bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of metal accumulation in the forage grass Brachiaria decumbens Stapf grown in contaminated soils with iron tailings
Authors: Ferreira Daniela A. P. , Gaião Lucas M. , Kozovits Alessandra R. , Messias Maria C. T. B. 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
The biggest world tailing dam rupture occurred in Brazil in 2015, releasing approximately 32 million m3 of iron tailings in the Doce River watershed, along its 660 km trajectory, reaching the Atlantic Ocean. This disaster significantly altered water and soil properties, increasing the soil metal contents, mainly iron concentration. Little is known about the concentration of toxic elements in plants grown in these areas. Brachiaria decumbens stands out as the most cultivated grass in the affected areas and is widely used for cattle grazing. This study verified the metal contents in soils and in samples of B. decumbens grown in the initial pathway of the debris flow. It was noted that the tailing deposition altered the substrate chemically, increasing Fe by 181% and reducing Zn soil contents by 188%. However, the metal contents in the forage grass were below the toxic limit for cattle feed. In addition, the results suggest that the natural geological characteristics of the region also influenced the metal contents in plants since those plants grown in nonaffected areas also showed high metal concentrations. The impacted area soils had a slightly basic pH, which can reduce the metal availability. Considering that, in the future, these soils would return to their natural acid state, the metal contents in plants grown in the affected regions could probably increase. Thus, long-term studies are needed to ensure the food safety of the forage production in these areas. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:528–538. © 2021 SETAC
KEY POINTS
The tailing deposition chemically altered the substrate, increasing Fe and reducing Zn contents. The metal contents in the forage grass were below the toxic limit for cattle feed. Long-term studies are needed to ensure the food safety of the forage production in these areas. Brachiaria decumbens has developed mechanisms and adaptive strategies to cope with high soil metal contents, so it can limit absorption and/or accumulation of toxic elements.
Ginkgolide C promotes apoptosis and abrogates metastasis of colorectal carcinoma cells by targeting Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway
Authors: Yang Min Hee , Ha In Jin , Lee Seok‐Geun , Lee Junhee , Um Jae‐Young , Ahn Kwang Seok 
Published: July 2021

AbstractGinkgolide C (GGC), isolated from Ginkbiloba, has been reported to display various pharmacological actions, although, anti‐cancer effect of GGC has been poorly understood till now. This study aimed to investigate whether GGC can exhibit anti‐neoplastic effects against colon cancer cells and explore underlying mechanism. The Wnt/β‐catenin signaling can regulate cell proliferation, survival, metastasis, and migration. Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway plays important role in colorectal cancer (CRC) and acts as a potential therapeutic target. Abnormal activation of this signaling cascades has been reported in colon CRC. We found that GGC down‐regulated Wnt/β‐catenin signaling cascade. GGC inhibited the expression of Wnt3a, β‐catenin, and β‐catenin down‐stream signals (Axin‐1, p‐GSK3β, and β‐TrCP). Also, GGC suppressed the expression of Wnt/β‐catenin pathway target genes including c‐myc, cyclin D1, and survivin. Additionally, GGC induced apoptosis and suppressed cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. GGC down‐regulated the expressions of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐9 and MMP‐2 proteins. Moreover, silencing of β‐catenin by small interfering RNA (siRNA) enhanced the GGC‐induced apoptosis and inhibitory action of GGC on invasion. Overall, our results indicate that GGC can reduce proliferation and promote apoptosis in colon cancer cells through inhibition of the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway. Thus, GGC can serve as a potent therapeutic agent for management of colon cancer as a novel wnt signaling inhibitor.
Shifting the Conversation around Teaching Sensitive Topics: Critical Colleagueship in a Teacher Discourse Community
Authors: Boyd Ashley S. , Rose Susan G. , Darragh Janine J. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractShifting the Conversation around Teaching Sensitive Topics: Critical Colleagueship in a Teacher Discourse Community Abstract: In this book club study designed to examine practicing teachers’ perspectives on a young adult book dealing with identity, mental health, sexuality, and family, researchers describe the tensions that arose in participants’ dialogue regarding self‐censorship and the desire to meet students’ needs. Authors note findings related to how teachers from rural schools responded to the novel under study and collaborated to reach new understandings. Findings also included a pattern of critical colleagueship, where participants both challenged ideas regarding the limits of sensitive topics and supported one other in building upon ideas of how to teach texts with potentially taboo content, highlighting the value of discourse communities as professional development.
The economics of state fragmentation: Assessing the economic impact of secession
Authors: Reynaerts Jo , Vanschoonbeek Jakob 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThis paper presents estimates of the economic effects of secession for a large panel of countries that gained independence between 1940 and 2016. It relies on a semi‐parametric identification strategy that controls for the confounding effects of past gross domestic product (GDP) dynamics, anticipation effects, unobserved heterogeneity, model uncertainty, and effect heterogeneity. Our findings indicate that secession lowered per capita GDP, on average by around 24% in the 10th post‐independence year. Nevertheless, the associated cross‐sectional standard deviation of 25% emphasizes that the economic impact of secession also varied widely across countries. A novel procedure to produce confidence intervals around synthetic control estimates of treatment effects demonstrates the statistical significance of the findings. We document the implications for several historical independence waves and connect them to the existing literature. We find tentative evidence that, in decreasing order of relative importance, the adverse effects of independence are disproportionally present in non‐oil producing landlocked countries and are mitigated when newly independent states use their new‐found political autonomy to democratize or to liberalize their trade regime.
Sites of Cre-recombinase activity in mouse lines targeting skeletal cells
Authors: Couasnay Greig , Madel Maria-Bernadette , Lim Joohyun , Lee Brendan , Elefteriou Florent 
Published: July 2021

ABSTRACT
The Cre/Lox system is a powerful tool in the biologist's toolbox, allowing loss-of-function and gain-of-function studies, as well as lineage tracing, through gene recombination in a tissue-specific and inducible manner. Evidence indicates, however, that Cre transgenic lines have a far more nuanced and broader pattern of Cre activity than initially thought, exhibiting “off-target” activity in tissues/cells other than the ones they were originally designed to target. With the goal of facilitating the comparison and selection of optimal Cre lines to be used for the study of gene function, we have summarized in a single manuscript the major sites and timing of Cre activity of the main Cre lines available to target bone mesenchymal stem cells, chondrocytes, osteoblasts, osteocytes, tenocytes, and osteoclasts, along with their reported sites of “off-target” Cre activity. We also discuss characteristics, advantages, and limitations of these Cre lines for users to avoid common risks related to overinterpretation or misinterpretation based on the assumption of strict cell-type specificity or unaccounted effect of the Cre transgene or Cre inducers. © 2021 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Protective effect of valsartan against doxorubicin‐induced cardiotoxicity: Histopathology and metabolomics in vivo study
Authors: Alhazzani Khalid , Alotaibi Moureq R. , Alotaibi Faisal N. , Aljerian Khaldoon , As Sobeai Homood M. , Alhoshani Ali R. , Alanazi Ahmed Z. , Alanazi Wael A. , Alswayyed Mohammed 
Published: July 2021

AbstractDoxorubicin (DOX) treatment has been associated with cardiotoxicity. Therefore, it is crucial to search for a therapeutic that can effectively mitigate DOX‐induced cardiotoxicity. This study was conducted to investigate the protective effects of valsartan (VAL) against DOX‐induced cardiotoxicity. Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into four treatment groups: Group I: Control, Group II: VAL (30 mg/kg, ip), Group III: DOX (15 mg/kg, ip), and Group IV: VAL + DOX (30 + 15 mg/kg, ip). All groups were treated every other day for 14 days. Blood was isolated for biochemical and metabolomics studies, and sections of the heart were also analyzed for histopathological and immunohistochemical alterations to detect changes in P53, BAX, BCL‐2, and P62 expression. The combination of VAL + DOX resulted in a marked decrease in cardiac biomarker enzymes (aminotransferase and creatine phosphokinase) compared to DOX monotherapy. In addition, the histopathological examination of the VAL + DOX combination revealed a low percentage of fibrosis and inflammation. Immunohistochemical expression of p53 and BAX was significantly reduced, whereas BCL‐2 expression was significantly increased in the VAL + DOX treatment group compared to DOX monotherapy. Also, the combination of VAL + DOX reverses the negative effect of DOX on nuclear p62 expression. Analysis of serum metabolites showed that DOX monotherapy reduced the number of several amino acids, whereas the combination of VAL + DOX restored these metabolic pathways. This study revealed the potential cardioprotective effect of VAL, which may provide novel and promising approaches for managing cardiotoxicity induced by DOX.
Association of DYNC1H1 gene SNP/CNV with disease susceptibility, GCs efficacy, HRQOL, anxiety, and depression in Chinese SLE patients
Authors: Huang Shunwei , Zhang Tingyu , Wang Yuhua , Wang Linlin , Yan Ziye , Teng Ying , Li Zhen , Lou Qiuyue , Liu Shuang , Cai Jing , Chen Yangfan , Li Mu , Huang Hailiang , Xu Zhouzhou , Zou Yanfeng 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundSystemic lupus erythematosus is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease characterized by multi‐system injuries and overproduction of autoantibodies. There are many genetic studies on SLE, but no report has considered the relationship between cytoplasmic dynein and SLE susceptibility.ObjectivesOur study intends to investigate whether DYNC1H1 gene SNP/CNV is related to SLE susceptibility, GCs efficacy, HRQOL, anxiety, and depression in Chinese SLE patients.MethodsA total of 502 cases and 544 healthy controls were recruited into the case‐control study, and 472 subjects from the case group were followed up for 12 weeks to evaluate GCs efficacy, HRQOL, anxiety, and depression. Multiplex SNaPshot technique was applied to genotype the seven SNPs of DYNC1H1, and AccuCopyTM method was conducted to quantify the copy number of DYNC1H1. Anxiety and depression were evaluated using HAMA and HAMD‐24 scales, respectively. The SF‐36 scale was used to assess HRQOL.ResultsThe significant association between SNP rs1190606 and SLE susceptibility was displayed in the dominant model (PBH = 0.004) as well as its allele model (PBH = 0.004). We also found that SNP rs2273440 was related to photosensitization symptom in SLE patients (PBH = 0.032). In the follow‐up study, SNP rs11160668 was connected with the improvement of BP in male patients (PBH = 0.011). However, no association of DYNC1H1 gene with GCs efficacy, anxiety, and depression was found. No CNV in DYNC1H1 was detected.ConclusionsThe study suggests that DYNC1H1 gene polymorphisms may have an effect on SLE susceptibility and BP improvement of HRQOL in Chinese SLE patients.
MALT1 positively correlates with Th1 cells, Th17 cells, and their secreted cytokines and also relates to disease risk, severity, and prognosis of acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Chen Xia , Zhang Xuemei , Lan Ling , Xu Guoyao , Li Yanchun , Huang Shaoming 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundThis study aimed to explore the association of mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma translocation protein 1 (MALT1) with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) risk and also to explore its association with T helper type 1 (Th1) cells, Th17 cells, disease severity, and prognosis in AIS patients.MethodsOne hundred twenty first‐episode AIS patients and 120 non‐AIS patients with high‐stroke‐risk factors (as controls) were recruited. Besides, in the cluster of differentiation 4‐positive (CD4+) T cells, the MALT1 gene expression was detected by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction; meanwhile, Th1 and Th17 were detected by flow cytometry. Moreover, serum interferon (IFN)‐γ and interleukin (IL)‐17 were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsMALT1 expression was increased in AIS patients compared with controls and also it could differentiate AIS patients from controls, with an area under curve of 0.905 (95% confidence interval: 0.869–0.941). In AIS patients, MALT1 positively correlated with Th1 cells, Th17 cells, IFN‐γ, and IL‐17. Besides, MALT1 positively correlated with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score. Furthermore, the Kaplan‐Meier curve and univariate Cox's regression analyses showed no correlation of MALT1 high expression with recurrence‐free survival (RFS) in AIS patients, although after adjustment using multivariant Cox's regression, high MALT1 expression independently correlated with worse RFS in AIS patients.ConclusionMALT1 expression is increased and positively correlates with disease severity, Th1 cells, and Th17 cells, whose high expression severs as an independent risk factor for worse RFS in AIS patients.
Phytostabilization of a contaminated military site using Miscanthus and soil amendments
Authors: Alasmary Zafer , Hettiarachchi Ganga M. , Roozeboom Kraig L. , Davis Lawrence C. , Erickson Larry E. , Pidlisnyuk Valentina , Stefanovska Tatyana , Trögl Josef 
Published: July 2021

AbstractMilitary activities can contaminate productive land with potentially toxic substances. The most common trace metal contaminant on military bases is lead (Pb). A field experiment was begun in 2016 at Fort Riley, KS, in an area with total soil Pb concentrations ranging from 900 to 1,500 mg kg–1 and near‐neutral pH. The main objectives were to test the potential of Miscanthus sp. for phytostabilization of the site and to evaluate the effects of soil amendments on Miscanthus growth, soil–plant Pb transfer, bioaccessibility of soil Pb, and soil health. The experimental design was a randomized complete block, with five treatments and four replications. Treatments were (a) existing vegetation; (b) Miscanthus planted in untilled soil, no amendments; (c) Miscanthus planted in tilled soil; (d) Miscanthus planted in tilled soil amended with inorganic P (triple superphosphate applied at 5:3 Pb:P); and (e) Miscanthus planted in tilled soil amended with organic P (Class B biosolids applied at 45 Mg ha–1). Tilling and soil amendments increased dry matter yields only in the establishment year. Total Pb uptake, plant tissue Pb concentration, and soil Pb bioaccessibility were significantly less in the Miscanthus plots amended with biosolids than the Miscanthus plots with no added P across all 3 yr. Enzyme activities, organic carbon, and microbial biomass were also greater in biosolids‐treated plots. Results show that planting‐time addition of soil amendments to Pb‐contaminated soil supported Miscanthus establishment, stabilized and reduced bioaccessibility of soil Pb, reduced concentration and uptake of Pb by Miscanthus, and enhanced soil health parameters.
Hif‐1α is not required for the development of cardiac adrenergic control in zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Authors: Joyce William , Perry Steve F. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAdrenergic regulation, acting via the sympathetic nervous system, provides a major mechanism to control cardiac function. It has recently been shown that hypoxia inducible factor‐1α (Hif‐1α) is necessary for normal development of sympathetic innervation and control of cardiac function in the mouse. To investigate whether this may represent a fundamental trait shared across vertebrates, we assessed adrenergic regulation of the heart in wild‐type and Hif‐1α knockout (hif‐1α
−/−) zebrafish (Danio rerio). Wild‐type and hif‐1α
−/− zebrafish larvae (aged 4 and 7 days postfertilisation) exhibited similar routine heart rates within a given age group, and β‐adrenergic receptor blockade with propranolol universally reduced heart rate to comparable levels, indicating similar adrenergic tone in both genotypes. In adult fish, in vivo heart rate measured during anaesthesia was identical between genotypes. Treatment of spontaneously beating hearts in vitro with adrenaline revealed a similar positive chronotropic effect and similar maximum heart rates in both genotypes. Tyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemistry with confocal microscopy demonstrated that the bulbus arteriosus (outflow tract of the teleost heart) of adult fish was particularly well innervated by sympathetic nerves, and nerve density (as a percentage of bulbus arteriosus area) was similar between wild‐types and hif‐1α
−/− mutants. In summary, we did not find any evidence that adrenergic cardiac control was perturbed in larval or adult zebrafish lacking Hif‐1α. We conclude that Hif‐1α is not essential for the normal development of cardiovascular control or adult sympathetic cardiac innervation in zebrafish, although it is possible that it plays a redundant or auxiliary role.
Ethical and moral perspectives of individuals who considered/used preimplantation (embryo) genetic testing
Authors: Zhang Jiahui , Pastore Lisa M. , Sarwana Miriam , Klein Samantha , Lobel Marci , Rubin Lisa R. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThis study examined perspectives on the ethical implications of preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) among individuals who actually (not hypothetically) used or considered using PGT. Most of the prior patient‐centered research on PGT ethics used qualitative designs (9 out of the 11 articles) and focused only on single gene testing. This cross‐sectional study used an anonymous online questionnaire; 15 items assessed potential ethical concerns involved in PGT decision‐making, including clinical indications for PGT, the greater implications of PGT for society, and unused embryo disposition. N = 207 individuals (mean female/male age 35.7/38.9 years, 21% Hispanic or non‐White) who had recently used or considered using PGT for single gene (60%) or for chromosomal testing (40%) completed the questionnaire. Most respondents supported PGT screening for disease conditions with childhood or adult onset that are untreatable (64%–85% across items); most opposed PGT for trait selection (76%–81%). Most respondents agreed that PGT aids in parental decision‐making (66%–67%), although some expressed concern over potential unforeseen consequences (25%–30%). Regarding disposition of embryos without known genetic abnormalities, most respondents favored freezing indefinitely (86%) or donating to another family (69%), while for embryos with genetic abnormalities, most respondents favored donating to research (78%) or destroying them (62%). Stratification by religious affiliation revealed several differences, such as less acceptance of PGT for diseases that occur in adulthood and have no treatment options among Protestants (p = .015) and greater willingness to donate surplus embryos to research among participants without a religious affiliation (p < .001). These results are limited by the relatively homogeneous sample of participants (mostly White, married, and predominantly college‐educated). In summary, participants who considered/used PGT found PGT acceptable overall for screening for disease conditions; most opposed using PGT for trait selection. Our novel questionnaire provides a structured tool for assessing the ethical perspectives surrounding the use of PGT.
New strategy for evaluating pancreatic tissue specimens from endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine needle aspiration and surgery
Authors: Fukuhara Seiichiro , Iwasaki Eisuke , Iwano Tomohiko , Machida Yujiro , Tamagawa Hiroki , Kawasaki Shintaro , Seino Takashi , Yokose Takahiro , Endo Yutaka , Yoshimura Kentaro , Kashiwagi Kazuhiro , Kitago Minoru , Ogata Haruhiko , Takeda Sen , Kanai Takanori 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackground and AimPreoperative histological evaluation of pancreatic neoplasms is important for guiding the resection strategy and preventing postoperative adverse events. However, conventional endoscopic methods have technical limitations that reduce the accuracy of the histopathological examination. Probe electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (PESI‐MS) may be a useful technique for rapidly evaluating small specimens.MethodsThis single‐center prospective study included patients with pancreatic neoplasms between October 2018 and December 2019. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) specimens were obtained via endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine needle aspiration (EUS‐FNA) and non‐neoplastic tissue was obtained via surgery. Specimens were subjected to PESI‐MS and the mass spectra were analyzed using partial least squares regression‐discriminant analysis.ResultsThe study included 40 patients with 20 nonneoplastic specimens and 19 PDAC specimens (1 case of neuroendocrine carcinoma was omitted). All nonneoplastic specimens were sufficient for PESI‐MS analysis, although only 7 of 19 PDAC specimens were sufficient for PESI‐MS analysis because of poor sample quality or insufficient quantity (<1 mg). Among the 27 analyzed cases, the mass spectra clearly differentiated between the PDAC and nonneoplastic specimens.ConclusionsThis study revealed that PESI‐MS could differentiate between PDAC and nonneoplastic specimens, even in cases where EUS‐FNA produced very small specimens.
Sustainable synthesis of [1]benzopyran azo dyes using CuCr2O4 NPs
Authors: Abdolmohammadi Shahrzad , Dahi‐Azar Saman 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIn this study, copper chromite nanoparticles (CuCr2O4 NPs) were prepared by a simple hydrothermal method. This nanomaterial was found as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of a new class of [1]benzopyran azo dyes via pseudo‐three‐component reaction of (E)‐1,2‐diphenyl‐1‐diazene with 4‐hydroxycoumarin in the ratio 1:2. The aim of the present work was to provide a practical and high yielding protocol that offers several advantages such as simple procedure with an easy work‐up, mild reaction conditions, and the use of CuCr2O4 NPs as an efficient and easily recoverable catalyst.