bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lipid droplet screen in human hepatocytes identifies TRRAP as a regulator of cellular triglyceride metabolism
Authors: Abbey Deepti , Conlon Donna , Rainville Christopher , Elwyn Susannah , Quiroz‐Figueroa Katherine , Billheimer Jeffrey , Schultz David C. , Hand Nicholas J. , Cherry Sara , Rader Daniel J. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractHepatocytes store triglycerides (TGs) in the form of lipid droplets (LDs), which are increased in hepatosteatosis. The regulation of hepatic LDs is poorly understood and new therapies to reduce hepatosteatosis are needed. We performed a siRNA kinase and phosphatase screen in HuH‐7 cells using high‐content automated imaging of LDs. Changes in accumulated lipids were quantified with developed pipeline that measures intensity, area, and number of LDs. Selected “hits,” which reduced lipid accumulation, were further validated with other lipid and expression assays. Among several siRNAs that resulted in significantly reduced LDs, one was targeted to the nuclear adapter protein, transformation/transcription domain‐associated protein (TRRAP). Knockdown of TRRAP reduced triglyceride accumulation in HuH‐7 hepatocytes, in part by reducing C/EBPα‐mediated de novo synthesis of TGs. These findings implicate TRRAP as a novel regulator of hepatic TG metabolism and nominate it as a potential drug target for hepatosteatosis.
The influence of habitat association on swimming performance in marine teleost fish larvae
Authors: Downie Adam T. , Leis Jeffrey M. , Cowman Peter F. , McCormick Mark I. , Rummer Jodie L. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractLatitude and body size are generally considered key drivers of swimming performance for larval marine fishes, but evidence suggests that evolutionary relationships and habitat may also be important. We used a comparative phylogenetic framework, data synthesis and case study approach to investigate how swimming performance differs among larvae of fish species across latitude. First, we investigated how swimming performance changed with body length, and we found that temperate reef fishes have the greatest increases in swimming performance with length. Secondly, we compared differences in three swimming performance metrics (critical swimming speed, in situ swimming, and endurance) among post‐flexion larvae, whilst considering phylogenetic relationships and morphology, and we found that reef fishes have higher swimming capacity than non‐reef (pelagic and non‐reef demersal) fishes, which is likely due to larger, more robust body sizes. Thirdly, we compared swimming performance of late‐stage larvae of tropical fishes with oceanographic data to better understand the ecological relevance of their high‐capacity swimming. We found that reef fishes have high swimming performance and grow larger than non‐reef fish larvae, which we suggest is due to the pressures to find a specific, patchily distributed habitat upon which to settle. Given the current bias towards studies on percomorph fishes at low latitudes, we highlight that there is a need for more research on temperate reef fish larvae and other percomorph lineages from high latitudes. Overall, our findings provide valuable context to understand how swimming and morphological traits that are important for dispersal and recruitment processes are selected for among teleost fish larvae.
Aged soils contribute little to contemporary carbon cycling downstream of thawing permafrost peatlands
Authors: Tanentzap Andrew J. , Burd Katheryn , Kuhn McKenzie , Estop‐Aragonés Cristian , Tank Suzanne E. , Olefeldt David 
Published: June 2021

AbstractVast stores of millennial‐aged soil carbon (MSC) in permafrost peatlands risk leaching into the contemporary carbon cycle after thaw caused by climate warming or increased wildfire activity. Here we tracked the export and downstream fate of MSC from two peatland‐dominated catchments in subarctic Canada, one of which was recently affected by wildfire. We tested whether thermokarst bog expansion and deepening of seasonally thawed soils due to wildfire increased the contributions of MSC to downstream waters. Despite being available for lateral transport, MSC accounted for ≤6% of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) pools at catchment outlets. Assimilation of MSC into the aquatic food web could not explain its absence at the outlets. Using δ13C‐Δ14C‐δ15N‐δ2H measurements, we estimated only 7% of consumer biomass came from MSC by direct assimilation and algal recycling of heterotrophic respiration. Recent wildfire that caused seasonally thawed soils to reach twice as deep in one catchment did not change these results. In contrast to many other Arctic ecosystems undergoing climate warming, we suggest waterlogged peatlands will protect against downstream delivery and transformation of MSC after climate‐ and wildfire‐induced permafrost thaw.
Spontaneous spinal epidural hemorrhage and sentinel headache—A case report
Authors: Hanna Joseph P. , Absher John R. , Enyart David S. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractObjectives/BackgroundExpand the differential diagnosis of sentinel headache to include spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH) and reinforce the need for lumbar puncture in the evaluation of thunderclap headache. SSEH is a rare clinical presentation especially in the absence of bleeding tendencies. Clinicians recognize SSEH with typical presenting signs and symptoms including regional paraspinal muscular contraction and pain along with myelopathy. Although thunderclap headache usually does not connote vascular rupture in the spinal epidural compartment, SSEH may rarely present with sentinel headache and later evolve into a myelopathy.Results and ConclusionSentinel headache may be the sole symptom following spontaneous spinal epidural hemorrhage preceding both myelopathic and meningeal signs and symptoms. SSEH can best be diagnosed by lumbar puncture at this early moment potentially averting spinal cord injury.
A Community Jury on initiating weight management conversations in primary care
Authors: Beeken Rebecca J. , Scott Anna M. , Sims Rebecca , Cleo Gina , Clifford Helen , Glasziou Paul , Thomas Rae 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundCurrent guidelines recommend that patients attending general practice should be screened for excess weight, and provided with weight management advice.ObjectiveThis study sought to elicit the views of people with overweight and obesity about the role of GPs in initiating conversations about weight management.MethodsParticipants with a body mass index ≥25 were recruited from a region in Australia to take part in a Community Jury. Over 2 days, participants (n = 11) deliberated on two interconnected questions: ‘Should GPs initiate discussions about weight management?’ And ‘if so, when: (a) opportunistically, (b) in the context of disease prevention, (c) in the context of disease management or (d) other?’ The jury deliberations were analysed qualitatively to elicit their views and recommendations.ResultsThe jury concluded GPs should be discussing weight management, but within the broader context of general health. The jury were divided about the utility of screening. Jurors felt GPs should initiate the conversation if directly relevant for disease prevention or management, otherwise GPs should provide opportunities for patients to consent to the issue being raised.ConclusionThe jury's verdict suggests informed people affected by overweight and obesity believe GPs should discuss weight management with their patients. GPs should feel reassured that discussions are likely to be welcomed by patients, particularly if embedded within a more holistic focus on person‐centred care.Public contributionMembers of the public took part in the conduct of this study as jurors, but were not involved in the design, analysis or write‐up.
The synthesis of biotemplate‐based Bi2WO6/TiO2 composite photocatalyst for degradation of microcystin
Authors: Lin Yingzi , Ji Li , Zhang Dongyan , Zhu Yang , Li Yang , Chen Junjie , Zou Deqiang 
Published: June 2021

AbstractMicrocystin is a harmful hepatic toxin produced by cyanobacteria, is a serious threat due to its toxicity to water ecosystems, and it is found recently that TiO2 photocatalyst is effective in degradation of microcystin. In this study, hierarchical porous Bi2WO6/ TiO2 composite photocatalysts were synthesized with a novel hydrothermal method by using rice husk as the biological template. The results showed that the original micro‐ and nanopores of rice husk were efficiently replicated by the synthesized porous TiO2 photocatalyst with a specific surface area of 137.09 m2/g, which increased by nearly 100 m2/g over the surface area. SEM, TEM, XRD, and XPS spectra showed that heterogeneous structures were formed by Bi2WO6 and TiO2, with which process the crystal structures of both were not affected. In the meantime, we studied the effect of hierarchical porous TiO2 photo‐catalyst, pure TiO2 photo‐catalyst, Bi2WO6 photo‐catalyst, Bi2WO6/ hierarchical porous TiO2 photo‐catalyst on degradation of 1 mg/L MC‐LR, and the results showed that to use the unique silicon‐carbon structure of rice husk to prepare hierarchical porous TiO2 photo‐catalyst can have the degradation rate of 53.5%, which is higher than that of commercially available TiO2 photo‐catalyst by 13.8%. Compared with a single photo‐catalyst, the photo‐catalytic activity of Bi2WO6/ hierarchical porous TiO2 photo‐catalyst is significantly improved. The optimal mingling amount of Bi2WO6 is 0.2 mol/mol. At this time, the degradation rate of MC‐LR is 85.3%, and the main active substances for degradation are h+ and ·OH. In addition, the degradation process of MC‐LR fit well with the kinetic model of Quasi Primary Reaction. The insight of green synthesis of Bi2WO6/ TiO2 composite photocatalysts for degradation of microcystins was provided by this study.
Procyanidin B2 alleviates liver injury caused by cold stimulation through Sonic hedgehog signalling and autophagy
Authors: Ma Li , Li Chengxu , Lian Shuai , Xu Bin , Lv Hongming , Liu Yanzhi , Lu Jingjing , Ji Hong , Li Shize , Guo Jingru , Yang Huanmin 
Published: June 2021

AbstractProcyanidin B2 (PB2), a naturally occurring flavonoid abundant in a wide range of fruits, has been shown to exert antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory and anticancer properties. However, the role of PB2 in the prevention of cold stimulation (CS)‐induced liver injury. The present study was undertaken to determine the effects of PB2 on liver injury induced by cold stimulation and its potential molecular mechanisms. The present study results showed that treatment with PB2 significantly reduced CS‐induced liver injury by alleviating histopathological changes and serum levels of alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase. Moreover, treatment with PB2 inhibited secretion of inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress in cold‐stimulated mice. PB2 reduced cold stimulation‐induced inflammation by inhibiting TLR4/NF‐κB and Txnip/NLRP3 signalling. Treatment with PB2 reduced oxidative stress by activating Nrf‐2/Keap1, AMPK/GSK3β signalling pathways and autophagy. Furthermore, simultaneous application of Shh pathway inhibitor cyclopamine proved that PB2 targets the Hh pathway. More importantly, co‐treatment with PB2 and cyclopamine showed better efficacy than monotherapy. In conclusion, our findings provide new evidence that PB2 has protective potential against CS‐induced liver injury, which might be closely linked to the inhibition of Shh signalling pathway.
Decreased Annexin A1 expression enhances sensitivity to docetaxel, cisplatin and 5‐fluorouracil combination induction chemotherapy in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Sun Wenwen , Zhao Tongchao , Aladelusi Timothy O. , Ju Wutong , Zhang Zhiyuan , Zhong Laiping , Zhu Dongwang 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundAnnexin A1, a member of the Annexin superfamily, has been shown to play a vital role in a broad range of molecular and cellular processes. This study aims to explore the relationship between the Annexin A1 expression and the clinical response to cisplatin, docetaxel and 5‐fluorouracil (TPF) as induction chemotherapy in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).MethodsThis study recruited two hundred thirty‐two patients from a III/IVA OSCC trial. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess the level of Annexin A1 expression. Overexpression and knockdown methods in HB96, HN4 and CAL27 cell lines were used to assess the role of Annexin A1 in the neoplastic cellular response to chemotherapy.ResultsWe found that reduced expression of Annexin A1 conferred a prognostic benefit from induction chemotherapy based on the TPF drug combination in patients with moderately/poorly differentiated disease. Using an in vitro model, we found that low Annexin A1 enhanced cellular proliferation by activating the EGFR/AKT signalling pathway and inhibiting p27 expression. Furthermore, low Annexin A1 initiated a significant decrease in cell viability after treatment with TPF agents. In addition, downregulation of Annexin A1 promoted apoptosis induced by docetaxel, cisplatin and 5‐fluorouracil, and upregulation of Annexin A1 inhibited apoptosis.ConclusionAnnexin A1 may be of prognostic value in patients with locally advanced OSCC who are managed with TPF chemotherapy, as low Annexin A1 promotes chemosensitivity to TPF chemotherapy in oral cancer cells via enhanced caspase‐dependent apoptosis.
The long way back: Development of Central European mountain forests towards old‐growth conditions after cessation of management
Authors: Albrich Katharina , Thom Dominik , Rammer Werner , Seidl Rupert 
Published: June 2021

AbstractQuestionsPrimary forests fulfil important roles in preserving biodiversity, storing carbon and increasing ecological understanding. Yet, they have become very rare in Europe. An important policy goal is thus to increase the share of naturally developing forests by creating protected areas in formerly managed forests. Here, we investigated: (a) if and how such forests return to conditions similar to old‐growth; and (b) whether recently observed stand‐replacing natural disturbances in combination with climate change set them onto an alternative developmental pathway.LocationDürrenstein Wilderness Area (IUCN Cat. Ib) in the Austrian Alps, containing the Rothwald, one of the last primary forest remnants of Central Europe.MethodsWe built a chronosequence of 87 plots, spanning 220 years of forest development after the cessation of management, and compared them to old‐growth forests. We analysed the recovery of nine attributes of forest composition, structure and functioning. To evaluate stand‐level development of these attributes after recent natural disturbance and climate change, we additionally used a process‐based simulation model.ResultsOld‐growth forests showed a wide range of variability across investigated attributes. Forests converged to old‐growth conditions after management ceased, with seven out of the nine attributes falling within the range of old‐growth at the end of our chronosequence. The variation in tree diameters and the downed amount of deadwood were, however, still significantly lower than in old‐growth forests after 220 years of unmanaged stand development. Simulations did not indicate an alternative developmental pathway of recently disturbed stands.ConclusionsWhile a full return to old‐growth conditions can take centuries, a number of important forest attributes recover quickly, indicating that protecting formerly managed forests is a valuable strategy to enrich forest landscapes. Our results indicate that the mountain forests of Central Europe have high ecological resilience, developing towards old‐growth conditions after both past management and current natural disturbance.
Is elimination of hepatitis C virus realistic by 2030: Eastern Europe
Authors: Isakov Vasily , Tsyrkunov Vladimir , Nikityuk Dmitry 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe WHO elimination goals (diagnosis of 90% of the cases of hepatitis C virus (HCV), treatment coverage in 80% and a 65% reduction in deaths from HCV) are set to be reached by 2030. Although these elimination programmes are extremely important in the Eastern European countries (Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova) with a high prevalence of HCV, limited economic resources prevent their development and implementation. Regardless of the decrease in the incidence HCV in all Eastern European countries, low diagnosis and treatment access, especially in high‐risk populations, will not allow to achieve HCV elimination or even to control the infection by 2030.
Simultaneous optimization of 3D alignments and station locations for dedicated high‐speed railways
Authors: Song Taoran , Pu Hao , Schonfeld Paul , Zhang Hong , Li Wei , Hu Jianping 
Published: June 2021

AbstractDeterminations of alignments and station locations are major tasks in railway design, which jointly and fundamentally influence the construction and operation of the whole project. Currently, although considerable efforts have been invested into the separate optimization of alignments or station locations, the complex interactions between alignments and stations, as well as their concurrent impacts on railways still need further investigations. Therefore, this study focuses on modeling and optimization of passenger railway alignments and station locations simultaneously. A novel optimization model is formulated for maximizing net present value (NPV) considering comprehensive costs and revenue from riders over the railway's design life. Specifically, the comprehensive cost includes construction and operation costs of alignments and stations. The railway ridership is quantified by combining travel time and trip coverage using a logit function. Then, the railway revenue is estimated and combined with costs through an economic growth model to obtain the NPV. To solve this model, two customized and mutually exclusive methods, that is, the station‐alignment‐integration (SAI) and alignment‐station‐integration (ASI) methods, are developed based on a particle swarm algorithm. The SAI primarily searches for possible stations in the landscape and then generates alignments to connect adjacent stations. The ASI directly yields the main alignment, on which potential stations are located by handling specific constraints. The model and methods are applied to an actual high‐speed railway. Results show that both SAI‐ and ASI‐generated railways have higher NPV values compared to the corresponding railway designed by experienced designers. Sensitivity analysis reveals that SAI is more flexible than ASI in solving actual cases. The convergence of the proposed methods is also discussed. With some changes in input parameters based on locally applicable design standards, the proposed methods are generally applicable to other cases or countries.
Infection of Arabidopsis by cucumber mosaic virus triggers jasmonate‐dependent resistance to aphids that relies partly on the pattern‐triggered immunity factor BAK1
Authors: Tungadi Trisna , Watt Lewis G. , Groen Simon C. , Murphy Alex M. , Du Zhiyou , Pate Adrienne E. , Westwood Jack H. , Fennell Thea G. , Powell Glen , Carr John P. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractMany aphid‐vectored viruses are transmitted nonpersistently via transient attachment of virus particles to aphid mouthparts and are most effectively acquired or transmitted during brief stylet punctures of epidermal cells. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the aphid‐transmitted virus cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) induces feeding deterrence against the polyphagous aphid Myzus persicae. This form of resistance inhibits prolonged phloem feeding but promotes virus acquisition by aphids because it encourages probing of plant epidermal cells. When aphids are confined on CMV‐infected plants, feeding deterrence reduces their growth and reproduction. We found that CMV‐induced inhibition of growth as well as CMV‐induced inhibition of reproduction of M. persicae are dependent upon jasmonate‐mediated signalling. BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE1‐ASSOCIATED KINASE1 (BAK1) is a co‐receptor enabling detection of microbe‐associated molecular patterns and induction of pattern‐triggered immunity (PTI). In plants carrying the mutant bak1‐5 allele, CMV induced inhibition of M. persicae reproduction but not inhibition of aphid growth. We conclude that in wildtype plants CMV induces two mechanisms that diminish performance of M. persicae: a jasmonate‐dependent and PTI‐dependent mechanism that inhibits aphid growth, and a jasmonate‐dependent, PTI‐independent mechanism that inhibits reproduction. The growth of two crucifer specialist aphids, Lipaphis erysimi and Brevicoryne brassicae, was not affected when confined on CMV‐infected A. thaliana. However, B. brassicae reproduction was inhibited on CMV‐infected plants. This suggests that in A. thaliana CMV‐induced resistance to aphids, which is thought to incentivize virus vectoring, has greater effects on polyphagous than on crucifer specialist aphids.
Adaptation to coastal soils through pleiotropic boosting of ion and stress hormone concentrations in wild Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Busoms Silvia , Terés Joana , Yant Levi , Poschenrieder Charlotte , Salt David E. 
Published: June 2021

Summary

Local adaptation in coastal areas is driven chiefly by tolerance to salinity stress. To survive high salinity, plants have evolved mechanisms to specifically tolerate sodium. However, the pathways that mediate adaptive changes in these conditions reach well beyond Na+.

Here we perform a high‐resolution genetic, ionomic, and functional study of the natural variation in Molybdenum transporter 1 (MOT1) associated with coastal Arabidopsis thaliana accessions. We quantify the fitness benefits of a specific deletion‐harbouring allele (MOT1DEL) present in coastal habitats that is associated with lower transcript expression and molybdenum accumulation.

Analysis of the leaf ionome revealed that MOT1DEL plants accumulate more copper (Cu) and less sodium (Na+) than plants with the noncoastal MOT1 allele, revealing a complex interdependence in homeostasis of these three elements. Our results indicate that under salinity stress, reduced MOT1 function limits leaf Na+ accumulation through abscisic acid (ABA) signalling. Enhanced ABA biosynthesis requires Cu. This demand is met in Cu deficient coastal soils through MOT1DEL increasing the expression of SPL7 and the copper transport protein COPT6.

MOT1DEL is able to deliver a pleiotropic suite of phenotypes that enhance salinity tolerance in coastal soils deficient in Cu. This is achieved by inducing ABA biosynthesis and promoting reduced uptake or better compartmentalization of Na+, leading to coastal adaptation.
Towards a statistically robust determination of minimum water potential and hydraulic risk in plants
Authors: Martínez‐Vilalta Jordi , Santiago Louis S. , Poyatos Rafael , Badiella Llorenç , de Cáceres Miquel , Aranda Ismael , Delzon Sylvain , Vilagrosa Alberto , Mencuccini Maurizio 
Published: June 2021

Summary

Minimum water potential (Ψmin) is a key variable for characterizing dehydration tolerance and hydraulic safety margins (HSMs) in plants. Ψmin is usually estimated as the absolute minimum tissue Ψ experienced by a species, but this is problematic because sample extremes are affected by sample size and the underlying probability distribution.

We compare alternative approaches to estimate Ψmin and assess the corresponding uncertainties and biases; propose statistically robust estimation methods based on extreme value theory (EVT); and assess the implications of our results for the characterization of hydraulic risk.

Our results show that current estimates of Ψmin and HSMs are biased, as they are strongly affected by sample size. Because sampling effort is generally higher for species living in dry environments, the differences in current Ψmin estimates between these species and those living under milder conditions are partly artefactual. When this bias is corrected using EVT methods, resulting HSMs tend to increase substantially with resistance to embolism across species.

Although data availability and representativeness remain the main challenges for proper determination of Ψmin, a closer look at Ψ distributions and the use of statistically robust methods to estimate Ψmin opens new ground for characterizing plant hydraulic risks.