bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The value of small airway function parameters and fractional exhaled nitric oxide for predicting positive methacholine challenge test in asthmatics of different ages with FEV1 ≥ 80% predicted
Authors: Hou Lili , Hao Huijuan , Huang Gang , Liu Jinkai , Yu Li , Zhu Lei , Shen Huahao , Zhang Min 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundSmall airway function parameters (SAFPs) combined with fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) can predict a positive methacholine challenge test (MCT) for asthma diagnosis. However, their predictive utility in patients with forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) ≥80% predicted within different age ranges remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the utility of SAFPs, alone or combined with FeNO, to predict a positive MCT in patients in two age groups (<55 and ≥55 years) with asthma‐suggestive symptoms and FEV1 ≥80% predicted.MethodsWe enrolled 846 Chinese patients with suspected asthma and standard spirometry, FeNO, and MCT findings. Using the area under the curves (AUCs), the utility of SAFPs, alone or combined with FeNO, for predicting a positive MCT was analyzed in a discovery (n = 534) and validation cohort (n = 312) in both age groups with FEV1 ≥80% predicted.ResultsIn the discovery cohort, the optimal cut‐off values for predicting a positive MCT in patients aged <55 years (74.2% and 74.9% for forced expiratory flow (FEF)50% and FEF25%–75%, respectively) were higher than those in patients aged ≥55 years (65.0% and 62.9% for FEF50%, FEF25%–75%, respectively). However, the optimal FeNO value in patients aged <55 years (43 ppb) was lower than that in patients aged ≥55 years (48 ppb). FeNO combined with SAFPs (FEF50%, FEF25%–75%) significantly increased the AUCs in both groups (≥55 years [0.851 for FEF50% and 0.844 for FEF25%–75%]; <55 years [0.865 for FEF50% and 0.883 for FEF25%–75%]) compared with a single parameter (p < 0.05). These findings were confirmed in the validation cohort. Compared with patients ≥55 years, those aged <55 years had higher and lower optimal cut‐off values for SAFPs and FeNO, respectively. The AUCs of FeNO combined with SAFPs for predicting a positive MCT for asthma diagnosis were significantly higher than those of the individual parameters (p < 0.05) in both age groups.ConclusionsThere were age‐group differences in the utility of SAFPs combined with FeNO for predicting a positive MCT. Patients with an asthma‐suggestive history and a normal FEV1 should be stratified by age when using SAFPs combined with FeNO to predict a positive MCT.
Interface‐ and Surface‐Engineered PdO−RuO2 Hetero‐Nanostructures with High Activity for Hydrogen Evolution/Oxidation Reactions
Authors: Samanta Rajib , Mishra Ranjit , Barman Sudip 
Published: March 2021

AbstractActive catalysts for HER/HOR are crucial to develop hydrogen‐based renewable technologies. The interface of hetero‐nanostructures can integrate different components into a single synergistic hybrid with high activity. Here, the synthesis of PdO−RuO2−C with abundant interfaces/defects was achieved for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR). It exhibited a current density of 10 mA cm−2 at 44 mV with a Tafel slope of 34 mV dec−1 in 1 m KOH. The HER mass activity was 3 times higher in base and comparable to Pt/C in acid. The stability test confirmed high HER stability. The catalyst also exhibited excellent HOR activity in both media; in alkaline HOR it outperformed Pt/C. The exchange current density i0,m of PdO−RuO2/C was 522 mA mg−1 in base, which is 58 and 3.4 times higher than those of Pd/C and Pt/C. The HOR activity of PdO−RuO2/C was 22 and 300 times higher than those of PdO/C in acid and base. Improvement of HER/HOR kinetics in different alkaline electrolytes was observed in the order K+<Na+<Li+, and increase of HER as well decrease of HOR kinetics was observed with increasing Li+ concentration. It was proposed that OHad‐M+‐(H2O)x in the double‐layer region could influence HER/HOR activity in base. Based on the hard and soft acid and base (HSAB) theory, the OHads‐M+‐(H2O)x could help to remove more OHads into the bulk, leading to increase in HER/HOR activity in alkaline electrolyte (K+<Na+<Li+) and increasing the HER with increasing Li+ concentration. The decrease of HOR activity of PdO−RuO2/C with increasing M+ was due to M+‐induced OHads destabilization through the bifunctional mechanism. The high HER/HOR activity of PdO−RuO2/C could be attributed, among other factors, to interface engineering and strong synergistic interaction. This work provides an opportunity to design oxide‐based catalysts for renewable energy technologies.
AMD1 upregulates hepatocellular carcinoma cells stemness by FTO mediated mRNA demethylation
Authors: Bian Xinyu , Shi Dongmin , Xing Kailin , Zhou Hongxin , Lu Lili , Yu Dahai , Wu Weizhong 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundS‐adenosylmethionine decarboxylase proenzyme (AMD1) is a key enzyme involved in the synthesis of spermine (SPM) and spermidine (SPD), which are associated with multifarious cellular processes. It is also found to be an oncogene in multiple cancers and a potential target for tumor therapy. Nevertheless, the role AMD1 plays in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still unknown.MethodsHCC samples were applied to detect AMD1 expression and evaluate its associations with clinicopathological features and prognosis. Subcutaneous and orthotopic tumor mouse models were constructed to analyze the proliferation and metastasis of HCC cells after AMD1 knockdown or overexpression. Drug sensitive and tumor sphere assay were performed to investigate the effect of AMD1 on HCC cells stemness. Real‐time quantitative PCR (qRT‐PCR), western blot, immunohistochemical (IHC) and m6A‐RNA immunoprecipitation (Me‐RIP) sequencing/qPCR were applied to explore the potential mechanisms of AMD1 in HCC. Furthermore, immunofluorescence, co‐IP (Co‐IP) assays, and mass spectrometric (MS) analyses were performed to verify the proteins interacting with AMD1.ResultsAMD1 was enriched in human HCC tissues and suggested a poor prognosis. High AMD1 level could promote SRY‐box transcription factor 2 (SOX2), Kruppel like factor 4 (KLF4), and NANOG expression of HCC cells through obesity–associated protein (FTO)‐mediated mRNA demethylation. Mechanistically, high AMD1 expression increased the levels of SPD in HCC cells, which could modify the scaffold protein, Ras GTPase‐activating‐like protein 1 (IQGAP1) and enhance the interaction between IQGAP1 and FTO. This interaction could enhance the phosphorylation and decrease the ubiquitination of FTO.ConclusionsAMD1 could stabilize the interaction of IQGAP1 with FTO, which then promotes FTO expression and increases HCC stemness. AMD1 shows prospects as a prognostic predictor and a therapeutic target for HCC.
Generation of no‐yellow‐pigment Xenopus tropicalis by slc2a7 gene knockout
Authors: Nakajima Keisuke , Shimamura Masaki , Furuno Nobuaki 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundAmphibians possess three kinds of dermal chromatophore: melanophores, iridophores, and xanthophores. Knockout Xenopus tropicalis that lack the pigmentation of melanophores and iridophores have been reported. The identification of the causal genes for xanthophore pigmentation or differentiation could lead to the creation of a see‐through frog without three chromatophores. The genes causing xanthophore differentiation mutants are slc2a11b and slc2a15b in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes).ResultsTo obtain a heritable line of X tropicalis mutants without yellow pigment, we generated slc2a7 and slc2a15a knockout animals because they have the greatest similarity to the O latipes slc2a11b and slc2a15b genes. The slc2a7 knockout frog had a bluish skin and there were no visible yellow pigments in stereo microscope and skin section observations. Furthermore, no pterinosomes, which are characteristic of xanthophores, were observed via transmission electron microscopy in the skin of knockout animals.ConclusionsWe report the successful generation of a heritable no‐yellow‐pigment X tropicalis mutant after knock out of the slc2a7 gene. This finding will enable the creation of a see‐through frog with no chromatophores.
Wildfire as a natural stressor and its effect on female phenotype and ornament development
Authors: Weiss Stacey L. , Brower Robert M. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractControlled low‐intensity fires are commonly used in ecosystem management for both habitat restoration and wildfire management. Animals in those ecosystems may respond to fire by shifting energy allocation away from reproduction and growth, and toward maintenance. Stress‐induced shifts in energy allocation may affect the expression of condition‐dependent sexual signals, which are sensitive to energetic and physiological trade‐offs mediated by glucocorticoids. Here, we examine the effect of fire on ornament expression, corticosterone, and other phenotypic traits in a population of striped plateau lizards, Sceloporus virgatus, affected by the Horseshoe 2 Fire in the Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona, USA. The condition‐dependent female ornament was significantly smaller the month following the fire than 2 years prior and was both smaller and less orange on the burned site relative to a nearby unburned site. These patterns are similar to those found in a previous experimental study examining the response of the ornament to corticosterone manipulations. Yet, in the current study, corticosterone levels were not different in lizards on the burned and unburned sites. Perhaps glucocorticoid levels already returned to baseline, or do not adequately track environmental change. Females tended to be smaller and lighter on the burned site than the unburned site; however, the year after the fire, body condition was higher for females on the burned site, indicating a rapid recovery and potential long‐term benefits in response to low‐intensity fires in this fire‐adapted ecosystem. We found that the lizards adjusted energy allocation away from sexual signaling and growth in response to low‐intensity fires. As fires and fire management are likely to increase in response to changing fire regimes across the globe, it will be important to consider behavioral and physiological responses of impacted species, as well as population‐, community‐, and ecosystem‐level responses.
Multiple‐trophic patterns of primary succession following retreat of a high‐elevation glacier
Authors: Hu Weiming , Schmidt Steven K. , Sommers Pacifica , Darcy John L. , Porazinska Dorota L. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractHow multiple, interacting components of complex soil communities assemble within forefields of receding glaciers is still largely unknown, especially at high‐elevation sites (>5000 m a.s.l.) where plant succession is very slow. To examine succession of soil communities across different trophic levels, we investigated four major soil groups: bacteria, fungi, nematodes, and other non‐fungal non‐nematode microbial eukaryotes at the Puca Glacier in the Peruvian Andes spanning 9‐, 24‐, and 89‐year‐old deglaciated soils. This is the first study of microbial communities, other than bacteria, at a high‐elevation chronosequence in the Andes Mountains. In addition, we characterized soil biogeochemical properties (e.g., C, N, moisture, and pH) and rates of microbial enzyme activities associated with C, N, and P acquisition. We found significantly correlated increases in estimated richness and high species turnover in all soil groups along the chronosequence. These shifts in soil communities were significantly correlated with microbial enzyme activities and measures of C, N, moisture, and pH. Stoichiometric comparisons of enzyme activities showed phosphorus (P) and carbon (C) limitation of microbial activity across the entire chronosequence with no hint of nitrogen (N) limitation. Taken together, the observed shifts in soil communities and biogeochemistry indicate coordinated increases in trophic complexity and ecosystem functioning during the initial 90 yr of microbial succession along the post‐glacial chronosequence of the Puca Glacier.
True blue: Temporal and spatial stability of pelagic wildlife at a submarine canyon
Authors: Forrest J. A. H. , Bouchet P. J. , Barley S. C. , McLennan A. G. , Meeuwig J. J. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn coastal systems, marine‐protected areas (MPAs) have been shown to increase the diversity, abundance, and biomass of wildlife assemblages as well as their resilience to climate change. The effectiveness of pelagic MPAs is less clear, with arguments against their establishment typically based on the highly mobile nature of pelagic taxa. We used mid‐water stereo‐baited remote underwater video systems (stereo‐BRUVS) and spatial predictive models to characterize the pelagic wildlife assemblage at the head of the Perth Canyon, one of the largest submarine canyons in Australia, over a 7‐yr period (2013–2019). The total number of unique taxa and mean values of taxonomic richness, abundance, fork length, and biomass demonstrated strong interannual stability, although mean taxonomic richness and abundance were significantly lower in 2018 relative to other years. Seasonal variability was absent in 2016, but in 2018, taxonomic richness and abundance were three times greater in the Austral spring than in the autumn. Some mobile megafauna were only recorded at the Perth Canyon Marine Park (PCMP) in the autumn, suggesting a seasonal component to their occurrence. The fine‐scale distribution of pelagic taxa at the canyon head was largely stable over time, with many areas of higher relative probability of presence located outside protected zones. Despite a degree of variability that may relate to the effect of the El Niño Southern Oscillation on the Leeuwin Current, the PCMP assemblage demonstrates a relatively high degree of spatiotemporal stability. Stronger protection of the PCMP (IUCN II or higher) would potentially improve conservation outcomes for many species of pelagic wildlife.
Measuring savanna woody cover at scale to inform ecosystem restoration
Authors: Loewensteiner David A. , Bartolo Renee E. , Whiteside Timothy G. , Esparon Andrew J. , Humphrey Chris L. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe maturity of remote sensing and ecosystem restoration science provides new opportunities to monitor and assess ecosystem indicators at finer resolutions and at suitable scales. A key link in joining these fields is creating a framework to apply these rich datasets to ecosystem restoration projects. Savanna woodland ecosystems have discontinuous tree cover that is an important, but potentially highly variable, structural component of these ecosystems. Woody cover in savannas is also well suited to being measured with remote sensing techniques. We extracted woody cover from a 66‐yr time series of aerial imagery covering 1718 ha of mesic savanna ecosystem in northern Australia, adjacent to the Ranger uranium mine and encompassing portions of Kakadu National Park. This ecosystem is proposed as a reference ecosystem that may be used to comparatively assess and monitor restoration trajectories of the mine site in the coming decades. The spatiotemporal patterns of change in woody cover were assessed at spatial extents similar to the mine site. We were able to construct a robust distribution of canopy cover values and associated spatial heterogeneity that can be used to set closure criteria, inform restoration trajectories, and guide monitoring activities for the restored mine site.
Geophysical templates modulate the structure of stream food webs dominated by omnivory
Authors: Zatkos Lauren , Arismendi Ivan , Johnson Sherri L. , Penaluna Brooke E. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractFood webs show the architecture of trophic relationships, revealing the biodiversity and species interactions in an ecosystem. Understanding which factors modulate the structure of food webs offers us the ability to predict how they will change when influential factors are altered. To date, most of the research about food webs has focused on species interactions whereas the influences of surrounding environments have been overlooked. Here, using network analysis, we identified how the structure of aquatic food webs varied across a range of geophysical conditions within a whole stream system. Within a headwater basin in the Cascade Mountain Range, Oregon, USA, macroinvertebrate and vertebrate composition was investigated at 18 sites. Predator–prey interactions were compiled based on existing literature and dietary analysis. Several structural network metrics were calculated for each food web. We show that the structure of food webs was predictable based on geophysical features at both local (i.e., slope) and broader (i.e., basin size) spatial extents. Increased omnivory, greater connectance, shorter path lengths, and ultimately greater complexity and resilience existed downstream compared to upstream in the stream network. Surprisingly, the variation in food web structure was not associated with geographic proximity. Structural metric values and abundance of omnivory suggest high levels of stability for these food webs. There is a predictable variation in the structure of food webs across the network that is influenced by both longitudinal position within streams and patchy discontinuities in habitat. Hence, findings illustrate that the slightly differing perspectives from the River Continuum Concept, Discontinuity Patch Dynamics, and Process Domains can be integrated and unified using food web networks. Our analyses extend ecologists’ understanding of the stability of food webs and are a vital step toward predicting how webs and communities may respond to both natural disturbances and current global environmental change.
Dinuclear Nickel(II) and Copper(II) Complexes of 8‐Quinoline‐1H‐pyrazole‐3‐carboxamide: Crystal Structure, Magnetic Properties, and DFT Calculations
Authors: Mohammadnezhad Gholamhossein , Ahfad Neda , Meghdadi Soraya , Farrokhpour Hossein , Schmitz Simon , Haseloer Alexander , Buchholz Axel , Plass Winfried , Klein Axel 
Published: March 2021

AbstractHomoleptic dinuclear complexes [M2(qpyzc)2] (M=Cu (1) or Ni (2) were obtained from the readily synthesised trischelate pyrazole‐based qpyzc ligand (H2qpyzc=8‐quinoline‐1H‐pyrazole‐3‐carboxamide). Their crystal and molecular structures, magnetic properties, and UV‐vis spectra were reported alongside with DFT and TD‐DFT calculations. Trigonality index τ’4 values of 0.25 and 0.21 for the Cu and Ni centres, respectively reveal a marked distortion from square planar geometry. The two metal coordination planes within a complex are tilted towards each other with 40.2(1)° for Cu(II) and 34.5(2)° for Ni(II). The central six‐membered M2N4 metallocycle is almost planar and the two anionic pyrazolate rings are tilted towards each other by 37.4(1)° (1) and 38.5(2)° (2), respectively. Regardless of this peculiar bonding situation magnetic measurements on 1 are in line with medium‐sized antiferromagnetic coupling with a coupling constant of J=−100 cm−1, an isotropic g value of 2.11 and an S=0 ground state. Complex 2 seems to be diamagnetic. DFT calculations gave an excellent agreement between calculated and experimental metrics of the complexes and supported the prevalence of the singlet ground state for 1. TD‐DFT calculated UV‐vis absorption spectra agree well with observed absorptions and the red colour of both compounds.
Making Sense of Life-History Effects of the Antidepressant Citalopram in the Copepod Nitocra spinipes Using a Bioenergetics Model
Authors: Koch Josef , De Schamphelaere Karel A.C. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The global consumption of human antidepressants has steadily increased over the last years. The most widely prescribed antidepressants are the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which have been linked to various life-history effects in nontarget organisms. We investigated the effects of the SSRI citalopram hydrobromide on the life history of the copepod Nitocra spinipes. Slight but significant developmental delay effects were observed at nominal concentrations of 0.1 and 1 µg/L, with stronger effects occurring at measured concentrations of 178 µg/L and above. At 77 µg/L and above, a significant increase in adult body length and offspring production/brood was found, although the time between brood releases remained unaffected. The pre-adult surviving fraction was significantly reduced (by 44%) at 765 µg/L. For a mechanistic evaluation of these observations, we used a bioenergetics model for N. spinipes based on the dynamic energy budget theory. Toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic submodels were used to dynamically simulate the chemical uptake and elimination, as well as dose–response relationships for hypothetical physiological modes of action and survival over time. Although none of the commonly invoked physiological modes of action, acting on assimilation, maintenance, growth, or offspring production, could explain the observed combination of effects, a newly proposed physiological mode of action acting on the process of maturation delivered correct predictions in terms of each effect's direction. The model fits could be further improved by allowing for a gentler concentration–effect slope and by adding an auxiliary physiological mode of action acting on the reproduction efficiency. The quantitative explanations provided in the present study offer a starting point for exploratory simulation studies investigating the effects of SSRIs at higher ecological levels. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:1926–1937. © 2021 SETAC
Compositional profile of barley landlines grown in different regions of Gilgit‐Baltistan
Authors: Hussain Abid , Ali Sartaj , Hussain Azhar , Hussain Zubair , Manzoor Muhammad Faisal , Hussain Abid , Ali Amjad , Mahmood Talat , Abbasi Kashif Sarfraz , Karrar Emad , Hussain Maqsood ,   Tajudin 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe current investigation was performed to explore the nutritional and functional composition of four landlines of barley denoted as LB1 (Gilgit), LB2 (Nagar), LB3 (Skardu), and LB4 (Shigar) from different regions of Gilgit‐Baltistan. The samples were examined for nutritional profile and antioxidant attributes. Total phenolic values and total flavonoid results were in the range of 1.2 to 3.1 mg/g and 0.41 to 0.55 mg/g, respectively. Nutritional profile as crude starch, fiber, protein, ash, and fat ranged from 56.3%–50.80%, 16.50%–11.73%, 16.20%–11.53%, 2.8%–2.1%, and 2.63%–1.63%, respectively. The mineral composition in terms of Mg (527–616 mg/kg) was higher in the landlines followed by Ca (312–368 mg/kg), Na (122.6–146.6 mg/kg), Fe (43.3–65.6 mg/kg), and Zn (22.5–26.6 mg/kg). It was concluded that the indigenous barley landlines had immense nutritional potential and functional attributes. Thus, it can be used for value‐added food products and the development of cottage industry in the region.