bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The nitrogen economic spectrum of legume stoichiometry and fixation strategy
Authors: Dovrat Guy , Bakhshian Hila , Masci Tania , Sheffer Efrat 
Published: March 2020

Summary

Leaf nitrogen concentration often is higher in leguminous plants, which associate with dinitrogen‐fixing bacteria, compared with nonlegume plants. However, the range of nitrogen concentrations in legumes is wide, likely related to the range of nitrogen fixation strategies. We evaluated how carbon and nitrogen allocation to roots, stems and leaves is influenced by the type of strategy of nitrogen fixation regulation.

We grew herbaceous annual legumes (Medicago truncatula, Hymenocarpos circinnatus and Vicia palaestina) under two nitrogen availability treatments (none/sufficient), with and without bacterial inoculation.

We found facultative downregulation of the rate of nitrogen fixation when nitrogen was available in H. circinnatus, and an obligate similar fixation rate in both nitrogen treatments in M. truncatula and V. palaestina. Uninoculated plants invested more biomass in roots and contained lower nitrogen concentrations. However, nitrogen concentration in the entire plant and in the leaves was lower and more plastic in the species with a facultative fixation strategy, whereas species with an obligate fixation strategy also maintained high nitrogen concentrations.

Our results suggest a suite of functional traits associated with the strategies of allocation and symbiotic nitrogen fixation. This suite of traits probably shapes successional and functional niches of different leguminous species in specious plant communities.
Genetic and functional variation across regional and local scales is associated with climate in a foundational prairie grass
Authors: Hoffman Ava M. , Bushey Julie A. , Ocheltree Troy W. , Smith Melinda D. 
Published: March 2020

Summary

Global change forecasts in ecosystems require knowledge of within‐species diversity, particularly of dominant species within communities. We assessed site‐level diversity and capacity for adaptation in Bouteloua gracilis, the dominant species in the Central US shortgrass steppe biome.

We quantified genetic diversity from 17 sites across regional scales, north to south from New Mexico to South Dakota, and local scales in northern Colorado. We also quantified phenotype and plasticity within and among sites and determined the extent to which phenotypic diversity in B. gracilis was correlated with climate.

Genome sequencing indicated pronounced population structure at the regional scale, and local differences indicated that gene flow and/or dispersal may also be limited. Within a common environment, we found evidence of genetic divergence in biomass‐related phenotypes, plasticity, and phenotypic variance, indicating functional divergence and different adaptive potential. Phenotypes were differentiated according to climate, chiefly median Palmer Hydrological Drought Index and other aridity metrics.

Our results indicate conclusive differences in genetic variation, phenotype, and plasticity in this species and suggest a mechanism explaining variation in shortgrass steppe community responses to global change. This analysis of B. gracilis intraspecific diversity across spatial scales will improve conservation and management of the shortgrass steppe ecosystem in the future.
LncRNA MAFG‐AS1 regulates human periodontal ligament stem cell proliferation and Toll‐like receptor 4 expression
Authors: Wangzhou Kaixin , Gong Lei , Liu Cheng , Tan Yi , Chen Jingxin , Li Conghui , Lai Zhiying , Hao Chunbo 
Published: March 2020

AbstractLncRNA MAFG‐AS1 is predicted to interact with miR‐146a, which can target Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4), a key player in periodontitis. This study aimed to investigate the roles of MAFG‐AS1 in periodontitis. It was observed that MAFG‐AS1 was downregulated in the human periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) derived from periodontitis‐affected teeth. Dual‐luciferase assay revealed that co‐transfection of MAFG‐AS1 expression vector and miR‐146a mimic showed significantly lower relative luciferase activity comparing to co‐transfection of MAFG‐AS1 expression vector and negative control (NC) miRNA. However, MAFG‐AS1 and miR‐146a failed to affect each other. Interestingly, MAFG‐AS1 overexpression led to the upregulated TLR4. In addition, MAFG‐AS1 overexpression also led to the inhibited proliferation of PDLSCs. Therefore, MAFG‐AS1 may regulate the proliferation of PDLSCs and the expression of TLR4 to participate in periodontitis.
miR‐146a‐5p attenuates IL‐1β‐induced IL‐6 and IL‐1β expression in a cementoblast‐derived cell line
Authors: Pan Jiawen , Du Mingyuan , Cao Zhengguo , Zhang Chen , Hao Yunru , Zhu Jiaqi , He Hong 
Published: March 2020

AbstractObjectivemiR‐146a is widely induced during the immune response. However, little is known about the biogenesis, function and mechanism of miR‐146a in cementoblasts during the pathogenesis of periodontitis. This study aimed to investigate the effects of miR‐146a in murine cementoblast‐derived OCCM‐30 cells following IL‐1β stimulation.Materials and methodsOCCM‐30 cells were cultured and exposed to IL‐1β. IL‐6, IL‐1β and TNF‐α, and miR‐146a‐5p expression was assessed by qRT‐PCR. Mimics/inhibitors were transiently transfected into cells to determine the function of miR‐146a‐5p. Signalling pathways including p38 MAPK, ERK1/2 and NF‐κB were studied by using specific inhibitors. The indicated proteins were measured by Western blot analysis and ELISA.ResultsIn IL‐1β‐stimulated OCCM‐30 cells, the expression levels of miR‐146a‐5p along with IL‐6 and IL‐1β increased in a time‐dependent manner. The ERK1/2, p38 MAPK and NF‐κB pathway were activated upon IL‐1β stimulation. Blocking the NF‐κB pathway decreased IL‐6, IL‐1β and miR‐146a‐5p expression. The overexpression of miR‐146a‐5p reduced IL‐6 and IL‐1β expression, while the inhibition of miR‐146a‐5p increased IL‐6 and IL‐1β expression in IL‐1β‐treated OCCM‐30 cells. miR‐146a‐5p attenuated IL‐6 and IL‐1β expression via the IRAK1/TRAF6 pathway.ConclusionThis study suggested that miR‐146a‐5p attenuates IL‐1β‐induced inflammatory factors in cementoblast‐derived cell line.
Pelagiella exigua, an early Cambrian stem gastropod with chaetae: lophotrochozoan heritage and conchiferan novelty
Authors: Thomas Roger D. K. , Runnegar Bruce , Matt Kerry 
Published: March 2020

AbstractExceptionally well‐preserved impressions of two bundles of bristles protrude from the apertures of small, spiral shells of Pelagiella exigua, recovered from the Kinzers Formation (Cambrian, Stage 4, ‘Olenellus Zone’, c. 512 Ma) of Pennsylvania. These impressions are inferred to represent clusters of chitinous chaetae, comparable to those borne by annelid parapodia and some larval brachiopods. They provide an affirmative test in the early metazoan fossil record of the inference, from phylogenetic analyses of living taxa, that chitinous chaetae are a shared early attribute of the Lophotrochozoa. Shells of Pelagiella exhibit logarithmic spiral growth, microstructural fabrics, distinctive external sculptures and muscle scars characteristic of molluscs. Hence, Pelagiella has been regarded as a stem mollusc, a helcionelloid expressing partial torsion, an untorted paragastropod, or a fully torted basal member of the gastropod crown group. The inference that its chaeta‐bearing appendages were anterior–lateral, based on their probable functions, prompts a new reconstruction of the anatomy of Pelagiella, with a mainly anterior mantle cavity. Under this hypothesis, two lateral–dorsal grooves, uniquely preserved in Pelagiella atlantoides, are interpreted as sites of attachment for a long left ctenidium and a short one, anteriorly on the right. The orientation of Pelagiella and the asymmetry of its gills, comparable to features of several living vetigastropods, nominate it as the earliest fossil mollusc known to exhibit evidence of the developmental torsion characteristic of gastropods. This key adaptation facilitated an evolutionary radiation, slow at first and rapid during the Ordovician, that gave rise to the remarkable diversification of the Gastropoda.
Protective and Risk Factors for Phantom Limb Pain and Residual Limb Pain Severity
Authors: Münger Marionna , Pinto Camila B. , Pacheco‐Barrios Kevin , Duarte Dante , Enes Gunduz Muhamed , Simis Marcel , Battistella Linamara R. , Fregni Felipe 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIntroductionThe exact mechanisms underlying the development and maintenance of phantom limb pain (PLP) are still unclear. This study aimed to identify the factors affecting pain intensity in patients with chronic, lower limb, traumatic PLP.MethodsThis is a cross‐sectional analysis of patients with PLP. We assessed amputation‐related and pain‐related clinical and demographic variables. We used univariate and multivariate models to evaluate the associated factors modulating PLP and residual limb pain (RLP) intensity.ResultsWe included 71 unilateral traumatic lower limb amputees. Results showed that (1) amputation‐related perceptions were experienced by a large majority of the patients with chronic PLP (sensations: 90.1%, n = 64; residual pain: 81.7%, n = 58); (2) PLP intensity has 2 significant protective factors (phantom limb movement and having effective treatment for PLP previously) and 2 significant risk factors (phantom limb sensation intensity and age); and (3) on the other hand, for RLP, risk factors are different: presence of pain before amputation and level of amputation (in addition to the same protective factors).ConclusionThese results suggest different neurobiological mechanisms to explain PLP and RLP intensity. While PLP risk factors seem to be related to maladaptive plasticity, since phantom sensation and older age are associated with more pain, RLP risk factors seem to have components leading to neuropathic pain, such as the amount of neural lesion and previous history of chronic pain. Interestingly, the phantom movement appears to be protective for both phenomena.
Adjustment of photosynthetic activity to drought and fluctuating light in wheat
Authors: Grieco Michele , Roustan Valentin , Dermendjiev Georgi , Rantala Sanna , Jain Arpit , Leonardelli Manuela , Neumann Kerstin , Berger Vitus , Engelmeier Doris , Bachmann Gert , Ebersberger Ingo , Aro Eva‐Mari , Weckwerth Wolfram , Teige Markus 
Published: March 2020

AbstractDrought is a major cause of losses in crop yield. Under field conditions, plants exposed to drought are usually also experiencing rapid changes in light intensity. Accordingly, plants need to acclimate to both, drought and light stress. Two crucial mechanisms in plant acclimation to changes in light conditions comprise thylakoid protein phosphorylation and dissipation of light energy as heat by non‐photochemical quenching (NPQ). Here, we analyzed the acclimation efficacy of two different wheat varieties, by applying fluctuating light for analysis of plants, which had been subjected to a slowly developing drought stress as it usually occurs in the field. This novel approach allowed us to distinguish four drought phases, which are critical for grain yield, and to discover acclimatory responses which are independent of photodamage. In short‐term, under fluctuating light, the slowdown of NPQ relaxation adjusts the photosynthetic activity to the reduced metabolic capacity. In long‐term, the photosynthetic machinery acquires a drought‐specific configuration by changing the PSII‐LHCII phosphorylation pattern together with protein stoichiometry. Therefore, the fine‐tuning of NPQ relaxation and PSII‐LHCII phosphorylation pattern represent promising traits for future crop breeding strategies.
Clearance of recalcitrant warts in a pediatric patient following administration of the nine‐valent human papillomavirus vaccine
Authors: Kost Yana , Zhu Tian Hao , Blasiak Rachel C. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractVerruca vulgaris is a common, benign infection of the skin and mucous membranes caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Although many therapeutic options for warts exist, they have limited efficacy and there is no definitive cure for warts. We report the case of a 10‐year‐old girl with recalcitrant cutaneous warts persisting more than two years which resolved completely following vaccination with the nine‐valent HPV vaccine.
Supporting public health practice in healthy growth and development in the Province of Ontario, Canada
Authors: Carsley Sarah , Prowse Rachel , Richmond Sarah A. , Manson Heather , Moloughney Brent W. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundAs public health services are modernized in Ontario, Canada, there is a need to inform the system‐level roles and responsibilities of government agencies. The aim of this study was to identify how Public Health Ontario (PHO) can optimally support evidence‐based planning and programming in Healthy Growth and Development (HGD) across Ontario.Methods and DesignA situational assessment was conducted with key informants from public health and other HGD fields.SampleKey informants were identified using purposeful snowball sampling and included public health nurses, health promoters, and medical officers of health. Analytic strategy: Twenty telephone interviews and seven focus groups were used to collect data. A thematic analysis was conducted concurrently with data collection.ResultsFive themes were identified: (a) Transition to the new Ontario Public Health Standards (OPHS) included experiences of adopting the new OPHS within local public health units (PHUs). (b) Collaborating and networking referred to the ability to work with community partners. (c) Data, evidence, and research described the presence of data, evidence, and research to support practice. (d) Decision making, planning, and priority setting described resources available that influenced decision making. (e) Current and emerging issues in HGD included high‐priority topics.ConclusionPublic health practice in HGD is complex with many challenges in data and evidence, and making programming decisions without adequate or measurable indicators. A specialized position at PHO is an opportunity to support some of these system‐wide needs.
Regulatory effect of PGE2 on microbicidal activity and inflammatory cytokines in canine leishmaniasis
Authors: Venturin Gabriela Lovizutto , Bragato Jaqueline Poleto , Melo Larissa Martins , Rebech Gabriela Torres , Costa Sidnei Ferro , de Siqueira Carlos Eduardo , Oliveira dos Santos Maciel Marilene , Eugênio Flávia de Rezende , Patto Santos Paulo Sérgio , de Lima Valéria Marçal Felix 
Published: March 2020

AbstractCanine leishmaniasis (CanL) is caused by the intracellular parasite Leishmania infantum. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) exerts potent regulatory effects on the immune system in experimental model Leishmania infection, but this influence has not yet been studied in CanL. In this study, PGE2 and PGE2 receptor levels and the regulatory effect of PGE2 on arginase activity, NO2, IL‐10, IL‐17, IFN‐γ, TNF‐α and parasite load were evaluated in cultures of splenic leucocytes obtained from dogs with CanL in the presence of agonists and inhibitors. Our results showed that splenic leucocytes from dogs with CanL had lower EP2 receptor levels than those of splenic leucocytes from healthy animals. We observed that NO2 levels decreased when the cells were treated with a PGE2 receptor agonist (EP1/EP2/EP3) or COX‐2 inhibitor (NS‐398) and that TNF‐α, IL‐17 and IFN‐γ cytokine levels decreased when the cells were treated with a PGE2 receptor agonist (EP2) or PGE2 itself. The parasite load in splenic leucocyte cell cultures from dogs with CanL decreased after stimulation of the cells with PGE2. We conclude that Leishmania infection of dogs modulates PGE2 receptors and speculate that the binding of PGE2 to its receptors may activate the microbicidal capacity of cells.
A Novel Regularized Approach for Functional Data Clustering: An Application to Milking Kinetics in Dairy Goats
Authors: Denis C. , Lebarbier E. , Lévy-Leduc C. , Martin O. , Sansonnet L. 
Published: March 2020

SummaryMotivated by an application to the clustering of milking kinetics of dairy goats, we propose a novel approach for functional data clustering. This issue is of growing interest in precision livestock farming, which is largely based on the development of data acquisition automation and on the development of interpretative tools to capitalize on high throughput raw data and to generate benchmarks for phenotypic traits. The method that we propose in the paper falls in this context. Our methodology relies on a piecewise linear estimation of curves based on a novel regularized change-point-estimation method and on the k-means algorithm applied to a vector of coefficients summarizing the curves. The statistical performance of our method is assessed through numerical experiments and is thoroughly compared with existing experiments. Our technique is finally applied to milk emission kinetics data with the aim of a better characterization of interanimal variability and towards a better understanding of the lactation process.
Attachment‐Related Representations and Suicidal Ideations in Nonsuicidal Self‐Injury Adolescents with and without Suicide Attempts: A Pilot Study
Authors: Pallini Susanna , Terrinoni Arianna , Iannello Sara , Cerutti Rita , Ferrara Mauro , Fantini Fiorella , Laghi Fiorenzo 
Published: March 2020

ObjectivesConsistent with the debate surrounding the association between nonsuicidal self‐injury (NSSI), suicidal intent, and suicidal behavior, and between NSSI and dysregulation processes, we attempted to analyze suicide intent and emotion dysregulation in NSSI adolescents, in the framework of the attachment representations and exploring these clues of emotion dysregulation characteristics of insecure attachment. Furthermore, we intended to focus on these attachment‐related segregated systems regarding death and suicidal ideations, to explore how differently they would characterize self‐injuring adolescents with and without suicide attempts.MethodsThirty‐four NSSI inpatient adolescents, 17 with suicide attempts, 17 without suicide attempts, and 17 healthy controls (age 11–17) were assessed using Adult Attachment Projective, which allows for the classification of attachment status and related emotion dysregulation and segregated systems.ResultsThe majority of the NSSI group with and without suicide attempts showed unresolved (disorganized) attachment‐related representations and clues of damaged reflective functions, whereas only the NSSI with suicide attempts showed clues of impaired interpersonal relationships. The two clinical groups used words expressing suicidal intent, whereas the healthy group did not.ConclusionsTherapists are encouraged not to underestimate suicidal ideation in NSSI regardless of whether or not they have already attempted suicide.
A multimodel regime for evaluating effectiveness of antimicrobial wound care products in microbial biofilms
Authors: Stoffel Joseph J. , Kohler Riedi Petra L. , Hadj Romdhane Brittany 
Published: March 2020

AbstractMicrobial biofilms have become increasingly recognized as a cause of wound chronicity. There are several topical antimicrobial wound care products available for use; however, their effectiveness has routinely been demonstrated with planktonic microorganisms. There is no target reference value for antimicrobial effectiveness of wound care products in biofilm models. In addition, data on antimicrobial activity of products in biofilm models are scattered across many test methods in a variety of studies. The aim of this work is to directly compare commercial products containing the commonly used topical antimicrobial agents iodine, silver, polyhexamethylene biguanide, octenidine, hypochlorous acid, benzalkonium chloride, and a surfactant‐based topical containing poloxamer 188. Five different in vitro biofilm models of varied complexity were used, incorporating several bacterial pathogens such as Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, Streptococcus, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Klebsiella, and Enterobacter. The fungal pathogens Candida albicans and Candida auris were also evaluated. A multispecies bacterial biofilm model was also used to evaluate the products. Additionally, C. albicans was used in combination with S. aureus and P. aeruginosa in a multikingdom version of the polymicrobial biofilm model. Statistically significant differences in antimicrobial performance were observed between treatments in each model and changing microbial growth conditions or combinations of organisms resulted in significant performance differences for some treatments. The iodine and benzalkonium chloride‐containing products were overall the most effective in vitro and were then selected for in vivo evaluation in an infected immunocompromised murine model. Unexpectedly, the iodine product was statistically (P > .05) no different than the untreated control, while the benzalkonium chloride containing product significantly (P < .05) reduced the biofilm compared to untreated control. This body of work demonstrates the importance of not only evaluating antimicrobial wound care products in biofilm models but also the importance of using several different models to gain a comprehensive understanding of products' effectiveness.
Fibroblast‐specific Stat1 deletion enhances the myofibroblast phenotype during tissue repair
Authors: Medley Shayna C. , Rathnakar Bharath H. , Georgescu Constantin , Wren Jonathan D. , Olson Lorin E. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractSignal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (Stat1) is a ubiquitously expressed latent transcription factor that is activated by many cytokines and growth factors. Global Stat1 knockout mice are prone to chemical‐induced lung and liver fibrosis, suggesting roles for Stat1 in tissue repair. However, the importance of Stat1 in fibroblast‐mediated and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC)‐mediated injury response has not been directly evaluated in vivo. Here, we focused on two models of tissue repair in conditional Stat1 knockout mice: excisional skin wounding in mice with Stat1 deletion in dermal fibroblasts, and carotid artery ligation in mice with global Stat1 deletion or deletion specific to VSMCs. In the skin model, dermal wounds closed at a similar rate in mice with fibroblast Stat1 deletion and controls, but collagen and α‐smooth muscle actin (αSMA) expression were increased in the mutant granulation tissue. Cultured Stat1
−/− and Stat1
+/− dermal fibroblasts exhibited similar αSMA+ stress fiber assembly, collagen gel contraction, proliferation, migration, and growth factor‐induced gene expression. In the artery ligation model, there was a significant increase in fibroblast‐driven perivascular fibrosis when Stat1 was deleted globally. However, VSMC‐driven remodeling and neointima formation were unchanged when Stat1 was deleted specifically in VSMCs. These results suggest an in vivo role for Stat1 as a suppressor of fibroblast mediated, but not VSMC mediated, injury responses, and a suppressor of the myofibroblast phenotype.