important role to extract more information from the lesion captured in the frames and allows the system to distinguish finely between borderline cases. The detection algorithm utilizes machine‐learning‐based classification methods, and it can efficiently distinguish between bleeding and nonbleeding frames and perform pixel‐level segmentation of bleeding areas in WCE frames. The performed experimental studies demonstrate the performance of the proposed bleeding detection method in terms of detection accuracy, where we are at least as good as the state‐of‐the‐art approaches. In this research, we have conducted a broad comparison of a number of different state‐of‐the‐art features and classification methods that allows building an efficient and flexible WCE video processing system.
When naloxone alone isn't enough: Deaths in year after ED OD visits
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: June 2019

When patients are treated for nonfatal opioid overdose in the emergency department (ED) and discharged, they have a high risk of death — 67% of the time from another overdose within the next year, and especially within the next two days — new research has found. Being offered medication such as buprenorphine, counseling and referral to treatment by the ED before discharge could reduce that risk, the researchers concluded.
Koob addresses RSA meeting with NIAAA update
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: June 2019

Last week, the Research Society on Alcoholism (RSA) held its annual scientific meeting, opened by an address from George F. Koob, Ph.D., director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). The researchers and others in attendance heard an update of NIAAA's program efforts. NIAAA funds much of the alcoholism research in the United States, with a budget of $525 million for FY 2019 (the budget for 2020 is still under development). Would‐be grantees are very interested in this funding. Grant awards and start dates are based on the budget process and fund availability, Koob said.
Hierarchical Nanosheets/Walls Structured Carbon‐Coated Porous Vanadium Nitride Anodes Enable Wide‐Voltage‐Window Aqueous Asymmetric Supercapacitors with High Energy Density
Authors: Huang Jun , Peng Zhongyou , Xiao Yingbo , Xu Yazhou , Chen Lingfang , Xiong Yushuai , Tan Licheng , Yuan Kai , Chen Yiwang
Published: June 2019

The energy density of aqueous asymmetric supercapacitors (ASCs) is usually limited by low potential windows and capacitances of both anode and cathode. Herein, a facile strategy to fabricate hierarchical carbon‐coated porous vanadium nitride nanosheet arrays on vertically aligned carbon walls (CC/CW/p‐VN@C) as anode for aqueous ASCs is reported. The potential window of CC/CW/p‐VN@C electrode can be stably extended to –1.3 to 0 V (vs Ag/AgCl) with greatly improved specific capacitance (604.8 F g−1 at 1 A g−1), excellent rate capability (368 F g−1 at 60 A g−1), and remarkable electrochemical stability. To construct ASCs, a Birnessite Na0.5MnO2 nanosheet arrays (CC/CW/Na0.5MnO2) cathode is similarly built. Benefiting from the matchable potential windows and high specific capacitances of the rationally designed anode and cathode, aqueous CC/CW/p‐VN@C||CC/CW/Na0.5MnO2 ASCs with a wide voltage window of 2.6 V are fabricated. Moreover, the ASCs showcase an ultrahigh energy density up to 96.7 W h kg−1 at a high power density of 1294 W kg−1, and excellent cycling stability (92.5% retention after 10 000 cycles), outperforming most of previously reported ASCs and even comparable to that of organic electrolyte supercapacitors (SCs). This efficient strategy for fabricating 2.6 V aqueous ASCs suggests a promising research system for high energy density SCs.
Progress towards the Total Syntheses of Lycopodium Alkaloid, Lycopladine A
Authors: Rodrigues Lima , Majik Mahesh Satu
Published: June 2019

Several alkaloids derived from discrete Lycopodium species can treat Alzheimer's disease and increase the efficiency of learning and memory in animals. Thus, Lycopodium alkaloids bearing amazingly unique hetero‐polycyclic ring scaffolds persuaded scientists to look upon its biogenetic and biosynthetic pathways and to design its ambitious total syntheses. Recently, a C16N type Lycopodium alkaloid, (+)‐lycopladine A; isolated from the club moss Lycopodium complanatum, showed selective but modest cytotoxicity towards murine lymphoma L1210 cells (IC50 7 μg/mL). Owing to its dense array of stereochemical features, as well as intriguing biological activity, lycopladine A has been an important synthetic target for last 12 years. An overview of the synthetic studies of lycopladine A is presented, covering literature from 2006 until March 2019.
Loss of BMI1 in mature olfactory sensory neurons leads to increased olfactory basal cell proliferation
Authors: Choi Rhea , Kurtenbach Sarah , Goldstein Bradley J.
Published: June 2019

Background

Damage to olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs), situated within the neuroepithelium of the olfactory cleft, may be associated with anosmia. Although their direct contact with the nasal airspace make OSNs vulnerable to injury and death, multiple mechanisms maintain epithelium integrity and olfactory function. We hypothesized that BMI1, a polycomb protein found to be enriched in OSNs, may function in neuroprotection. Here, we explored BMI1 function in a mouse model.

Methods

Utilizing a mouse genetic approach to delete Bmi1 selectively in mature OSNs, we investigated changes in OE homeostasis by performing immunohistochemical, biochemical, and functional assays. Reverse transcription–quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR), immunostaining, and electro‐olfactograms were used to compare gene expression, cell composition, and olfactory function in OSN‐specific BMI1 knockout mice (n = 3 to 5) and controls. Chromatin studies were also performed to identify protein‐DNA interactions between BMI1 and its target genes (n = 3).

Results

OSN‐specific BMI1 knockout led to increased neuron death and basal cell activation. Chromatin studies suggested a mechanism of increased neurodegeneration due to de‐repression of a pro‐apoptosis gene, p19ARF. Despite the increased turnover, we found that olfactory neuroepithelium thickness and olfactory function remained intact. Our studies also revealed the presence of additional polycomb group proteins that may compensate for the loss of BMI1 in mature OSNs.

Conclusion

The olfactory neuroepithelium employs multiple mechanisms to maintain epithelial homeostasis. Our findings provide evidence that in a mouse model of BMI1 deletion, the overall integrity and function of the olfactory neuroepithelium are not compromised, despite increased neuronal turnover, reflecting a remarkable reparative capacity to sustain a critical sensory system.
Nickel‐Catalyzed Arylboration of Alkenylarenes: Synthesis of Boron‐Substituted Quaternary Carbons and Regiodivergent Reactions
Authors: Chen Liang‐An , Lear Alan R. , Gao Pin , Brown M. Kevin
Published: June 2019

A method for the construction of boron‐substituted quaternary carbons or diarylquaternary carbons by arylboration of highly substituted alkenylarenes is presented. A wide range of alkenes and arylbromides can participate in this reaction thus allowing for a diverse assortment of products to be prepared. In addition, a solvent dependent regiodivergent arylboration of 1,2‐disubstituted alkenylarenes is presented, thus greatly increasing the scope of products that can be accessed.
Dibenzoarsepins: Planarization of 8π‐Electron System in the Lowest Singlet Excited State
Authors: Kawashima Ikuo , Imoto Hiroaki , Ishida Masatoshi , Furuta Hiroyuki , Yamamoto Shunsuke , Mitsuishi Masaya , Tanaka Susumu , Fujii Toshiki , Naka Kensuke
Published: June 2019

Dibenzo[b,f]arsepins possessing severely distorted cores compared to those of other heteropins were synthesized. These derivatives exhibited dual photoluminescence in the green‐to‐red region (500–700 nm) and the near‐ultraviolet region (<380 nm), which could be attributed to the planarization of the arsepin core in the lowest singlet excited (S1) state. The computational approach for the assessment of the aromatic indices revealed that the dibenzoarsepins studied show aromaticity (8π system) in the S1 states in line with Baird's rule. The lone pair electrons of the arsenic atoms play a crucial role in the aromaticity in the S1 states.
N‐Heterocyclic Carbene/Copper Cooperative Catalysis for the Asymmetric Synthesis of Spirooxindoles
Authors: Zhang Zi‐Jing , Zhang Ling , Geng Rui‐Long , Song Jin , Chen Xiao‐Hua , Gong Liu‐Zhu
Published: June 2019

Highly enantioselective [3+3] and [3+4] annulations of isatin‐derived enals with ethynylethylene carbonates and ethynyl benzoxazinanones are enabled by NHC/cooper cooperative catalysis, leading to a big library of spirooxindole derivatives in high structural diversity and enantioselectivity (up to 99 % ee). Both reactions represent a nicely synergistic integration of NHC and copper catalysis, in which both catalysts activate the substrates and the chiral NHC perfectly controls the stereochemistry.
Pentafluoro(aryl)‐λ6‐tellanes and Tetrafluoro(aryl)(trifluoromethyl)‐λ6‐tellanes: From SF5 to the TeF5 and TeF4CF3 Groups
Authors: Bornemann Dustin , Pitts Cody Ross , Ziegler Carmen J. , Pietrasiak Ewa , Trapp Nils , Kueng Sebastian , Santschi Nico , Togni Antonio
Published: June 2019

The TeF5 group is significantly underexplored as a highly fluorinated substituent on an organic framework, despite it being a larger congener of the acclaimed SF5 group. In fact, only one aryl‐TeF5 compound (phenyl‐TeF5) has been reported to date, synthesized using XeF2. Our recently developed mild TCICA/KF approach to oxidative fluorination provides an affordable and scalable alternative to XeF2. Using this method, we report a scope of extensively characterized aryl‐TeF5 compounds, along with the first SC‐XRD data on this compound class. The methodology was also extended to the synthesis and structural study of heretofore unknown aryl‐TeF4CF3 compounds. Additionally, preliminary reactivity studies unveiled some inconsistencies with previous literature regarding phenyl‐TeF5. Although our studies conclude that the arene‐based TeF5 (and TeF4CF3) group is not quite as robust as the SF5 group, we find that the TeF5 group is more stable than previously thought, thus opening a door to explore new applications of this motif.
3D printing of shape memory poly(d,l‐lactide‐co‐trimethylene carbonate) by direct ink writing for shape‐changing structures
Authors: Wan Xue , Wei Hongqiu , Zhang Fenghua , Liu Yanju , Leng Jinsong
Published: June 2019

Four‐dimensional (4D) printing of shape memory materials has attracted increasing interests for personalized structures. In this study, a biocompatible poly(d,l‐lactide‐co‐trimethylene carbonate) (PLMC) is utilized to fabricate 4D shape‐changing structures with customized geometries through direct ink writing. The printed objects show shape transformations at different dimensions under thermal programming. The influence of the printing parameters on the properties including rheological, solvent evaporation, and static mechanical behavior are systematically investigated. A printing map is further depicted to achieve high‐quality printing with high viscous ink flowed from micronozzle to construct various structures. The printed structures in one‐dimensional, two‐dimensional, and three‐dimensional (3D) exhibit shape‐changing behavior with fast response around body temperature. The fast responsive time shows potential in the field of surgical suture (4 s), nonwoven fabric (3 s), and self‐expandable stent (35 s). The feasibility of 3D printing of PLMC opens the way for applications in shape‐changing devices with small diameter. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 48177.
Connective Tissue Ultrastructure: A Direct Comparison between Conventional Specimen Preparation and High‐Pressure Freezing/Freeze‐Substitution
Authors: Keene Douglas R. , Tufa Sara F.
Published: June 2019

It is generally agreed within the microscopy community that the quality of ultrastructure within the connective tissue matrix resulting from high‐pressure freezing followed by freeze‐substitution (HPF/FS) far exceeds that gained following the “conventional” preparation method, which includes aqueous fixation, dehydration, and embedding. Exposure to cryogen at high pressure is the only cryopreservation method capable of vitrifying tissue structure to a depth exceeding 200 μm. Cells within connective tissues prepared by HPF/FS are universally larger, filling the commonly seen void at the juncture between cell and matrix. Without significant shrinkage of cells and the coincident extraction of the cytosolic components, well‐resolved organelles are less clustered within an expanded cytosol. Much of the artifact from “conventional” methods occurs as large space filling and also smaller fibril‐associated proteoglycans are extracted during fixation. However, the visualization of some matrix features by electron microscopy is actually dependent on the collapse or extraction of these “masking” components. Herein, we argue that an impression of ultrastructure within commonly studied matrices, in particular skin, is best gained following the evaluation of both conventional preparations and tissue prepared by HPF/FS. Anat Rec, 2019. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy
Stability/activity features of the main enzyme components of rohapect 10L
Authors: Dal Magro Lucas , Kornecki Jakub F. , Klein Manuela P. , Rodrigues Rafael C. , Fernandez‐Lafuente Roberto
Published: June 2019

Rohapect 10L is an enzyme cocktail commercialized for juice clarification. Here, we characterized the activity and stability of five enzymatic activities present in this cocktail: total pectinase (PE), polygalacturonase (PG), pectin lyase (PL), pectin methyl esterase (PME), and total cellulase (CE) activities. All these enzyme activities have the maximum activity and stability at pH 4, conditions near those found in most fruit juices. However, if the enzymes need to be handled under different conditions (e.g., to immobilize them), their stability becomes extremely low in some cases, just at pH values slightly higher than the optimal one. For example, at pH 10 only CE was reasonably stable at 25°C, while many other enzyme activities were rapidly almost inactivated, even at 4°C. For these cases, different additives were evaluated, and we found that polyethylene glycol was positive or very positive for all enzyme stabilities, allowing keeping reasonable activities after several hours at pH 10 and 25°C. Another additive, that is, dextran, has a small positive effect for PE, PG, and CE, and a very positive effect for PL, albeit significantly destabilizing PME. Thus, the handling and use of this extract requires some care when is performed out of optimal conditions.
Retracted: Long noncoding RNA NORAD is upregulated in epithelial ovarian cancer and its downregulation suppressed cancer cell functions by competing with miR‐155‐5p
Authors: Tong Lingling , Ao Yu , Zhang Hejia , Wang Kun , Wang Yunyun , Ma Qingjie
Published: June 2019

Purpose

In the present study, we evaluated the expression and function of human long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) activated by DNA damage (NORAD) in human epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).

Methods

NORAD expression was evaluated by qRT‐PCR in EOC cell lines and in situ EOC clinical samples. Lentivirus‐mediated NORAD downregulation was conducted in OVCAR‐3 and ES‐2 cells, and its effect on cancer cell proliferation, bufalin chemoresistance, cell‐cycle transition in vitro, and xenotransplantation in vivo were examined, respectively. The likelihood of an lncRNA‐microRNA (miRNA) signaling pathway was examined by probing the possible downstream competing target of NORAD, hsa‐miR‐155‐5p. Moreover, hsa‐miR‐155‐5p was knocked down in NORAD‐downregulated EOC cells to functionally evaluate the correlation between NORAD and hsa‐miR‐155‐5p in EOC.

Results

We found that NORAD was substantially upregulated in both EOC cell lines and human tumors. In OVCAR‐3 and ES‐2 cells, lentivirus‐mediated NORAD downregulation had significant anticancer effects, as it suppressed cell proliferation, decreased bufalin chemoresistance, arrested cell‐cycle transition, and inhibited xenograft growth. Also, hsa‐miR‐155‐5p was confirmed to be the competing target of NORAD in EOC, and its knockdown in OVCAR‐3 and ES‐2 cells reversed the NORAD downregulation‐induced anticancer functions.

Conclusions

NORAD is upregulated in EOC. Inhibition of NORAD, possibly through endogenously competing against hsa‐miR‐155‐5p, can be a new tumor‐suppressing strategy in EOC.
Competition Between Intra‐ and Intermolecular Hydrogen Bonding:o‐Anisic Acid⋅⋅⋅Formic Acid Heterodimer
Authors: Macario Alberto , Blanco Susana , Thomas Javix , Xu Yunjie , López Juan Carlos
Published: June 2019

Four conformers of the heterodimero‐anisic acid–formic acid, formed in a supersonic expansion, have been probed by Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. Two of these forms have the typical double intermolecular hydrogen‐bond cyclic structure. The other two show theo‐anisic acid moiety bearing atrans‐COOH arrangement supported by an intramolecular O−H⋅⋅⋅O bond to the neighbor methoxy group. In these conformers, formic acid interacts witho‐anisic acid mainly through an intermolecular O−H⋅⋅⋅O hydrogen bond either to the O−H or to the C=O moieties, reinforced by other weak interactions. Surprisingly, the most abundant conformer in the supersonic expansion is the complex in which theo‐anisic acid is intransarrangement with the formic acid interacting with the O−H group. Such atrans‐COOH arrangement in which the intramolecular hydrogen bond dominates over the usually observed double intermolecular hydrogen bond interaction has never been observed previously in an acid–acid dimer.
Isostructural NiII Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) for Efficient Electrocatalysis of Oxygen Evolution Reaction and for Gas Sorption Properties
Authors: Konavarapu Satyanarayana K. , Ghosh Debanjali , Dey Avishek , Pradhan Debabrata , Biradha Kumar
Published: June 2019

Design and synthesis of stable, active and cost‐effective electrocatalyst for water splitting applications is an emerging area of research, given the depletion of fossil fuels. Herein, two isostructural NiII redox‐active metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) containing flexible tripodal trispyridyl ligand (L) and linear dicarboxylates such as terephthalate (TA) and 2‐aminoterphthalate (H2NTA) are studied for their catalytic activity in oxygen evaluation reaction (OER). The 2D‐layered MOFs form 3D hydrogen bonded frameworks containing one‐dimensional hydrophilic channels that are filled with water molecules. The electrochemical studies reveal that MOFs display an efficient catalytic activity towards oxygen evolution reaction in alkaline conditions with an overpotential as low as 356 mV. Further, these 2D‐MOFs exhibit excellent ability to adsorb water vapor (180–230 cc g−1 at 273 K) and CO2 (33 cc g−1 at 273 K). The presence of hydrophilic functionality in the frameworks was found to significantly enhance the electrocatalytic activity as well as H2O sorption.
Nanoscale Effects in One‐Dimensional Columnar Supramolecular Ferroelectrics
Authors: Anetai Hayato , Sambe Kohei , Takeda Takashi , Hoshino Norihisa , Akutagawa Tomoyuki
Published: June 2019

Organic ferroelectrics have been actively developed with the goal of fabricating environmentally friendly and low‐cost memory devices. The remanent polarization of hydrogen‐bonded organic ferroelectrics approaches that of the inorganic ones. Nanoscale fabrication of organic ferroelectrics is an essential aspect of high‐density memory devices. A pyrene derivative with four tetradecylamide (−CONHC14H29) chains (1) formed an amide‐type N−H⋅⋅⋅O hydrogen‐bonded one‐dimensional (1D) column, which demonstrated ferroelectricity in the discotic hexagonal columnar (Colh) liquid crystalline phase through the inversion of the orientation of the hydrogen‐bonded chains. On the contrary, similar chiral pyrene derivatives bearing 3,7‐dimethyl‐1‐octhylamide chains (S‐2 and R‐2) did not indicate the Colh phase and ferroelectricity. Homogeneous mixed liquid crystals (1)1−x(S‐2)x (i.e., between the ferroelectric 1 and the non‐ferroelectric S‐2) enable the control of the nanoscale aggregation state of the organic ferroelectrics, resulting in a nanoscale effect of the 1D supramolecular ferroelectrics. Ferroelectric mixed liquid crystals (1)1−x(S‐2)x were observed at x≦0.03, where one S‐2 molecule was inserted after every thirty‐three 1 molecule in the mixed liquid crystal (1)33(S‐2). An average (1)34 length of approximately 12 nm was required to maintain the 1D ferroelectricity, which was similar to the nanoscale limit of inorganic ferroelectrics, such as hafnium oxide thin film (≈15 nm).
Tuning Chemical and Physical Properties of Phosphorus Corroles for Advanced Applications
Authors: Chen Qiu‐Cheng , Xiao Zi‐Ye , Fite Shachar , Mizrahi Amir , Fridman Natalia , Zhan Xuan , Keisar Or , Cohen Yair , Gross Zeev
Published: June 2019

Although the affinity of metallocorroles to axial ligands is quite low, this is not the case when the chelated element is phosphorus. This work is hence focused on the mechanism of ligand exchange of six‐coordinate phosphorus corroles as a tool for affecting their chemical and physical properties. These fundamental investigations allowed for the development of facile methodologies for the synthesis of a large series of complexes and the establishment of several new structure/activity profiles that may be used to understand and predict spectroscopic features and for tailor‐made modification of photophysical and electrochemical properties. This is exemplified by the facile access to complexes with terminal groups that are of large potential for practical applications based on click chemistry, optical imaging, and surface science.
Increased β‐endorphin and autotaxin in patients with prurigo
Authors: Ishikawa Takahiro , Hashimoto Takashi , Munetsugu Takichi , Yokozeki Hiroo , Satoh Takahiro
Published: June 2019

Objectives

Prurigo is a treatment‐resistant inflammatory disease of unknown etiology. Persistent and severe itch is a major and important clinical symptom, but pathological mechanisms and/or actual mediators for itch in prurigo remain to be defined.

Methods

We investigated blood levels of β‐endorphin, dynorphin A, and autotaxin in adult patients with prurigo (n = 18), including prurigo nodularis, prurigo chronica multiformis, and other forms. Patients with hemodialysis, hepatic dysfunction, and pregnancy were excluded. Immunofluorescence staining for β‐endorphin and autotaxin in lesional skin was also performed. In addition, β‐endorphin and autotaxin synthesis of cultured epidermal keratinocytes in response to several cytokine stimulation was assessed in vitro.

Results

Blood levels of β‐endorphin were higher in patients with prurigo than in control subjects (n = 20), while dynorphin A levels were comparable in the two groups. Blood autotaxin levels also were increased in patients with prurigo compared to control subjects. On the one hand, epidermal expression of β‐endorphin was increased in skin lesions of prurigo chronica multiformis, but not in prurigo nodularis. On the other hand, enhanced expression of autotaxin was observed in the epidermis in both prurigo nodularis and prurigo chronica multiformis. In vitro studies showed that β‐endorphin‐expressing epidermal keratinocytes increased following stimulation with TNF‐α, interleukin‐31, and/or IFN‐γ. Autotaxin was also detected in the cytoplasm of cultured epidermal keratinocytes. The fraction of autotaxin‐expressing cells increased when stimulated with TNF‐α and/or interleukin‐31.

Conclusions

Imbalance of opioid receptor signals and/or the autotaxin‐lysophosphatidic acid axis may contribute, at least in part, to the pathogenesis and intractable pruritus in some of the patients with prurigo.