bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Docking‐based generation of antibodies mimicking Cry1A/1B protein binding sites as potential insecticidal agents against diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella)
Authors: Xie Yajing , Xu Chongxin , Gao Meijing , Zhang Xiao , Lu Lina , Hu Xiaodan , Chen Wei , Jurat‐Fuentes Juan L , Zhu Qing , Liu Yuan , Lin Manman , Zhong Jianfeng , Liu Xianjin 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDBroad use of insecticidal Cry proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis in biopesticides and transgenic crops has resulted in cases of practical field resistance, highlighting the need for novel approaches to insect control. Previously we described an anti‐Cry1Ab idiotypic‐antibody (B12‐scFv) displaying toxicity against rice leafroller (Cnaphalocrocis medinalis) larvae, supporting the potential of antibodies for pest control. The goal of the present study was to generate insecticidal antibodies against diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) larvae.RESULTSFour genetically engineered antibodies (GEAbs) were designed in silico from B12‐scFv using three‐dimensional (3D) structure and docking predictions to alkaline phosphatase (ALP) as a Cry1Ac receptor in P. xylostella. Among these GEAbs, the GEAb‐dVL antibody consisting of two light chains had overlapping binding sites with Cry1A and Cry1B proteins and displayed high binding affinity to P. xylostella midgut brush border membrane (BBM) proteins. Proteins in BBM identified by pull‐down assays as binding to GEAb‐dVL included an ABC transporter and V‐ATPase subunit A protein. Despite lacking the α‐helical structures in Cry1A that are responsible for pore formation, ingestion of GEAb‐dVL disrupted the P. xylostella larval midgut epithelium and resulted in toxicity. Apoptotic genes were activated in gut cells upon treatment with GEAb‐dVL.CONCLUSIONThis study describes the first insecticidal GEAb targeting P. xylostella by mimicking Cry proteins. Data support that GEAb‐dVL toxicity is associated to activation of intracellular cell death pathways, in contrast to pore‐formation associated toxicity of Cry proteins. This work provides a foundation for the design of novel insecticidal antibodies for insect control. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Potential ofFicus caricaextracts againstEuschistus heros: Toxicity of major active compounds and selectivity against beneficial insects
Authors: Britto Isabella O , Araújo Sabrina H C , Toledo Pedro F S , Lima Graziela D A , Salustiano Iorrana V , Alves Janaína R , Mantilla‐Afanador Javier G , Kohlhoff Markus , Oliveira Eugenio E , Leite João Paulo V 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDUsing plant‐based extracts and their constituents has been suggested as an alternative tool to replace or integrate with the synthetic compounds used to manage insect pests. Here, we evaluated the potential of extracts obtained fromFicus caricaLinn (Moraceae) branches and leaves against the Neotropical brown stink bug,Euschistus heros, one of the most prevalent insect pests in soybean fields. We further isolated and evaluated the toxicity of the extracts' major components againstE. heros. Additionally, by using computational docking analysis and toxicological approaches, we assessed the physiological basis for the selectivity of these extracts against beneficial insects such as pollinator bees (i.e.Apis melliferaand the Neotropical stingless beePartamona helleri), ladybeetles (Eriopis connexaandColeomegilla maculata), and lacewings (Chrysoperla externa).RESULTSOur results demonstrate that branch (LC50 = 5.9 [4.7–7.1] mg mL–1) and leaf (LC50 = 14.1 [12.5–15.4] mg mL–1) extracts exhibited similar toxicity againstE. heros. Our phytochemical analysis revealed psoralen and bergapten furanocoumarins as the major components of the extract. Based on our computational predictions, these molecules' differential abilities to physically interact with the acetylcholinesterases ofE. herosand beneficial insects play relevant roles in their selectivity actions. The estimated LC90values of branch (30.0 mg mL–1) and leaf (30.0 mg mL–1) extracts killed less than 12% of the beneficial insects.CONCLUSIONOverall, our findings revealed that furanocoumarin‐rich extracts obtained fromF. caricaextracts have the potential to be used as alternative tools in the integrated management of stink bug pests. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Capped polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids as novel active principles for weed control
Authors: Campos Javier , Verdeguer Mercedes , Baur Peter 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDEver since the beginning of agriculture, yields have been threatened by weeds. Chemical weed control is far more effective and economical than other methods. The frequent use of herbicides has led to environmental and human health concerns, resulting in the banning of several herbicides and challenges for the future of important active compounds such as glyphosate.RESULTSThe herbicidal activity of sustainable alternatives based on certain esters of fatty acids (FA), the action of which is unrelated to the free acid, on common weeds is assessed and reported. The 13 derivatives of FA showed better physicochemical properties than pelargonic acid‐based herbicides. All the reported compounds have phytotoxic activity, the highest efficacy being displayed by the methyl end‐capped polyethylene glycol (mPEG) ester of pelargonic acid having 6EO (ethylene oxide). This mPEG ester showed equal or better phytotoxicity than the pelargonic acid benchmark at reduced application rate and spray volume. The active compound is a liquid at ambient temperatures, has no bad smell and is not volatile, in contrast to pelargonic acid. Notably, this active compound can be the final product, can be sprayed without adjuvants and is relatively easy to co‐formulate.CONCLUSIONA new lead substance is presented that is a sustainable alternative to current contact herbicides. In particular, it has potential application on railways, in precision agriculture and as a harvest aid. Its good performance and technical properties suggest this mPEG ester group may also overcome the volatility‐related problems of other organic acids such as auxins. © 2021 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
RNAi‐mediated silencing of the autophagy‐related gene NlATG3 inhibits survival and fecundity of the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens
Authors: Ye Chenglong , Feng Yalin , Yu Feifei , Jiao Qiqi , Wu Jiangen , Ye Zihong , Zhang Pengjun , Sun Chuanxin , Pang Kun , Hao Peiying , Yu Xiaoping 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens, is a serious insect pest of rice. Autophagy and its related gene ATG3 play multiple roles in insects. However, information about the functions of ATG3 in BPH (NlATG3) is unavailable, and its potential as a target for pest control remains unclear.RESULTSRT‐qPCR results showed a relatively low expression of NlATG3 in 1st–4th‐instar nymphs, which increased through 9‐day‐old adults. The expression of NlATG3 increased continuously in 1‐day‐old through 5‐day‐old eggs, whereas it decreased thereafter. The mRNA level of NlATG3 was markedly higher in the ovary (1.16) and head (1.00) compared to the rest body parts of BPH adults. Injecting nymphs with dsNlATG3 at doses from 62.5 to 250 ng per insect had strong lethal effect upon them. For the 5th‐instar nymphs, all individuals died within 5 days after receiving the dsNlATG3, and importantly, no individual successfully molted. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the new cuticle of nymphs injected with dsNlATG3 became loose and curved, which is clearly different from that of the control. Correspondingly, the obvious vesicles in epidermal cells disappeared after dsNlATG3‐treatment. RNAi of NlATG3 significantly reduced the total number of eggs laid per female as well as the eggs' hatchability, especially in the dsNlATG3♀ × dsGFP♂ group, whose total number of eggs laid per female largely decreased by 80.4%, and whose eggs' hatchability was significantly reduced from 95.7% to zero, when compared with the control (dsGFP♀ × dsGFP♂).CONCLUSIONNlATG3 is a promising target for developing RNAi‐based insect management strategies. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Use of a modified Burow's solution to treat canine otitis externa: A randomised comparative clinical study
Authors: Sadeghi Sam , Kamrani Alireza , Kuc Urszula , Polissar Nayak , Selukar Subodh , Sadeghi Sina 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundGiven the increase in antimicrobial drug resistance of several pathogens that affect the ear, there is a need for alternative therapy for canine otitis externa (OE). We hypothesised that the efficacy of modified Burow's solution would be non‐inferior to that of standard treatment with Surolan.MethodsThe treatment success rate of a topical aluminum acetate 2% and betamethasone 0.1% (modified Burow's) otic solution was compared with that of a standard topical otic treatment of polymyxin B sulfate, prednisolone acetate and miconazole (Surolan) suspension in a prospective, open‐label clinical trial. For 10 days, 142 dogs (232 ears) with OE were treated with modified Burow's solution or Surolan. The primary study endpoint was the cure rate at 10 days. Clinical efficacy was analysed as a secondary endpoint but without assessment for non‐inferiority.ResultsThe 10‐day OE cure rate was 65% and 59% in the Burow's and Surolan groups, respectively. The modified Burow's solution was non‐inferior to Surolan at a non‐inferiority margin of –11.5% and was more clinically effective than Surolan in dogs with OE caused by yeast or bacteria.ConclusionThe results of this study demonstrate that modified Burow's solution is an effective treatment for OE in dogs.
Geometry on the variety of subspaces with positive definite form: geometry of the Grassmann spaces over generalized hyperbolic spaces
Authors: Prażmowski K. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractWe consider Grassmann structures defined on the family consisting of subspaces on which a given nondegenerate bilinear form defined on a real vector space is positive definite. One may call such structures Grassmann spaces over generalized hyperbolic spaces. We show that the underlying (generalized) hyperbolic space can be recovered in terms of its Grassmannian, and the underlying projective space (equipped with respective associated polarity) can be recovered in terms of the generalized hyperbolic space defined over it.
Testing for overall and cluster convergence of housing rents using robust methodology: evidence from Polish provincial capitals
Authors: Tomal Mateusz 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to test for overall and cluster convergence of housing rents across Polish provincial capitals and to identify drivers of convergence club formation. In order to achieve the goal of the study, several novel convergence tests were used, including the Kong et al. (J Econom 209:185–207, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeconom.2018.12.022) and Phillips and Sul (Econometrica 75:1771–1855, 2007. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0262.2007.00811.x) approaches. Moreover, club convergence analysis was carried out in four different configurations, varying in the technique of trend component extraction from the data. In particular, three well-known methods of time series decomposition were used, i.e. the Hodrick–Prescott, Butterworth and Christiano–Fitzgerald filters, as well as the most recent boosted Hodrick–Prescott filter. The results indicated that rental prices across the studied cities do not share a common path in the long run. It is possible, however, to identify convergence clubs where rents are moving towards a club-specific steady state. Detailed analysis of the structure of estimated clusters showed that data filtering using the boosted Hodrick–Prescott method leads to the most reliable allocation of cities to convergence clubs. Moreover, the estimation of logit models revealed that the likelihood of any two cities belonging to the same convergence club depends mainly on similar levels in terms of the unemployment rate, housing stock, city area, and the number of students. Finally, recommendations for local and national policy-makers concerning the development of the rental market have been formulated, particularly in the areas of urban land-use planning policy, housing legislation and public–private partnerships.
Contribution to the ongoing discussion on fluoride toxicity
Authors: Guth Sabine , Hüser Stephanie , Roth Angelika , Degen Gisela , Diel Patrick , Edlund Karolina , Eisenbrand Gerhard , Engel Karl-Heinz , Epe Bernd , Grune Tilman , Heinz Volker , Henle Thomas , Humpf Hans-Ulrich , Jäger Henry , Joost Hans-Georg , Kulling Sabine E. , Lampen Alfonso , Mally Angela , Marchan Rosemarie , Marko Doris , Mühle Eva , Nitsche Michael A. , Röhrdanz Elke , Stadler Richard , van Thriel Christoph , Vieths Stefan , Vogel Rudi F. , Wascher Edmund , Watzl Carsten , Nöthlings Ute , Hengstler Jan G. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractSince the addition of fluoride to drinking water in the 1940s, there have been frequent and sometimes heated discussions regarding its benefits and risks. In a recently published review, we addressed the question if current exposure levels in Europe represent a risk to human health. This review was discussed in an editorial asking why we did not calculate benchmark doses (BMD) of fluoride neurotoxicity for humans. Here, we address the question, why it is problematic to calculate BMDs based on the currently available data. Briefly, the conclusions of the available studies are not homogeneous, reporting negative as well as positive results; moreover, the positive studies lack control of confounding factors such as the influence of well-known neurotoxicants. We also discuss the limitations of several further epidemiological studies that did not meet the inclusion criteria of our review. Finally, it is important to not only focus on epidemiological studies. Rather, risk analysis should consider all available data, including epidemiological, animal, as well as in vitro studies. Despite remaining uncertainties, the totality of evidence does not support the notion that fluoride should be considered a human developmental neurotoxicant at current exposure levels in European countries.
Topological Singular Set of Vector-Valued Maps, II: $$\varGamma $$-convergence for Ginzburg–Landau type functionals
Authors: Canevari Giacomo , Orlandi Giandomenico 
Published: June 2021

AbstractWe prove a $$\varGamma $$Γ-convergence result for a class of Ginzburg–Landau type functionals with $${\mathscr {N}}$$N-well potentials, where $${\mathscr {N}}$$Nis a closed and$$(k-2)$$(k-2)-connected submanifold of $${\mathbb {R}}^m$$Rm, in arbitrary dimension. This class includes, for instance, the Landau-de Gennes free energy for nematic liquid crystals. The energy density of minimisers, subject to Dirichlet boundary conditions, converges to a generalised surface (more precisely, a flat chain with coefficients in $$\pi _{k-1}({\mathscr {N}})$$πk-1(N)) which solves the Plateau problem in codimension k. The analysis relies crucially on the set of topological singularities, that is, the operator $${\mathbf {S}}$$Swe introduced in the companion paper [17].
Management of Obscurely Dilated Common Bile Duct with Normal Liver Function Tests: A Pragmatic Approach
Authors: Saluja Sundeep Singh , Varshney Vaibhav Kumar , Bhat Vidya Sharada , Nekarakanti Phani Kumar , Arora Asit , Sachdeva Sanjeev , Mishra Pramod Kumar 
Published: June 2021

AbstractObjectiveDilated common bile duct (CBD) (8–15 mm) with normal liver function tests is seen not infrequently, while management of such patients is ambiguous. We propose a treatment algorithm for this cohort of patients after observing them over a period of 8 years.MethodsSeventy‐eight such patients were managed from 2009 to 2017 and categorized as: Group A—dilated CBD with post‐cholecystectomy status (n = 15); B—dilated CBD with cholelithiasis (n = 34); C—dilated CBD without cholelithiasis (n = 16); D—dilated CBD with no cause identified and underwent CBD excision (n = 13). Causes for CBD dilatation were evaluated. The outcome of patients in Group B + C without any cause (n = 33) was compared with Group D.ResultMedian age, CBD diameter, bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase were 51 years (13–79), 10 mm (8–20), 0.6 mg/dl (0.2–2.5) and 126 IU (60–214), respectively. Group‐A patients who did not manifest any cause of CBD dilatation were managed conservatively. The aetiology was identified in 17/50 patients in Group B & C [acute pancreatitis (n = 6), passed CBD calculi (n = 3), perivaterian diverticulum (n = 3), viral aetiology (n = 4) and tumour (n‐1)]. In Group‐C, 7 patients with no obvious cause underwent endoscopic sphincterotomy, pancreatoduodenectomy (n = 1), and the rest were managed conservatively (n = 8). There was no significant difference in the complication between Group B + C (without any cause) and Group D (3/33 vs. 1/13; p = 0.58) at a median follow‐up of 72 months (30–90).ConclusionDilated CBD with normal LFT's without apparent cause is mostly benign and of no consequence. Excision of the CBD is not required for most of these patients.
Reversible protein aggregation as cytoprotective mechanism against heat stress
Authors: Gallardo Paola , Salas-Pino Silvia , Daga Rafael R. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractTemperature fluctuation is one of the most frequent threats to which organisms are exposed in nature. The activation of gene expression programs that trigger the transcription of heat stress-protective genes is the main cellular response to resist high temperatures. In addition, reversible accumulation and compartmentalization of thermosensitive proteins in high-order molecular assemblies are emerging as critical mechanisms to ensure cellular protection upon heat stress. Here, we summarize representative examples of membrane-less intracellular bodies formed upon heat stress in yeasts and human cells and highlight how protein aggregation can be turned into a cytoprotective mechanism.
Hypertension and dyslipidemia are risk factors for herpes zoster in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a retrospective analysis using a medical information database
Authors: Tanaka Keiko , Kimura Eizen , Oryoji Kensuke , Mizuki Shin-ichi , Kobayashi Tomoko , Nishikawa Atsushi , Yoshinaga Eiko , Miyake Yoshihiro 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThis study used data from a large-scale multicenter medical information database in Japan to estimate the incidence rate of herpes zoster (HZ) and to examine the relationship between hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus (DM), and the risk of HZ among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The research dataset consisted of 221,196 records of potential target patients with RA extracted between April 1, 2008 and August 31, 2017 from the Medical Data Vision database. To assess the association between hypertension, dyslipidemia, and DM and the risk of HZ, a case–control study was set up. Records of 101,498 study subjects met the inclusion criteria. During the observation period, 2566 patients developed HZ and the overall incidence rate was 5.2 (95% confidence interval: 5.0–5.4 per 1000 patient-years). Hypertension, dyslipidemia, and DM were significantly associated with an increased risk of HZ after adjustment for sex, age, hospital size, and use of anti-rheumatic drugs. When mutual adjustment was made for hypertension, dyslipidemia, and DM, the positive associations between hypertension and dyslipidemia and the risk of HZ remained significant; however, the positive association with DM completely disappeared. RA patients with hypertension or dyslipidemia may be at higher risk of HZ.
COVID-19 pneumonia in a patient with granulomatosis with polyangiitis on rituximab: case-based review
Authors: Rodriguez-Pla Alicia , Vikram Holenarasipur R. , Khalid Vanood , Wesselius Lewis J. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractA 77-year-old man with past medical history of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) on rituximab and prednisone, presented to the hospital with worsening cough and shortness of breath. He had tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection by nasal swab polymerase chain reaction (PCR) while asymptomatic, 6 weeks earlier. He started with cough and shortness of breath 2 weeks after his initial positive test. After developing symptoms, he tested negative twice by nasal swab PCR, but the PCR of his bronchioloalveolar lavage was positive for SARS-CoV-2. He did not develop antibodies against coronavirus. Prednisone 15 mg daily was continued, and he received remdesivir, and convalescent plasma with quick recovery. We reviewed the literature to search for similar cases. Our case suggests that SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients on rituximab may have an atypical presentation and the diagnosis may be delayed due to negative PCR testing in the nasal swab. Patients may benefit from treatment with convalescent plasma.
Utilizing MIKC-type MADS-box protein SOC1 for yield potential enhancement in maize
Authors: Song Guo-qing , Han Xue , Ryner John T. , Thompson Addie , Wang Kan 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Key message
Overexpression of Zea mays SOC gene promotes flowering, reduces plant height, and leads to no reduction in grain production per plant, suggesting enhanced yield potential, at least, through increasing planting density.

Abstract
MIKC-type MADS-box gene SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CONSTANS 1 (SOC1) is an integrator conserved in the plant flowering pathway. In this study, the maize SOC1 (ZmSOC1) gene was cloned and overexpressed in transgenic maize Hi-II genotype. The T0 plants were backcrossed with nontransgenic inbred B73 to produce first generation backcross (BC1) seeds. Phenotyping of both transgenic and null segregant (NT) BC1 plants was conducted in three independent experiments. The BC1 transgenic plants showed new attributes such as increased vegetative growth, accelerated flowering time, reduced overall plant height, and increased grain weight. Second generation backcross (BC2) plants were evaluated in the field using two planting densities. Compared to BC2 NT plants, BC2 transgenic plants, were 12–18% shorter, flowered 5 days earlier, and showed no reduction in grain production per plant and an increase in fat, starch, and simple sugars in the grain. Transcriptome comparison in young leaves of 56-day-old BC1 plants revealed that the overexpressed ZmSOC1 resulted in 107 differentially expressed genes. The upregulated transcription factor DNA BINDING WITH ONE FINGER 5.4 (DOF5.4) was among the genes responsible for the reduced plant height. Modulating expression of SOC1 opens a new and effective approach to promote flowering and reduce plant height, which may have potential to enhance crop yield and improve grain quality.
A parallel dual marching cubes approach to quad only surface reconstruction
Authors: Grosso Roberto , Zint Daniel 
Published: June 2021

AbstractWe present a novel method that reconstructs surfaces from volume data using a dual marching cubes approach without lookup tables. The method generates quad only meshes which are consistent across cell borders, i.e., they are manifold and watertight. Vertices are positioned exactly on the reconstructed surface almost everywhere, leading to higher accuracy than other reconstruction methods. A halfedge data structure is used for storing the meshes which is convenient for further processing. The method processes elements in parallel and therefore runs efficiently on GPU. Due to the transition between layers in volume data, meshes have numerous vertices with valence three. We use simplification patterns for eliminating quads containing these vertices wherever possible which reduces the number of elements and increases quality. We briefly describe a CUDA implementation of our method, which allows processing huge amounts of data on GPU at almost interactive time rates. Finally, we present runtime and quality results of our method on medical and synthetic data sets.