bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sorting nexin 11 knockout mice exhibit enhanced thermosensing behaviour
Authors: Huang Hua‐Lin , Li Caiyue , Ma Wenbo , Yin Shikui , Zhao Huifan , Deng Sihao , Shu Xiaodong , Wu Donghai , Li Ji , Huang Rongqi , Cheng Na , Huang Jufang , Li Zhiyuan 
Published: November 2019

AbstractTemperature sensing is an important adaptive mechanism for warm‐blooded animals such as humans. ThermoTRP ion channels are activated by distinct but overlapping physiological temperatures. Our previous research demonstrated that sorting nexin 11 (SNX11) regulates lysosomal degradation of plasma membrane TRPV3, one of ThermoTRP ion channel proteins. Here, we found that SNX11, a vesicular trafficking protein, modulates mouse behaviour in response to temperature changes. Snx11‐knockout mice exhibit a stronger preference for mild temperatures along with enhanced sensitivity to harmful heat. Mechanistically, keratinocytes from Snx11‐knockout mice exhibit a larger temperature‐gated TRPV3 membrane current and have enhanced thermoTRPV3 expression in the plasma membrane compared to wild‐type keratinocytes. Additionally, Snx11‐knockout mice show higher endogenous TRPV3 protein levels in skin tissues than wild‐type mice do. Therefore, our results indicate that SNX11 may regulate thermal perception via alteration of functional thermoTRPV3 on the plasma membrane of thermally sensitive cells, which is the first link between vesicular trafficking and thermal transduction.
Assessment of yield gaps on global grazed‐only permanent pasture using climate binning
Authors: Monteiro Leonardo A. , Allee Andrew M. , Campbell Eleanor E. , Lynd Lee R. , Soares Johnny R. , Jaiswal Deepak , de Castro Oliveira Julianne , dos Santos Vianna Murilo , Morishige Ashley E. , Figueiredo Gleyce K. D. A. , Lamparelli Rubens A. C. , Mueller Nathaniel D. , Gerber James , Cortez Luis A. B. , Sheehan John J. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractTo meet rising demands for agricultural products, existing agricultural lands must either produce more or expand in area. Yield gaps (YGs)—the difference between current and potential yield of agricultural systems—indicate the ability to increase output while holding land area constant. Here, we assess YGs in global grazed‐only permanent pasture lands using a climate binning approach. We create a snapshot of circa 2000 empirical yields for meat and milk production from cattle, sheep, and goats by sorting pastures into climate bins defined by total annual precipitation and growing degree‐days. We then estimate YGs from intra‐bin yield comparisons. We evaluate YG patterns across three FAO definitions of grazed livestock agroecosystems (arid, humid, and temperate), and groups of animal production systems that vary in animal types and animal products. For all subcategories of grazed‐only permanent pasture assessed, we find potential to increase productivity several‐fold over current levels. However, because productivity of grazed pasture systems is generally low, even large relative increases in yield translated to small absolute gains in global protein production. In our dataset, milk‐focused production systems were found to be seven times as productive as meat‐focused production systems regardless of animal type, while cattle were four times as productive as sheep and goats regardless of animal output type. Sustainable intensification of pasture is most promising for local development, where large relative increases in production can substantially increase incomes or “spare” large amounts of land for other uses. Our results motivate the need for further studies to target agroecological and economic limitations on productivity to improve YG estimates and identify sustainable pathways toward intensification.
The potential role of species and functional composition in generating historical constraints on ecosystem processes
Authors: Ordonez Alejandro , Svenning Jens‐Christian 
Published: November 2019

AbstractAimBiogeographical processes and past environmental conditions are known to constrain current patterns of species, functional and phylogenetic diversity. An unanswered question is whether such constraints to biodiversity also affect ecosystem processes.LocationGlobal.Time periodNeogene and Quaternary.Major taxa studiedVascular plants.MethodsWe propose that evolution, migration‐lag in response to environmental changes, and extinction may result in historical legacies in current ecosystem composition (species and functional) that can lead to historical legacies in ecosystem processes – that is, deviations from the potential rates or magnitudes of ecosystem processes, given current environmental conditions and the habitat‐suitable native species and trait pools that exist under such circumstances.ResultsHistorical legacies in ecosystem processes may begin with changes in species richness and composition in response to environmental shifts. These changes are mediated by response traits that determine how species react to environmental changes and track suitable environmental conditions. Response traits are often associated with effect traits, which determine the rates and magnitude of ecosystem processes. Via this association, environmentally driven response‐trait determined changes in species diversity may cascade to ecosystem processes through effect trait compositional changes. These changes could lead to ecosystem processes deviating from a potential state defined by current environmental conditions and the overall species pool. We populate this conceptual framework with cases that show how historical legacies in biodiversity translate to historical legacies in ecosystem processes, and we discuss the implications of the concept for global change ecology.Main conclusionsWe need to rethink our expectations of future ecological dynamics as past, and current, environmental changes may push ecosystem processes away from their environmentally and compositionally defined potential state.
Estimation of lucerne yield stability for enabling effective cultivar selection under rainfed conditions
Authors: Hakl Josef , Mofidian Seyed Mohammad Ali , Kozová Zdeňka , Fuksa Pavel , Jaromír Šantrůček 
Published: November 2019

AbstractEvaluation of crop and forage yield stability is of increasing relevance in the context of current and recent environmental changes but, in contrast to other field crops, there are no published systematic analyses among forage crops in Europe. A study of stability performance was conducted with 13 Czech cultivars of lucerne at four locations over a 2‐year period with the following aims: (a) to evaluate yield stability of varieties across different environments and (b) to calculate measurable benefits of variety selection in relation to the specific environment. The cultivar Vlasta was identified as the highest yielding cultivar (annual yield 16.0 t DM/ha), whereas the lowest yielding cv. Magda, Tereza and Oslava averaged around 14.9 t DM/ha. Effect of genotype × environment interaction (G × E) was two times higher than for genotype alone. Additive main effects and the multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model showed that the highest yielding cultivars may not be stable across environments. This study demonstrated further that significant yield improvement could be detected, even among a relatively homogenous group of domestic cultivars, and this was driven mainly by site productivity: the improvement was +10% in low‐yielding sites, compared with +3% in high‐yielding sites. Results highlight that advanced agronomy should also consider stability parameters such as AMMI stability value or superiority measures for forage crops in response to the challenges associated with climate change.
Zinc deficiency as an independent prognostic factor for patients with early hepatocellular carcinoma due to hepatitis virus
Authors: Hiraoka Atsushi , Nagamatsu Kensuke , Izumoto Hirofumi , Adachi Tomoko , Yoshino Takeaki , Tsuruta Miho , Aibiki Toshihiko , Okudaira Tomonari , Yamago Hiroka , Iwasaki Ryuichiro , Suga Yoshifumi , Mori Kenichiro , Miyata Hideki , Tsubouchi Eiji , Ninomiya Tomoyuki , Kawasaki Hideki , Hirooka Masashi , Matsuura Bunzo , Abe Masanori , Hiasa Yoichi , Michitaka Kojiro 
Published: November 2019

AimAlthough a reduced serum zinc level is often observed in patients with chronic liver disease due to hepatitis virus, its prognostic importance has not been adequately investigated. This study aimed to elucidate the association of zinc deficiency with prognosis, especially in early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.MethodsFrom 2005 to 2018, 466 patients with naïve HCC due to hepatitis virus were enrolled (327 men, 139 women; median age 70 years; hepatitis C virus [HCV] n = 389, hepatitis B virus [HBV] n = 69, hepatitis C virus and hepatitis B virus n = 8; Child–Pugh A n = 367, Child–Pugh B n = 82; Child–Pugh C n = 17; TNM‐LCSGJ stage I n = 150, stage II n = 181, stage III n = 91, stage IVa n = 26, state IVb n = 18). Of the 466 patients, 287 were within the Milan criteria (early HCC) and treated curatively. Zinc deficiency was defined as <60 μg/dL. Clinical records and prognostic factors were retrospectively evaluated.ResultsThe levels of serum zinc became lower with chronic liver disease progression (Child–Pugh A, B, C: 64.3 ± 14.3, 52.3 ± 15.7, 48.4 ± 13.5 μg/dL, respectively; P < 0.001). In early HCC patients treated curatively, overall survival and recurrence rates were better in patients treated curatively and without zinc deficiency as compared with patients with zinc deficiency (3‐year overall survival 86.5% vs. 77.2%, 5‐year overall survival 73.5% vs. 43.8%, P < 0.001; 3‐year recurrence 44.8% vs. 58.3%, 5‐year recurrence 56.8% vs. 77.5%, P = 0.002). Not only infection control of hepatitis virus (sustained virological response in HCV or nucleos(t)ide analogs in HBV; HR 0.078, P < 0.001), but also zinc deficiency (HR 1.773, P = 0.041) were significant prognostic factors for death.ConclusionSerum levels of zinc were reduced in association with chronic liver disease grade progression. In addition to infection control of hepatitis virus, zinc deficiency might be a significant prognostic factor for survival in patients with early HCC due to viral hepatitis treated curatively.
Evaluation of treatment with zinc acetate hydrate in patients with liver cirrhosis complicated by zinc deficiency
Authors: Ozeki Itaru , Nakajima Tomoaki , Suii Hirokazu , Tatsumi Ryoji , Yamaguchi Masakatsu , Arakawa Tomohiro , Kuwata Yasuaki , Toyota Joji , Karino Yoshiyasu 
Published: November 2019

AimIn Japan, no zinc preparation had been approved for therapeutic purposes before March 2017. Zinc acetate hydrate was recently approved for the treatment of hypozincemia. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of treatment with zinc acetate hydrate.MethodsA total of 97 patients with cirrhosis complicated by hypozincemia were treated with zinc acetate hydrate, and their serum zinc normalization rates; factors contributing to normalization; changes in blood ammonia levels; branched‐chain amino acids‐to‐tyrosine ratios; levels of albumin, hemoglobin, alkaline phosphatase, serum copper, and iron; incidence of adverse events; improvement in subjective symptoms; and serum zinc levels taken at 3 months post‐treatment were determined.ResultsThe cumulative serum zinc normalization rates, when normalization was defined as achievement of a serum zinc level ≥80 μg/dL, after 2, 4, and 6 months of treatment were 64.9%, 80.3%, and 82.5%, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified an albumin level of ≥3.3 g/dL and branched‐chain amino acids to tyrosine ratio of ≥3.46 as factors contributing to zinc normalization within 3 months of treatment. Treatment resulted in a significant decrease in blood ammonia and serum copper levels, and significant increases in branched‐chain amino acids‐to‐tyrosine ratios and alkaline phosphatase levels. Seven (7.2%) patients prematurely discontinued treatment due to hypocupremia. By the end of treatment, subjective symptoms had resolved in 46.2% of patients. By 3 months post‐treatment, serum zinc levels had reverted to levels close to those at baseline.ConclusionsTreatment with zinc acetate hydrate resulted in normalization of serum zinc levels at a high rate. The main reasons for discontinuation of treatment included hypocupremia.
Pressureless sintering and properties of boron carbide composite materials
Authors: Martin Hans‐Peter , Feng Bing , Michaelis Alexander 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBoron carbide and Tantalum boride composites were prepared by pressureless sintering of B4C with addition of TaC powder. The effect of TaC addition on the sinterability of boron carbide was studied. High densified ceramic with a relative density of 98.7% was obtained at sintering temperature of 2250°C. The composition and the microstructure of the dense composites are characterized by means of x‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy‐dispersive x‐ray spectroscopy (EDX). The studies show that the composites contain boron carbide, TaB2, and carbon phases with a homogeneous structure. In addition, the correlation between the composition and the electrical conductivity was investigated. The electrical conductivity of the composite increased with increasing addition of TaC, and a change in conduction behavior from semiconducting to metallic was observed. High hardness value of 28.49 ± 1.33 GPa was obtained by the sample with 30 wt% TaC addition.
Knockout of beta‐2 microglobulin reduces stem cell‐induced immune rejection and enhances ischaemic hindlimb repair via exosome/miR‐24/Bim pathway
Authors: Zhang Yuqing , Wang Yanli , Shao Lianbo , Pan Xiangbin , Liang Chun , Liu Bin , Zhang Yu , Xie Wenping , Yan Bing , Liu Feng , Yu Xi‐yong , Li Yangxin 
Published: November 2019

AbstractGenerating universal human umbilical mesenchymal stem cells (UMSCs) without immune rejection is desirable for clinical application. Here we developed an innovative strategy using CRISPR/Cas9 to generate B2M‐UMSCs in which human leucocyte antigen (HLA) light chain β2‐microglobulin (B2M) was deleted. The therapeutic potential of B2M‐UMSCs was examined in a mouse ischaemic hindlimb model. We show that B2M‐UMSCs facilitated perfusion recovery and enhanced running capability, without inducing immune rejection. The beneficial effect was mediated by exosomes. Mechanistically, microRNA (miR) sequencing identified miR‐24 as a major component of the exosomes originating from B2M‐UMSCs. We identified Bim as a potential target of miR‐24 through bioinformatics analysis, which was further confirmed by loss‐of‐function and gain‐of‐function approaches. Taken together, our data revealed that knockout of B2M is a convenient and efficient strategy to prevent UMSCs‐induced immune rejection, and it provides a universal clinical‐scale cell source for tissue repair and regeneration without the need for HLA matching in the future.
Evaluation of different hydrocolloids and drying temperatures in the drying kinetics, modeling, color, and texture profile of murta (Ugni molinae Turcz) berry leather
Authors: Gómez‐Pérez Luis S. , Navarrete Carlos , Moraga Nelson , Rodríguez Angela , Vega‐Gálvez Antonio 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe aim of this study is to describe the drying kinetics of a murta (Ugni molinae Turcz) berry purée to obtain a fruit leather through mathematical model and determine the effect of different hydrocolloids on the mass diffusion coefficient, activation energy, surface color, and texture profile at different drying temperatures. Three hydrocolloids were used: 1% gelatin, 0.2% carrageenan, and 4% starch at three process temperatures: 50, 60, and 70°C and a formulation without hydrocolloid as control. The hydrocolloids and process temperature influenced the drying time. The mass diffusion coefficient varied depending on the process temperature and hydrocolloids with values between 1.2665 × 10−10 m2 s−1 and 4.5341 × 10−10 m2 s−1. The Midilli & Kucuk model had a better fit to experimental values. A MANOVA indicated that hydrocolloids and process temperature had a significant effect on color and texture of fruit leather. The process temperature and concentration of hydrocolloids are important factors for drying process design.Practical ApplicationsFruit leather is a low humidity product and stable at room temperature. It can be made with surpluses, discards, or mixtures of fruits, being a new alternative of preservation and healthy consumption. The murta berry is a stationary fruit with antioxidant properties hardly been explored at an industrial level and fruit leathers can be a novel production alternative. Hydrocolloids have gelling and stabilizing characteristics. For this reason, they are used to improve the formation of fruit leathers, although it is necessary to know their effects on physical characteristics as color and texture of the final product. These features are important for consumers' purchasing decision. The convective drying process parameters for fruit leather production as: moisture content, diffusion coefficient, and activation energy can be determined by mathematical modeling. The knowledge of these parameters is important for drying process designs.
A novel thin‐layer model for drying of Indian dark red onion slices at high velocity
Authors: Bhong Mahesh G. , Kale Vinayak M. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThin‐layer equations for drying have been used to estimate drying duration for numerous agricultural produces. In the present work, a novel thin‐layer model is proposed based on drying duration, velocity, and temperature. Model results are compared with experimental and 11 models to simulate drying at four high air velocity (2, 3.6, 5.7, and 7.7 m/s) for Indian dark red onion slices. The experimental effective moisture diffusivity rises with the rise in velocity and it is observed between 1.096646 × 10−11 and 1.295467 × 10−11. Predicted moisture ratio demonstrates good agreement to experimental moisture ratio with the adjusted R2 0.9916 and R2 0.9921.Practical applicationsIn the Food Industry, mass production is an indispensable objective. To achieve targeted production in limited time, hot air at higher velocity plays a vital role. This paper is written to focus the results of proposed mathematical modeling of Indian dark red onion slices at high air velocity (2, 3.6, 5.7, and 7.7 m/s). The proposed mathematical model simulates drying behavior considering the combined effect of drying duration, velocity, and temperature.
A WRKY transcription factor confers aluminum tolerance via regulation of cell wall modifying genes
Authors: Li Chun Xiao , Yan Jing Ying , Ren Jiang Yuan , Sun Li , Xu Chen , Li Gui Xin , Ding Zhong Jie , Zheng Shao Jian 
Published: November 2019

AbstractModification of cell wall properties has been considered as one of the determinants that confer aluminum (Al) tolerance in plants, while how cell wall modifying processes are regulated remains elusive. Here, we present a WRKY transcription factor WRKY47 involved in Al tolerance and root growth. Lack of WRKY47 significantly reduces, while overexpression of it increases Al tolerance. We show that lack of WRKY47 substantially affects subcellular Al distribution in the root, with Al content decreased in apoplast and increased in symplast, which is attributed to the reduced cell wall Al‐binding capacity conferred by the decreased content of hemicellulose I in the wrky47‐1 mutant. Based on microarray, real time‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, we further show that WRKY47 directly regulates the expression of EXTENSIN‐LIKE PROTEIN (ELP) and XYLOGLUCAN ENDOTRANSGLUCOSYLASE‐HYDROLASES17 (XTH17) responsible for cell wall modification. Increasing the expression of ELP and XTH17 rescued Al tolerance as well as root growth in wrky47‐1 mutant. In summary, our results demonstrate that WRKY47 is required for root growth under both normal and Al stress conditions via direct regulation of cell wall modification genes, and that the balance of Al distribution between root apoplast and symplast conferred by WRKY47 is important for Al tolerance.
Amelioration of hippocampal dysfunction by adipose tissue‐targeted stem cell transplantation in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes
Authors: Krishnan Balaji , Sallam Hanaa S. , Tumurbataar Batbayar , Saieva Salvatore , Baymon Da’Marcus , Tuvdendorj Demidmaa , Micci Maria‐Adelaide , Abate Nicola , Taglialatela Giulio 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThere is growing evidence that type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance is linked to cognitive impairment. We recently confirmed altered lipid composition, down‐regulation of insulin receptor expression and impaired basal synaptic transmission in the hippocampus of our transgenic murine model of adipocyte insulin resistance (AtENPP1‐Tg). Here we evaluated whether the correction of adipose tissue dysfunction [via the subcutaneous transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC)] can improve the hippocampal synaptic transmission in AtENPP1‐Tg mice versus their wildtype littermates. Animals were simply randomized to receive MSC, then weighed weekly for 12 weeks. At euthanasia, we assessed leptin in the collected serum and hippocampal synaptic high‐frequency stimulation long‐term potentiation (HFS‐LTP) using brain slices. MSC transplantation normalized AtENPP1‐Tg body and epididymal fat weights and was associated with increased leptin levels, a sign of adipocyte maturation. More importantly, transplantation restored the deficiency observed in AtENPP1‐Tg HFS‐LTP, the cellular readout of memory. Our results further corroborate the role of adipocyte maturation arrest in adipose tissue and highlight a role for the adipose tissue in modulating hippocampal cellular mechanisms. Further studies are warranted to explore the mechanisms for the MSC‐induced improvement of hippocampal HFS‐LTP.
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An accelerating treadmill and an overlooked contradiction in industrial agriculture: Climate change and nitrogen fertilizer
Authors: Houser Matthew , Stuart Diana 
Published: November 2019

AbstractIn this article, we explore if and why farmers are responding to the impacts of climate change with practices that increase greenhouse gas emissions. Our examination focuses on heavy rainfall events and Midwestern corn farmers' nitrogen fertilizer management. Due to climate change, the frequency and intensity of heavy rain events is increasing across the Midwest. These events increase nitrogen loss to the environment and introduces economic risks to farmers. Drawing from a theoretical framework that merges O'Connor's second contradiction of capitalism and Schnaiberg's treadmill of production, we argue farmers' responses to these events reflect the second contradiction, increasing contributions to climate change, and are shaped by treadmill‐like political‐economic pressures. We examine this using a qualitative sample of 154 farmers across Indiana, Iowa, and Michigan. Given profit imperatives, adapting farmers in our sample primarily used increased nitrogen application rates to reduce their vulnerability to heavy rains. As nitrogen rate is directly associated with nitrous oxide emissions, this adaptive strategy is effective but increases agricultural contributions to climate change. This preliminarily suggests that the political‐economic structure encourages farmers to respond to climate change in ways that accelerate the environmental contradictions of industrial agriculture.