bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Selenium Increases Fruit Quality By Reducing Ethylene Production And The Stone Cell Content In Pear (Pyrus Ussuriensis)
Authors: Yuan Chi , Bu Haidong , Zhao Jiaming , Liu Jiaojiao , Yuan Hui , Wang Aide 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background:Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for both animals and plants. Se treatment can increase fruit Se concentration and shelf life. However, the mechanism underlying Se-delayed fruit ripening is still unclear.Results:In this research, two groups of Se (A and B treatments) were used to treat ‘Nanhong’ pear fruit. The results showed that these treatments could greatly increase the Se content but decreased the titratable acid content. Treatment A significantly decreased ethylene production, and the key genes controlling ethylene production, PuACSs and PuERF2, were inhibited by Se treatment. In addition, treatment A significantly decreased the stone cell content, and one lignin biosynthesis gene, PuC4H, was downregulated by treatment A.Concusions:Se treatment increased the Se content in pear fruit. In addition, Se decreased ethylene production and the stone cell content. Moreover, the key genes for ethylene production (PuACSs and PuERF2) and lignin biosynthesis (PuC4H) were also inhibited by Se treatment.
Frontal Waves in the East of the Tsugaru Strait Revealed by the High-Frequency Radar Observation
Authors: KANEKO Hitoshi , Tanaka Takahiro , Abe Hiroto , Wakita Masahide , Sasaki Ken’ichi , Okunishi Takeshi , Watanabe Shuichi , Tatamisashi Shoko , Sato Yoshiaki 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Surface velocity observations of the eastern part of the Tsugaru Strait made by the high-frequency radar revealed frequent occurrence of frontal waves along the axis of the Tsugaru Warm Current in 2017–2019. The current axis (maximum of the zonal velocity in the meridional direction) disturbed in the north–south direction with period of ~ 13.7 days that is dominant timescale of tide modulation in the strait, in addition to that of ~ 27.3 days. The amplitude of the axis fluctuation increased in the downstream direction, from the eastern neck of the channel (~ 141.0°E) to the outlet of the strait adjacent to the Pacific Ocean (~ 141.5°E). The propagation speed of the disturbance was slower than that due to surface advection especially in the seasons when the stratification was developed, and agreed well with that estimated from the theory based on the two-layer baroclinic instability model except for winter. The north–south modulation of the axis at the outlet of the strait (~ 141.5°E) could cause short-term (from 20 days to 1 month) variations of an anticyclonic gyre of the Tsugaru Warm Current that is developed in the east of the outlet from summer to autumn reported by the previous studies.
Molecular Mechanism of Engineered Zymomonas Mobilis Response to Furfural and Acetic acid Stress
Authors: Shabbir Samina , Wang Weiting , Chen Mao , Wu Bo , Nawaz Mohsin , Liu Panting , Dai Yonghua , Sun Lingling , Gou Qiyu , Liu Renbin , Hu Guoquan , He Mingxiong 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Backgroud: Acetic acid and furfural are two major inhibitors during lignocellulosic ethanol production. In our previous study, we successfully constructed an engineered Zymomonas mobilis ZM532 strain tolerant these double inhibitors by genome shuffling, but the molecular mechanisms of tolerance to these inhibitors are still unknown. This study investigated the responses of ZM532 and wild-type ZM4 to acetic acid and furfural using genomics, transcriptomics and label free quantitative proteomics. Results: By Sanger sequencing technology we re-verified of previously identified 19 mutations in ZM532, but we found a total of 23 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the coding sequence (CDS; 4) and intergenic region (19) in ZM532. Six SNPs were novel in this study. We also identified a total of 1865 and 14 novel differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in ZM532 and wild-type ZM4. Among these, 352 DEGs were up-regulated; while and 393 were down-regulated in AF_ZM532 vs RM_532, respectively. However, 442 DEGs were up while 463 were down-regulated in AF_ZM4 vs RM_ZM4. Moreover, 2 up and 8 down-regulated genes were identified in AF_ZM532 vs AF_ZM4; while 7 up and 1 down-regulated genes were found in RM_ZM532 vs RM_ZM. We also identified 1,532 proteins among 107 up and 204 down-regulated proteins detected in ZM4_AF vs ZM4_RM, 123 up and 205 down regulated proteins were identified in ZM532_AF vs ZM532_RM, respectively. In addition, a total of 16 up and 5 down-regulated proteins were identified out of 1462 in ZM4_AF vs ZM532_AF, while 8 up and 5 down-regulated proteins were observed out of 1491 in ZM4_RM vs ZM532_RM. These proteins and genes are involved in amino acid biosynthesis, macromolecules repair, glycolysis, flagella assembly, ABC transporter, fermentation, and ATP synthesis pathways and stress response. These mentioned genes and proteins confirmed and help to unravel the acetic acid and furfural tolerance mechanism between ZM532 and wild-type ZM4. May be these proteins and genes play key roles in ZM532 regulation with strong expressions under acids stress conditions. Furthermore, we knocked-out and overexpressed two differentially expressed genes (DEGs), ZMO_RS02740 up-regulated and ZMO_RS06525 down-regulated to investigate their roles in acetic acid and furfural tolerance. Our knockout and complementary experiments revealed that up-regulated expression gene ZMO_RS02740 and the down-regulated expression gene ZMO_RS06525 play important roles in dealing with furfural and acetic acid stress. Conclusion: ZM532 can be used to substitute ZM4 as a biocatalyst for bioethanol under acetic acid and furfural condition, with a shorter fermentation time and higher productivity. Further studies may be required to clarify the relationship between the acid resistance and the genetic disparity of mutant strains.
Correlation Between Short- and Mid-Term Hemoglobin A1c and Glycemic Control Determined by Continuous Glucose Monitoring
Authors: Huang Jen-Hung , Lin Yung-Kuo , Lee Ting-Wei , Liu Han-Wen , Chien Yu-Mei , Hsueh Yu-Chun , Lee Ting-I , Chen Yi-Jen 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Glucose monitoring is vital for glycemic control in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) measures whole-day glucose levels. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is a vital outcome predictor in patients with DM. Methods: This study investigated the relationship between HbA1c and CGM, which remained unclear hitherto. Data of patients with DM (n = 91) who received CGM and HbA1c testing (1-3 months before and after CGM) were retrospectively analyzed. Diurnal and nocturnal glucose, highest CGM data (10%, 25%, and 50%), mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE), percent coefficient of variation (%CV), and continuous overlapping net glycemic action were compared with HbA1c values before and after CGM. Results: The CGM results were significantly correlated with HbA1c values measured 1 (r = 0.69) and 2 (r = 0.39) months after CGM and 1 month (r = 0.35) before CGM. However, glucose levels recorded in CGM did not correlate with the HbA1c values 3 months after and 2-3 months before CGM. MAGE and %CV were strongly correlated with HbA1c values 1 and 2 months after CGM, respectively. Diurnal blood glucose levels were significantly correlated with HbA1c values 1-2 months before and 1 month after CGM. The nocturnal blood glucose levels were significantly correlated with HbA1c values 1-3 months before and 1-2 months after CGM.Conclusions: CGM can predict HbA1c values within 1 month after CGM in patients with DM.
Genetic Evolution of Bovine Coronavirus Detected in the Republic of Korea
Authors: Kim Eun-Mi , Cho Hyung-Chul , Shin Seung-Uk , Park Jinho , Choi Kyoung-Seong 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Bovine coronavirus (BCoV) is associated with severe diarrhea in calves, winter dysentery in adult cattle, and respiratory diseases in cattle. However, there is limited information regarding its molecular characterization in the Republic of Korea (KOR). This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of BCoV in diarrheic calves, perform global comparison of BCoV genome sequences, and suggest a new nomenclature. A total of 521 fecal samples were collected from diarrheic pre-weaned native Korean calves (age £60 days) from 100 herds in the KOR. The samples were divided into three groups based on age as follows: 1-21 days (n = 433), 21-40 days (n = 64), and 41-60 days (n = 24). The full-length Spike (S) gene was amplified and sequenced. The phylogenetic tree was constructed using the maximum-likelihood method and the evolutionary rates were estimated. BCoV infection was detected in 20 (3.8%) calves by real-time RT-PCR analysis, and nine full-length genome sequences were obtained from the 20 BCoV-positive samples. Genomic comparison analysis showed that these 2019-2020 variants exhibited the highest nucleotide sequence identity (98.6%-99.2%) with that of water deer (Hydropotes inermis) isolates. Phylogenetic analysis of the full genomes of the S gene revealed the following four BCoV groups: G1, classical BCoV strains; G2, 2002 Korean, Japan, Vietnam, Cuba, and USA strains/isolates; G3, European strains/isolates; and G4, Korean isolates (2004 and 2006 Korean isolates, 2010 BCoV-like, 2017 water deer, and 2019-2020 variants). The evolutionary rates accelerated from G1 to G4. This grouping was also closely related to the nucleotide substitution rate. Using molecular clock analysis of the S gene, the most recent common ancestor of each group was estimated to have originated in 1953, 1979, 1986, and 1993, respectively. Recently identified BCoV variants in the KOR are undergoing slow evolution. These findings provide useful information for understanding the molecular characterization of BCoVs. Further research is necessary to conduct recombination analysis to support BCoV evolution.
Chronic Inflammatory Pain Management by BDNF Modulation: A Comparative Study of Gabapentin, Indomethacin and Their Combination on Arthritis Rat Model
Authors: Khurshid Sameera , Razzak Zaid Abdul , Simjee Shabana Usman 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Brain derived neurotropic factors (BDNF) can be secreted either as a pro-BDNF or a mature form (mBDNF) through γ-amino-butyric acid (GABAA) receptors activation. Depolarization of GABA neurons in spinal cord can be mediated through N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor due to the exogenous secretion of over expressed BDNF. This over expressed BDNF further modulate the excitation and sensitization of nociceptors. We investigated the modulation of BDNF by GABAA agonist i.e., gabapentin, indomethacin (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory) and their low-dose combination on adjuvant-induced inflammatory arthritis. Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra strain, as adjuvant, was injected in the tail base of female Sprague-Dawley rats. Gabapentin (5 mg/kg), indomethacin (5 mg/kg) and low dose combination of gabapentin (1.5 mg/kg) + indomethacin (2.5 mg/kg) were used. Paw edema was measure by plethysmometer and chronic pain was measured by plantar apparatus. Nitric oxide, peroxide and superoxide dismutase levels were also measured to analyze the free radical and antioxidant balance in different treatment groups along with the total protein concentration. Significant reduction of nitric oxide, peroxide as well as total protein concentration was found in low dose combination. Immunohistochemistry data also showed that the low dose combination has more potential in lowering the BDNF expression in cortex as well as in hippocampus region of brain as compared to their mono therapies. Our study suggested that low-dose combination of gabapentin and indomethacin has a significant impact on lowering the chronic and its associated markers as compare to their monotherapy. Thus indicated the additive effects of the combination therapy on neuropathic pain.
Male as the Disadvantaged Sex for Childhood Disabilities: Analysis of Data From the National Disability Registry of Taiwan
Authors: Lai Der-Chung , Guo How-Ran , Tseng Yen-Cheng 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Many studies have examined sex differences in specific types of childhood disability, but data on the full range of disability are limited. Such data allow comparisons among disabilities and are valuable to the inference of etiology. To provide benefits and services, the Taiwanese government certifies disabled citizens and maintains a registry. We used the registry to evaluate sex differences in childhood disability and assess changes over time.Methods: We analyses the registry data from 2000 to 2011 and included all children who were at least 3 years of age, because certification before 3 years of age was discouraged by the government. We calculated the male-to-female rate ratios (RRs) for all disabilities combined and nine major disability categories, namely autism spectrum disorders (ASD), hearing impairment (HI), intellectual disability (ID), loss of function of major organs (LFMO), motor disability (MD), multiple disabilities, speech and language disability (SLD), visual impairment (VI), and other disabilities. In addition, we assessed the changes in the RRs over time.Results: The total number of cases between 3 to 17 years of age registered each year ranged between 49242 and 61717. Males generally had higher prevalence than females, and disabilities due to primarily neurodevelopmental conditions (ASD, ID, and SLD) had higher male-to-female RRs than disabilities due to primarily physical conditions (HI, LFMO, MD, and VI). The RRs of all disabilities combined increased over time, but the sex differences in ID, MD, and “other disabilities” decreased over time, while those in ASD, SLD, and multiple disabilities increased. The RRs of all disabilities combined decreased with age in most years, but the trends were different across individual disabilities.Conclusions: Male is the disadvantaged sex for childhood disabilities. The sex differences in disabilities due to primarily neurodevelopmental conditions were more prominent than those in disabilities due to primarily physical conditions. With the decreasing number of children given birth and growing awareness of sexual disparity during the study period in Taiwan, the RRs had an increasing time trend, instead of decreasing, which suggested that genetic causes have larger contributions to the sex differences in childhood disability than environmental causes.
Pyramiding of Genes for Grain Protein Content, Grain Quality and Rust Resistance in Eleven Indian Bread Wheat Cultivars: A Multi-Institutional Effort
Authors: Gupta Pushpendra K. , Balyan Harindra S. , Chhuneja Parveen , Jaiswal Jai P. , Tamhankar Shubhada , Mishra Vinod K. , Bains Navtej S. , Chand Ramesh , Joshi Arun K. , Kaur Satinder , Kaur Harinderjeet , Mavi Gurvinder S. , Oak Manoj , Sharma Achla , Srivast Puja , Sohu Virinder S. , Prasad Pramod , Agarwal Priyanka , Akhtar Moin , Badoni Saurabh , Chaudhary Reeku , Gahlaut Vijay , Gangwar Rishi Pal , Gautam Tinku , Jaiswal Vandana , Kumar Ravi Shankar , Kumar Sachin , Shamshad M. , Singh Anupama , Taygi Sandhya , Vasistha Neeraj Kumar , Vishwakarma Manish Kumar 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Improvement of grain protein content (GPC), loaf volume and resistance to rusts was achieved in 11 Indian wheat cultivars that are widely grown in four different agro-climatic zones of India. This involved use of marker-assisted backcrossing (MABC) for introgression and pyramiding of the following genes: (i) the high GPC gene Gpc-B1; (ii) HMW glutenin subunits 5 + 10 at Glu-D1 loci, and (iii) rust resistance genes, Yr36, Yr15, Lr24 and Sr24. GPC was improved by 0.8–3.3%, although high GPC was generally associated with yield penalty. Further selection among high GPC lines, allowed development of progenies with higher GPC associated with improvement in 1000-grain weight and grain yield in the following four cultivars: NI5439, UP2338, UP2382 and HUW468. The high GPC progenies (derived from NI5439) were also improved for grain quality using HMW glutenin subunits 5 + 10 at Glu-D1 loci. Similarly, progenies combining high GPC and rust resistance were developed in the backgrounds of following five cultivars: Lok1, HD2967, PBW550, PBW621 and DBW1. The improved pre-bred lines developed during the present study should prove useful for development of cultivars with improved nutritional quality associated with rust resistance in future wheat breeding programmes.
Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Agonistic Autoantibody Blockade Improves Postpartum Hypertension and Cardiac Mitochondrial Function in Rat Model of Preeclampsia
Authors: Booz George W. , Kennedy Daniel , Bowling Michael , Robinson Taprieka , Azubuike Daniel , Fisher Brandon , Brooks Karen , Chinthakuntla Pooja , Hoang Ngoc H. , Hosler Jonathan P. , CUNNINGHAM MARK 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Women with preeclampsia (PE) have a greater risk of developing hypertension, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and renal disease later in life. Angiotensin II type I receptor agonistic autoantibodies (AT1-AAs) are elevated in women with PE during pregnancy and up to 2 years postpartum (PP), and in the reduced uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP) rat model of PE. Blockade of AT1-AA with a specific 7 amino acid peptide binding sequence (‘n7AAc’) improves pathophysiology observed in RUPP rats; however, the long-term effects of AT1-AA inhibition in PP is unknown. Pregnant Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups: normal pregnant (NP) (n = 16), RUPP (n = 15), and RUPP+‘n7AAc’ (n = 16). Gestational day 14, RUPP surgery was performed and ‘n7AAc’ (144 µg/day) administered via osmotic minipump. At 10 weeks PP, mean arterial pressure (MAP), renal glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and cardiac functions, and cardiac mitochondria function were assessed. MAP was elevated PP in RUPP vs NP (126 ± 4 vs. 116 ± 3 mmHg, p < 0.05), but was normalized in in RUPP+‘n7AAc’ (109 ± 3 mmHg) vs. RUPP (p < 0.05). PP heart size was reduced by RUPP+’n7AAc’ vs. RUPP rats (p < 0.05). Complex IV protein abundance and enzymatic activity, along with glutamate/malate-driven respiration (complexes I, III, and IV), were reduced in the heart of RUPP vs NP rats which was prevented with ‘n7AAc’. AT1-AA inhibition during pregnancy not only improves blood pressure and pathophysiology of PE in rats during pregnancy, but also long-term changes in blood pressure, cardiac hypertrophy, and cardiac mitochondrial function PP.
Deployment of Molecular Tools to Track the Epidemiology of Plasmodium Vivax in Panama
Authors: Obaldia Nicanor , Barahona Itza , Lasso José , Avila Mario , Quijada Mario , Núñez Marlon , Marti Matthias 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: As the elimination of malaria in Mesoamerica progresses, detection of Plasmodium vivax asymptomatic patients using conventional diagnostic methods becomes more difficult. Highly sensitive molecular methods are key for the determination of the hidden reservoir of malaria transmission on the road to elimination in countries in the pre-elimination phase such as Panama. Here we describe the clinical validation of a qRT-PCR assay for the detection of P. vivax asexual and sexual stages from low blood volume field samples preserved at ambient temperature. Methods: We collected blood samples from a cross sectional cohort of P. vivax patients in Panama. Different storage formats (room temperature, frozen) and blood volumes were compared to establish the sensitivity of parasite detection including transmission stages (gametocytes) by qRT-PCR and diagnostic microscopy. Results: Study results indicated that blood storage at room temperature using an RNA preservation solution for up to 8 days was sufficient to preserve RNA for subsequent qRT-PCR assays. Detection of gametocytes by qRT-PCR was more sensitive than light microscopy using both our recently established marker PvLAP5 and the gold standard Pvs25, confirming that both markers are suitable for P. vivax gametocyte detection in the field using the above protocol.Conclusions: This study validates a low blood volume qRT-PCR assay system for the detection of P. vivax asexual and sexual stages in field samples preserved at ambient temperature. Results indicate that the assay system is a reliable tool to determine the transmission reservoir of P. vivax in remote areas such as endemic regions of Panama.
Analysis of The Efficiency In Sb2Se3 Thin-Film Solar Cells Using Alternative Buffer Layers In n-p and n-i-p Structures By Numerical Simulation.
Authors: Ayala-Mato F , Vigil-Galán O , Courel Maykel , Nicolás-Marín M. M. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Antimony Sulfide (Sb2Se3) Solar Cells are considered a promising emerging photovoltaic devices technology. However, the best reported experimental efficiency (9.2%) is well below the theoretical limit of 30%. In this research is demonstrated, by numerical simulation, that using different buffer or electron transport layers (ETL) and device structures (n-p or n-i-p) can significantly increase the solar cell performance. The study is based on two underlying considerations: the use of inorganic materials to facilitate the manufacturing process and the analysis of the simulation parameters that adjust to the experimental conditions in which the cells can be processed. In the n-p structures, the use of single layers and bilayers as ETL was evaluated and the possible mechanism that explain the electrical parameters of the solar cell were discussed. Especial attention was made in the role of interfacial state density and band alignment in the ETL/Sb2Se3 interface. In addition, the n-i-p structure was studied by adding a hole transport layer (HTL). An improvement in open circuit voltage (Voc) is observed compared with n-p structure. Finally, the behavior of Voc and efficiency vs thickness of the ETL and Sb2Se3 layers was analyzed. The results show that using alternative ETLs a significant improve in Voc and efficiency could be achieved for n-p and n-i-p structures. After thickness optimization and taking account a moderate interface defect density, values of Voc and efficiency higher than 600 mV and 15 % were respectively obtained.