bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Molecular evolution of bumble bee vitellogenin and vitellogenin‐like genes
Authors: Zhao Fang , Morandin Claire , Jiang Kai , Su Tianjuan , He Bo , Lin Gonghua , Huang Zuhao 
Published: June 2021

AbstractVitellogenin (Vg), a storage protein, has been significantly studied for its egg yolk precursor role in oviparous animals. Recent studies found that vitellogenin and its Vg‐like homologs were fundamentally involved in many other biological processes in social insects such as female caste differences and oxidative stress resilience. In this study, we conducted the first large‐scale molecular evolutionary analyses of vitellogenin coding genes (Vg) and Vg‐like genes of bumble bees, a primitively eusocial insect belonging to the genus Bombus. We obtained sequences for each of the four genes (Vg, Vg‐like‐A, Vg‐like‐B, and Vg‐like‐C) from 27 bumble bee genomes (nine were newly sequenced in this study), and sequences from the two closest clades of Bombus, including five Apis species and five Tetragonula species. Our molecular evolutionary analyses show that in bumble bee, the conventional Vg experienced strong positive selection, while the Vg‐like genes showed overall relaxation of purifying selection. In Apis and Tetragonula; however, all four genes were found under purifying selection. Furthermore, the conventional Vg showed signs of strong positive selection in most subgenera in Bombus, apart from the obligate parasitic subgenus Psithyrus which has no caste differentiation. Together, these results indicate that the conventional Vg, a key pleiotropic gene in social insects, is the most rapidly evolving copy, potentially due to its multiple known social functions for both worker and queen castes. This study shows that concerted evolution and purifying selection shaped the evolution of the Vg gene family following their ancient gene duplication and may be the leading forces behind the evolution of new potential protein function enabling functional social pleiotropy.
The history, biological relevance, and potential applications for polyp bailout in corals
Authors: Schweinsberg Maximilian , Gösser Fabian , Tollrian Ralph 
Published: June 2021

AbstractCorals have evolved a variety of stress responses to changing conditions, many of which have been the subject of scientific research. However, polyp bailout has not received widespread scientific attention, despite being described more than 80 years ago. Polyp bailout is a drastic response to acute stress in which coral colonies break down, with individual and patches of polyps detaching from the colony and the calcareous skeleton Polyps retain their symbiotic partners, have dispersal ability, and may undergo secondary settlement and calcification. Polyp bailout has been described worldwide in a variety of anthozoan species, especially in Scleractinia. It can be induced by multiple natural stressors, but also artificially. Little is known about the evolutionary and ecological potential and consequences of breaking down modularity, the dispersal ability, and reattachment of polyps resulting from polyp bailout. It has been shown that polyp bailout can be used as a model system, with promise for implementation in various research topics. To date, there has been no compilation of knowledge on polyp bailout, which prompted us to review this interesting stress response and provide a basis to discuss research topics and priorities for the future.
Effects of habitat types on the dynamic changes in allocation in carbon and nitrogen storage of vegetation–soil system in sandy grasslands: How habitat types affect C and N allocation?
Authors: Lv Peng , Sun Shanshan , Medina‐Roldánd Eduardo , Zhao Shenglong , Hu Ya , Guo Aixia , Zuo Xiaoan 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe progressively restoration of degraded vegetation in semiarid and arid desertified areas undoubtedly formed different habitat types. The most plants regulate their growth by fixing carbon with their energy deriving from photosynthesis; carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) play the crucial role in regulating plant growth, community structure, and function in the vegetation restoration progress. However, it is still unclear how habitat types affect the dynamic changes in allocation in C and N storage of vegetation–soil system in sandy grasslands. Here, we investigated plant community characteristics and soil properties across three successional stages of habitat types: semi‐fixed dunes (SFD), fixed dunes (FD), and grasslands (G) in 2011, 2013, and 2015. We also examined the C and N concentrations of vegetation–soil system and estimated their C and N storage. The C and N storage of vegetation system, soil, and vegetation–soil system remarkably increased from SFD to G. The litter C and N storage in SFD, N storage of vegetation system in SFD, and N storage of soil and vegetation–soil system in FD increased from 2011 to 2015, while aboveground plant C and N storage of FD were higher in 2011 than in 2013 and 2015. Most of C and N were sequestered in soil in the vegetation restoration progress. These results suggest that the dynamic changes in allocation in C and N storage in vegetation–soil systems varied with habitat types. Our study highlights that SFD has higher N sequestration rate in vegetation, while FD has the considerably N sequestration rate in the soil.
Progress and challenges in the treatment of cardiac amyloidosis: a review of the literature
Authors: Adam Robert Daniel , Coriu Daniel , Jercan Andreea , Bădeliţă Sorina , Popescu Bogdan A. , Damy Thibaud , Jurcuţ Ruxandra 
Published: June 2021

AbstractCardiac amyloidosis is a restrictive cardiomyopathy determined by the accumulation of amyloid, which is represented by misfolded protein fragments in the cardiac extracellular space. The main classification of systemic amyloidosis is determined by the amyloid precursor proteins causing a very heterogeneous disease spectrum, but the main types of amyloidosis involving the heart are light chain (AL) and transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR). AL, in which the amyloid precursor is represented by misfolded immunoglobulin light chains, can involve almost any system carrying the worst prognosis among amyloidosis patients. This has however dramatically improved in the last few years with the increased usage of the novel therapies such as proteasome inhibitors and haematopoietic cell transplantation, in the case of timely diagnosis and initiation of treatment. The treatment for AL is directed by the haematologist working closely with the cardiologist when there is a significant cardiac involvement. Transthyretin (TTR) is a protein that is produced by the liver and is involved in the transportation of thyroid hormones, especially thyroxine and retinol binding protein. ATTR results from the accumulation of transthyretin amyloid in the extracellular space of different organs and systems, especially the heart and the nervous system. Specific therapies for ATTR act at various levels of TTR, from synthesis to deposition: TTR tetramer stabilization, oligomer aggregation inhibition, genetic therapy, amyloid fibre degradation, antiserum amyloid P antibodies, and antiserum TTR antibodies. Treatment of systemic amyloidosis has dramatically evolved over the last few years in both AL and ATTR, improving disease prognosis. Moreover, recent studies revealed that timely treatment can lead to an improvement in clinical status and in a regression of amyloid myocardial infiltration showed by imaging, especially by cardiac magnetic resonance, in both AL and ATTR. However, treating cardiac amyloidosis is a complex task due to the frequent association between systemic congestion and low blood pressure, thrombo‐embolic and haemorrhagic risk balance, patient frailty, and generally poor prognosis. The aim of this review is to describe the current state of knowledge regarding cardiac amyloidosis therapy in this constantly evolving field, classified as treatment of the cardiac complications of amyloidosis (heart failure, rhythm and conduction disturbances, and thrombo‐embolic risk) and the disease‐modifying therapy.
Homologous and heterologous serological response to the N‐terminal domain of SARS‐CoV‐2 in humans and mice
Authors: Lv Huibin , Tsang Owen Tak‐Yin , So Ray T. Y. , Wang Yiquan , Yuan Meng , Liu Hejun , Yip Garrick K. , Teo Qi Wen , Lin Yihan , Liang Weiwen , Wang Jinlin , Ng Wilson W. , Wilson Ian A. , Peiris J. S. Malik , Wu Nicholas C. , Mok Chris K. P. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe increasing numbers of infected cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) poses serious threats to public health and the global economy. Most SARS‐CoV‐2 neutralizing antibodies target the receptor binding domain (RBD) and some the N‐terminal domain (NTD) of the spike protein, which is the major antigen of SARS‐CoV‐2. While the antibody response to RBD has been extensively characterized, the antigenicity and immunogenicity of the NTD protein are less well studied. Using 227 plasma samples from COVID‐19 patients, we showed that SARS‐CoV‐2 NTD‐specific antibodies could be induced during infection. As compared to the results of SARS‐CoV‐2 RBD, the serological response of SARS‐CoV‐2 NTD is less cross‐reactive with SARS‐CoV, a pandemic strain that was identified in 2003. Furthermore, neutralizing antibodies are rarely elicited in a mice model when NTD is used as an immunogen. We subsequently demonstrate that NTD has an altered antigenicity when expressed alone. Overall, our results suggest that while NTD offers a supplementary strategy for serology testing, it may not be suitable as an immunogen for vaccine development.
Signal Amplification with Co(III) Protoporphyrin IX Nanoparticles and Anodic Stripping Voltammetry
Authors: Tzepos Robert G. , Raman Easwer , Toote Lauren E. , Wright David W. , Gerdon Aren E. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractElectrochemical analysis of cobalt(III) protoporphyrin IX (CoP), synthesis and characterization of CoP nanoparticles, and signal amplification for biosensor development is presented. CoP was self‐assembled into nanoparticles and then released to produce over 1000 electrochemically‐detectable molecules for each protein target of interest, in this case monoclonal rabbit antibody. Anodic stripping voltammetry was utilized for quantitative and sensitive detection of CoP which correlated to target protein concentration. The CoP limit of detection was 4 nM and target protein was detected at 100 pM. This combination of nanoparticle and electrochemical signal amplification could allow for sensitive, inexpensive, and portable detection of protein biomarkers.
Effect of vegetation cover and sediment type on 3D subsurface structure and shear strength in saltmarshes
Authors: Chirol Clementine , Spencer Kate L. , Carr Simon J. , Möller Iris , Evans Ben , Lynch Jason , Brooks Helen , Royse Katherine R. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe vulnerability of saltmarshes to lateral erosion at their margin depends on the local biogeomorphological properties of the substrate. In particular, the 3D architecture of pore and root systems is expected to influence shear strength, with repercussions for the wider‐scale stability of saltmarshes. We apply X‐ray computed microtomography (μCT) to visualize and quantify subsurface structures in two UK saltmarshes at Tillingham Farm, Essex (silt/clay rich substrate) and Warton Sands (sand‐rich substrate), with four types of ground cover: bare ground, Spartina spp, Salicornia spp and Puccinellia spp. We extracted μCT structural parameters that characterize pore and root morphologies at each station, and compared them with field measurements of shear strength using a principal component analysis and correlation tests. The 3D volumes show that species‐dependent variations in root structures, plant colonization events and bioturbation activity control the morphology of macropores, while sediment cohesivity determines the structural stability and persistence of these pore structures over time, even after the vegetation has died. Areas of high porosity and high mean pore thickness were correlated to lower values of shear strength, especially at Tillingham Farm, where well‐connected vertical systems of macropores were associated with current or previous colonization by Spartina spp. However, while well‐connected systems of macropores may lower the local deformation threshold of the sediment, they also encourage drainage, promote vegetation growth and reduce the marsh vulnerability to hydrodynamic forces. The highest values of shear strength at both sites were found under Puccinellia spp, and were associated with a high density of mesh‐like root structures that bind the sediment and resist deformation. Future studies of marsh stability should ideally consider time series of vegetation cover, especially in silt/clay‐dominated saltmarshes, in order to consider the potential effect of preserved buried networks of macropores on water circulation, marsh functioning and cliff‐face erosion.
Effects of thermal and nonthermal processing technology on the quality of red sour soup after storage
Authors: Yangbo He , Yongfu Li , Xingbang Luo , Guolin Li , Zhaoyan Duan , Chaojun Chen 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIn the present study, we investigated the effects of thermal preservation, such as pasteurization, and nonthermal preservation, including irradiation, sodium dehydroacetate (SDHA), and nisin, on the quality of red sour soup after storage. Single‐factor experiments were used to optimize the parameters of different processing technologies, and the best irradiation dose and heating temperature were 4 kGy and 85℃, respectively. The optimal additive amounts of SDHA and nisin were 150 mg/500 g. During the shelf storage experiment, prepared red sour soup was stored at room temperature in the glass bottles, and further analyses were carried out up to 5 weeks of storage. The quality of red sour soup was evaluated by microflora and sensory analysis. The results showed that Lactobacillus, Streptomyces, Pediococcus, Pichia, Kazachstania, and Candida were the main microorganisms in all samples, and there were no harmful microorganisms. The sensorial attributes were observed, including different parameters, such as odor, organic acid content, color, taste, texture, apparent viscosity, and thixotropy. All of the data showed that the irradiated groups were more dramatically changed compared with the other groups, while these changes did not directly affect the sensory quality of the products. Consequently, irradiation could be used as an ideal quality preservation method for the red sour soup to reduce the impact of heat treatment and chemical additives on the quality of characteristic food.
Abnormal brain functional network dynamics in obsessive–compulsive disorder patients and their unaffected first‐degree relatives
Authors: Peng Ziwen , Guo Ya , Wu Xiangshu , Yang Qiong , Wei Zhen , Seger Carol A. , Chen Qi 
Published: June 2021

AbstractWe utilized dynamic functional network connectivity (dFNC) analysis to compare participants with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) with their unaffected first‐degree relative (UFDR) and healthy controls (HC). Resting state fMRI was performed on 46 OCD, 24 UFDR, and 49 HCs, along with clinical assessments. dFNC analyses revealed two distinct connectivity states: a less frequent, integrated state characterized by the predominance of between‐network connections (State I), and a more frequent, segregated state with strong within‐network connections (State II). OCD patients spent more time in State II and less time in State I than HC, as measured by fractional windows and mean dwell time. Time in each state for the UFDR were intermediate between OCD patients and HC. Within the OCD group, fractional windows of time spent in State I was positively correlated with OCD symptoms (as measured by the obsessive compulsive inventory‐revised [OCI‐R], r = .343, p<.05, FDR correction) and time in State II was negatively correlated with symptoms (r = −.343, p<.05, FDR correction). Within each state we also examined connectivity within and between established intrinsic connectivity networks, and found that UFDR were similar to the OCD group in State I, but more similar to the HC groups in State II. The similarities between OCD and UFDR groups in temporal properties and State I connectivity indicate that these features may reflect the endophenotype for OCD. These results indicate that the temporal dynamics of functional connectivity could be a useful biomarker to identify those at risk.
Single‐Cell Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals a Hepatic Stellate Cell–Activation Roadmap and Myofibroblast Origin During Liver Fibrosis in Mice
Authors: Yang Wu , He Hao , Wang Tongtong , Su Nan , Zhang Feng , Jiang Kai , Zhu Jing , Zhang Chonghe , Niu Kongyan , Wang Luyue , Yuan Xiaodong , Liu Nan , Li Lingjie , Wei Wu , Hu Junhao 
Published: June 2021

Background and Aims
HSCs and portal fibroblasts (PFs) are the major sources of collagen‐producing myofibroblasts during liver fibrosis, depending on different etiologies. However, the mechanisms by which their dynamic gene expression directs the transition from the quiescent to the activated state—as well as their contributions to fibrotic myofibroblasts—remain unclear. Here, we analyze the activation of HSCs and PFs in CCL4‐induced and bile duct ligation–induced fibrosis mouse models, using single‐cell RNA sequencing and lineage tracing.

Approach and Results
We demonstrate that HSCs, rather than PFs, undergo dramatic transcriptomic changes, with the sequential activation of inflammatory, migrative, and extracellular matrix–producing programs. The data also reveal that HSCs are the exclusive source of myofibroblasts in CCL4‐treated liver, while PFs are the major source of myofibroblasts in early cholestatic liver fibrosis. Single‐cell and lineage‐tracing analysis also uncovers differential gene‐expression features between HSCs and PFs; for example, nitric oxide receptor soluble guanylate cyclase is exclusively expressed in HSCs, but not in PFs. The soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator Riociguat potently reduced liver fibrosis in CCL4‐treated livers but showed no therapeutic efficacy in bile duct ligation livers.

Conclusions
This study provides a transcriptional roadmap for the activation of HSCs during liver fibrosis and yields comprehensive evidence that the differential transcriptomic features of HSCs and PFs, along with their relative contributions to liver fibrosis of different etiologies, should be considered in developing effective antifibrotic therapeutic strategies.
Arabidopsis thaliana possesses two novel ELL associated factor homologs
Authors: Dabas Preeti , Dhingra Yukti , Sweta Kumari , Chakrabarty Mohima , Singhal Ritwik , Tyagi Prasidhi , Behera Pabitra Mohan , Dixit Anshuman , Bhattacharjee Saikat , Sharma Nimisha 
Published: June 2021

AbstractTranscription elongation is one of the key steps at which RNA polymerase II‐directed expression of protein‐coding genes is regulated in eukaryotic cells. Different proteins have been shown to control this process, including the ELL/EAF family. ELL Associated Factors (EAFs) were first discovered in a yeast two‐hybrid screen as interaction partners of the human ELL (Eleven nineteen Lysine‐rich Leukemia) transcription elongation factor. Subsequently, they have been identified in different organisms, including Schizosaccharomyces pombe. However, no homolog(s) of EAF has as yet been characterized from plants. In the present work, we identified EAF orthologous sequences in different plants and have characterized two novel Arabidopsis thaliana EAF homologs, AtEAF‐1 (At1g71080) and AtEAF‐2 (At5g38050). Sequence analysis showed that both AtEAF‐1 and AtEAF‐2 exhibit similarity with its S. pombe EAF counterpart. Moreover, both Arabidopsis thaliana and S. pombe EAF orthologs share conserved sequence characteristic features. Computational tools also predicted a high degree of disorder in regions towards the carboxyl terminus of these EAF proteins. We demonstrate that AtEAF‐2, but not AtEAF‐1 functionally complements growth deficiencies of Schizosaccharomyces pombe eaf mutant. We also show that only AtEAF‐1 displays transactivation potential resembling the S. pombe EAF ortholog. Subsequent expression analysis in A. thaliana showed that both homologs were expressed at varying levels during different developmental stages and in different tissues tested in the study. Individual null‐mutants of either AtEAF‐1 or AtEAF‐2 are developmentally normal implying their functional redundancy. Taken together, our results provide first evidence that A. thaliana also possesses functional EAF proteins, suggesting an evolutionary conservation of these proteins across organisms.
A study on the physical properties of low melting mixtures and their use as catalysts/solvent in the synthesis of barbiturates
Authors: Theresa Letcy Vincent , Avudaiappan Govindan , Shaibuna Machingal , Hiba Kottayil , Sreekumar Krishnapillai 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIn recent years, deep eutectic solvents have become attractive due to their interesting characteristics such as, physicochemical properties, low cost of components, easiness to prepare, low toxicity, bio‐renewability, and biodegradability. In order to make the deep eutectic mixture more cost‐effective and renewable, carbohydrate derivatives were linked with deep eutectic mixtures, since, carbohydrates are the most important and widespread renewable compounds on the earth. In this work, we have used low melting mixtures comprised of carbohydrates to create the reaction media for organic transformations. The physical properties such as density, viscosity, acidity, refractive index, surface tension, solubility, glass transition temperature, thermal stability, solvent polarity, and toxicity of the mixture were studied. Low melting mixtures were used as reaction media and catalysts for the effective synthesis of Barbiturates. The reaction between aldehydes and barbituric acid/thiobarbituric acid, and the reaction between aldehydes, barbituric acid/thiobarbituric acid, and malononitrile/dimedone were performed effectively with good to excellent yields. The recyclability of the catalyst/solvent was also established.
Formal supervisors' role in stimulating team members' informal leader emergence: Supervisor and member status as critical moderators
Authors: Briker Roman , Hohmann Sebastian , Walter Frank , Lam Catherine K. , Zhang Yong 
Published: June 2021

SummaryTeams can benefit markedly when formal supervisors stimulate their individual members' emergence as informal leaders. Combining insights from informal leadership research and social learning theory, we cast supervisors' role modeling of initiating structure and consideration behaviors as seemingly straightforward means of achieving this—but we suggest that the success of such role modeling critically hinges on supervisors' as well as members' status in the team. Results from a study of 220 nurses across 48 teams showed, accordingly, that a supervisor's initiating structure promoted individual members' informal leader emergence by increasing members' respective behavior. This indirect relationship only materialized, however, among relatively high‐status supervisors and relatively low‐status members. Moreover, although supervisors' and members' consideration were positively related (among relatively high‐status supervisors and largely irrespective of a member's status), such behavior did not influence members' emergence as informal leaders. Together, these findings offer novel insights into how, when, and why formal supervisors may aid their team members' attainment of informal leader roles. They shed new light on the complexity of formal–informal leadership linkages, with both supervisors' and members' standing in the team representing crucial, yet heretofore largely unexamined boundary conditions for formal supervisors' respective influence.