bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Region‐specific sex modulation of central oxytocin receptor by gut microbiota: An ontogenic study
Authors: Effah Felix , de Gusmão Taveiros Silva Nívea Karla , Camarini Rosana , Joly Fatima , Rabot Sylvie , Bombail Vincent , Bailey Alexis 
Published: January 2021

AbstractOxytocin (OT) is a developmentally important neuropeptide recognized to play a dominant role in social functioning and stress‐related behaviors, in a sex‐dependent manner. Nonetheless, the underlining factors driving OT and OT receptor (OTR) early brain development remain unclear. Recent evidence highlight the critical influence of gut microbiota and its bidirectional interaction with the brain on neurodevelopment via the gut microbiota‐brain axis. Therefore, we aimed to determine the impact of gut microbiota on the OTR system of the rat brain at different developmental stages in a pilot study. Quantitative OTR [125I]‐OVTA autoradiographic binding was carried out in the forebrain of male and female conventional (CON) and germ‐free (GF) rats at postnatal days (PND) 8, 22, and 116–150. OTR binding was also assessed in the eyes of PND 1 and PND 4 GF female rats. Significant “microbiota × sex × region” interaction and age‐dependent effects on OTR binding were demonstrated. Microbiota status influenced OTR levels in males but not females with higher levels of OTR observed in GF versus CON rats in the cingulate, prelimbic, and lateral/medial/ventral orbital cortex, and septum across all age groups, while sex differences were observed in GF, but not in CON rats. Interestingly, OTRs present in the eyes of CON rats were abolished in GF rats. This is the first study to uncover a sex‐specific role of gut microbiota on the central OTR system, which may have implications in understanding the developmental neuroadaptations critical for behavioral regulation and the etiology of certain neurodevelopmental disorders.
Heavy metals modulate DNA compaction and methylation at CpG sites in the metal hyperaccumulator Arabidopsis halleri
Authors: Galati Serena , Gullì Mariolina , Giannelli Gianluigi , Furini Antonella , DalCorso Giovanni , Fragni Rosaria , Buschini Annamaria , Visioli Giovanna 
Published: January 2021

AbstractExcess heavy metals affect plant physiology by inducing stress symptoms, however several species have evolved the ability to hyperaccumulate metals in above‐ground tissues without phytotoxic effects. In this study we assume that at subcellular level, different strategies were adopted by hyperaccumulator versus the non‐accumulator plant species to face the excess of heavy metals. At this purpose the comet assay was used to investigate the nucleoid structure modifications occurring in response to Zn and Cd treatments in the I16 and PL22 populations of the hyperaccumulator Arabidopsis halleri versus the nonaccumulator species Arabidopsis thaliana. Methy‐sens comet assay and RT‐qPCR were also performed to associate metal induced variations in nucleoids with possible epigenetic modifications. The comet assay showed that Zn induced a mild but non significant reduction in the tail moment in A. thaliana and in both I16 and PL22. Cd treatment induced an increase in DNA migration in nuclei of A. thaliana, whereas no differences in DNA migration was observed for I16, and a significant increase in nucleoid condensation was found in PL22 Cd treated samples. This last population showed higher CpG DNA methylation upon Cd treatment than in control conditions, and an up‐regulation of genes involved in symmetric methylation and histone deacetylation. Our data support the hypothesis of a possible role of epigenetic modifications in the hyperaccumulation trait to cope with the high Cd shoot concentrations. In addition, the differences observed between PL22 and I16 could reinforce previous suggestions of divergent strategies for metals detoxification developing in the two metallicolous populations.
Influence of organic amendments on acidic soil responsive crop groundnut (Arachis hypogaeaL.)
Authors: Hazarika Samarendra , Sohliya Bakhriamdor , Thakuria Dwipendra , Kataki Sampriti , Rangappa Krishnappa 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe present study evaluated the comparative effects of organic amendments on physiology, growth, and yield of acidic soil responsive crop groundnut and soil physicochemical and biochemical (dehydrogenase, acid phosphatases, and glucosidase activity) parameters. The treatments comprise of control (recommended dose of fertilizer or RDF), lime at 25% (L25 + RDF) and 100% lime requirement (L100 + RDF), farmyard manure+ RDF, compost+ RDF, poultry manure+ RDF, and pig manure+ RDF. The impact of organic amendments was also investigated on root exudation and crop parameters in a controlled growth chamber. At active growth stage, organic amendment application especially poultry and pig manures maintained higher leaf cell membrane integrity, chlorophyll content and stomatal frequency/or density compared to other treatments. Soil available P under organic manure (particularly pig and poultry manure) or lime was significantly higher over control. In contrast, exchangeable acidity and readily soluble Al were significantly lower under pig and poultry manure. Increased soil P availability was due to P availability from manure, increased soil pH, exchangeable Ca + Mg, organic carbon and enzyme activities, and reduction in exchangeable acidity and readily soluble Al as evident by their significant correlation with soil available P. In conclusion, pig and poultry manures seems to be effective substitute of lime for amelioration of soil acidity by maintaining favorable soil pH, organic carbon and microbial biomass carbon, available nutrients, exchangeable Ca and Mg, enzyme activities, and thereby improved plant physiological condition. These findings confirmed the applicability of poultry and pig manures as recyclable low‐cost farm wastes as alternative liming materials in acidic soils.
Sequential uptake of cadmium and methylene blue from binary solution using zeolite‐TiO2 modified porous CaCu3Ti4O12 photocatalyst
Authors: Saqib Najm Us , Adnan Rohana , Shah Irfan , Hussain Ishtiaq 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis work describes the synthesis of CaCu3Ti4O12 (CCTO) by a facile conventional oxide mixing method. The prepared CCTO particles were further modified with anatase TiO2 NPs (~55 nm size) and zeolite supported TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) (~58 nm size) for the photocatalytic removal of MB and Cd2+ from the aqueous media under compact fluorescent light. Both nascent and modified CCTO composite materials were characterized using X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron micrograph /energy dispersion X‐ray, BET, UV–VIS‐DRS, and pH of the point of zero charge analyses. These composite materials revealed with remarkable affinity toward MB and Cd2+, whereby the maximum photocatalytic degradation and adsorption capacity reached to 73 and 77 mg/g, respectively. The cations removal efficiencies of the prepared composite materials were found increased in the binary solutions of MB and Cd2+ ions resulting in enhanced degradation and adsorption capacity, qe, up to 132, and 137 mg/g, respectively. The reusability tests revealed that the efficiencies of prepared composites gradually decreased upon reuse.
Dehydration kinetics of antibiotic fermentation residues by dehydration agents at room temperature
Authors: Guo Chenchen , Zhou Chang , Liu Xiaolin , Liu Qingfen 
Published: January 2021

AbstractHarmless disposal of antibiotics fermentation residues (AFRs) is required due to the risk of inducing drug‐resistant via the residual antibiotics. AFRs are rich in colloidal water to be hardly removed by mechanical methods, leading to the energy‐intensive dewatering. Dehydration agents (DAs) can be used to treat the wet AFRs, in which colloidal water was transferred into the hydrate of DA and formed solid AFRs–DA mixture at room temperature. In this article, the dehydration kinetics of AFRs was investigated systematically. The results show that the dehydration followed the first‐order kinetic equation and the main influences were temperature, feed ratio, and the particle size of DA. In addition, the quantitative relationship of kinetic parameters with the feed ratio and temperature were established, providing the basic data for further reducing the energy consumption of AFRs disposal.
Process optimization for the supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. seeds aromatic extract with respect to yield and trans‐anethole contents using Box‐Behnken design
Authors: Maitusong Jumai , Aimila Aoken , Zhang Junping , Mahinur Bakri , Maiwulanjiang Maitinuer , Aisa Haji Akber 
Published: January 2021

AbstractFennel (seeds of Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) is the widely used aromatic and medicinal plant throughout the world. In this research, supercritical carbon dioxide (SC‐CO2) extraction was carried out to extract the aromatic extract from F vulgare seeds under various operating conditions, and aromatic extract samples were characterized for properties such as yield and trans‐anethole content. A three‐level Box‐Behnken design from response surface method was applied to optimize the extraction parameters such as pressure, temperature, and extraction time with an aim to obtain high yield and rich trans‐anethole content. The optimum extraction conditions were found to be 177 bar, 40°C and 68 min where the predicted oil yield and trans‐anethole contents were found to be 3.798% and 95 mg/g, respectively. Under the optimum conditions, the experimental oil yield was 3.85%, and the content of trans‐anethole was 94 mg/g. The results were very close to the values predicted by the model. At the same time, the chemical compositions of the oils from two different extraction methods, hydrodistillation and SC‐CO2, were compared. The chemical constituents of oils from two different extraction methods found to be the same, and they showed slight difference in terms of the quantity of the main chemicals. Antibacterial and antioxidant effects of the oils obtained by the two extraction methods were compared, and they showed similar effects.
Inflation, inflation volatility and terrorism in Africa
Authors: Ajide Kazeem Bello , Alimi Olorunfemi Yasiru 
Published: January 2021

AbstractCan inflation or inflation volatility incites terrorism? This question is salient as there is a latent belief that both can actually produce hardships for people, making them to be economically deprived and aggrieved, thereby reducing their opportunity costs of rebellion against the incumbent government. This study answers the above raised question using a negative binomial regression on 38 African economies over the period 1980–2012, in which the following findings are established. Inflation volatility and not inflation per se constitutes a significant predictor of terrorism, particularly, for the domestic terrorist activity over the period of coverage. The prevailing impacts of other confounding variables such as surface areas, ethnicity, physical integrity rights, as well as the lagged value of terrorism are consistently notable across the model specifications. Thus, the paper argues that the non‐statistical significance of inflation does not render it less important as it offers the enabling condition that makes inflation volatility to thrive.
Does corporate tax planning mitigate financial constraints? Evidence from China
Authors: Sun Jie , Makosa Lewis , Yang Jinkun , Yin Fangyuan , Sitsha Lovemore 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWe hypothesize that tax planning behaviour mitigates a firm's financial constraints, and this effect is more pronounced in non‐state‐owned enterprises and big firms compared to their counterparts. We use data for Chinese listed firms during the period 2010–2018 to test the hypotheses, based on both ordinary least squares and fixed‐effect models. The regression results show that tax planning is positively and significantly associated with mitigation of financial constraints, suggesting that cash tax savings are likely to improve firms' financial slack. This effect is stronger for non‐state‐owned enterprises, big firms, non‐political firms and firms in the eastern region of China. Further analyses reveal that, in the long run, tax planning increases firms' financial constraints, supporting Scholes‐Wolfson's point of view of tax planning, that minimizing taxes is not the same as effective tax planning. These results are robust to various tests. Overall, our results suggest that minimizing tax generally produces immediate cash flow benefits and mitigates financial constraints in the short run; however, in the long run, firms should adopt sustainable financing strategies.
Endogenous discounting, investment and asset pricing
Authors: Niu Yingjie , Zhao Siqi , Zou Zhentao 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWe extend an equilibrium business cycle/asset pricing model of production and capital accumulation by introducing wealth‐dependent time preferences. First, we find that the aggregate consumption is no longer proportional to the output and the consumption volatility is always lower than the volatility of output. Second, the expected real growth rate is increasing in the capital stock, which leads to a twin‐peak shape of the world wealth distribution as shown in the data. With respect to financial markets, we show that the equity risk premium is reduced by the endogenous discounting and exhibits a cyclical pattern, which depends on the capital stock. Finally, time‐varying discount rate leads to welfare improvement and the welfare gain is decreasing in the capital stock.
In utero substrate restriction by placental insufficiency or maternal undernutrition decreases optical redox ratio in foetal perirenal fat
Authors: Lazniewska Joanna , Darby Jack R. T. , Holman Stacey L. , Sorvina Alexandra , Plush Sally E. , Massi Massimiliano , Brooks Doug A. , Morrison Janna L. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIntrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) can result from reduced delivery of substrates, including oxygen and glucose, during pregnancy and may be caused by either placental insufficiency or maternal undernutrition. As a consequence of IUGR, there is altered programming of adipose tissue and this can be associated with metabolic diseases later in life. We have utilised two sheep models of IUGR, placental restriction and late gestation undernutrition, to determine the metabolic effects of growth restriction on foetal perirenal adipose tissue (PAT). Two‐photon microscopy was employed to obtain an optical redox ratio, which gives an indication of cell metabolism. PAT of IUGR foetuses exhibited higher metabolic activity, altered lipid droplet morphology, upregulation of cytochrome c oxidase subunit genes and decreased expression of genes involved in growth and differentiation. Our results indicate that there are adaptations in PAT of IUGR foetuses that might be protective and ensure survival in response to an IUGR insult.
Intraspecific differentiation of sandflies specimens by optical spectroscopy and multivariate analysis
Authors: Casaril Aline E. , Santos Carlos G. , Marangoni Bruno S. , Lima Sandro M. , Andrade Luis H. C. , Fernandes Wagner S. , Infran Jucelei O. M. , Alves Natália O. , Borges Moacir D. G. L. , Cena Cicero , Oliveira Alessandra G. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractLutzomyia longipalpis and Lutzomyia cruzi are the main sandflies species involved in the transmission of Leishmania infantum protozoan in Brazil. The morphological characteristics can be used for species identification of males specimens, while females are indistinguishable. Although, sandflies identification is essential to understand vectorial capacity, and susceptibility to infectious agents or insecticides, there is a lack of new strategies for specimen identification. In this study, Fourier transform infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy combined with multivariate analysis identified intraspecific differences between Lutzomyia populations. Successfully group clustering was achieved by principal component analysis. The main differences observed can be related to the protein content of the specimens. A classification with 100% accuracy was obtained using machine learning approach, allowing the identification of sandflies specimens.
Diurnal variation of corneal elasticity in healthy young human using air‐puff optical coherence elastography
Authors: Chen Sisi , Jin Zi , Zheng Gu , Ye Shuling , Wang Yiyi , Wang Weicheng , Wang Yuanyuan , Zhu Dexi , Shen Meixiao , Lu Fan 
Published: January 2021

AbstractDue to the disruption of intraocular pressure (IOP) and central corneal thickness (CCT), diurnal variation in normal young human corneal elasticity is not clear. Using the custom‐built air‐puff optical coherence elastography, one eye of 21 normal subjects is enrolled randomly to measure the central corneal elasticity, IOP, and CCT in different time points within a day. Based on the multi‐level model, the corneal elastic modulus is found to have a linear positive relation with IOP (P < .01) but not CCT (P = .175) and time point (P = .174–.686). A new indicator, corneal elasticity change rate, is proposed to present the magnitude of corneal elasticity change caused by 1 mmHg IOP, which can correct the interference effect of IOP. The results show that the corneal elasticity in the normal young human does not have the characteristics of diurnal variation under IOP control. Furthermore, IOP plays an important role in the corneal elasticity, and corneal elasticity change rate can increase the comparability of results between individuals.
Prevalence of and risk factors for abnormal left ventricular geometrical patterns in hypertensive subjects administered irbesartan
Authors: Huang Cheng , Huang Yuqing , Zhong Qi , Cai Anping , Feng Ying‐qing 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundDistinct populations differ in LVH prevalence and impaired LV geometry. Currently, the prevalence of and risk factors for LV geometric patterns in Chinese hypertensives administered irbesartan have not been specifically addressed in large studies.MethodsTotally 10,883 patients (6623 men and 4260 women) completed the survey, including 1181 hypertensives administered irbesartan (488 males and 693 females) that were finally enrolled. Based on LVMI and RWT derived from comprehensive echocardiography, the LV geometric patterns of irbesartan‐treated hypertensive individuals were classified into four types, including the normal, concentric remodeling, and concentric and eccentric hypertrophy groups. Logistic regression analysis was applied in males and females, respectively, for determining odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for various potential risk factors for abnormal LV geometrical patterns in irbesartan‐treated hypertensives.ResultsThe clinical and echocardiographic data differed significantly between males and females. The prevalence rates of concentric remodeling, concentric hypertrophy, and eccentric hypertrophy were 36.3%, 15.4%, and 6.1% in males, respectively, and 23.5%, 20.3%, and 23.8% in females, accordingly. Gender, daily dose of irbesartan, BMI, SBP, WtHR, and neck‐circumference were significantly associated with LV geometric patterns. After adjustment for confounding factors, risk factors for LVH and impaired LV geometry included SBP, WtHR in males, and MAU‐Cr and WtHR in females.ConclusionsLVH and impaired LV geometric patterns are more prevalent in females (67.7%) compared with that in males (57.8%) among hypertensives upon irbesartan administration. For such population, risk factors beyond elevated blood pressure may be involved in the progression of LVH and impaired LV geometric patterns in both genders.
The value of platelet parameters and related scoring system in predicting esophageal varices and collateral veins in patients with liver cirrhosis
Authors: Liu Huan , Chen Peng , Jiang Bei , Li Fei , Han Tao 
Published: January 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo explore the value of platelet parameters and related scoring system in predicting esophageal varices and collateral veins in patients with liver cirrhosis.MethodA total of 94 patients with liver cirrhosis diagnosed in our hospital from March 2017 to July 2018 were divided into without esophageal varices group (NEV) and esophageal varices group (EV) into mild, moderate, and severe subgroups according to the results of general gastroscopy. The differences of biological indexes among different degrees of esophageal varices and collateral veins were analyzed, and the related factors of esophageal varices and collateral veins were analyzed.ResultsPLT count and PCT decreased gradually with the increase of esophageal varices in EV group. There were significant differences in PLT count and PCT, which were negatively correlated with the degree of collateral vein in esophageal collateral vein group. The maximum cross‐sectional diameter and mean diameter of esophageal collateral veins in EV group were wider than those in NEV group. Further study showed that the maximum cross‐sectional total diameter and mean diameter of esophageal collateral veins in severe esophageal varices group were wider than those in NEV group and mild esophageal varices group. Sequential Logistic regression analysis showed that PCT could effectively predict the existence of esophageal varices. Platelet parameters had no significant diagnostic value in predicting peri‐ECV and Para‐ECV. For platelet‐related FI, APRI, FIB‐4, King, Lok, GUCI, and FibroQ scoring systems, multivariate Logistic regression showed that FI, FIB‐4, Lok and FibroQ scoring systems could effectively predict the presence of EV and Para‐ECV (P<0.05), and its Lok Index is better than other rating systems, with AUROC values of 0.773 and 0.747, respectively. There is no significant predictive value for above scoring systems of peri‐ECV.ConclusionsPCT and LOK index can effectively predict the existence of esophageal varices and para‐esophageal veins in patients with liver cirrhosis, and can be used as an effective filling method for common gastroscopy and endoscopic ultrasonography to detect EV and ECV in liver cirrhosis.
Creatine transport and pathological changes in creatine transporter deficient mice
Authors: Wawro Adam M. , Gajera Chandresh R. , Baker Steven A. , Nirschl Jeffrey J. , Vogel Hannes , Montine Thomas J. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe severe impact on brain function and lack of effective therapy for patients with creatine (Cr) transporter deficiency motivated the generation of three ubiquitous Slc6a8 deficient mice (−/y). While each mouse knock‐out line has similar behavioral effects at 2 to 3 months of age, other features critical to the efficient use of these mice in drug discovery are unclear or lacking: the concentration of Cr in brain and heart differ widely between mouse lines, there are limited data on histopathologic changes, and no data on Cr uptake. Here, we determined survival, measured endogenous Cr and uptake of its deuterium‐labeled analogue Cr‐d3 using a liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry assay, and performed comprehensive histopathologic examination on the Slc6a8−/y mouse developed by Skelton et al. Our results show that Slc6a8−/y mice have widely varying organ‐specific uptake of Cr‐d3, significantly diminished growth with the exception of brain, progressive vacuolar myopathy, and markedly shortened lifespan.