bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Remote sensing tracks daily radial wood growth of evergreen needleleaf trees
Authors: Eitel Jan U. H. , Griffin Kevin L. , Boelman Natalie T. , Maguire Andrew J. , Meddens Arjan J. H. , Jensen Johanna , Vierling Lee A. , Schmiege Stephanie C. , Jennewein Jyoti S. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractRelationships between gross primary productivity (GPP) and the remotely sensed photochemical reflectance index (PRI) suggest that time series of foliar PRI may provide insight into climate change effects on carbon cycling. However, because a large fraction of carbon assimilated via GPP is quickly returned to the atmosphere via respiration, we ask a critical question—can PRI time series provide information about longer term gains in aboveground carbon stocks? Here we study the suitability of PRI time series to understand intra‐annual stem‐growth dynamics at one of the world's largest terrestrial carbon pools—the boreal forest. We hypothesized that PRI time series can be used to determine the onset (hypothesis 1) and cessation (hypothesis 2) of radial growth and enable tracking of intra‐annual tree growth dynamics (hypothesis 3). Tree‐level measurements were collected in 2018 and 2019 to link highly temporally resolved PRI observations unambiguously with information on daily radial tree growth collected via point dendrometers. We show that the seasonal onset of photosynthetic activity as determined by PRI time series was significantly earlier (p < .05) than the onset of radial tree growth determined from the point dendrometer time series which does not support our first hypothesis. In contrast, seasonal decline of photosynthetic activity and cessation of radial tree growth was not significantly different (p > .05) when derived from PRI and dendrometer time series, respectively, supporting our second hypothesis. Mixed‐effects modeling results supported our third hypothesis by showing that the PRI was a statistically significant (p < .0001) predictor of intra‐annual radial tree growth dynamics, and tracked these daily radial tree‐growth dynamics in remarkable detail with conditional and marginal coefficients of determination of 0.48 and 0.96 (for 2018) and 0.43 and 0.98 (for 2019), respectively. Our findings suggest that PRI could provide novel insights into nuances of carbon cycling dynamics by alleviating important uncertainties associated with intra‐annual vegetation response to climate change.
Identifying the best plant water status indicator for bio‐energy poplar genotypes
Authors: Navarro Alejandra , Portillo‐Estrada Miguel , Ceulemans Reinhart 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThis contribution provides better insights in the water relations and the physiological traits of four commercial poplar genotypes of different genetic background, 'Bakan', 'Oudenberg', 'Koster' and 'Grimminge'. The main continuous (nondestructive and providing continuous and automated data records) and discontinuous (destructive and not allowing automation) plant water status (PWS) indicators were monitored at a multigenotype, commercial‐scale short‐rotation coppice plantation in East‐Flanders (Belgium), and their relationships with the principal environmental variables were assessed. All measurements were performed during the entire 2016 growing season on the third year of the third rotation in multistemmed trees. The discontinuous PWS indicators were measured on 10 separate days with a different evaporative demand and soil water content, while the continuous PWS indicators were recorded from April to November. The genotypes responded differently to environmental drivers and to soil conditions, based on the PWS indicators, featuring a different water behaviour in relation to the level of isohydricity. Poplar genotypes 'Koster' and 'Bakan' showed the typical water‐conserving behaviour of isohydric species, while 'Grimminge' was more in line with the anisohydric ones. A principal component analysis showed that sap flow (Fs) was the most suitable PWS indicator. The Fs and therefore the sap flow‐based canopy transpiration (Ec) were tightly linked to the phenological stage of the trees as well as to vapour pressure deficit and photosynthetic photon flux density, based on relationships between Ec and environmental variables. A quantitative predictive model was developed to estimate the crop water requirements for specific genotypes, by calculating transpiration per unit of ground area with a few environmental variables, monitored with easy‐to‐handle sensors.
Interaction of diet and habitat predicts Toxoplasma gondii infection rates in wild birds at a global scale
Authors: Wilson Amy G. , Lapen David R. , Mitchell Gregory W. , Provencher Jennifer F. , Wilson Scott 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAimFree‐ranging wildlife are valuable sentinels for zoonotic, multi‐host pathogens, and new insight into parasite transmission patterns is possible through a macroecological approach. Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan capable of infecting all warm‐blooded animals, including humans, primarily through a free‐living oocyst and/or tissue cyst life stage. Anthropogenic disturbance is facilitating the spread of T. gondii, making it crucial to understand the general ecological and life‐history drivers of T. gondii infections in wild birds, which are important intermediate hosts. Our goal was to determine how habitat (terrestrial versus aquatic), dietary trophic level and scavenging behaviour influence the prevalence of T. gondii infection in wild birds at a global scale.LocationGlobal.Time period1952–2017.Major taxa studiedBirds.MethodsOur analysis used the serological, bioassay and molecular prevalence data of T. gondii in avian species compiled from 81 studies conducted worldwide and encompassing 24,344 individuals from 393 avian species from 84 families.ResultsWe showed that at a global scale, trophic level and habitat interacted significantly to influence T. gondii prevalence in avian intermediate hosts. In the terrestrial environment, T. gondii prevalence increased with trophic level, consistent with predominant tissue cyst transmission. The highest prevalence was in terrestrial omnivores, which might reflect their synanthropic foraging behaviour. In aquatic species, prevalence was more consistent across trophic levels, but high prevalence in aquatic herbivores and insectivores reflects significant waterborne exposure to oocysts. Contrary to our predictions, generalized scavenging per se was not associated with increased prevalence.Main conclusionsThis study highlights the value of comparing pathogen prevalence among multiple ecological guilds and ecosystem types for a more comprehensive understanding of the epidemiology of generalist pathogens, such as T. gondii. Increased effort is needed to reduce T. gondii spillover from the domestic cat cycle into wildlife populations.
Additive manufacturing of zirconia parts with organic sacrificial supports
Authors: Li Wenbin , Armani Amir , McMillen Devin , Leu Ming , Hilmas Gregory , Watts Jeremy 
Published: April 2020

AbstractCeramic On‐Demand Extrusion (CODE) process has been recently proposed for additive manufacturing of strong ceramic components via extrusion. This paper focuses on fabricating 3 mol% yttria‐stabilized zirconia (3YSZ) components using CODE process, and enabling CODE to produce parts with support structures. A colloidal suspension of 3YSZ was developed and deposited through the main nozzle, and an organic feedstock was developed and deposited by means of another nozzle to fabricate supports. After printing and drying of raw parts, supports were removed by increasing the temperature and parts were then sintered to near theoretical (~99%) density. The maximum overhang angle that could be built with no support was also found out to be approximately 60 degrees. Three organic support materials, that is, polycaprolactone (PCL), silicone, and petrolatum were prepared and tested. PCL and petrolatum were identified as feasible support materials. Specimens were fabricated to validate the efficiency of the support materials and to evaluate CODE's capability for building parts with complex geometry. The microstructures of these parts were also analyzed via scanning electron microscopy.
Evaluation of antioxidative capacity and lipidomics profiling of big eye tuna (Thunns obesus) head soup with different colloidal particle size
Authors: Zhang Jing , Tao Ningping , Qian Xueli , Wang Xichang , Wang Mingfu 
Published: April 2020

SummaryBig eye tuna head soups with different colloidal particle sizes were prepared through various filtration ways, and their antioxidative capacities and lipidomics profiling were evaluated. The original soup (OGS) (filtrated by gauze) had the highest antioxidative activities in chemical evaluation methods. Meanwhile, OGS and microfiltration soup (MFS) (micro filtrated by 0.45 μm membrane) showed higher cellular antioxidant activities (CAA) at 20 and 40 times dilution of soup, and ultrafiltration soup (UFS) (100 ku ultrafiltration) has stronger CAA at low dilution ratios (5 and 10 times) in HepG2 cells. There were 631 lipid molecular species detected in the soup, and eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid (EPA and DHA) were mainly attached in phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) molecules, respectively. Based on the results, a speculation that the lipid molecule profile, especially the distribution of EPA/DHA in different lipid molecules, might contribute to the diversities of size of self‐assembled colloidal particles and antioxidative activities was concluded in this study.
High‐temperature phase and microstructure evolution of polymer‐derived SiZrCN and SiZrBCN ceramic nanocomposites
Authors: Feng Bo , Peter Johannes , Fasel Claudia , Wen Qingbo , Zhang Yue , Kleebe Hans‐Joachim , Ionescu Emanuel 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTA zirconium and a zirconium/boron containing single‐source precursor were synthesized via chemical modification of a commercially available polysilazane (Durazane 1800) with tetrakis (dimethylamido) zirconium (IV) (TDMAZ) as well as with both TDMAZ and borane dimethyl sulfide complex, respectively. The polymer‐to‐ceramic transformation of the precursors into SiZrCN and SiZrBCN ceramics as well as the thermal evolution of their phase composition and microstructure was studied. The pyrolysis of the precursors led to the formation of amorphous SiZrCN and SiZrBCN ceramics. Interestingly, the as prepared SiZrBCN ceramic was single‐phasic and fully featureless; whereas SiZrCN exhibited the presence of nano‐sized ZrO2 particles; however, only very localized in close proximity to internal surfaces. Heat treatment at higher temperatures induced crystallization processes in both prepared ceramics. Thus, at temperatures beyond 1500°C, cubic ZrCxNy, β‐Si3N4 as well as β‐SiC were generated. It was shown that the incorporation of B into SiZrCN suppressed the crystallization of ZrCxNy and, in addition, impeded the reaction of SiNx with C, resulting in an improved thermal stability of SiZrBCN compared to SiZrCN ceramic. Moreover boron was shown to be mainly located in the sp2‐hybridized “free” carbon present in SiZrBCN, forming a turbostratic BCN phase which has been unequivocally detected by means of high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS).
Effects of boron content on the microwave‐transparent property and high‐temperature stability of continuous SiBN fibers
Authors: Long Xin , Shao Changwei , Wang Yingde 
Published: April 2020

AbstractOwing to their high‐temperature stability and microwave‐transparent properties, SiBN fibers are promising reinforcement materials for microwave windows or radomes in harsh environments. This work investigates the high‐temperature properties of continuous SiBN fibers with different boron contents. Compared with Si3N4 fibers, the SiBN fibers demonstrated superior high‐temperature stability, retaining their original tensile strength up to 1600°C with a smooth surface and amorphous structure. The boron‐containing microstructure improved the microwave‐transparent properties of the SiBN fibers by decreasing their dielectric constant and loss. The values were stabilized at temperatures up to 1200°C. The high‐temperature stability and microwave transparency of the SiBN fibers were likely contributed by the synergistic effect of the amorphous BN phase and the Si–N–B networks (the main existing state of the boron atoms).
Mitochondrial biogenesis: An update
Authors: Popov Lucia‐Doina 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIn response to the energy demand triggered by developmental signals and environmental stressors, the cells launch the mitochondrial biogenesis process. This is a self‐renewal route, by which new mitochondria are generated from the ones already existing. Recently, considerable progress has been made in deciphering mitochondrial biogenesis‐related proteins and genes that function in health and in pathology‐related circumstances. However, an outlook on the intracellular mechanisms shared by the main players that drive mitochondrial biogenesis machinery is still missing. Here, we provide such a view by focusing on the following issues: (a) the role of mitochondrial biogenesis in homeostasis of the mitochondrial mass and function, (b) the signalling pathways beyond the induction/promotion, stimulation and inhibition of mitochondrial biogenesis and (c) the therapeutic applications aiming the repair and regeneration of defective mitochondrial biogenesis (in ageing, metabolic diseases, neurodegeneration and cancer). The review is concluded by the perspectives of mitochondrial medicine and research.
HOTAIR/miR‐125 axis‐mediated Hexokinase 2 expression promotes chemoresistance in human glioblastoma
Authors: Zhang Jinnan , Chen Guangyong , Gao Yufei , Liang Huaxin 
Published: April 2020

AbstractDrug resistance is one of the major obstacles in glioblastoma (GBM) treatments using temozolomide (TMZ) based conventional chemotherapy. Recent studies revealed that Hexokinase 2 (HK2)‐mediated glycolysis is one of the sources, as the association of chemoresistance and the expression of HK2 was confirmed in multiple cancers. However, there has been little knowledge of the functional contribution of HK2 to TMZ resistance in GBM. In our study, we found that HK2 expression is crucial for GBM proliferation and chemoresistance. In contrast to the healthy brain, HK2 expression is much higher in human GBM, especially in those patients with GBM recurrence. High HK2 expression is negatively related to the overall survival in GBM patients. HK2 depletion in GBM cells suppressed the GBM cell proliferation and increased sensitivity to TMZ‐induced apoptosis. Both HK2‐mediated glycolysis and mitochondria permeability transition pore opening (MPTP) were associated with its function in chemoresistance. Furthermore, we also revealed that the abnormal expression of HK2 was modulated by the expression of HOTAIR, a long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA). The absence of HOTAIR in GBM cells suppressed the HK2 expression in protein and mRNA level and, therefore, inhibited the cell proliferation and enhanced the cytotoxicity of TMZ both in vivo and in vitro. HOTAIR promoted the expression of HK2 by targeting mir‐125, which suppressed the GBM cell proliferation and increased the TMZ‐induced apoptosis. These findings shed light on a new therapeutic strategy in modulating HOTAIR/miR‐125, which may interfere with the expression of HK2, and enhance the therapeutic sensitivity of GBM to TMZ.
Ligand‐specific recycling profiles determine distinct potential for chronic analgesic tolerance of delta‐opioid receptor (DOPr) agonists
Authors: Bagheri Tudashki Hanieh , Haddad Youssef , Charfi Iness , Couture Rejean , Pineyro Graciela 
Published: April 2020

Abstractδ‐opioid receptor (DOPr) agonists have analgesic efficacy in chronic pain models but development of tolerance limits their use for long‐term pain management. Although agonist potential for inducing acute analgesic tolerance has been associated with distinct patterns of DOPr internalization, the association between trafficking and chronic tolerance remains ill‐defined. In a rat model of streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetic neuropathy, deltorphin II and TIPP produced sustained analgesia following daily (intrathecal) i.t. injections over six days, whereas similar treatment with SNC‐80 or SB235863 led to progressive tolerance and loss of the analgesic response. Trafficking assays in murine neuron cultures showed no association between the magnitude of ligand‐induced sequestration and development of chronic tolerance. Instead, ligands that supported DOPr recycling were also the ones producing sustained analgesia over 6‐day treatment. Moreover, endosomal endothelin‐converting enzyme 2 (ECE2) blocker 663444 prevented DOPr recycling by deltorphin II and TIPP and precipitated tolerance by these ligands. In conclusion, agonists, which support DOPr recycling, avoid development of analgesic tolerance over repeated administration.
Thymic stromal lymphopoietin is a key cytokine for the immunomodulation of atherogenesis with Freund's adjuvant
Authors: Steinmetz Martin , Laurans Ludivine , Nordsiek Sarah , Weiß Lena , van der Veken Bieke , Ponnuswamy Padmapriya , Esposito Bruno , Vandestienne Marie , Giraud Andreas , Göbbel Cristina , Steffen Eva , Radecke Tobias , Potteaux Stephane , Nickenig Georg , Rassaf Tienush , Tedgui Alain , Mallat Ziad 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAdaptive immune responses regulate the development of atherosclerosis, with a detrimental effect of type 1 but a protective role of type 2 immune responses. Immunization of Apolipoprotein E‐deficient (ApoE−/−) mice with Freund's adjuvant inhibits the development of atherosclerosis. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is an IL7‐like cytokine with essential impact on type 2 immune responses (Th2). Thymic stromal lymphopoietin is strongly expressed in epithelial cells of the skin, but also in various immune cells following appropriate stimulation. In this study, we investigated whether TSLP may be crucial for the anti‐atherogenic effect of Freund's adjuvant. Subcutaneous injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) rapidly led to the expression of TSLP and IL1β at the site of injection. In male mice, CFA‐induced TSLP occurred in immigrated monocytes—and not epithelial cells—and was dependent on NLRP3 inflammasome activation and IL1β‐signalling. In females, CFA‐induced TSLP was independent of IL1β and upon ovariectomy. CFA/OVA led to a more pronounced imbalance of the T cell response in TSLPR−/− mice, with increased INFγ/IL4 ratio compared with wild‐type controls. To test whether TSLP contributes to the anti‐atherogenic effects of Freund's adjuvant, we treated ApoE−/− and ApoE−/−/TSLPR−/− mice with either CFA/IFA or PBS. ApoE−/− mice showed less atherogenesis upon CFA/IFA compared with PBS injections. ApoE−/−/TSLPR−/− mice had no attenuation of atherogenesis upon CFA/IFA treatment. Freund's adjuvant executes significant immune‐modulating effects via TSLP induction. TSLP‐TSLPR signalling is critical for CFA/IFA‐mediated attenuation of atherosclerosis.
Effects of liraglutide and empagliflozin added to insulin therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized controlled study
Authors: Nakaguchi Hirotatsu , Kondo Yoshinobu , Kyohara Mayu , Konishi Hiromi , Oiwa Koji , Terauchi Yasuo 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAims/IntroductionLiraglutide and empagliflozin suppress cardiovascular events. However, reports on their long‐term combined use with insulin therapy or direct comparisons of these drugs are limited.Materials and MethodsThis open‐label, parallel‐group, randomized controlled trial compared the effects of liraglutide and empagliflozin combined with insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes patients. Adult type 2 diabetes outpatients undergoing stable insulin therapy with glycated hemoglobin levels of 7.0–9.5% were enrolled. Participants received 0.9 mg/day liraglutide or 10 mg/day empagliflozin for 24 weeks. The primary end‐point was the change in glycated hemoglobin levels from week 0 to 24. Body composition was assessed by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry.ResultsA total of 64 insulin‐treated patients were randomized to receive liraglutide or empagliflozin. We analyzed 61 patients (30 liraglutide and 31 empagliflozin) who could be followed up. Liraglutide induced greater changes in glycated hemoglobin and glycated albumin than empagliflozin (glycated hemoglobin −1.24 ± 0.15% vs −0.35 ± 0.11%, P < 0.0001; glycated albumin −4.4 ± 0.6% vs −2.4 ± 0.5%, P < 0.01). Bodyweight (−1.3 ± 0.4 kg vs −1.5 ± 0.3 kg, P = 0.69) or body fat mass/lean tissue mass; urinary albumin excretion (median −5.3 mg/g‐creatinine [interquartile range −60.6, 9.9 mg/g‐creatinine] vs −12.9 mg/g‐creatinine [interquartile range −70.8, −2.0 mg/g‐creatinine], P = 0.23); and frequency of hypoglycemia did not differ significantly between the groups over a period of 24 weeks. There were no cases of study discontinuation owing to adverse effects.ConclusionsLiraglutide addition to ongoing insulin therapy more effectively reduced glycated hemoglobin and glycated albumin levels than empagliflozin in patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes.
Tumor‐like features of gene expression and metabolic profiles in enlarged pancreatic islets are associated with impaired incretin‐induced insulin secretion in obese diabetes: A study of Zucker fatty diabetes mellitus rat
Authors: Hayami Tomohide , Yokoi Norihide , Yamaguchi Takuro , Honda Kohei , Murao Naoya , Takahashi Harumi , Wang Shujie , Seino Yusuke , Kamiya Hideki , Yabe Daisuke , Sweet Ian R , Mizoguchi Akira , Nakamura Jiro , Seino Susumu 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAims/IntroductionPancreatic islets are heterogenous. To clarify the relationship between islet heterogeneity and incretin action in the islets, we studied gene expression and metabolic profiles of non‐large and enlarged islets of the Zucker fatty diabetes mellitus rat, an obese diabetes model, as well as incretin‐induced insulin secretion (IIIS) in these islets.Materials and MethodsPancreatic islets of control (fa/+) and fatty (fa/fa) rats at 8 and 12 weeks‐of‐age were isolated. The islets of fa/fa rats at 12 weeks‐of‐age were separated into non‐large islets (≤200 μm in diameter) and enlarged islets (>300 μm in diameter). Morphological analyses, insulin secretion experiments, transcriptome analysis, metabolome analysis and oxygen consumption analysis were carried out on these islets.ResultsThe number of enlarged islets was increased with age in fatty rats, and IIIS was significantly reduced in the enlarged islets. Markers for β‐cell differentiation were markedly decreased in the enlarged islets, but those for cell proliferation were increased. Glycolysis was enhanced in the enlarged islets, whereas the tricarboxylic acid cycle was suppressed. The oxygen consumption rate under glucose stimulation was reduced in the enlarged islets. Production of glutamate, a key signal for IIIS, was decreased in the enlarged islets.ConclusionsThe enlarged islets of Zucker fatty diabetes mellitus rats, which are defective for IIIS, show tumor cell‐like metabolic features, including a dedifferentiated state, accelerated aerobic glycolysis and impaired mitochondrial function. The age‐dependent increase in such islets could contribute to the pathophysiology of obese diabetes.