bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Afadin (AF6) in cancer progression: A multidomain scaffold protein with complex and contradictory roles
Authors: Huxham Jennifer , Tabariès Sébastien , Siegel Peter M. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAdherens (AJ) and tight junctions (TJ) maintain cell‐cell adhesions and cellular polarity in normal tissues. Afadin, a multi‐domain scaffold protein, is commonly found in both adherens and tight junctions, where it plays both structural and signal‐modulating roles. Afadin is a complex modulator of cellular processes implicated in cancer progression, including signal transduction, migration, invasion, and apoptosis. In keeping with the complexities associated with the roles of adherens and tight junctions in cancer, afadin exhibits both tumor suppressive and pro‐metastatic functions. In this review, we will explore the dichotomous roles that afadin plays during cancer progression.
Frequentist performances of Bayesian prediction intervals for random‐effects meta‐analysis
Authors: Hamaguchi Yuta , Noma Hisashi , Nagashima Kengo , Yamada Tomohide , Furukawa Toshi A. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe prediction interval has been increasingly used in meta‐analyses as a useful measure for assessing the magnitude of treatment effect and between‐studies heterogeneity. In calculations of the prediction interval, although the Higgins–Thompson–Spiegelhalter method is used most often in practice, it might not have adequate coverage probability for the true treatment effect of a future study under realistic situations. An effective alternative candidate is the Bayesian prediction interval, which has also been widely used in general prediction problems. However, these prediction intervals are constructed based on the Bayesian philosophy, and their frequentist validities are only justified by large‐sample approximations even if noninformative priors are adopted. There has been no certain evidence that evaluated their frequentist performances under realistic situations of meta‐analyses. In this study, we conducted extensive simulation studies to assess the frequentist coverage performances of Bayesian prediction intervals with 11 noninformative prior distributions under general meta‐analysis settings. Through these simulation studies, we found that frequentist coverage performances strongly depended on what prior distributions were adopted. In addition, when the number of studies was smaller than 10, there were no prior distributions that retained accurate frequentist coverage properties. We also illustrated these methods via applications to two real meta‐analysis datasets. The resultant prediction intervals also differed according to the adopted prior distributions. Inaccurate prediction intervals may provide invalid evidence and misleading conclusions. Thus, if frequentist accuracy is required, Bayesian prediction intervals should be used cautiously in practice.
Counter‐Selection Method for Markerless Allelic Exchange in Bordetella bronchiseptica Based on sacB Gene From Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Ambrosis Nicolás , Fernández Julieta , Sisti Federico 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBordetella bronchiseptica is a gram‐negative bacterium that causes respiratory tract infections. It is a natural pathogen of a wide variety of mammals, including some used as laboratory models. This makes B. bronchiseptica an ideal organism to study pathogen–host interactions in order to unveil molecular mechanisms behind pathogenic processes. Even though genetic engineering is an essential tool in this area, there are just a few reports about genome manipulation techniques in this organism. In this article we describe an allelic exchange protocol based on double crossover recombination facilitated by the Bacillus subtilis sacB gene that can be applied for partial or complete gene knockouts, single‐nucleotide mutations, or even introduction of coding sequences for transcriptional fusions. In contrast to previously employed techniques, this protocol renders genetically manipulated chromosomes without foreign DNA and enables the construction of successive genome manipulation using the same vector backbone. The entire procedure has been developed for fast and reliable manipulations with a total duration of 2 weeks. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.Basic Protocol 1: Setting up strainsBasic Protocol 2: Homologous recombination (first crossing‐over)Alternate Protocol: B. bronchiseptica electroporationBasic Protocol 3: Screening for sucrose‐sensitive clonesBasic Protocol 4: Homologous recombination (second crossing‐over)Basic Protocol 5: PCR screening of putative marker‐exchange mutantsSupport Protocol: Electrocompetent cell preparation
Guiding fall fertilization of cool‐season turfgrass lawns with verdure tissue‐N tests
Authors: Guillard Karl , Miele Kevin M. , Sürer Irfan , Morris Thomas F. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractObjective tests are not widely used to guide fall N fertilization of turfgrasses, and N is applied at predetermined rates regardless of plant‐N status. This study was conducted across 3 yr in Connecticut to determine if fall verdure concentrations of total N, dry‐tissue extractable nitrate (NO3)–N, and fresh sap NO3–N could guide fall N fertilization for a mixed‐species, cool‐season turfgrass lawn. Field experiments were set out with varying fall N rates and verdure samples were collected weekly in October and November. Verdure tissue‐N test concentrations in response to N rates were analyzed with polynomial (quadratic or cubic) and linear‐response and plateau (LRP) models. Models were significant (P< .0001) for all tissue concentrations in response to N rates and estimates were comparable between models. When referenced to expected responses from the commonly recommended fall N rates of 24.5, 49, and 98 kg ha−1, there would be no need for N fertilizer when concentrations of fall verdure total N are ≥22, ≥25, and ≥30 g kg−1; dry‐tissue extractable NO3–N are ≥119, ≥193, and ≥840 mg kg−1; and fresh sap NO3–N are ≥94, ≥115, and ≥171 mg L−1, respectively. Variability of the verdure tissue‐N tests was no greater than most routine soil and tissue tests currently used to monitor nutrient status in turfgrasses. The results suggest that verdure tissue‐N tests have potential in guiding fall N fertilization of cool‐season turfgrass lawns.
Relationships between immune gene expression and circulating cytokine levels in wild house mice
Authors: Young Stuart , Fenn Jonathan , Arriero Elena , Lowe Ann , Poulin Benoit , MacColl Andrew D.C. , Bradley Janette E. 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Quantitative PCR (qPCR) has been commonly used to measure gene expression in a number of research contexts, but the measured RNA concentrations do not always represent the concentrations of active proteins which they encode. This can be due to transcriptional regulation or post‐translational modifications, or localization of immune environments, as can occur during infection. However, in studies using free‐living non‐model species, such as in ecoimmunological research, qPCR may be the only available option to measure a parameter of interest, and so understanding the quantitative link between gene expression and associated effector protein levels is vital.

Here, we use qPCR to measure concentrations of RNA from mesenteric lymph node (MLN) and spleen tissue, and multiplex ELISA of blood serum to measure circulating cytokine concentrations in a wild population of a model species, Mus musculus domesticus.

Few significant correlations were found between gene expression levels and circulating cytokines of the same immune genes or proteins, or related functional groups. Where significant correlations were observed, these were most frequently within the measured tissue (i.e., the expression levels of genes measured from spleen tissue were more likely to correlate with each other rather than with genes measured from MLN tissue, or with cytokine concentrations measured from blood).

Potential reasons for discrepancies between measures including differences in decay rates and transcriptional regulation networks are discussed. We highlight the relative usefulness of different measures under different research questions and consider what might be inferred from immune assays.
Modulation of SI and ACC response to noxious and non‐noxious electrical stimuli after the spared nerve injury model of neuropathic pain
Authors: Tøttrup Lea , Diaz‐Valencia Gabriela , Kamavuako Ernest N. , Jensen Winnie 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe current knowledge on the role of SI and ACC in acute pain processing and how these contribute to the development of chronic pain is limited. Our objective was to investigate differences in and modulation of intracortical responses from SI and ACC in response to different intensities of peripheral presumed noxious and non‐noxious stimuli in the acute time frame of a peripheral nerve injury in rats.MethodsWe applied non‐noxious and noxious electrical stimulation pulses through a cuff electrode placed around the sciatic nerve and measured the cortical responses (six electrodes in each cortical area) before and after the spared nerve injury model.ResultsWe found that the peak response correlated with the stimulation intensity and that SI and ACC differed in both amplitude and latency of cortical response. The cortical response to both noxious and non‐noxious stimulation showed a trend towards faster processing of non‐noxious stimuli in ACC and increased cortical processing of non‐noxious stimuli in SI after SNI.ConclusionsWe found different responses in SI and ACC to different intensity electrical stimulations based on two features and changes in these features following peripheral nerve injury. We believe that these features may be able to assist to track cortical changes during the chronification of pain in future animal studies.SignificanceThis study showed distinct cortical processing of noxious and non‐noxious peripheral stimuli in SI and ACC. The processing latency in ACC and accumulated spiking activity in SI appeared to be modulated by peripheral nerve injury, which elaborated on the function of these two areas in the processing of nociception.
Electroactivity of Superoxide Anion in Aqueous Phosphate Buffers Analyzed with Platinized Microelectrodes
Authors: Lefrançois Pauline , Girard‐Sahun Fanny , Badets Vasilica , Clément Franck , Arbault Stéphane 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe reactivity of platinized ultramicroelectrodes (Pt‐black UMEs) towards superoxide anion O2.−, an unstable Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), and its relatives, H2O2 and O2, was studied. Voltammetric studies in PBS demonstrate that Pt‐black UMEs provide: i) a well‐resolved reversible redox signature for O2.− detected in both alkaline and physiological buffers (pH 12 and 7.4); ii) irreversible oxidation and reduction waves for H2O2 at pH 7.4. The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at Pt‐black surfaces solely yields H2O2 (2 electrons/2 H+) at physiological pH. Consequently, Pt‐black UMEs allow to sense different ROS including superoxide anion for future biomedical or physico‐chemical investigations.
Toward low‐voltage dielectrophoresis‐based microfluidic systems: A review
Authors: Ramirez‐Murillo Cinthia J. , de los Santos‐Ramirez J. Martin , Perez‐Gonzalez Victor H. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractDielectrophoretically driven microfluidic devices have demonstrated great applicability in biomedical engineering, diagnostic medicine, and biological research. One of the potential fields of application for this technology is in point‐of‐care (POC) devices, ideally allowing for portable, fully integrated, easy to use, low‐cost diagnostic platforms. Two main approaches exist to induce dielectrophoresis (DEP) on suspended particles, that is, electrode‐based DEP and insulator‐based DEP, each featuring different advantages and disadvantages. However, a shared concern lies in the input voltage used to generate the electric field necessary for DEP to take place. Therefore, input voltage can determine portability of a microfluidic device. This review outlines the recent advances in reducing stimulation voltage requirements in DEP‐driven microfluidics.
N‐glycosylation analysis of mouse immunoglobulin G isolated from dried blood spots
Authors: Patenaude Anne‐Marie , Erhardt Julija , Hennig René , Rapp Erdmann , Lauc Gordan , Pezer Marija 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe association of immunoglobulin G (IgG) glycosylation changes with various human diseases and physiological conditions is well established. Since the mechanistical explanation of the regulation of IgG glycosylation and its functional role in these various states is still missing, the eyes of the biomedical community are now turned towards animal models, which enable intervention studies necessary for conclusions on causality. Mice are recognized and used as a good experimental model for human IgG glycosylation. However, smaller blood volumes, low IgG concentrations at young ages (which are most often used in mice experiments) and multiple sampling protocols during the course of longitudinal studies would profit from a robust workflow for mouse IgG glycome analysis from minute amounts of starting material, collected through a simple sampling procedure. For this purpose, we have developed a protocol for analysis of total N‐glycans of IgG isolated from mouse dried blood spots (DBS), which we report here. We show that mouse DBS are a good source of material for IgG N‐glycan analysis by multiplexed capillary gel electrophoresis with laser‐induced fluorescence (xCGE‐LIF).
Fabrication of perovskite solar cells using novel 2D/3D‐blended perovskite single crystals
Authors: Younas Muhammad , Gondal Mohammed A. , Dastageer Mohamed A. 
Published: November 2020

SummarySingle crystals of 2D/3D‐blended perovskite were grown by inverse temperature crystallization method, and used this material for the fabrication of perovskite solar cells (PSC). Although, 3D perovskite is known for its high photovoltaic efficiency due to intense visible light absorbance, the hydrophilic organic cation in its structure makes it susceptible to rapid moisture induced structural degradation. When the 2D perovskite, possessing the long chains of hydrophobic organic molecule is incorporated in the 3D counterpart, moisture induced degradation is reduced, but with increased grain boundaries. The novelty of this work is to grow the single crystal of the 2D/3D‐blended perovskite, aiming to enhance the carrier mobility by reducing the grain boundaries, trap state densities, and charge recombination, while preserving the improved material stability. PSCs with polycrystalline 3D perovskite, single crystal of 3D perovskite, and single crystal of 2D/3D‐blended perovskite yielded efficiencies of 4.55%, 6.37% and 5.37% respectively.
Effects of drought on infant mortality in China
Authors: Lin Youhong , Liu Feng , Xu Peng 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThis study focuses on Guizhou Province, a region with difficult geographical conditions and poor economic development, to examine the effect of rainfall shocks on contemporaneous infant health and long‐run socioeconomic outcomes in China. The study results indicate that negative rainfall shocks are robustly correlated with higher infant mortality and lower birth weight. In the long run, early life rainfall shortages limit an individual's income and housing conditions. The study findings indicate a significant interaction of rainfall shock with the severity of water scarcity. This result implies that drinking water safety is an essential channel through which early life rainfall shocks influence individual health endowments. However, agriculture production is not a likely channel for rainfall effects despite its association with infant mortality. Accordingly, our empirical results suggest that improving public facility coverage will reduce the vulnerability of infant health to adverse rainfall shocks in Guizhou and other developing areas.
Role of intraoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring for pediatric thyroid surgery: Comparative analysis
Authors: Ritter Amit , Hod Roy , Reuven Yonatan , Shpitzer Thomas , Mizrachi Aviram , Raveh Eyal , Bachar Gideon 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe data on the advantages of intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) during pediatric thyroid surgeries are limited. We aimed to study the role of IONM by comparing between children who underwent thyroid surgery with and without IONM.MethodsA retrospective study of all children who underwent thyroid surgery between 2001 and 2019.ResultsThe study included 113 patients with 183 recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) at risk. Transient paralysis rate was more than 5‐fold lower in the IONM group compared to the control group (1.5% vs 8%; P = .114). Permanent paralysis was documented only in the control group (2.5% vs 0%; P = .552). Children <10 years and those who underwent central neck dissection had significantly higher rates of RLN injury.ConclusionsIONM was associated with decreased rate of RLN injury during pediatric thyroid surgery and should be considered especially in children under 10 years of age and those undergoing concomitant central neck dissection.
Optimal design of conductive natural branched pathways for cooling a heat‐generating volume
Authors: Li Yinglin , Feng Mengli 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe application of constructal networks to cool a heat‐generating volume has been the subject of many research studies in the past decade. However, the current volume‐point constructs mainly include rectangular, triangular, and parabolic‐shaped constructs, and none of them are similar to the constructs of common plant leaves in nature. A bionic quadrilateral volume based on the shape of common leaf veins is proposed, and the heat‐conductive model of the quadrilateral volume is established. The analysis results show that the minimal peak temperature difference can be as low as 1.3k when the porosity α1 of the quadrilateral volume is equal to 0.15; the recommended value of interval number n of central link is 30, the optimal value of exponent m1 of the width of central link is about 0.9; and the optimal value of the aspect ratio H1/L1 remains nearly constant at 0.7. When the quadrilateral volume obtains highest heat conductivity, the branching cooling links should be perpendicular to the central link.
Analysis of unsteady force convection flows on irregular boundary over a diverging channel
Authors: Govindhasamy Iyyappan , Singh Abhishek K. , Roy Satyajit 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe purpose of this study report is to examine the unsteady force convection flow on irregular boundary over a diverging channel with effect of viscous dissipation. The fundamental equations of fluid, continuity, momentum, and energy equations are converted into dimensionless form. The resulting coupled partial differential equations are linearized by quasilinearization technique, the backward, and central difference scheme for nonuniform mesh used to solve the system of linear equations. We found that finite difference scheme for nonuniform mesh gives smoothness of solution compared to finite difference scheme for uniform mesh on irregular boundary, this is evident from Figure 2. Near the wall region, as viscous dissipation increases from 0.2 to 0.5, the temperature profiles overshoots 20% to 112%. Also the effects of Reynolds number (Re) on heat transfer coefficient is comparatively less than skin‐friction coefficient.
Canopy spectral reflectance for crop water stress assessment in wheat (Triticum aestivum, L.)*
Authors: Chandel Narendra Singh , Rajwade Yogesh Anand , Golhani Kamlesh , Tiwari Prem Shankar , Dubey Kumkum , Jat Dilip 
Published: November 2020

AbstractSpectral reflectance in the near‐infrared (NIR) and short‐wave–infrared (SWIR) regions shows decreasing water absorption troughs upon crop water stress. In this study, decreasing water absorption troughs were identified from reflectance of irrigated wheat crop. The crop was grown under two different irrigation methods, sprinkler and flood irrigation. Crop reflectance was measured using an ASD FieldSpec 3 (350–2,500 nm) hand‐held spectroradiometer at 1 week before the critical growth stages. Among different growth stages, wheat crop was found to be under stress in crown root initiation, jointing, and flowering. Results based on crop yield, and raw and first derivative spectral analysis indicated that flood‐irrigated wheat had more stress compared with sprinkler‐irrigated wheat. Five water stress‐sensitive wavelengths (974; 1,195; 1,455; 1,791; and 1,935 nm) were identified from flood‐irrigated wheat. Among them, two wavelengths (974 and 1,195 nm) were found to be highly water sensitive and good indicators for water stress. Detecting crop water stress prior to the critical growth stages of wheat helps in proper irrigation scheduling.
“I Desperately Need Visions of Black People Thriving”: Emancipating the Fantastic With Black Women’s Words
Authors: Toliver S. R. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe genre of science fiction has often been hostile to readers who are not white, middle class, heterosexual men. Though the genre has historically ignored Dark Others; however, they are never completely omitted from the story, as they are often characterized as the creature, the alien, or the monster. In this way, the futuristic windows and mirrors available to Black women and girls are often cracked, tiny, or shattered. The primary objective of this paper, then, is to further conversations about the need for diverse books and genres in schools by focusing on the science fiction reading histories of Black women and highlighting the features that draw Black women to the genre. The reading histories of Black women can provide further data that showcases the need for new mythologies, ones that center Dark Others prospering in the future.
Hydrogen sulfide protects against IL‐1β‐induced inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction‐related apoptosis in chondrocytes and ameliorates osteoarthritis
Authors: Wang Ben , Shao Zhenxuan , Gu Mingbao , Ni Libin , Shi Yifeng , Yan Yingzhao , Wu Aimin , Jin Haiming , Chen Jiaoxiang , Pan Xiaoyun , Xu Daoliang 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe inflammatory environment and excessive chondrocyte apoptosis have been demonstrated to play crucial roles in the onset of osteoarthritis (OA). Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a gaseous signalling molecule, exerts an inhibitory effect on inflammation and apoptosis in several degenerative diseases. However, the protective effect of H2S against OA has not been fully clarified, and its underlying mechanism should be examined further. In the current study, the role of endogenous H2S in the pathogenesis of OA and its protective effects on interleukin (IL)‐1β‐induced chondrocytes were identified. Our data revealed decreased H2S expression in both human degenerative OA cartilage tissue and IL‐1β‐induced chondrocytes. Pretreatment with the H2S donor sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) dramatically attenuated IL‐1β‐induced overproduction of inflammatory cytokines and improved the balance between anabolic and catabolic chondrocyte capacities, and these effects were dependent on PI3K/AKT pathway‐mediated inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB). Moreover, mitochondrial dysfunction‐related apoptosis was significantly reversed by NaHS in IL‐1β‐stimulated chondrocytes. Mechanistically, NaHS partially suppressed IL‐1β‐induced phosphorylation of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades. Furthermore, in the destabilization of the medial meniscus mouse model, OA progression was ameliorated by NaHS administration. Taken together, these results suggest that H2S may antagonize IL‐1β‐induced inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction‐related apoptosis via selective suppression of the PI3K/Akt/NF‐κB and MAPK signalling pathways, respectively, in chondrocytes and may be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of OA.