bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing of growth, antioxidant enzymes, and phytohormone regulation in Cucurbita pepo under cadmium stress
Authors: Labidi Oumayma , Vives‐Peris Vicente , Gómez‐Cadenas Aurelio , Pérez‐Clemente Rosa M. , Sleimi Noomene 
Published: February 2021

AbstractOne of the major problems worldwide is soil pollution by trace metal elements, which limits plant productivity and threatens human health. In this work, we have studied the effect of different concentrations of cadmium on Cucurbita pepo plants, evaluating different physiological and biochemical parameters: hormone signaling, metabolite concentration (malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide) and, in addition, the antioxidant enzyme activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase were evaluated. The production of biomass decreased under the Cd‐stress. The results showed that C. pepo accumulates higher amounts of Cd2+ in roots than in shoots and fruits. Cd2+ differently affected the content of endogenous phytohormones. Furthermore, data suggest an essential involvement of roots in the regulation of tolerance to trace elements. As a result, indole acetic acid content increased in roots of treated plants, indicating that this phytohormone can stimulate root promotion and growth under Cd‐stress. Similarly, salicylic acid content in roots and shoots increased in response to Cd2+, as well as abscisic acid levels in roots and fruits. In roots, the rambling accumulation pattern observed for jasmonic acid and salicylic acid suggests the lack of a specific regulation role against trace element toxicity. The activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase decreased, disrupted by the metal stress. However, the proline, malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide content significantly increased in Cd2+in all the analyzed tissues of the stressed plants. All these data suggest that C. pepo plants are equipped with an effective antioxidant mechanism against oxidative stress induced by cadmium up to a concentration of 500 μM.
Cytotoxic and targeted systemic therapy in patients with advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in the head and neck
Authors: Tam Samantha , Gajera Mona , Luo Xiaoning , Glisson Bonnie S. , Ferrarotto Renata , Johnson Faye M. , Mott Frank E. , Gillison Maura L. , Lu Charles , Le Xiuning , Blumenschein George R. , Wong Michael K. , Rosenthal David I. , Nagarajan Priyadharsini , El‐Naggar Adel K. , Midgen Michael R. , Weber Randal S. , Myers Jeffrey N. , Gross Neil D. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe outcomes of patients treated with cytotoxic or targeted systemic therapy is not well defined for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (cSCCHN).MethodsPatients with cSCCHN treated with cytotoxic or targeted systemic therapy were included. Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of distant metastasis (M1 vs. M0) at presentation. A proportional hazards model was used to assess for independent predictors of overall survival.ResultsOf 129 patients with cSCCHN, 20 (16%) were M1 and 109 (84%) were M0. Independent predictors of improved survival were M0 status, treatment of locally advanced disease with radiotherapy, and lower Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score.ConclusionsSurvival was worse in M1 patients treated with cytotoxic or targeted systemic therapy and poor baseline performance status but improved in those receiving radiotherapy. These data can serve as historical controls for future systemic therapy trials, including immunotherapy.
The female condom: What do Australian women say?
Authors: Botfield Jessica R. , Cucuzza Sarah , Kidman Prudence , Fenwick Sarah E. , Bateson Deborah 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe female condom is a barrier method for the prevention of sexually transmissible infections and unintended pregnancy. Uptake of this method remains low in Australia, although little research has been undertaken to explore this.MethodsAn interventional cross‐sectional study was undertaken in 2019 to explore the views and experiences of women in New South Wales. After trying the female condom, they were invited to complete an online survey and/or structured interview. Training in the use of the female condom was not provided. This paper reports on qualitative findings from open‐ended survey responses and interviews.ResultsIn total, 284 participants completed the survey and 20 participated in an interview. Most were aware of the female condom prior to participating in the study, but few had used it previously. Four broad themes were identified from the data: (i) accessibility of the female condom, including cost and availability, (ii) supporting choice in different circumstances, (iii) aspects of empowerment and control and (iv) use of gendered language.ConclusionsThe female condom may be an acceptable option for many women in Australia. To support the choice of method and promote uptake, it will be important to increase the accessibility of the female condom by raising awareness and addressing the issues of cost and availability. Further exploration of issues regarding inclusive language and messaging in health promotion campaigns and marketing is warranted to ensure that this product is accessible for all people who may wish to use it, regardless of gender or sexuality. Similar research could be undertaken with men/partners and members of the LGBTQ+ community to explore their perspectives of the female condom.So what?To support contraceptive choice and promote the uptake of the female condom for those who desire this method, it will be important to address the issues of cost and availability. Accessibility will also be enhanced through the consideration of inclusive language and messaging in health promotion campaigns and marketing of the female condom.
Prediction and clinical utility of a liver cancer risk model in Chinese adults: A prospective cohort study of 0.5 million people
Authors: Yu Chengxiao , Song Ci , Lv Jun , Zhu Meng , Yu Canqing , Guo Yu , Yang Ling , Chen Yiping , Chen Zhengming , Jiang Tao , Ma Hongxia , Jin Guangfu , Shen Hongbing , Hu Zhibin , Li Liming ,   China Kadoorie Biobank Collaborative Group
Published: February 2021

AbstractChina has made rapid progress in reducing the incidence of HBV infection in the past three decades, along with a rapidly changing lifestyle and aging population. We aimed to develop and validate an up‐to‐date liver cancer risk prediction model with routinely available predictors and evaluate its applicability for screening guidance. Using data from the China Kadoorie Biobank, we included 486 285 participants in this analysis. Fifteen risk factors were included in the model. Flexible parametric survival models were used to estimate the 10‐year absolute risk of liver cancer. Decision curve analysis was performed to evaluate the net benefit of the model to quantify clinical utility. A total of 2706 participants occurred liver cancer over the 4 814 320 person‐years of follow‐up. Excellent discrimination of the model was observed in both development and validation datasets, with c‐statistics (95% CI) of 0.80 (0.79‐0.81) and 0.80 (0.78‐0.82) respectively, as well as excellent calibration of observed and predicted risks. Decision curve analysis revealed that use of the model in selecting participants for screening improved benefit at a threshold of 2% 10‐year risk, compared to current guideline of screening all HBsAg carriers. Our model was more sensitive than current guideline for cancer screening (28.17% vs 25.96%). We developed and validated a CKB‐PLR (Prediction for Liver cancer Risk Based on the China Kadoorie Biobank Study) model to predict the absolute risk of liver cancer for both HBsAg seropositive and seronegative populations. Application of the model is beneficial for precisely identifying the high‐risk groups among the general population.
Oxidatively modified low‐density lipoproteins are potential mediators of proteasome inhibitor resistance in multiple myeloma
Authors: Polusani Srikanth R. , Cortez Valerie , Esparza Javier , Nguyen Huynh Nga , Fan Hongxin , Velagaleti Gopalrao V. N. , Butler Matthew J. , Kinney Marsha C. , Oyajobi Babatunde O. , Habib Samy L. , Asmis Reto , Medina Edward A. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractProteasome inhibitor (PI) therapy has improved the survival of multiple myeloma (MM) patients. However, inevitably, primary or acquired resistance to PIs leads to disease progression; resistance mechanisms are unclear. Obesity is a risk factor for MM mortality. Oxidized LDL (OxLDL), a central mediator of atherosclerosis that is elevated in metabolic syndrome (co‐occurrence of obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and hypertension), has been linked to an increased risk of solid cancers and shown to stimulate pro‐oncogenic/survival signaling. We hypothesized that OxLDL is a mediator of chemoresistance and evaluated its effects on MM cell killing by PIs. OxLDL potently suppressed the ability of the boronic acid‐based PIs bortezomib (BTZ) and ixazomib, but not the epoxyketone‐based PI carfilzomib, to kill human MM cell lines and primary cells. OxLDL suppressed BTZ‐induced inhibition of proteasome activity and induction of pro‐apoptotic signaling. These cytoprotective effects were abrogated when lipid hydroperoxides (LOOHs) associated with OxLDL were enzymatically reduced. We also demonstrated the presence of OxLDL in the MM bone marrow microenvironment as well as numerous granulocytes and monocytes capable of cell‐mediated LDL oxidation through myeloperoxidase. Our findings suggest that OxLDL may be a potent mediator of boronic acid‐based PI resistance, particularly for MM patients with metabolic syndrome, given their elevated systemic levels of OxLDL. LDL cholesterol‐lowering therapy to reduce circulating OxLDL, and pharmacologic targeting of LOOH levels or resistance pathways induced by the modified lipoprotein, could deepen the response to these important agents and offer clinical benefit to MM patients with metabolic syndrome.
Receptivity of capital structure with financial flexibility: A study on manufacturing firms
Authors: Panda Ajaya Kumar , Nanda Swagatika , Hegde Apoorva Arunachal , Yadav Akhilesh Kumar Kamalakant 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the static capital structure decisions' dynamic responses due to shocks and its relative sensitivity in the presence of financial flexibility. To capture this, we use Panel Corrected Standard Error (PCSE) models and Panel Vector Autoregression (Panel‐VAR) models on the sample of 2,094 listed Indian Manufacturing firms from 2009 to 2019. The empirical findings demonstrate substantial difference in the dynamic responses of capital structure under the conditions of shocks given to its key determinants, with and without financial flexibility. Debt ratio of financially flexible firms reacts positively to asset tangibility and size whereas it reacts negatively to growth opportunity, non‐debt tax shield and profitability. These findings may assist firm managers and policy makers in gauging the limitations associated with leveraging their debt structure on the virtue of being financially flexible.
Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for testicular cancer in a patient with a double inferior vena cava
Authors: Yamaguchi Akane , Negoro Hiromitsu , Kojo Kosuke , Ikeda Atsushi , Kimura Tomokazu , Kandori Shuya , Hoshi Akio , Kojima Takahiro , Kawai Koji , Nishiyama Hiroyuki 
Published: February 2021

IntroductionA double inferior vena cava is a rare anomaly with an incidence ranging from 0.3% to 3.0%. In patients with a double inferior vena cava, it is important to understand the precise anatomy and possible irregular lymph node flow when performing surgery for malignancies.Case presentationA 60‐year‐old man with a non‐seminoma was referred to our hospital after left high orchiectomy. Computed tomography revealed a double inferior vena cava and swollen masses in the para‐aortic region. After four cycles of chemotherapy with etoposide and cisplatin, retroperitoneal lymph node dissection was safely performed with a modified template extended to the right side of the paracaval region by referring to three‐dimensional images created by SYNAPSE VINCENT® software.ConclusionPreoperative three‐dimensional images were useful to understand this patient’s unusual and complicated anatomical positions.
Irrigation management transfer: The experience of the Río Dulce Irrigation Scheme, Argentina*
Authors: Salgado Ramiro , Salvatierra José Ignacio , Mitre Carlos , Prieto Garra Daniel , Angella Gabriel Augusto , Arriaza Manuel , Mateos Luciano 
Published: February 2021

AbstractMany governments and international agencies have promoted irrigation management transfer (IMT) in order to reduce operations and maintenance costs and satisfy farmers' willingness to improve their irrigation service by self‐management. However, IMT has produced both satisfactory and unsatisfactory results. This paper presents a participatory research‐based assessment of IMT in a case study in Northwest Argentina. The study combined conventional irrigation performance assessment and a survey of farmers' perception of the water delivery service and willingness to participate in water users associations. The assessment compared two subsystems in the Río Dulce Irrigation District with different levels of management transfer. Water service in the subsystem where management had been transferred allowed flexible delivery schedules that facilitated a diversified cropping pattern, greater irrigation intensity, and resulted in more water use. Farmers in the transferred subsystem were more aware of the problems of the irrigation service than farmers in the non‐transferred subsystem. The perception of problems in the non‐transferred subsystem increased with the level of the farmer's professionalism and technical knowledge. The transmission of requests and complaints from farmers to managers was more transparent in the transferred subsystem than in the non‐transferred one.
Lipid droplets and autophagy—links and regulations from yeast to humans
Authors: Schepers Jana , Behl Christian 
Published: February 2021

AbstractRecent advances in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and higher eukaryotes have been increasingly connecting lipid droplet (LD) dynamics to the regulation of autophagy. In this review we will discuss implications that connect LD de novo synthesis and LD mobilization to autophagy and how autophagy is regulated by these mechanisms. Elucidating these connections might pose a chance to further understand autophagy induction and membrane biogenesis for the growing autophagosome under different conditions. Increasing our understanding of these mechanisms might provide a chance to understand several conditions that might be related to LD dysregulation and, possibly, as a consequence of this, dysregulation of autophagy.
The transcriptional regulator Zfat is essential for maintenance and differentiation of the adipocytes
Authors: Ishikura Shuhei , Nagai Masayoshi , Tsunoda Toshiyuki , Nishi Kensuke , Tanaka Yoko , Koyanagi Midori , Shirasawa Senji 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAdipocytes play crucial roles in the control of whole‐body energy homeostasis. Differentiation and functions of the adipocytes are regulated by various transcription factors. Zfat (zinc‐finger protein with AT‐hook) is a transcriptional regulator that controls messenger RNA expression of specific genes through binding to their transcription start sites. Here we report important roles of Zfat in the adipocytes. We establish inducible Zfat‐knockout (Zfat iKO) mice where treatment with tamoxifen causes a marked reduction in Zfat expression in various tissues. Tamoxifen treatment of Zfat iKO mice reduces the white adipose tissues (WATs) mass, accompanied by the decreased triglyceride levels. Zfat is expressed in both the adipose‐derived stem cells (ADSCs) and mature adipocytes in the WATs. In ex vivo assays of the mature adipocytes differentiated from the Zfat iKO ADSCs, loss of Zfat in the mature adipocytes reduces the triglyceride levels, suggesting cell autonomous roles of Zfat in the maintenance of the mature adipocytes. Furthermore, we identify the Atg13, Brf1, Psmc3, and Timm22 genes as Zfat‐target genes in the mature adipocytes. In contrast, loss of Zfat in the ADSCs impairs adipocyte differentiation with the decreased expression of C/EBPα and adiponectin. Thus, we propose that Zfat plays crucial roles in maintenance and differentiation of the adipocytes.
Silver catalyzed pyridine‐directed acceptorless dehydrogenation of secondary alcohols
Authors: Zhuang Xin , Tao Jing , Luo Zhen , Hong Chuan‐Ming , Liu Zheng‐Qiang , Li Qing‐Hua , Ren Li‐Qing , Luo Qun‐Li , Liu Tang‐Lin 
Published: February 2021

AbstractA silver catalyzed pyridine‐directed acceptorless dehydrogenation of secondary benzyl alcohols was developed. This general procedure delivers ketones with high atom‐economy and hydrogen was the sole byproduct. This dehydrogenation reaction has a good functional group tolerance and high efficiency (up to 90% yield and 10,000/1 substrates‐to‐catalyst ratio).
Astrocytes contribute to the neuronal recovery promoted by high‐frequency repetitive magnetic stimulation in in vitro models of ischemia
Authors: Roque Cláudio , Pinto Nuno , Vaz Patto Maria , Baltazar Graça 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAfter decades of effort, there are no effective clinical treatments to induce the recovery of ischemia‐injured tissues, and among the several strategies that have been explored, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation has proven to be one of the most promising, with beneficial effects in limb motor function, aphasia, hemispatial neglect, or dysphagia. Despite the clinical evidences, little is known about the mechanisms underlying those effects. The present study aimed to explore the cellular and molecular effects of high‐frequency repetitive magnetic stimulation (HF‐rMS) on an in vitro model of ischemia. Using primary cortical cultures exposed to oxygen and glucose deprivation followed by reperfusion, we observed that HF‐rMS treatment prevents the ischemia‐induced neuronal death by 21.2%, and the neurite degeneration triggered by ischemia. Our results also demonstrate that with this treatment there is an increase of 89.2% on the number cells expressing ERK1/2, of 20.1% on the number of cells expressing c‐Fos, and a synaptogenic effect, through an increase of 62.9% in the number of synaptic puncta as well as of 49.4% in their intensity. Interestingly, our results indicate that astrocytes are crucial to the beneficial effects triggered by HF‐rMS after ischemia, thus suggesting a direct effect of HF‐rMS on these cells. The modulation of astrocytes with this non‐invasive brain stimulation technique is a promising approach to promote the recovery of ischemia‐induced injured tissues; however, it is essential to understand how these effects can be modulated in order to optimize the protocols and enhance the beneficial outcomes.
Importance of regional indices of atmospheric circulation for periods of warming and cooling in Svalbard during 1920–2018
Authors: Łupikasza Ewa B. , Niedźwiedź Tadeusz , Przybylak Rajmund , Nordli Øyvind 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe Arctic has experienced prominent climate warming, at the beginning of the 20th century and currently. Comparing the driving mechanism during these periods helps to explain the causes of contemporary climate change. Our study explores the impact of regional circulation on Svalbard's surface air temperature (SAT, 2 m above ground). We used air temperature data from Svalbard Airport, Bjørnøya stations, and three regional circulation indices that describe the frequency of cyclonic conditions, zonal circulation, and meridional circulation. The indices were calculated for four circulation areas with differing circulation conditions and, therefore, may have various impacts on long‐term changes in SAT. This was checked for the entire study period (1920–2018), and 30‐year sub‐periods representing the most prominent climatic events: the early 20th‐century Arctic warming (ETCAW), contemporary Arctic warming (CAW), and a cold period between them (CAP). In autumn and winter, the deviations in SAT from the long‐term average during warm and cold periods were almost twice as large at Svalbard Airport as at Bjørnøya. In these seasons, the ETCAW was significantly warmer than the subsequent cold period, which was not the case for summer and spring. However, long‐term trends in the regional circulation indices were more evident in summer and spring than in autumn and winter. Air temperature was the most strongly influenced by meridional circulation over the eastern circulation areas, with the exception of spring, when air temperature variability was more affected by zonal circulation. The recent warming weakened the relationship between SAT and the indices in summer. We attributed the ETCAW in autumn to a southerly advection of sensible heat. During the same historical period, the impact of the indices was much weaker in winter. In winter during the CAP, there was a higher frequency of northern air advection, particularly over the northern part of the Greenland Sea.
Dominant spatiotemporal variability of wintertime precipitation days in China and the linkage with large‐scale climate drivers
Authors: Geng Xin , Zhang Wenjun , Xiang Yuying , Jiang Feng 
Published: February 2021

AbstractVariabilities in precipitation frequency carry profound implications for many aspects of socioeconomic activities. Based on the observations from 613 meteorological stations in China, the dominant mode of wintertime precipitation days and its possible causes are investigated in this article. It is revealed that the leading mode accounts for 35.0% of the total variance and mainly displays quasi‐uniform anomalies of precipitation days to the south of 40°N with the monopolar centre over southeastern China. The associated principal component exhibits remarkable interannual variability with a peak periodicity at 2–3 years. We suggest that this leading mode is largely contributed by the variabilities of El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in the tropical Pacific and Eurasian (EU) teleconnection over the mid‐high latitudes. While ENSO mostly affects the variability of precipitation frequency in South China, the EU teleconnection is largely responsible for the changes of precipitation days in North China. On one hand, when El Niño events occur, the anomalous anticyclone over the western North Pacific propagates abundant moisture towards South China, leading to more frequent precipitation occurrence there. On the other hand, during the winters with a negative EU pattern, North China tends to be rainy due to an evident moisture transport and a profound regional anomalous ascending flow which are embedded in the large‐scale eastward‐propagating wave‐train. The responses are roughly reversed in sign when these two factors are in their opposite phases. Based on the impacts from ENSO and the EU teleconnection, a binary statistical regression model is established and over 20% variance of the precipitation days can be realistically captured in eastern China. Our results could be beneficial for wintertime precipitation prediction and disaster mitigation in the country.