bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The influence of COMT rs4680 on functional connectivity in healthy adults: A systematic review
Authors: Morris Kim A. , Grace Sally A. , Woods Will , Dean Brian , Rossell Susan L. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe aim of this systematic review was to qualitatively synthesise the available research that investigated the influence of COMT genotype at SNP rs4680 on both task‐based and resting‐state connectivity in healthy adults. Thirty‐five studies were identified that met inclusion criteria. Of the included studies, 20 studies reported resting‐state findings and 16 studies reported task‐based findings (emotion‐processing, memory, working memory, reward‐based learning and executive function). Studies were highly heterogeneous but an overall trend towards an association of the Val allele with greater resting‐state connectivity and the Met allele with greater task‐based connectivity is reported. A possible interpretation of current findings is discussed, whereby the Val allele is associated with improved cognitive flexibility allowing integration of novel relevant stimuli, and the Met allele allows improved sustained attention and targeted neural processing, particularly between limbic regions and prefrontal cortex. The most promising brain regions implicated in a COMT genotype influence on functional connectivity include prefrontal regions, amygdala and hippocampus.
Astrocytic equilibrative nucleoside transporter type 1 upregulations in the dorsomedial and dorsolateral striatum distinctly coordinate goal‐directed and habitual ethanol‐seeking behaviours in mice
Authors: Hong Sa‐Ik , Bullert Amanda , Baker Matthew , Choi Doo‐Sup 
Published: April 2020

AbstractTwo distinct dorsal striatum regions, dorsomedial striatum (DMS) and dorsolateral striatum (DLS), are attributed to conditioned goal‐directed and habitual reward‐seeking behaviours, respectively. Previously, our study shows that the ethanol‐sensitive adenosine transporter, equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1), regulates ethanol‐drinking behaviours. Although ENT1 is expressed in both neurons and astrocytes, astrocytic ENT1 is thought to regulate adenosine levels in response to ethanol. However, the role of DMS and DLS astrocytic ENT1 in goal‐directed and habitual ethanol‐seeking is not well known. Here, we identified whether the upregulation of astrocytic ENT1 in the DMS and DLS differentially regulates operant seeking behaviours towards the 10% sucrose (10S); 10% ethanol and 10% sucrose (10E10S); and 10% ethanol (10E) in mice. Using 4 days of random interval (RI), mice exhibited habitual seeking for 10S, but goal‐directed seeking towards 10E10S. Using the same mice conditioned with 10E10S, we examined 10E‐seeking behaviour on a fixed ratio (FR) for 6 days and RI for 8 days. On the other hand, during FR and the first 4 days of RI schedules, mice showed goal‐directed seeking for 10E, whereas mice exhibited habitual seeking for 10E during the last 4 days of RI schedule. Interestingly, DMS astrocytic ENT1 upregulation promotes shift from habitual to goal‐directed reward‐seeking behaviours. By contrast, DLS astrocytic ENT1 upregulation showed no effects on behavioural shift. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that DMS astrocytic ENT1 contributes to reward‐seeking behaviours.
Top‐down modulation of neural envelope tracking: The interplay with behavioral, self‐report and neural measures of listening effort
Authors: Decruy Lien , Lesenfants Damien , Vanthornhout Jonas , Francart Tom 
Published: April 2020

AbstractWhen listening to natural speech, our brain activity tracks the slow amplitude modulations of speech, also called the speech envelope. Moreover, recent research has demonstrated that this neural envelope tracking can be affected by top‐down processes. The present study was designed to examine if neural envelope tracking is modulated by the effort that a person expends during listening. Five measures were included to quantify listening effort: two behavioral measures based on a novel dual‐task paradigm, a self‐report effort measure and two neural measures related to phase synchronization and alpha power. Electroencephalography responses to sentences, presented at a wide range of subject‐specific signal‐to‐noise ratios, were recorded in thirteen young, normal‐hearing adults. A comparison of the five measures revealed different effects of listening effort as a function of speech understanding. Reaction times on the primary task and self‐reported effort decreased with increasing speech understanding. In contrast, reaction times on the secondary task and alpha power showed a peak‐shaped behavior with highest effort at intermediate speech understanding levels. With regard to neural envelope tracking, we found that the reaction times on the secondary task and self‐reported effort explained a small part of the variability in theta‐band envelope tracking. Speech understanding was found to strongly modulate neural envelope tracking. More specifically, our results demonstrated a robust increase in envelope tracking with increasing speech understanding. The present study provides new insights in the relations among different effort measures and highlights the potential of neural envelope tracking to objectively measure speech understanding in young, normal‐hearing adults.
Enzymology of the pathway for ATP production by arginine breakdown
Authors: Pols Tjeerd , Singh Shubham , Deelman‐Driessen Cecile , Gaastra Bauke F. , Poolman Bert 
Published: April 2020

In cells, the breakdown of arginine to ornithine and ammonium ion plus carbon dioxide is coupled to the generation of metabolic energy in the form of ATP. The arginine breakdown pathway is minimally composed of arginine deiminase, ornithine transcarbamoylase, carbamate kinase, and an arginine/ornithine antiporter; ammonia and carbon dioxide most likely diffuse passively across the membrane. The genes for the enzymes and transporter have been cloned and expressed, and the proteins have been purified from Lactococcus lactis IL1403 and incorporated into lipid vesicles for sustained production of ATP. Here, we study the kinetic parameters and biochemical properties of the individual enzymes and the antiporter, and we determine how the physicochemical conditions, effector composition, and effector concentration affect the enzymes. We report the KM and VMAX values for catalysis and the native oligomeric state of all proteins, and we measured the effect of pathway intermediates, pH, temperature, freeze–thaw cycles, and salts on the activity of the cytosolic enzymes. We also present data on the protein‐to‐lipid ratio and lipid composition dependence of the antiporter.
Fracture Flow Characterization with Low‐Noise Spontaneous Potential Logging
Authors: Kowalski André C.G. , Mendonça Carlos A. , Ofterdinger Ulrich S. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractGeophysical well logging has been applied for fracture characterization in crystalline terrains by physical properties measurements and borehole wall imaging. Some of these methods can be applied to monitor pumping tests to identify fractures contributing to groundwater flow and, with this, determine hydraulic conductivity and transmissivity along the well. We present a procedure to identify fractures contributing to groundwater flow using spontaneous potential measurements generated by electrokinetic processes when the borehole water head is lowered and then monitored while recovering. The electrokinetic model for flow through a tabular gap is used to interpret the measured data and determine the water head difference that drives the flow through the fracture. We present preliminary results at a test site in crystalline rocks on the campus of the University of São Paulo.
Dye degradation and bacterial disinfection using multicatalytic BaZr0.02Ti0.98O3 ceramics
Authors: Sharma Moolchand , Singh Gurpreet , Vaish Rahul 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe piezocatalytic, photocatalytic, and piezo‐photocatalytic properties of BaZr0.02Ti0.98O3 (BZT) were examined for degradation of organic dyes and killing of bacteria present in the wastewater. Poled and unpoled powder samples were investigated using rhodamine‐B (RB), methyl orange (MO) dyes, and gram‐negative Escherichia coli in simulated water. The poled BZT sample demonstrated significant degradation of RB and MO dyes as compared to the unpoled BZT sample during piezocatalytic, photocatalytic, and piezo‐photocatalytic experiments. Moreover, ultrasonication‐induced piezocatalysis was found to be more effective than stirring in dye degradation using the poled BZT sample. Also, the piezo‐photocatalysis through poled BZT sample (using ultrasonication and ultraviolet (UV) light) was found to be more effective in dye degradation than that of only piezocatalysis and only photocatalysis. During antibacterial testing, the poled BZT sample showed nearly 90% and 100% bacterial killing under UV light and ultrasonication, respectively,, whereas the unpoled BZT sample showed only ~5% and ~35% bacterial killing. The significant enhancement in dye degradation and bacterial killing using the poled sample explicitly indicated the role of internal electric field in multicatalytic activities.
Western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) oviposition can be released by decapitation
Authors: Spencer Joseph L. , Orellana Luis R. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractNervous system control of western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, WCR) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) oviposition was studied using decapitation. Gravid females (n = 364) were decapitated with scissors and floated in water‐filled Petri dishes. Oviposition by individuals was observed at 30 min intervals for 4 hr after decapitation; cumulative oviposition was tallied at 48 hr post‐treatment. Overall, 82.7% of females laid eggs within 48 hr. Oviposition commenced quickly; 78.4% of females laid eggs during the observation period, 81.8% of these began egg laying within 30 min of decapitation. Egg‐laying females deposited a total of 66.8 ± 2.1 eggs (mean ± SEM); this was 85.1% of the total mature egg load. Dissection revealed that 31.9% of n = 301 laying females and 14.3% of 63 non‐laying females had a rupture of the common oviduct, manifest as an egg‐filled hernia containing a mean of 8.17 ± 1.3 eggs (range: 1–83). Among n = 237 females that laid eggs during observations, females with hernias laid significantly fewer eggs (35.8 ± 4.2) than intact females (48.0 ± 2.7) during the 4‐hr interval. There was no difference in the mean proportion of hatch for eggs collected from the same n = 10 females before (0.88 ± 0.03) or after decapitation (0.84 ± 0.04). Rapid oviposition following decapitation suggests that WCR egg laying is under constant descending neural inhibition; the motor programme controlling egg laying must reside posterior to the head. Decapitation can be used to quickly collect mature, fertilized WCR eggs.
Jaw‐neck motor function in the acute stage after whiplash trauma
Authors: Eklund Anton , Wiesinger Birgitta , Lampa Ewa , Österlund Catharina , Wänman Anders , Häggman‐Henrikson Birgitta 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundJaw‐neck motor function is affected in the chronic stage following whiplash trauma. It is not known whether motor function is affected also in the early stage after neck trauma.ObjectivesTo determine how jaw and head movement amplitudes and movement cycle times correlate with jaw and neck pain, and neck disability in the acute stage after whiplash trauma.MethodsJaw and head movements during jaw opening‐closing were recorded with an optoelectronic system in 23 cases (4 men, 19 women, 18‐66 years) within 1 month after whiplash trauma and compared with 27 controls without neck trauma (15 men, 12 women, 20‐66 years). Jaw and head movement amplitudes, head/jaw ratio (quotient of head and jaw movement amplitude) and movement cycle times were evaluated in relation to jaw and neck pain (Numeric Rating Scale) and neck disability (Neck Disability Index). Analyses were performed with Mann‐Whitney U test and Spearman's correlation.ResultsCompared with controls, cases showed smaller jaw movement amplitudes (P = .006) but no difference in head movement amplitudes, head/jaw ratios or movement cycle times. There were no significant correlations between movement amplitudes or cycle times and jaw and neck pain, and neck disability. Cases with high neck pain intensity had smaller jaw movement amplitudes compared to cases with low neck pain intensity (P = .024).ConclusionThe results suggest that jaw‐neck motor function may be affected in the acute stage after whiplash trauma and more so in cases with higher neck pain intensity.
RCOR1 directly binds to MED28 and weakens its inducing effect on cancer stem cell‐like activity of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma cells
Authors: Xiang Zhao , Zhou Shijie , Liang Shuang , Zhang Gang , Tan Yinghui 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundMediator is a multiprotein complex that acts as an essential transcriptional coactivator in eukaryotic cells for successful transcription. In this study, we aimed to explore the expression profile of 33 mediator subunit genes in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) and the functional role of MED28 in cellular behaviors of OCSCC cells.MethodsSingle‐cell (sc)RNA‐seq data from OCSCC cells (Puram 2017's dataset) and bulk‐seq data of the OCSCC subgroup of TCGA‐head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) were used for bioinformatic analysis. SCC9 cells were used in in‐vitro and in‐vivo analysis.ResultsAmong the 33 genes subjected to screening, MED28 showed the best prognostic value and its upregulation might independently predict shorter OS (HR: 3.699, 95% CI: 1.383‐9.892, P = .009) and PFS (HR: 2.769, 95% CI: 1.462‐5.244, P = .002). MED28 expression was positively correlated with cancer stem cell (CSC)‐like properties of SCC9 cells, including colony/sphere formation, and the expression of CSC markers (CD44, KLF4, NANOG, and OCT4). RCOR1 could suppress the CSC‐like properties of SCC9 cells and had direct interaction with MED28. Its overexpression partly abrogated MED28‐induced expression of CSC markers. RCOR1 expression was associated with promoter hypermethylation, while MED28 expression was positively correlated with its MED28 copy number (Pearson's r = .44) in OCSCC tissues.ConclusionAmong the mediator complex subunits, MED28 might serve as a potential biomarker of unfavorable survival. Its overexpression increased CSC‐like activity of OCSCC cells, the effect of which could be abrogated by RCOR1 via direct interaction.
An autoinhibitory mechanism controls RNA‐binding activity of the nitrate‐sensing protein NasR
Authors: Goodson Jonathan R. , Zhang Christopher , Trettel Daniel , Ailinger Heather E. , Lee Priscilla E. , Spirito Catherine M. , Winkler Wade C. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe ANTAR domain harnesses RNA‐binding activity to promote transcription attenuation. Although several ANTAR proteins have been analyzed by high‐resolution structural analyses, the residues involved in RNA‐recognition and transcription attenuation have not been identified. Nor is it clear how signal‐responsive domains are allosterically coupled with ANTAR domains for control of gene expression. Herein, we examined the sequence conservation of ANTAR domains to find residues that may associate with RNA. We subjected the corresponding positions of Klebsiella oxytoca NasR to site‐directed alanine substitutions and measured RNA‐binding activity. This revealed a functionally important patch of residues that forms amino acid pairing interactions with residues from NasR’s nitrate‐sensing NIT domain. We hypothesize these amino acid pairing interactions are part of an autoinhibitory mechanism that holds the structure in an “off” state in the absence of nitrate signal. Indeed, mutational disruption of these interactions resulted in constitutively active proteins, freed from autoinhibition and no longer influenced by nitrate. Moreover, sequence analyses suggested the autoinhibitory mechanism has been evolutionarily maintained by NasR proteins. These data reveal a molecular mechanism for how NasR couples its nitrate signal to RNA‐binding activity, and generally show how signal‐responsive domains of one‐component regulatory proteins have evolved to exert control over RNA‐binding ANTAR domains.
Functional morphology of the taste buds of Florida manatee, Trichechus manatus latirostris
Authors: Barboza Meghan L. B. , Larkin Iskande V. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe Florida manatee, Trichechus manatus latirostris, is a fully aquatic, threatened marine mammal for which increased understanding of their physiology, reproduction, and nutrition supports management decisions. Manatees may use taste to distinguish saltwater gradients, toxin detection, food assessment, and social interactions. This study sought to locate and characterize manatee taste buds comparing location, structure, number, and size to other species.Entire heads from manatees (6 males, 4 females) of various ages were obtained. The muzzle, tissue surrounding the nares, oral cavity, and epiglottis were examined grossly for pits and papillae. Tissues were examined using light and transmission electron microscopy. Within the predominant taste bud location, the tongue root, taste bud number was estimated using samples from four animals.The average number of taste buds within the tongue root was 11,534 (range 2,711–23,237) with sparse taste buds located on the soft palate and epiglottis. The location along the lateral surface of the tongue root and bordered by grooves, through which tastants could be easily transported, has functional significance. Large numbers of taste buds within the tongue root suggest that taste is an important component of manatee sensory systems and behavioral research would clarify this.
Rooting depth as a key woody functional trait in savannas
Authors: Zhou Yong , Wigley Benjamin J. , Case Madelon F. , Coetsee Corli , Staver Ann Carla 
Published: April 2020

Summary

Dimensions of tree root systems in savannas are poorly understood, despite being essential in resource acquisition and post‐disturbance recovery. We studied tree rooting patterns in Southern African savannas to ask: how tree rooting strategies affected species responses to severe drought; and how potential rooting depths varied across gradients in soil texture and rainfall.

First, detailed excavations of eight species in Kruger National Park suggest that the ratio of deep to shallow taproot diameters provides a reasonable proxy for potential rooting depth, facilitating extensive interspecific comparison. Detailed excavations also suggest that allocation to deep roots traded off with shallow lateral root investment, and that drought‐sensitive species rooted more shallowly than drought‐resistant ones.

More broadly across 57 species in Southern Africa, potential rooting depths were phylogenetically constrained, with investment to deep roots evident among miombo Detarioids, consistent with results suggesting they green up before onset of seasonal rains. Soil substrate explained variation, with deeper roots on sandy, nutrient‐poor soils relative to clayey, nutrient‐rich ones. Although potential rooting depth decreased with increasing wet season length, mean annual rainfall had no systematic effect on rooting depth.

Overall, our results suggest that rooting depth systematically structures the ecology of savanna trees. Further work examining other anatomical and physiological root traits should be a priority for understanding savanna responses to changing climate and disturbances.
Molecular detection of sugarcane striate virus and sugarcane white streak virus and their prevalence in the Miami World Collection of sugarcane and related grasses
Authors: Boukari Wardatou , Filloux Denis , Daugrois Jean Heinrich , Fernandez Emmanuel , Mollov Dimitre , Kaye Claudia , Hincapie Martha , Sanchez Alexander , Wang Jianping , Roumagnac Philippe , Rott Philippe 
Published: April 2020

AbstractViruses in the genusMastrevirus(familyGeminiviridae), including those infecting sugarcane, have natural geographical ranges almost exclusively restricted to Africa and the Indian Ocean islands off the African coast. Only sugarcane white streak virus (SWSV) in Barbados and sugarcane striate virus (SStrV) in Florida and Guadeloupe are known to infect a few sugarcane varieties in the Western Hemisphere. In this study, PCR assays were developed to detect these two viruses in sugarcane. Five hundred and seventy‐one DNA samples fromSaccharumspecies and interspecific hybrids from the Miami World Collection of sugarcane and related grasses were tested for the presence of SStrV and SWSV by PCR. No variety was found infected by SWSV but SStrV was detected in 19 varieties. PCR data were confirmed by sequencing amplified fragments (248 bp). These fragments shared 93%–100% nucleotide identity with SStrV sequences from the GenBank database. SStrV isolates were distributed in six phylogenetic groups, including the four strains of the virus. Most varieties infected by SStrV originated from Asia, thus confirming a previous hypothesis stating that this virus originated from this continent. Absence of SStrV in commercial sugarcane in Florida also suggested that this virus has not been spread in this location, while infected plants have been present for several decades.
Sources of resistance in wild Solanum germplasm (section Lycopersicon) to parietaria mottle virus, an emerging virus in the Mediterranean basin
Authors: Parrella Giuseppe 
Published: April 2020

AbstractParietaria mottle virus (PMoV) is considered an emerging virus in many countries of the Mediterranean basin. Outbreaks of tomato necrotic disease caused by the tomato strain PMoV‐T have been recorded in Italy, France, Spain, and Greece. No resistant or tolerant tomato cultivars are available and no cases of resistance have been reported in the section Lycopersicon of the Solanum genus so far. Therefore, wild relatives of tomato were evaluated to identify potential sources of resistance to PMoV infection. In all, 16 germplasm accessions from six wild Solanum spp. of the section Lycopersicon, along with susceptible near‐isogenic tomato lines (Monalbo, Momor, and Mospomorist), were evaluated for resistance against two different PMoV‐T strains, TI1 (from Italy) and FR1 (from France), under greenhouse conditions using mechanical inoculations. Local and systemic virus infections were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) 15 and 30 days after mechanical inoculation and confirmed by dot‐blot hybridization of viral RNA with a PMoV‐specific digoxigenin‐labelled riboprobe. No local or systemic symptoms were observed in three accessions of S. peruvianum and one accession of S. corneliomuelleri. Moreover, the virus was never detected in the inoculated and upper noninoculated leaves of these accessions, either with ELISA or the specific riboprobe. The accession of S. lycopersicum var. cerasiformae was resistant only to the TI1 strain. This is the first description of sources of extreme resistance to PMoV in the section Lycopersicon of the Solanum genus.