bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physiological changes during heartwood formation induced by plant growth regulators in Dalbergia odorifera (Leguminosae)
Authors: Cui Zhiyi , Li Xiaofei , Xu Daping , Yang Zengjiang , Zhang Ningnan , Liu Xiaojin , Hong Zhou 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
There is a need to better understand and promote formation of ‘Jiang Xiang’, the highly valuable heartwood of Dalbergia odorifera T. Chen. Plant growth regulators are the most widely used and generally most effective promoters of heartwood formation. However, to date no method has been proved effective for D. odorifera as little is known about biochemical and physiological change during heartwood development. Four potential heartwood induction substances viz. ethephon, methyl jasmonate, salicylic acid and abscisic acid solutions were injected into the trunk of D. odorifera to determine the effect on heartwood formation and related physiological responses. Non-structural carbohydrates, wood properties, essential oil and histochemical and structural observation were assessed in the post-treatment period. As also observed in the formation of natural heartwood, growth regulator-induced Jiang Xiang production was accompanied by sapwood dehydration, non-structural carbohydrates consumption and synthesis of heartwood specific substances. These substances were synthesized in the ray and axial parenchyma and than transported into the vessels through the pits. As the heartwood substances accumulated, basic density and essential oil content increased gradually, thereby Jiang Xiang was finally produced. In this process, physiological parameters of discoloured sapwood gradually evolved to resemble those of natural heartwood. Ethephon-induced Jiang Xiang was closest to natural heartwood and its density, essential oil content, composition and relative amounts met the standards for high-quality Jiang Xiang, while the other inducers had unsatisfactory induction effects. This study supports the hypothesis that ethephon could be applied to induce formation of Jiang Xiang in D. odorifera.
Meteosat Third Generation (MTG): Continuation and Innovation of Observations from Geostationary Orbit
Authors: Holmlund K. , Grandell J. , Schmetz J. , Stuhlmann R. , Bojkov B. , Munro R. , Lekouara M. , Coppens D. , Viticchie B. , August T. , Theodore B. , Watts P. , Dobber M. , Fowler G. , Bojinski S. , Schmid A. , Salonen K. , Tjemkes S. , Aminou D. , Blythe P. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWithin the next couple of years, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) will start the deployment of its next-generation geostationary meteorological satellites. The Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) is composed of four imaging (MTG-I) and two sounding (MTG-S) platforms. The satellites are three-axis stabilized, unlike the two previous generations of Meteosat that were spin stabilized, and carry two sets of remote sensing instruments each. Hence, in addition to providing continuity, the new system will provide an unprecedented capability from geostationary orbit. The payload on the MTG-I satellites are the 16-channel Flexible Combined Imager (FCI) and the Lightning Imager (LI). The payloads on the MTG-S satellites are the hyperspectral Infrared Sounder (IRS) and a high-resolution Ultraviolet–Visible–Near-Infrared (UVN) sounder Sentinel-4/UVN, provided by the European Commission. Today, hyperspectral sounding from geostationary orbit is provided by the Chinese Fengyun-4A (FY-4A) satellite Geostationary Interferometric Infrared Sounder (GIIRS) instrument, and lightning mappers are available on FY-4A and on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) GOES-16 and GOES-17 satellites. Consequently, the development of science and applications for these types of instruments have a solid foundation. However, the IRS, LI, and Sentinel-4/UVN are a challenging first for Europe in a geostationary orbit. The four MTG-I and two MTG-S satellites are designed to provide 20 and 15.5 years of operational service, respectively. The launch of the first MTG-I is expected at the end of 2022 and the first MTG-S roughly a year later. This article describes the four instruments, outlines products and services, and addresses the evolution of the further applications.
Roles of Barotropic Instability across the Moat in Inner Eyewall Decay and Outer Eyewall Intensification: Essential Dynamics
Authors: Lai Tsz-Kin , Hendricks Eric A. , Yau M. K. , Menelaou Konstantinos 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIntense tropical cyclones (TCs) often experience secondary eyewall formations and the ensuing eyewall replacement cycles. Better understanding of the underlying dynamics is crucial to make improvements to the TC intensity and structure forecasting. Radar imagery of some double-eyewall TCs and a real-case simulation study indicated that the barotropic instability (BI) across the moat (aka type-2 BI) may play a role in inner eyewall decay. A three-dimensional numerical study accompanying this paper pointed out that type-2 BI is able to withdraw the inner eyewall absolute angular momentum (AAM) and increase the outer eyewall AAM through the eddy radial transport of eddy AAM. This paper explores the reason why the eddy radial transport of eddy AAM is intrinsically nonzero. Linear and nonlinear shallow water experiments are performed and they produce expected evolutions under type-2 BI. It will be shown that only nonlinear experiments have changes in AAM over the inner and outer eyewalls, and the changes solely originate from the eddy radial transport of eddy AAM. This result highlights the importance of nonlinearity of type-2 BI. Based on the distribution of vorticity perturbations and the balanced-waves arguments, it will be demonstrated that the nonzero eddy radial transport of eddy AAM is an essential outcome from the intrinsic interaction between the mutually growing vortex Rossby waves across the moat under type-2 BI. The analyses of the most unstable mode support the findings and will further attribute the inner eyewall decay and outer eyewall intensification to the divergence and convergence of the eddy angular momentum flux, respectively.
Effects of bilirubin configurational photoisomers on the measurement of direct bilirubin by the vanadate oxidation method
Authors: Kawamoto Shohei , Koyano Kosuke , Ozaki Miyo , Arai Takeshi , Iwase Takashi , Okada Hitoshi , Itoh Susumu , Murao Koji , Kusaka Takashi 
Published: February 2021

Background Direct-reacting bilirubin concentrations measured using vanadate chemical oxidation method do not exactly match the conjugated bilirubin concentration. One of the causes is the effect of bilirubin photoisomers. However, the quantitative evaluation of the effects of these photoisomers has not been sufficiently conducted. In particular, the influence of bilirubin configurational isomers on direct bilirubin is the most critical factor. Methods Sixteen residual serum samples were used. For quantitative analysis based on the change in direct bilirubin and bilirubin configurational isomer, samples were irradiated via blue light-emitting diodes to suppress the production of bilirubin structural isomers. Total bilirubin and direct bilirubin concentrations were measured using the vanadate chemical oxidation method. Concentrations of 4Z,15Z-bilirubin IXα and its photoisomers were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. The sum of 4Z,15E-bilirubin IXα and 4E,15Z-bilirubin IXα was notated as bilirubin configurational isomer, and the differences between the measured values of the irradiated and non-irradiated samples were calculated and notated as ΔDB and ΔBCI. Results In non-irradiated and irradiated samples, total bilirubin and direct bilirubin concentrations were 10.73 mg/dL with significant a decrease to 10.60 mg/dL and 0.69 mg/dL with a significant increase to 0.78 mg/dL, while bilirubin configurational isomer values were 1.00 mg/dL and 1.52 mg/dL, respectively. The linear regression equation revealed a significant positive correlation of Y = 0.187X−0.006 between ΔDB (Y) and ΔBCI (X). Conclusion Applying the vanadate chemical oxidation method affected approximately 19% of the bilirubin configurational isomer concentration for direct bilirubin. Extreme caution is necessary when interpreting the measured values of samples indicative of unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia.
A Semi-Dominant Mutation in OsCESA9 Improves Salt Tolerance and Favors Field Straw Decay Traits by Altering Cell Wall Properties in Rice
Authors: Ye Yafeng , Wang Shuoxun , Wu Kun , Ren Yan , Jiang Hongrui , Chen Jianfeng , Tao Liangzhi , Fu Xiangdong , Liu Binmei , Wu Yuejin 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
Cellulose synthase (CESA) mutants have potential use in straw processing due to their lower cellulose content, but almost all of the mutants exhibit defective phenotypes in plant growth and development. Balancing normal plant growth with reduced cellulose content remains a challenge, as cellulose content and normal plant growth are typically negatively correlated with one another.

Result
Here, the rice (Oryza sativa) semi-dominant brittle culm (sdbc) mutant Sdbc1, which harbors a substitution (D387N) at the first conserved aspartic acid residue of OsCESA9, exhibits lower cellulose content and reduced secondary wall thickness as well as enhanced biomass enzymatic saccharification compared with the wild type (WT). Further experiments indicated that the OsCESA9D387N mutation may compete with the wild-type OsCESA9 for interacting with OsCESA4 and OsCESA7, further forming non-functional or partially functional CSCs. The OsCESA9/OsCESA9D387N heterozygous plants increase salt tolerance through scavenging and detoxification of ROS and indirectly affecting related gene expression. They also improve rice straw return to the field due to their brittle culms and lower cellulose content without any negative effects in grain yield and lodging.

Conclusion
Hence, OsCESA9D387N allele can improve rice salt tolerance and provide the prospect of the rice straw for biofuels and bioproducts due to its improved enzymatic saccharification.
HilE is required for synergistic activation of SPI-1 gene expression in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium
Authors: Hamed Selwan , Shawky Riham M. , Emara Mohamed , Slauch James M. , Rao Christopher V. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundSalmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium is an intestinal pathogen capable of infecting a wide range of animals. It initiates infection by invading intestinal epithelial cells using a type III secretion system encoded withinSalmonellapathogenicity island 1 (SPI-1). The SPI-1 genes are regulated by multiple interacting transcription factors. The master regulator is HilD. HilE represses SPI-1 gene expression by binding HilD and preventing it from activating its target promoters. Previous work found that acetate and nutrients synergistically induce SPI-1 gene expression. In the present study, we investigated the role of HilE, nominally a repressor of SPI-1 gene expression, in mediating this response to acetate and nutrients.ResultsHilE is necessary for activation of SPI-1 gene expression by acetate and nutrients. In mutants lackinghilE, acetate and nutrients no longer increase SPI-1 gene expression but rather repress it. This puzzling response is not due to the BarA/SirA two component system, which governs the response to acetate. To identify the mechanism, we profiled gene expression using RNAseq in the wild type and a ΔhilEmutant under different growth conditions. Analysis of these data suggested that the Rcs system, which regulates gene expression in response to envelope stress, is involved. Consistent with this hypothesis, acetate and nutrients were able to induce SPI-1 gene expression in mutants lackinghilEand the Rcs system.ConclusionsWhile the exact mechanism is unknown, these results demonstrate the HilE, nominally a repressor of SPI-1 gene expression, can also function as an activator under the growth conditions investigated. Collectively, these results provide new insights regarding SPI-1 gene regulation and demonstrate that HilE is more complex than initially envisioned.
Sleepiness, sleep deprivation, quality of life, mental symptoms and perception of academic environment in medical students
Authors: Perotta Bruno , Arantes-Costa Fernanda M. , Enns Sylvia C. , Figueiro-Filho Ernesto A. , Paro Helena , Santos Itamar S. , Lorenzi-Filho Geraldo , Martins Milton A. , Tempski Patricia Z. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
It has been previously shown that a high percentage of medical students have sleep problems that interfere with academic performance and mental health.

Methods
To study the impact of sleep quality, daytime somnolence, and sleep deprivation on medical students, we analyzed data from a multicenter study with medical students in Brazil (22 medical schools, 1350 randomized medical students). We applied questionnaires of daytime sleepiness, quality of sleep, quality of life, anxiety and depression symptoms and perception of educational environment.

Results
37.8% of medical students presented mild values of daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale - ESS) and 8.7% presented moderate/severe values. The percentage of female medical students that presented ESS values high or very high was significantly greater than male medical students (p <  0.05). Students with lower ESS scores presented significantly greater scores of quality of life and perception of educational environment and lower scores of depression and anxiety symptoms, and these relationships showed a dose-effect pattern. Medical students reporting more sleep deprivation showed significantly greater odds ratios of presenting anxiety and depression symptoms and lower odds of good quality of life or perception of educational environment.

Conclusions
There is a significant association between sleep deprivation and daytime sleepiness with the perception of quality of life and educational environment in medical students.
Chronic intermittent hypoxia promoted lung cancer stem cell-like properties via enhancing Bach1 expression
Authors: Hao Shengyu , Zhu Xiaodan , Liu Zilong , Wu Xiaodan , Li Shanqun , Jiang Pan , Jiang Liyan 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundAn adverse role for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in cancer aggressiveness and mortality has recently emerged from clinical and animal studies, and the reasons have not been fully determined. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are regarded as the main cause of carcinoma metastasis. So far, the relationship between OSA and lung CSCs has not been explored.MethodIn the present study, we established an orthotopic mouse model of primary lung cancer and utilized chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) exposure to mimic OSA status.ResultsWe observed that CIH endows lung cancer with greater metastatic potential, evidenced by increased tumor growth, tumor seeding, and upregulated CSC-related gene expression in the lungs. Notably, the transcription factor BTB and CNC homology 1 (Bach1), a key factor in responding to conditions of oxidative stress, is increased in lung cancer after CIH exposure in vitro and in vivo. Meanwhile, exposing lung cancer cells to CIH promoted cell proliferation, clonal diversity, induced stem-like cell marker expression, and gave rise to CSCs at a relatively higher frequency. Furthermore, the increase of mitochondrial ROS (mtROS) and CSC-marker expression induced by CIH exposure was abolished inBach1shRNA-treated lung cancer cells.ConclusionsOur results indicated that CIH promoted lung CSC-like properties by activating mtROS, which was partially mediated by Bach1.
Construction and comprehensive characterization of an EcLDCc-CatIB set—varying linkers and aggregation inducing tags
Authors: Küsters Kira , Pohl Martina , Krauss Ulrich , Ölçücü Gizem , Albert Sandor , Jaeger Karl-Erich , Wiechert Wolfgang , Oldiges Marco 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background

In recent years, the production of inclusion bodies that retained substantial catalytic activity was demonstrated. These catalytically active inclusion bodies (CatIBs) were formed by genetic fusion of an aggregation inducing tag to a gene of interest via short linker polypeptides and overproduction of the resulting gene fusion in Escherichia coli. The resulting CatIBs are known for their high stability, easy and cost efficient production, and recyclability and thus provide an interesting alternative to conventionally immobilized enzymes.

Results
Here, we present the construction and characterization of a CatIB set of the lysine decarboxylase from Escherichia coli (EcLDCc), constructed via Golden Gate Assembly. A total of ten EcLDCc variants consisting of combinations of two linker and five aggregation inducing tag sequences were generated. A flexible Serine/Glycine (SG)- as well as a rigid Proline/Threonine (PT)-Linker were tested in combination with the artificial peptides (18AWT, L6KD and GFIL8) or the coiled-coil domains (TDoT and 3HAMP) as aggregation inducing tags. The linkers were fused to the C-terminus of the EcLDCc to form a linkage between the enzyme and the aggregation inducing tags. Comprehensive morphology and enzymatic activity analyses were performed for the ten EcLDCc-CatIB variants and a wild type EcLDCc control to identify the CatIB variant with the highest activity for the decarboxylation of l-lysine to 1,5-diaminopentane. Interestingly, all of the CatIB variants possessed at least some activity, whilst most of the combinations with the rigid PT-Linker showed the highest conversion rates. EcLDCc-PT-L6KD was identified as the best of all variants allowing a volumetric productivity of 457 g L− 1 d− 1 and a specific volumetric productivity of 256 g L− 1 d− 1 gCatIB−1. Noteworthy, wild type EcLDCc, without specific aggregation inducing tags, also partially formed CatIBs, which, however showed lower activity compared to most of the newly constructed CatIB variants (volumetric productivity: 219 g L− 1 d− 1, specific volumetric activity: 106 g L− 1 d− 1 gCatIB− 1). Furthermore, we demonstrate that microscopic analysis can serve as a tool to find CatIB producing strains and thus allow for prescreening at an early stage to save time and resources.

Conclusions
Our results clearly show that the choice of linker and aggregation inducing tag has a strong influence on the morphology and the enzymatic activity of the CatIBs. Strikingly, the linker had the most pronounced influence on these characteristics.
Targeting Nrf2 may reverse the drug resistance in ovarian cancer
Authors: Li Danjie , Hong Xiaoling , Zhao Feijie , Ci Xinxin , Zhang Songling 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
Acquired resistance to therapeutic drugs has become an important issue in treating ovarian cancer. Studies have shown that the prevalent chemotherapy resistance (cisplatin, paclitaxel etc.) for ovarian cancer occurs partly because of decreased production of reactive oxygen species within the mitochondria of ovarian cancer cells.

Main Body
Nuclear erythroid-related factor-2 (Nrf2) mainly controls the regulation of transcription of genes through the Keap1-Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway and protects cells by fighting oxidative stress and defending against harmful substances. This protective effect is reflected in the promotion of tumor cell growth and their resistance to chemotherapy drugs. Therefore, inhibition of the Nrf2 pathway may reverse drug resistance. In this review, we describe the functions of Nrf2 in drug resistance based on Nrf2-associated signaling pathways determined in previous studies.

Conclusions
Further studies on the relevant mechanisms of Nrf2 may help improve the outcomes of ovarian cancer therapy.
Needs assessment of community health workers to enhance efficient delivery of their services for community case management of malaria in Kenya
Authors: Boakye Michelle D. S. , Owek Collins J. , Oluoch Elizabeth , Atakora Sefa Bonsu , Wachira Juddy , Afrane Yaw A. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
Malaria continues to be the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Africa. Community Case Management of malaria (CCMm) which is undertaken by engaging Community Health Workers (CHWs) to effectively address management of malaria cases in some endemic communities was explored in this study. The aim was to assess the needs of CHWs that would help sustain and retain their services to enhance the efficient delivery of CCMm.

Methods
Using semi-structured questionnaires, data on the needs of CHWs was gathered through a qualitative study consisting of in-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) conducted among study participants in five districts in western Kenya. The study participants comprised of 100 CHWs, 100 mothers of children under five years and 25 key informants made up of public health officers and clinicians involved in the CCMm. The interviews were conducted in English and Swahili or Dholuo, the local language. The recorded audio interviews were transcribed later. The analysis was done using NVivo version 7 software and transcripts were coded after which themes related to the objectives of the study were identified.

Results
All the study participants recognized the need to train and update CHWs on their work as well as remunerating them for their services to enhance efficient delivery of services. The CHWs on their part perceived the provision of gloves, rapid diagnostic test kits (RDTs), lancets, cotton wool and ethanol, bins (to dispose of RDTs and lancets), together with drugs for treating clients as the essential needs to undertake CCMm in the communities. Other logistical needs and incentives mentioned by CHWs and key informants for the successful delivery of CCMm included: gumboots, raincoats, torch lights, mobile phones, means of transportation (bicycles and motorbikes), uniforms and ID cards for identification.

Conclusions
CHWs would perform tasks better and their services retained for a sustainable CCMm if: properly incentivized; offered refresher trainings (and updates) on malaria; and equipped with the requisite tools identified in this study.
Implementation science research for the scale-up of evidence-based interventions for sickle cell disease in africa: a commentary
Authors: Gyamfi Joyce , Ojo Temitope , Iwelunmor Juliet , Ogedegbe Gbenga , Ryan Nessa , Diawara Amy , Nnodu Obiageli , Wonkam Ambroise , Royal Charmaine , Peprah Emmanuel 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe burden of sickle cell disease (SCD) is greatest among African nations. Effective scalability of evidence-based interventions (e.g., newborn screening, health education, prophylaxis for infection, optimal nutrition and hydration, hydroxyurea therapy, blood transfusions, and transcranial Doppler (TCD) screening) is urgently needed particularly in these settings for disease management. However, Africa is constrained by limited resources and the lack of capacity to conduct implementation science research for proper understanding of context, and assessment of barriers and facilitators to the uptake and scalability of evidence-based interventions (EBI) for SCD management.Main BodyWe outline implementation science approaches to embed EBI for SCD within the African context and highlight key implementation research programs for SCD management. Building implementation research capacity will meet the major need of developing effective life-long and accessible locally-tailored interventions for patients with SCD in Africa.ConclusionThis commentary communicates the importance of the application of implementation science methodology to scale-up evidence-based interventions for the management of SCD in order to reduce pain, prevent other morbidities and premature death experienced by people with SCD in Africa, and improve their overall quality of life.