bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Contrasting response of native and non‐native plants to disturbance and herbivory in mountain environments
Authors: Geppert Costanza , Boscutti Francesco , La Bella Greta , De Marchi Vittoria , Corcos Daria , Filippi Antonio , Marini Lorenzo 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAimClimate warming and increasing human disturbance are expected to promote non‐native plant invasions in mountain ecosystems. Although biological invasions are also expected to be modulated by biotic interactions, it is still not clear how invertebrate herbivores can affect plant invasion dynamics. Using a large manipulative experiment, we aimed at testing: (1) the effect of soil disturbance and elevation on native and non‐native plant communities, and (2) the effect of plant‐herbivore interactions, nitrogen deposition, and elevation in driving plant establishment after soil disturbance.LocationEuropean Alps, NE Italy.TaxonVascular plants.MethodsWe selected remote, uninvaded dry semi‐natural grasslands along the core elevational range of non‐native plants in the European Alps (c. 100–1300 m) and manipulated soil disturbance, nitrogen deposition, and invertebrate herbivory. Then, we followed the natural establishment under real field conditions of both native and non‐native plants over one growing season. We used generalized mixed‐effects models to test the effects of the experimental treatments.ResultsNative and non‐native species showed contrasting responses to soil disturbance and elevation. Low elevations and disturbance promoted non‐native success, while affecting native species diversity negatively. Two‐thirds of the experimental sites acquired novel non‐natives after disturbance. Most of the observed non‐natives were not present in the surrounding vegetation as mature plants, indicating that propagules were able to reach even remote natural areas. While current N deposition levels did not affect plant establishment, we found that after disturbance invertebrate herbivory might play an important role in facilitating non‐native invasions by reducing native cover.Main conclusionsOur findings show that highly resistant ecosystems such as continuous grasslands can be easily invaded once the resident vegetation has been removed, and that natural herbivory pressure from invertebrates might amplify the negative effects of disturbance on resident native species irrespective of elevation. Together, these results indicate increasing risks of future plant invasions on mountains under global change.
Effect of a subset of adipose‐derived stem cells isolated with liposome magnetic beads to promote cartilage repair
Authors: Xie Aiguo , Peng Yinbo , Yao Zuochao , Lu Lin , Ni Tao 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate the ability of CD146+ subset of ADSCs to repair cartilage defects. In this study, we prepared CD146+ liposome magnetic beads (CD146+LMB) to isolate CD146+ADSCs. The cells were induced for chondrogenic differentiation and verified by cartilage‐specific mRNA and protein expression. Then a mouse model of cartilage defect was constructed and treated by filling the induced cartilage cells into the damaged joint, to evaluate the function of such cells in the cartilage microenvironment. Our results demonstrated that the CD146+LMBs we prepared were uniform, small and highly stable, and cell experiments showed that the CD146+LMB has low cytotoxicity to the ADSCs. ADSCs isolated with CD146+LMB were all CD146+, CD105+, CD166+ and CD73+. After chondrogenic induction, the cells showed significantly increased expression of cartilage markers Sox9, collagen Ⅱ and aggrecan at protein level and significantly increased Sox9, collagen Ⅱ and aggrecan at mRNA level, and the protein expression and mRNA expression of CD146+ADSCs group were higher than those of ADSCs group. The CD146+ADSCs group showed superior tissue repair ability than the ADSCs group and blank control group in the animal experiment, as judged by gross observation, histological observation and histological scoring. The above results proved that CD146+LMB can successfully isolate the CD146+ADSCs, and after chondrogenic induction, these cells successfully promoted repair of articular cartilage defects, which may be a new direction of tissue engineering.
Joint engagement is a potential mechanism leading to increased initiations of joint attention and downstream effects on language: JASPER early intervention for children with ASD
Authors: Shih Wendy , Shire Stephanie , Chang Ya‐Chih , Kasari Connie 
Published: March 2021

BackgroundSocial communication interventions benefit children with ASD in early childhood. However, the mechanisms behind such interventions have not been rigorously explored. This study examines the mechanism underlying a naturalistic developmental behavioral intervention, JASPER (Joint Attention, Symbolic Play, Engagement, and Regulation), delivered by educators in the community. Specifically, the analyses focus on the mediating effect of joint engagement on children’s initiations of joint attention (IJA) skills and whether IJA postintervention are associated with later gains in children’s receptive and expressive language.MethodsOne hundred seventy‐nine children, age 2–5 years, were randomized to immediate JASPER treatment or waitlist (treatment as usual) control. Independent assessors blinded to time and treatment coded children’s time jointly engaged and IJA during a 10‐min teacher–child interaction at baseline, exit, and follow‐up. Age‐equivalent receptive and expressive language scores from the Mullen Scales of Early Learning were collected at baseline and follow‐up. Mediation analyses with linear mixed models were used to explore the potential mediating effect of joint engagement on IJA.ResultsJoint engagement significantly mediated 69% of the intervention effect on young children’s IJA and IJA predicted improvements in standardized language scores.ConclusionsSmall but sustained changes in child‐initiated joint engagement improved IJA, a core challenge in children with ASD, which in turn led to improvements in language.
Enhanced production of seed oil with improved fatty acid composition by overexpressing NAD+‐dependent glycerol‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase in soybean
Authors: Zhao Ying , Cao Pan , Cui Yifan , Liu Dongxu , Li Jiapeng , Zhao Yabin , Yang Siqi , Zhang Bo , Zhou Runnan , Sun Minghao , Guo Xuetian , Yang Mingliang , Xin Dawei , Zhang Zhanguo , Li Xin , Lv Chen , Liu Chunyan , Qi Zhaoming , Xu Jingyu , Wu Xiaoxia , Chen Qingshan 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThere is growing interest in expanding the production of soybean oils (mainly triacylglycerol, or TAG) to meet rising feed demand and address global energy concerns. We report that a plastid‐localized glycerol‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH), encoded by GmGPDHp1 gene, catalyzes the formation of glycerol‐3‐phosphate (G3P), an obligate substrate required for TAG biosynthesis. Overexpression of GmGPDHp1 increases soybean seed oil content with high levels of unsaturated fatty acids (FAs), especially oleic acid (C18:1), without detectably affecting growth or seed protein content or seed weight. Based on the lipidomic analyses, we found that the increase in G3P content led to an elevated diacylglycerol (DAG) pool, in which the Kennedy pathway‐derived DAG was mostly increased, followed by PC‐derived DAG, thereby promoting the synthesis of TAG containing relatively high proportion of C18:1. The increased G3P levels induced several transcriptional alterations of genes involved in the glycerolipid pathways. In particular, genes encoding the enzymes responsible for de novo glycerolipid synthesis were largely upregulated in the transgenic lines, in‐line with the identified biochemical phenotype. These results reveal a key role for GmGPDHp1‐mediated G3P metabolism in enhancing TAG synthesis and demonstrate a strategy to modify the FA compositions of soybean oils for improved nutrition and biofuel.
Diabetes insipidus secondary to sellar/parasellar lesions
Authors: Angelousi Anna , Mytareli Chrysoula , Xekouki Paraskevi , Kassi Eva , Barkas Konstantinos , Grossman Ashley , Kaltsas Gregory 
Published: March 2021

AbstractDiabetes insipidus (DI) is a well‐recognised transient or permanent complication following transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas or other sellar/parasellar lesions. However, data regarding the prevalence of pre‐operative DI in sellar/parasellar lesions other than pituitary adenomas are scarce. We systematically reviewed the existing data for defining the prevalence of DI before any treatment in adult patients with sellar/parasellar lesions, excluding pituitary adenomas and metastatic lesions. In total, 646 patients with sellar/parasellar lesions presenting with DI at diagnosis were identified. The most common pathologies of sellar/parasellar lesions presenting with DI at diagnosis were lymphocytic hypophysitis (26.5%), craniopharyngiomas (23.4%), Langerhans's cell histiocytosis (18.9%) and Rathke's cleft cyst (12.7%), accounting for the vast majority (more than 80%) of these lesions. Overall, DI at diagnosis was found in 23.4% of all patients with sellar/parasellar lesions, albeit with a wide range from 10.6% to 76.7%, depending on the nature of the pathology. The highest prevalence of DI was found in less commonly encountered lesions namely germ‐cell tumours (76.7%), abscesses (55.4%) and neurosarcoidosis (54.5%), each accounting for less than 3% of all sellar/parasellar lesions. Most DI cases (68.8%) were associated with anterior pituitary hormonal deficiencies, in contrast to pituitary adenomas that rarely present with DI. The enlargement and enhancement of the pituitary stalk were the most common findings on magnetic resonance imaging besides the loss of the high signal of the posterior pituitary on T1‐weighted images. Resolution of DI spontaneously or following systemic and surgical management occurred in 22.4% of cases. Post‐operative DI, not evident before surgery, was found in 27.8% of non‐adenomatous sellar/parasellar lesions, and was transient in 11.6% of them. Besides distinctive imaging features and symptoms, early recognition of DI in such lesions is important because it directs the diagnosis towards a non‐adenomatous sellar/parasellar tumour and the early initiation of appropriate treatment.
Growth hormone receptor in dopaminergic neurones regulates stress‐induced prolactin release in male mice
Authors: Wasinski Frederick , Chaves Fernanda M. , Pedroso João A. B. , Mansano Naira S. , Camporez João Paulo , Gusmão Daniela O. , List Edward O. , Kopchick John J. , Frazão Renata , Szawka Raphael E. , Donato Jose 
Published: March 2021

AbstractArcuate nucleus (ARH) dopaminergic neurones regulate several biological functions, including prolactin secretion and metabolism. These cells are responsive to growth hormone (GH), although it is still unknown whether GH action on ARH dopaminergic neurones is required to regulate different physiological aspects. Mice carrying specific deletion of GH receptor (GHR) in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)‐ or dopamine transporter (DAT)‐expressing cells were produced. We investigated possible changes in energy balance, glucose homeostasis, fertility, pup survival and restraint stress‐induced prolactin release. GHR deletion in DAT‐ or TH‐expressing cells did not cause changes in food intake, energy expenditure, ambulatory activity, nutrient oxidation, glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity and counter‐regulatory response to hypoglycaemia in male and female mice. In addition, GHR deletion in dopaminergic cells caused no gross effects on reproduction and pup survival. However, restraint stress‐induced prolactin release was significantly impaired in DAT‐ and TH‐specific GHR knockout male mice, as well as in pegvisomant‐treated wild‐type males, whereas an intact response was observed in females. Patch clamp recordings were performed in ARH DAT neurones and, in contrast to prolactin, GH did not cause acute changes in the electrical activity of DAT neurones. Furthermore, TH phosphorylation at Ser40 in ARH neurones and median eminence axonal terminals was not altered in DAT‐specific GHR knockout male mice during restraint stress. In conclusion, GH action in dopaminergic neurones is required for stress‐induced prolactin release in male mice, suggesting the existence of sex differences in the capacity of GHR signalling to affect prolactin secretion. The mechanism behind this regulation still needs to be identified.
Economic hardship and neighborhood diversity: Influences on consumer well‐being
Authors: Leong Chan‐Hoong , Tan Soo Jiuan , Minton Elizabeth A. , Tambyah Siok Kuan 
Published: March 2021

AbstractResidential neighborhoods shape consumers' well‐being in many profound ways. However, research has yet to adequately understand how consumers' perceived economic hardship interact with neighborhood's income and diversity to influence well‐being. We examine these effects in a diverse and densely populated Asian country of Singapore using four measures of well‐being: perceived quality of life, emotional well‐being, status consciousness, and consumer needs satisfaction. Results from a national sample of 1,445 respondents showed that consumers that were female rather than male, of immigrant origin rather than native born, representing an ethnic minority background, or had fewer economic challenges reported higher well‐being. The relation between economic hardship and consumer well‐being was moderated by neighborhood‐level socioeconomic status (SES) and diversity, such that more economic hardship predicted lower well‐being but only among residents in low SES or heterogeneous neighborhoods. Findings build on social comparison theory, and implications for consumer welfare and marketing practice are provided.
Illicium verum and Eucommia ulmoides leaf extracts promote nutrient availability and antioxidant capacity in piglets by upregulating duodenal and jejunal Nrf2/TNF‐α
Authors: Liao Wenshuang , Zhao Shanshan , Yang Zaibin , Yang Weiren , Huang Libo , Liu Faxiao , Liu Mei , Ge Jinshan , Wang Yuxi , Jiang Shuzhen 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe effect of Illicium verum extracts (IVE) or Eucommia ulmoides leaf extracts (ELE) on nutrient availability, duodenal and jejunal antioxidant ability of Duroc ×Landrace × Yorkshire (DLY) and Chinese native Licha‐black (LCB) piglets was investigated. Ninety‐six piglets (48 DLY and 48 LCB respectively) without significant difference in body weight (11.22 ± 0.32 kg) were used in a 2 × 4 factorial design. Animals were randomly allocated to four treatments, and each had four replicates with three DLY and three LCB piglets. Treatments were basal diet (CON) and basal diet with 500 mg/kg IVE, 250 mg/kg ELE and 50 mg/kg chlortetracycline (CHL) respectively. Animals were placed individually for 7‐days adaptation following 42‐days test. Results showed the significant interaction (p < 0.05) between dietary treatments and pig species in activity of total superoxide dismutase (T‐SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), content of malondialdehyde (MDA), and α‐tumour necrosis factor (TNF‐α), nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) and Nrf2/TNF‐α at mRNA and protein level in duodenum and jejunum of DLY and LCB piglets. The IVE and ELE increased (p < 0.05) activity of GSH‐Px and T‐SOD, and the Nrf2/TNF‐α at mRNA and protein level, however, the decreased (p < 0.05) MDA content, and TNF‐α at mRNA and protein level in duodenum and jejunum were observed. The CHL decreased (p < 0.05) activity of GSH‐Px and T‐SOD, TNF‐α and Nrf2 at mRNA and protein level in duodenum, but increased (p < 0.05) MDA content and Nrf2/TNF‐α in jejunum. DLY piglets had higher (p < 0.05) nutrient digestibility (organic matter, crude protein and gross energy), availability (biological value and net protein utilization), MDA content, and TNF‐α at mRNA and protein level in jejunum, and had lower (p < 0.05) activity of GSH‐Px and T‐SOD, and Nrf2 and Nrf2/TNF‐α at mRNA and protein level in duodenum and jejunum than LCB. In conclusion, the 500 mg/kg IVE and 250 mg/kg ELE improved the nutrient availability, and the improvement of antioxidant capacity is realized by activating the Nrf2/TNF‐α of duodenum and jejunum. The CHL had adverse effects on antioxidant ability of DLY and LCB piglets. The results showed that the nutrient digestion and absorption capacity of DLY were stronger than that of LCB piglets, but the antioxidant capacity was lower than that of LCB piglets. Therefore, the IVE and ELE are recommended as a new potential alternative to antibiotics in piglets’ diets.
Sleep‐related hypermotor epilepsy and non‐rapid eye movement parasomnias: Differences in the periodic and aperiodic component of the electroencephalographic power spectra
Authors: Pani Sara M. , Fraschini Matteo , Figorilli Michela , Tamburrino Ludovica , Ferri Raffaele , Puligheddu Monica 
Published: March 2021

SummaryOver the last two decades, our understanding of clinical and pathophysiological aspects of sleep‐related epileptic and non‐epileptic paroxysmal behaviours has improved considerably, although it is far from complete. Indeed, even if many core characteristics of sleep‐related hypermotor epilepsy and non‐rapid eye movement parasomnias have been clarified, some crucial points remain controversial, and the overlap of the behavioural patterns between these disorders represents a diagnostic challenge. In this work, we focused on segments of multichannel sleep electroencephalogram free from clinical episodes, from two groups of subjects affected by sleep‐related hypermotor epilepsy (N = 15) and non‐rapid eye movement parasomnias (N = 16), respectively. We examined sleep stages N2 and N3 of the first part of the night (cycles 1 and 2), and assessed the existence of differences in the periodic and aperiodic components of the electroencephalogram power spectra between the two groups, using the Fitting Oscillations & One Over f (FOOOF) toolbox. A significant difference in the gamma frequency band was found, with an increased relative power in sleep‐related hypermotor epilepsy subjects, during both N2 (p < .001) and N3 (p < .001), and a significant higher slope of the aperiodic component in non‐rapid eye movement parasomnias, compared with sleep‐related hypermotor epilepsy, during N3 (p = .012). We suggest that the relative power of the gamma band and the slope extracted from the aperiodic component of the electroencephalogram signal may be helpful to characterize differences between subjects affected by non‐rapid eye movement parasomnias and those affected by sleep‐related hypermotor epilepsy.
Functional diversity of the Australian flora: Strong links to species richness and climate
Authors: Andrew Samuel C. , Mokany Karel , Falster Daniel S. , Wenk Elizabeth , Wright Ian J. , Merow Cory , Adams Vanessa , Gallagher Rachael V. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractQuestionsThe taxonomic and functional composition of plant communities captures different dimensions of diversity. Functional diversity (FD) — as calculated from species traits — typically increases with species richness in communities and is expected to be higher in less extreme environments, where a broader range of functional strategies can persist. Further, woody and herbaceous plant families may contribute disproportionately to FD in different bioregions. To build an understanding of these questions using Australia as a case study, we aimed to quantify how FD varies: (a) with species richness, (b) with climate, and (c) between major plant families representing different growth forms.LocationAustralia.MethodsData on species distribution and functional traits for 14,003 species were combined and FD approximated using hypervolumes (i.e. multidimensional species assemblage trait niche) based on three traits key to understanding plant ecological strategies: leaf size, seed mass and adult height. Plant assemblage hypervolumes were calculated including all species with suitable habitat in each 10 × 10 km grid cell across Australia, and in each of 85 bioregions. Within bioregions FD was also calculated separately for a suite of largely woody and herbaceous plant families. Relationships between FD, species richness and climate were explored.ResultsAs predicted, FD was positively related to species richness and annual precipitation, and negatively related to summer maximum temperature, both in analyses of 10 km × 10 km grid cells and of bioregions (all p < 0.005). However, FD was lowest at intermediate winter minimum temperatures. Patterns identified in families representing different growth forms varied to those observed for all species analysed together.ConclusionsStrong links between FD and climate could mean significant shifts in the FD of ecosystems with climate change. Monitoring changes in FD and associated ecosystem functions requires a detailed understanding of FD, which we begin to develop in this study.
Efficacy and tolerability of metallic stent in patients with malignant prostatic obstruction secondary to prostatic cancer
Authors: Choi Se Young , Lim Bumjin , Chi Byung Hoon , Kim Jung Hoon , Lee Wonchul , Kyung Yoon Soo , You Dalsan , Song Ho‐Young , Kim Choung‐Soo 
Published: March 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a self‐expandable covered metallic stent in patients with malignant prostatic obstruction secondary to prostate cancer (PC).MethodsWe reviewed 22 cases of insertion of self‐expandable covered metallic stents with barbs. Data were collected about PC status. Uroflowmetry variables, residual urine volume, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QOL), and duration from stent insertion to removal were surveyed. These clinical parameters were compared before and after stent insertion.ResultsThe patients with PC showed a mean age of 75.5 ± 6.5 years and mean 5.1 ± 1.9 Charlson comorbidity index. The average flow rate (2.4 ± 1.9 vs 5.9 ± 2.4 mL/s, P = .005), peak flow rate (6.9 ± 6.2 vs 14.1 ± 5.5 mL/s, P = .003), flow time (54.6 ± 29.1 vs 23.6 ± 13.7 s, P = .002), residual urine volume (178.7 ± 195.5 vs 7.0 ± 7.1 mL, P = .004), IPSS (26.2 ± 8.1 vs 8.0 ± 6.5 points, P = .001), and QOL (4.7 ± 1.3 vs 2.4 ± 2.1 points, P = .030) improved between before and after stent insertion, respectively. Pain was the most common complication, but 60% of the patients were managed without any intervention. There were hematuria, urinary retention, urinary frequency, obstruction, and urinary incontinence. However, there was no urinary tract infection due to the stent. The median time to stent removal was 5.7 months.ConclusionsThe stent was maintained for about 6 months with improved objective and subjective outcomes. The patients with PC, who had a poor comorbidity index and advanced PC status showed a tolerable maintenance period. Self‐expandable covered metallic stents can be used for PC patients with a short life expectancy and unsuitability for general anesthesia.