bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic parameters of drought tolerance for agromorphological traits in eggplant, wild relatives, and interspecific hybrids
Authors: Kouassi Abou Bakari , Kouassi Koffi Brice Aymar , Sylla Zakaria , Plazas Mariola , Fonseka Ramya Malkanthi , Kouassi Auguste , Fonseka Hemal , N'guetta Assanvo Simon‐Pierre , Prohens Jaime 
Published: June 2020

AbstractCrop wild relatives (CWRs) have barely been used in eggplant (Solanum melongena) breeding. However, introgression breeding may help in coping with the challenges posed by climate change. During the rainy and dry seasons, we evaluated nine accessions of eggplant, nine accessions of seven related species (of which six are CWRs and one is a cultivated relative), and 12 interspecific hybrids. Drought tolerance scores, calculated as ratios of growing rates and ratios of mean values during the rainy and dry seasons, were obtained for vegetative growth and yield‐related traits. Considering the vegetative growth and yield‐related traits evaluated, the F1 hybrid progenies of eggplant with S. insanum MEL1 × INS2 and MEL4 × INS3, S. anguivi MEL6 × ANG1, and S. dasyphyllum MEL6 × DAS1, plus the S. sysimbriifolium accession SIS1, displayed drought tolerance. Small to large gaps were observed between phenotypic and genotypic CVs of drought tolerance scores, reflecting variable influence of environmental factors on drought tolerance of the traits evaluated. In addition, the narrow‐sense heritability was generally moderate, indicating that genes with dominance and/or epistasis effects may be involved in the expression of drought tolerance. High genotypic correlations for drought tolerance scores between pairs of traits such as branching index and leaf length, leaf petiole diameter and plant height, number of stamens per flower, and fruit pedicel length suggest that drought tolerance of these traits is controlled by genes that are in linkage disequilibrium and/or have pleiotropic effects. The results are relevant for the development of drought‐tolerant cultivars of eggplant.
Species‐specific transpiration and water use patterns of two pioneer dominant tree species under manipulated rainfall in a low‐subtropical secondary evergreen forest
Authors: Ouyang Lei , Gao Jianguo , Zhao Ping , Rao Xingquan 
Published: June 2020

AbstractLike many other ecosystems, subtropical forests are suffering more intense and longer droughts with the ongoing climate change. This study aimed to explore the seasonal transpiration and physiological responses of two dominant tree species, Schima superba and Michelia macclurei, to manipulated precipitation patterns in a subtropical evergreen forest of South China, in which an ambient control treatment (BC), a drier dry and wetter wet season treatment (DD) and an extended dry and wetter wet season treatment (ED) were applied. Tree water use and associated ecophysiological characters, such as the daily whole‐tree transpiration (EL), intrinsic water use efficiency (WUEi), Huber values (As:Al) and utilization proportions from different water sources were determined during the period from October 2012 to September 2013. For both tree species, no significant difference in transpiration among the three treatments was observed in the wet season, and a relatively stronger decrease of transpiration occurred under DD and ED treatments during the later dry season. Moreover, the higher transpiration of M. macclurei and its advantage of utilizing the shallow water derived from light rainfall under dry condition suggested that it has more survival and growth advantages in this subtropical forest. Therefore, under the seasonal drought caused by uneven distribution of rainfall in the future, M. macclurei that inclines to use shallow soil water would adopt a drought‐avoidance strategy, whereas S. superba that could uptake deeper soil water would be drought tolerant. The different spatial and temporal patterns of water use, together with the contrasting water use strategies, could reduce competition of the two species and facilitate their coexistence under potential precipitation distribution changes.
Scanning acoustic microscopy analysis of the mechanical properties of polymeric components in photovoltaic modules
Authors: Mesquita Laila V. , Mansour Djamel Eddine , Gebhardt Paul , Pitta Bauermann Luciana 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe characterization of mechanical properties of polymeric backsheet and encapsulation foils of photovoltaic (PV) modules usually involves destructive techniques, such as dynamic mechanical analysis and tensile testing. In this article, we validate the scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM) as a nondestructive characterization method to estimate the mechanical properties of polymeric multi‐layers in PV modules. The acoustic speed inside each individual material is measured and its mechanical properties calculated. For this validation, other techniques are employed to determine the values of density, thickness, and elastic modulus of the foils. The viscoelastic properties of the polymeric foils are temperature dependent. The longitudinal modulus measured acoustically at 15 MHz and the Young's modulus from conventional tensile testing were compared at different temperatures. Both techniques show good agreement regarding the change in mechanical properties caused by temperature variation. The disagreement in the absolute values of these parameters is explained by the different frequency magnitudes at which both measurements are performed. This confirms that SAM is a reliable technique to measure changes in the viscoelastic properties of the foils in PV modules nondestructively, and thus to obtain more information about aging‐induced material changes and degradation.
Experimental Study of Three Channel Designs with Model Comparison in a PEM Fuel Cell
Authors: Mojica F. , Rahman Md. A. , Mora J. M. , Ocon J. D. , Chuang P.‐Y. A. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe flow field is an integral part of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell. In this work, three flow‐field designs, including straight parallel, multiple channel serpentine, and single channel serpentine, are studied systematically to investigate their effects on fuel cell performance. To evaluate the characteristics of each design, relative humidity and flow rate are parametrically adjusted to evaluate performance experimentally. A finite element‐based 3D steady state, single phase COMSOL computational model is employed to analyze reactant distribution and fuel cell performance. The single channel serpentine exhibits the best performance under the greatest variety of operating conditions, but also experiences the highest inlet‐outlet pressure differentials. This study shows that parallel channel design has more evenly distributed reactant concentration, but is prone to liquid water accumulation, which requires high flow rate to remain stable operation under wet conditions. In summary, the multiple channel serpentine design can provide a reasonable balance between pressure drop and flow distribution with robust fuel cell operation.
Extensive astrocyte metabolism of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) sustains glutamine synthesis in the mammalian cerebral cortex
Authors: Andersen Jens V. , Jakobsen Emil , Westi Emil W. , Lie Maria E. K. , Voss Caroline M. , Aldana Blanca I. , Schousboe Arne , Wellendorph Petrine , Bak Lasse K. , Pinborg Lars H. , Waagepetersen Helle S. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractSynaptic transmission is closely linked to brain energy and neurotransmitter metabolism. However, the extent of brain metabolism of the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA), and the relative metabolic contributions of neurons and astrocytes, are yet unknown. The present study was designed to investigate the functional significance of brain GABA metabolism using isolated mouse cerebral cortical slices and slices of neurosurgically resected neocortical human tissue of the temporal lobe. By using dynamic isotope labeling, with [15N]GABA and [U‐13C]GABA as metabolic substrates, we show that both mouse and human brain slices exhibit a large capacity for GABA metabolism. Both the nitrogen and the carbon backbone of GABA strongly support glutamine synthesis, particularly in the human cerebral cortex, indicative of active astrocytic GABA metabolism. This was further substantiated by pharmacological inhibition of the primary astrocytic GABA transporter subtype 3 (GAT3), by (S)‐SNAP‐5114 or 1‐benzyl‐5‐chloro‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐indole‐2,3‐dione (compound 34), leading to significant reductions in oxidative GABA carbon metabolism. Interestingly, this was not the case when tiagabine was used to specifically inhibit GAT1, which is predominantly found on neurons. Finally, we show that acute GABA exposure does not directly stimulate glycolytic activity nor oxidative metabolism in cultured astrocytes, but can be used as an additional substrate to enhance uncoupled respiration. These results clearly show that GABA is actively metabolized in astrocytes, particularly for the synthesis of glutamine, and challenge the current view that synaptic GABA homeostasis is maintained primarily by presynaptic recycling.
Glial glutamate transporter GLT‐1 determines susceptibility to spreading depression in the mouse cerebral cortex
Authors: Aizawa Hidenori , Sun Weinan , Sugiyama Kaori , Itou Yukiko , Aida Tomomi , Cui Wanpeng , Toyoda Saori , Terai Haruhi , Yanagisawa Michiko , Tanaka Kohichi 
Published: June 2020

AbstractCortical spreading depression (CSD) is a pathological neural excitation that underlies migraine pathophysiology. Since glutamate receptor antagonists impair CSD propagation, susceptibility to CSD might be determined by any of the neuronal (excitatory amino acid carrier 1 [EAAC1]) and glial (GLutamate ASpartate Transporter [GLAST] and glial glutamate transporter 1 [GLT‐1]) glutamate transporters, which are responsible for clearing extracellular glutamate. To investigate this hypothesis, we performed electrophysiological, hemodynamic, and electrochemical analyses using EAAC1‐ (EAAC1 KO), GLAST‐ (GLAST KO), and conditional GLT1‐1‐knockout mice (GLT‐1 cKO) to assess altered susceptibility to CSD. Despite the incomplete deletion of the gene in the cerebral cortex, GLT‐1 cKO mice exhibited significant reduction of GLT‐1 protein in the brain without apparent alteration of the cytoarchitecture in the cerebral cortex. Physiological analysis revealed that GLT‐1 cKO showed enhanced susceptibility to CSD elicited by chemical stimulation with increased CSD frequency and velocity compared to GLT‐1 control. In contrast, the germ‐line EAAC1 and GLAST KOs showed no such effect. Intriguingly, both field potential and cerebral blood flow showed faster dynamics with narrower CSD than the controls. An enzyme‐based biosensor revealed more rapid accumulation of glutamate in the extracellular space in GLT‐1 cKO mice during the early phase of CSD than in GLT‐1 control, resulting in an increased susceptibility to CSD. These results provided the first evidence for a novel role of GLT‐1 in determining susceptibility to CSD.
Profiles of cognitive impairment in the continuum from normal cognition to Alzheimer's clinical syndrome: Contributions of the short‐term memory binding tests
Authors: Cecchini Mario Amore , Foss Maria Paula , Tumas Vitor , Patrocinio Flávia A.P. , Chiari‐Correia Rodolfo D. , Novaretti Nathalia , Brozinga Tamara R. , Bahia Valéria Santoro , de Souza Leonardo Cruz , Cerqueira Guimarães Henrique , Caramelli Paulo , Lima‐Silva Thais Bento , Cassimiro Luciana , Brucki Sonia Maria Dozzi , Nitrini Ricardo , Della Sala Sergio , Parra Mario A. , Yassuda Mônica Sanches 
Published: June 2020

BackgroundShort‐term memory binding (STMB) tests assess conjunctive binding, in which participants should remember the integration of features, such as shapes (or objects) and colors, forming a unique representation in memory. In this study, we investigated two STMB paradigms: change detection (CD) and free recall (FR).ObjectiveTo investigate the cognitive profile in the CD and FR tasks of three diagnostic groups: cognitively unimpaired (CU), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and Alzheimer's clinical syndrome (ACS). In addition, we aimed to calculate and compare the accuracy of the CD and FR tasks to identify MCI and ACS.MethodsParticipants were 24 CU, 24 MCI, and 37 ACS. The cognitive scores of the clinical groups were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were carried out to verify the accuracy of the STMB tasks.ResultsIn the CD task, CU was different from MCI and ACS (CU > MCI = ACS), while in the FR task all groups were different (CU > MCI > ACS). The ROC analyses showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.855 comparing CU with MCI for the CD task and 0.975 for the FR. The AUC comparing CU and ACS was 0.924 for the CD and 0.973 for the FR task. The FR task showed better accuracy to identify MCI patients, and the same accuracy to detect ACS.ConclusionThe present findings indicate that impairments in CD and FR of bound representations are features of the cognitive profiles of MCI and ACS patients.
Two‐year follow‐up of a randomized phase III clinical trial of nivolumab vs. the investigator's choice of therapy in the Asian population for recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (CheckMate 141)
Authors: Yen Chia‐Jui , Kiyota Naomi , Hanai Nobuhiro , Takahashi Shunji , Yokota Tomoya , Iwae Shigemichi , Shimizu Yasushi , Hong Ruey‐Long , Goto Masahiro , Kang Jin‐Hyoung , Li Wing Sum Kenneth , Ferris Robert L. , Gillison Maura , Endo Toshimitsu , Jayaprakash Vijayvel , Tahara Makoto 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe present study evaluated the 2‐year survival of the Asian population in the CheckMate 141 trial.MethodsThe CheckMate 141 trial included patients with recurrent or metastatic (R/M) squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). In the present study, 34 Asian patients (nivolumab group: 23 patients; investigator's choice of therapy [IC] group: 11 patients) were analyzed.ResultsThe median overall survival (OS) was 12.1 and 6.2 months for the nivolumab and IC groups, respectively. The estimated 2‐year OS rates were 22.7% and 0% for the nivolumab and IC groups, respectively. In the nivolumab group, the patients with any treatment‐related adverse events (TRAEs), including skin‐related disorders, showed better OS than the patients without any TRAEs.ConclusionsNivolumab demonstrated prolonged OS benefits in the Asian population with platinum‐refractory R/M SCCHN and a favorable safety profile. TRAEs, including skin‐related disorders, may be favorable prognostic factors for nivolumab efficacy.Clinical trial registrationNCT02105636.
Trauma exposure and post‐traumatic stress symptoms among Syrian refugee youth in Jordan: Social support and gender as moderators
Authors: Kliewer Wendy , Kheirallah Khalid A. , Cobb Caroline O. , Alsulaiman Jomana W. , Mzayek Fawaz , Jaddou Hashem 
Published: June 2020

This study assessed relations between exposure to trauma and post‐traumatic stress (PTS) symptoms, and whether perceived social support from family and friends and gender moderated these associations. Syrian refugee youth (N = 418, 55.0% female) attending public schools in Jordan participated. Boys reported more age‐adjusted PTS symptoms than girls. Analyses revealed that family support and gender moderated the association of trauma on PTS symptoms. For males, the benefits of family support were most evident under conditions of high traumatic stress exposure, while for females, benefits of family support were evident when no loss or injury to family members had been reported. Support from friends was not helpful for either gender. School‐ or family‐based interventions designed to treat PTS symptoms need to consider the different needs of boys and girls, particularly within the Syrian Muslim cultural context.
Restoration of miR‐330 expression suppresses lung cancer cell viability, proliferation, and migration
Authors: Mohammadi Ali , Mansoori Behzad , Duijf Pascal H. G. , Safarzadeh Elham , Tebbi Leila , Najafi Souzan , Shokouhi Behrooz , Sorensen Grith L. , Holmskov Uffe , Baradaran Behzad 
Published: June 2020

AbstractLung cancer is one of the most common cancers and its incidence is rising around the world. Various studies suggest that miR‐330 acts as a tumor‐suppressor microRNA (miRNA) in different types of cancers, but precisely how has remained unclear. In this study, we investigate miR‐330 expression in lung cancer patient samples, as well as in vitro, by studying how normalization of miR‐330 expression affects lung cancer cellular phenotypes such as viability, apoptosis, proliferation, and migration. We establish that low miR‐330 expression predicts poor lung cancer prognosis. Stable restoration of reduced miR‐330 expression in lung cancer cells reduces cell viability, increases the fraction of apoptotic cells, causes G2/M cell cycle arrest, and inhibits cell migration. These findings are substantiated by increased mRNA and protein expression of markers for apoptosis via the intrinsic pathway, such as caspase 9, and decreased mRNA and protein expression of markers for cell migration, such as vimentin, C‐X‐C chemokine receptor type 4, and matrix metalloproteinase 9. We showed that reduced miR‐330 expression predicts poor lung cancer survival and that stable restoration of miR‐330 expression in lung cancer cells has a broad range of tumor‐suppressive effects. This indicates that miR‐330 is a promising candidate for miRNA replacement therapy for lung cancer patients.
Expression and function of the P2X7 receptor in human osteoblasts: The role of NFATc1 transcription factor
Authors: Bergamin Leticia Scussel , Penolazzi Letizia , Lambertini Elisabetta , Falzoni Simonetta , Sarti Alba Clara , Molle Caroline M. , Gendron Fernand‐Pierre , De Bonis Pasquale , Di Virgilio Francesco , Piva Roberta 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBone mineralization is an orchestrated process by which mineral crystals are deposited by osteoblasts; however, the detailed mechanisms remain to be elucidated. The presence of P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) in immature and mature bone cells is well established, but contrasting evidence on its role in osteogenic differentiation and deposition of calcified bone matrix remains. To clarify these controversies in the present study, we investigated P2X7R participation in bone maturation. We demonstrated that the P2X7R is expressed and functional in human primary osteoblasts, and identified in the P2RX7 promoter several binding sites for transcription factors involved in bone mineralization. Of particular interest was the finding that P2X7R expression is enhanced by nuclear factor of activated T cells cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1) overexpression, and accordingly, NFATc1 is recruited at the P2RX7 gene promoter in SaOS2 osteoblastic‐like cells. In conclusion, our data provide further insights into the regulation of P2X7R expression and support the development of drugs targeting this receptor for the therapy of bone diseases.
Involvement of GPX4 in irisin's protection against ischemia reperfusion‐induced acute kidney injury
Authors: Zhang Jia , Bi Jianbin , Ren Yifan , Du Zhaoqing , Li Teng , Wang Tao , Zhang Lin , Wang Mengzhou , Wei Shasha , Lv Yi , Wu Rongqian 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIschemia reperfusion (I/R)‐induced acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common and serious condition. Irisin, an exercise‐induced hormone, improves mitochondrial function and reduces reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) is a key regulator of ferroptosis and its inactivation aggravates renal I/R injury by inducing ROS production. However, the effect of irisin on GPX4 and I/R‐induced AKI is still unknown. To study this, male adult mice were subjected to renal I/R by occluding bilateral renal hilum for 30 min, which was followed by 24 hr reperfusion. Our results showed serum irisin levels were decreased in renal I/R mice. Irisin (250 μg/kg) treatment alleviated renal injury, downregulated inflammatory response, improved mitochondrial function, and reduced ER stress and oxidative stress after renal I/R, which were associated with upregulation of GPX4. Treated with RSL3 (a GPX4 inhibitor) abolished irisin's protective effect. Thus, irisin attenuates I/R‐induced AKI through upregulating GPX4.
Effects of monitoring versus blunting on the public’s preferences for information in a hypothetical cancer diagnosis scenario
Authors: Plamann Katie , McCarthy Veach Patricia , LeRoy Bonnie S. , MacFarlane Ian M. , Petzel Sue V. , Zierhut Heather A. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractMonitoring and blunting are coping styles that characterize how people respond when faced with personally threatening situations. High monitors tend to pay more attention to, scan for, and amplify threatening cues; high blunters tend to avoid information and seek distractions when faced with a threatening event. This study sought to investigate possible differential effects of monitoring and blunting coping styles on information preferences in a hypothetical cancer diagnosis scenario in the adult general public of Minnesota. In a survey administered at a large public venue (2016 Minnesota State Fair), participants were asked to imagine they carried a gene mutation and were diagnosed with colon cancer. They indicated their information preference [modified Cassileth Information Styles Questionnaire (MCISQ)], completed two coping style measures [Miller Behavioral Style Scale (MBSS) and Threatening Medical Situations Inventory (TMSI)], rated their perceived severity of colon cancer (low, moderate, high), and answered demographic questions. Eight hundred fifty‐five individuals provided usable data. Participants classified as monitors on the TMSI had significantly higher MCISQ scores (i.e., preferred more information) than those classified as blunters (p = .004). Those scoring high on monitoring and low on blunting on the MBSS preferred significantly more information than those scoring high on both monitoring and blunting (p = .04). Linear regression analysis revealed being a monitor (TMSI), scoring high on monitoring (MBSS), rating colon cancer as more severe, and having a higher education level were significant positive predictors of MCISQ scores. Results suggest individual differences in coping style, perceived severity, and education level affect desire for information. Genetic counselors should consider these patient characteristics (e.g., asking patients about their information preferences) and tailor their approaches accordingly.