bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Activation of the cGAS–STING signaling pathway in adenomyosis patients
Authors: Lin Yun , Wang Luying , Ye Mingzhu , Yu Ke‐nan , Sun Xin , Xue Min , Deng Xinliang 
Published: May 2021

AbstractObjectiveAdenomyosis is characterized by the presence of endometrium or endometrium‐like glands and stroma within the myometrium. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether the cGAS–STING pathway was activated and correlated with clinical outcomes in adenomyosis patients.Materials and MethodsTwenty patients diagnosed with adenomyosis and 10 patients diagnosed with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 (CIN‐3) but no adenomyosis were enrolled in this study. Specimens were collected during surgery from August 2017 to December 2017 at Third Xiangya Hospital. The messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels of key cGAS–STING pathway factors in uterine tissue were detected by real‐time reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The correlations of gene expression and clinical outcomes, including dysmenorrhea and uterine volume, were analyzed.ResultsThe cGAS, STING, TANK‐binding kinase 1 (TBK‐1), interferon‐α (IFN‐α), IFN‐β, and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) mRNA and protein levels in the ectopic endometrial tissue from adenomyosis patients were significantly higher compared with that from the controls in endometrium (p < .05). cGAS and STING gene expression were correlated with TBK‐1, IFN‐β, and TNF‐α expression (p < .05). Importantly, TBK‐1 and TNF‐α expression were correlated with the clinical outcome of dysmenorrhea (p < .05).ConclusionOur study reveals that the cGAS–STING pathway is activated in adenomyosis patients and its activation is subsequently correlated with clinical outcomes, which suggests that the cGAS–STING pathway may contribute to adenomyosis pathogenesis.
Feasibility of dual‐contrast fluorescence imaging of pathological breast tissues
Authors: Mitrou Androniki , Feng Xin , Khan Ashraf , Yaroslavsky Anna N. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe combination of intravital dye, methylene blue (MB), with molecular cancer marker, pH low insertion peptide (pHLIP) conjugated with fluorescent Alexa532 (Alexa532‐pHLIP), was evaluated for enhancing contrast of pathological breast tissue ex vivo. Fresh, thick breast specimens were stained sequentially with Alexa532‐pHLIP and aqueous MB and imaged using dual‐channel fluorescence microscopy. MB and Alexa532‐pHLIP accumulated in the nuclei and cytoplasm of cancer cells, respectively. MB also stained nuclei of normal cells. Some Alexa532‐pHLIP fluorescence emission was detected from connective tissue and benign cell membranes. Overall, Alexa532‐pHLIP showed high affinity to cancer, while MB highlighted tissue morphology. The results indicate that MB and Alexa532‐pHLIP provide complementary information and show promise for the detection of breast cancer.
Comparison capacity of collagen hydrogel, mix‐powder and in situ hydroxyapatite/collagen hydrogelscaffolds with and without mesenchymal stem cells and platelet‐rich plasma in regeneration of critical sized bone defect in a rabbit animal model
Authors: Bakhtiarimoghadam Behnam , Shirian Sadegh , Mirzaei Esmaeil , Sharifi Siavash , Karimi Iraj , Gharati Gelavizh , Takallu Sara , Nazari Hassan 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of developed collagen (Co) hydrogel (CH), powder‐mixed hydroxyapatite/collagen (HA/Co) hydrogel and in situ synthesized HA/Co (In/HA/Co) hydrogel with or without mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) and platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) on the regeneration of full‐thickness critical size bone defect in the rabbit animal model. In the first step of this study, the scaffolds were synthesized and characterized using FTIR spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and scanning electron microcopy. In the second step or animal study, the radial bone defects were filled with the synthesized scaffolds with and without MSC and PRP. One hundred sixty one year‐old New Zealand white male rabbits were randomly divided in 16 groups of 10 rabbits including control with bone defect without treatment, In/HA/Co, HA/Co, CH, PRP, MSC, CH + PRP, HA/Co, In/HA/Co + PRP, HA/Co + PRP, CH + MSC, In/HA/Co + MSC, HA/Co + MSC, CH + PRP + MSC, In/HA/Co + PRP + MSC, and HA/Co + PRP + MSC. The created defects were filled using the constructed scaffolds alone or seeded with MSCs, with and without PRP injection. The treatments were assessed using histopathological, immunohistochemical and rediographical analysis on days 14, 28, 42, 56 post‐treatment. The plate‐like HA particles were distributed homogeneously in the in situ HA/Co scaffold compared to the HA/Co scaffold and had a similar structure to bone with carbonated plate‐like HA particles and nanofibrilated Co matrix. In situ HA/Co nanocomposite seeded with MSC and enriched by PRP can accelerate bone regeneration resulted from osteoblastic production of osteocalcin protein. Therefore, in situ HA/Co hydrogel seeded with MSC and PRP can be a new approach for bone tissue engineering.
Selective leaching of scandium and yttrium from red mud induced by hydrothermal treatment
Authors: Liliou Anna‐Maria , Saru Maria‐Liliana , Veksha Andrei , Lisak Grzegorz , Giannis Apostolos 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe red mud (bauxite residue) is a rare earth element (REE) bearing material that should be considered a valuable resource. This research investigated the selective leaching of scandium (Sc) and yttrium (Y) from red mud by agitation leaching, as well as thermal and hydrothermal processing. Material characterization was conducted to shed light on the leaching mechanism for high REE extraction selectivity.RESULTSThe agitation leaching with HCl, HNO3, and H2SO4 was insufficient for high leaching efficiencies of REEs. The addition of Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) had a minor influence in the leaching of elements. Two acid combinations (0.27 Μ HCl + 0.2 Μ H2SO4 and 0.27 Μ HCl + 0.2 Μ HNO3) were formulated to optimize the leaching efficiency of REEs under thermal and hydrothermal processing. Thermal processing showed high Y leaching, but the selectivity was low because of considerable Ti and Fe extraction. High REE leaching selectivity was achieved when HCl + HNO3 was used in hydrothermal processing at 180 °C. Material characterization indicated that dense aggregation of particles occurred after hydrothermal processing. The mineral geothite was dissolved and new crystals like potassium calcium silicate were formed.CONCLUSIONThe high selective leaching of Sc and Y during hydrothermal processing was controlled by the extraction and desorption of elements from the material surface. The precipitation of Fe, Ca, and Ti and their re‐crystallization in new minerals have enhanced leaching selectivity. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Porcupine/Wntless‐dependent trafficking of the conserved WntA ligand in butterflies
Authors: Hanly Joseph J. , Robertson Erica C. N. , Corning Olaf B. W. H. , Martin Arnaud 
Published: May 2021

AbstractWnt ligands are key signaling molecules in animals, but little is known about the evolutionary dynamics and mode of action of the WntA orthologs, which are not present in the vertebrates or in Drosophila. Here we show that the WntA subfamily evolved at the base of the Bilateria + Cnidaria clade, and conserved the thumb region and Ser209 acylation site present in most other Wnts, suggesting WntA requires the core Wnt secretory pathway. WntA proteins are distinguishable from other Wnts by a synapomorphic Iso/Val/Ala216 amino‐acid residue that replaces the otherwise ubiquitous Thr216 position. WntA embryonic expression is conserved between beetles and butterflies, suggesting functionality, but the WntA gene was lost three times within arthropods, in podoplean copepods, in the cyclorrhaphan fly radiation, and in ensiferan crickets and katydids. Finally, CRISPR mosaic knockouts (KOs) of porcupine and wntless phenocopied the pattern‐specific effects of WntA KOs in the wings of Vanessa cardui butterflies. These results highlight the molecular conservation of the WntA protein across invertebrates, and imply it functions as a typical Wnt ligand that is acylated and secreted through the Porcupine/Wntless secretory pathway.
An accurate parameter extraction method for small signal model of CNFET
Authors: Wang Jinye , Liu Jun , Chen Zhanfei , Zhang Tingting 
Published: May 2021

AbstractA new small‐signal model for carbon nanotube field effect transistor (CNFET) is proposed which incorporates the effect of metallic carbon nanotubes (m‐CNTs). The effect of m‐CNTs is comprehensively modeled by contact resistance between m‐CNTs and source/drain (S/D), which also taken into account a parallel RC circuit composed of Cmts, Cmtd, and non‐linear resistance Rdsm. An analytical method is presented to extract model parameters. The model is validated using multi‐tube (MT) CNFET with eight gate fingers of 400 nm length and 50 μm width each manufactured in a 700 nm technology. Excellent agreement is achieved between measured and simulated S‐parameters in the range over 0.6–10.1 GHz.
Showing one's true colors: Leader Machiavellianism, rules and instrumental climate, and abusive supervision
Authors: De Hoogh Annebel H. B. , Den Hartog Deanne N. , Belschak Frank D. 
Published: May 2021

SummaryMachiavellian (Mach) leaders' tendency to engage in hostile, abusive behavior is destructive for followers and organizations. Yet previous studies suggest that Machs do not always show negative leader behaviors such as abusive supervision. Drawing on trait activation theory, we propose that the manifestation of Mach trait‐relevant behavior depends upon contextual cues from the psychological work climate. Specifically, we argue that a low rule climate or a high instrumental climate offers relevant cues for Mach trait expression. We find support for our hypotheses in two studies of 219 and 183 leader–follower dyads. Both for a low rule climate and a high instrumental climate, leader Machiavellianism is positively related to leader abusive supervision, which, in turn, is negatively related to subordinate OCB and positively related to subordinate emotional exhaustion. However, when rule climate is high or instrumental climate is low, Mach behavior is not expressed, and thus, there is no indirect effect of leader Machiavellianism on follower OCB and emotional exhaustion through leader abusive supervision. Thus, our study shows that the psychological work climate is critical for the expression of leader Machiavellianism in abusive behavior and the related negative consequences to occur.
Decreasing trends in consecutive‐day tornado events in the United States
Authors: Moore Todd W. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractDays with many tornadoes in the United States have become more common over time. These days tend to occur in consecutive‐day tornado events, but trends in the characteristics of consecutive‐day tornado events have not been documented. The Mann–Kendall trend test and Theil–Sen slope estimator were used in this study to detect trends and estimate rates of change over time in multiple metrics of consecutive‐day tornado events. Results show that the number of consecutive‐day events, the number of days occurring in consecutive‐day events, and the number of tornadoes occurring in consecutive‐day events have decreased over time. The percentages of annual tornadoes and tornado‐days occurring in consecutive‐day events have also decreased over time. These trends suggest that the percentage of tornadoes occurring on isolated days has, alternatively, increased over time.
Periodontitis activates the NLRP3 inflammasome in serum and saliva
Authors: Isola Gaetano , Polizzi Alessandro , Santonocito Simona , Alibrandi Angela , Williams Ray C. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundNod‐like receptor family pyrin domain‐containing protein‐3 (NLRP3) complex inflammasome has potentially been shown to play an important role in the development of periodontitis and diabetes. The objective of this study was to analyze the association between serum and salivary NLRP3 concentrations in patients with periodontitis and type‐II diabetes mellitus (DM) and to evaluate whether this association was influenced by potential confounders.Methods: For the present study, a cohort of healthy controls (n = 32), and patients with periodontitis (n = 34), type‐II DM (n = 33), and a combination of periodontitis + type‐II DM (n = 34) were enrolled. Patients were characterized on the basis of their periodontal status and analyzed for demographic characteristics, serum mediators, and for serum and salivary concentrations of NLRP3. A uni‐ and multivariate model was established to analyze whether periodontitis, type‐II DM, and CRP influenced serum and salivary NLRP3 concentrations.ResultsIn comparison to type‐II DM patients and healthy controls, patients with periodontitis (serum, P = 0.003; saliva P = 0.012) and periodontitis + type‐II DM (serum, P = 0.028; saliva, P = 0.003) had elevated serum and salivary NLRP3 concentrations. The multivariate regression model showed that periodontitis (P = 0.029) and HDL‐cholesterol (P = 0.012) were significant predictors of serum NLRP3 concentrations whereas periodontitis (P = 0.036) and CRP (P = 0.012) were significant predictors of salivary NLRP3.ConclusionThe results of the present study showed that periodontitis and periodontitis + type‐II DM patients had higher serum and salivary NLRP3 concentrations in comparison to healthy controls and patients with type‐II DM. Periodontitis was demonstrated to be a significant predictor of both serum and salivary NLRP3 concentrations.
Sensitivity of tidal marshes as recorders of major megathrust earthquakes: constraints from the 25 December 2016 Mw 7.6 Chiloé earthquake, Chile
Authors: Brader Martin , Garrett Ed , Melnick Daniel , Shennan Ian 
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACTWe present evidence of land‐level change resulting from the 2016 Mw 7.6 Chiloé earthquake from tidal wetlands along the southern coastline of Isla de Chiloé, Chile, to test criteria for the detection of low‐level, <0.1 m, coseismic land‐level change. In order to record coseismic land‐level change in tidal wetland sediments, both the creation and preservation thresholds must be exceeded. High‐resolution diatom analyses of sediment blocks at two tidal marshes reveal that the 2016 earthquake exceeded the creation threshold and a statistically significant change in diatom assemblage is recorded. In contrast, the preservation threshold was not exceeded and the record of coseismic land‐level motion is not preserved at any location visited. After nine months, interseismic and coseismic changes are statistically indistinguishable. The most sensitive part of the tidal wetland is not consistent between research locations, possibly as a result of changes in sedimentation after the earthquake. We compare records of change from great earthquakes in Alaska with the record from the Chiloé earthquake to explore the detection limit. We propose that coastal palaeoseismological records are highly likely to underestimate the frequency of major (Mw 7–8) earthquakes, with important implications for recurrence intervals and assessment of future seismic hazards.
Vibrational study of lead bromide perovskite materials with variable cations based on Raman spectroscopy and density functional theory
Authors: Ghosh Supriya , Rana Debkumar , Pradhan Bapi , Donfack Patrice , Hofkens Johan , Materny Arnulf 
Published: May 2021

AbstractMetal halide‐based perovskite semiconductors exhibit excellent optoelectronic properties such as a sharp absorption edge, high absorption coefficients, and a small recombination rate. Mixed compositions result in a variation of the structure of these perovskite materials, which also influences their electronic properties. Even though huge progress in synthesis and device fabrication has been made, still systematic investigations of structural properties of lead halide‐based perovskites are missing. Here, we systematically investigate the vibrational features of lead bromide‐based perovskites using Raman spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT). We have performed these investigations using MA+, FA+, and Cs+ as cations in the lead bromide structures and determined the vibrational modes both from Raman experiments and DFT simulations. We find a clear dependence of the Raman band wavenumbers on the chosen cations. The structural differences are reflected in the different line‐width broadening of Raman bands, charge distribution on the cations and the extent of their interactions with the bromide anions.
Mitigating the Effects of Acute Vocal Exertion in Individuals With Vocal Fatigue
Authors: Fujiki Robert Brinton , Huber Jessica E. , Sivasankar M. Preeti 
Published: May 2021

Objectives/HypothesisTo investigate the effects of acute vocal exertion on individuals with vocal fatigue and to determine whether semi‐occluded vocal tract exercises (SOVTEs) are more effective than vocal rest in mitigating acute effects.Study DesignProspective, repeated‐measures design.MethodsOn consecutive days, 10 individuals (6 males, 4 females) with scores indicating vocal fatigue on the Vocal Fatigue Index completed two 10‐minute vocal exertion tasks. Vocal rest or SOVTEs were interspersed in counterbalanced order between exertion tasks. Respiratory kinematic, acoustic, aerodynamic, and self‐perceptual measures were collected at baseline, following vocal exertion, following SOVTE/vocal rest, and following the second exertion task.ResultsAcute vocal exertion worsened phonation threshold pressure (P < .001) and vocal effort (P < .001) and reduced maximum fundamental frequency (P < .001). Speech was terminated at lower lung volumes following vocal exertion (decreased lung volume termination [LVT], P < .001). Exertion‐induced changes in vocal effort and LVT were significantly reversed by both vocal rest and SOVTE. Detrimental changes in voice measures reoccurred following the second vocal exertion task. SOVTE and vocal rest protected against changes in respiratory kinematics when vocal exertion was resumed.ConclusionsVocal exertion impacted laryngeal, respiratory, and self‐perceptual measures in individuals with vocal fatigue. Both SOVTE and vocal rest partially mitigated changes in voice measures and prompted more efficient respiratory strategies that were maintained when vocal exertion resumed. These data increase our understanding of how individuals with vocal fatigue respond to vocal exertion tasks and offer preliminary guidance for optimal clinical recommendations.Level of Evidence3 Laryngoscope, 131:2732–2739, 2021
Root, not aboveground litter, controls soil carbon storage under grazing exclusion across grasslands worldwide
Authors: Su Jishuai , Xu Fengwei 
Published: May 2021

AbstractGrazing exclusion is a common management strategy for improving grasslands degraded due to overgrazing. Although previous meta‐analyses proved that grazing exclusion improved soil carbon (C) storage of grasslands in China, we know little about its effect on grassland ecosystems elsewhere and whether litter accumulation induced by grazing exclusion regulates soil C storage. Using meta‐analysis, we integrated 91 publications to examine the effects of grazing exclusion on community litter and soil C storage, accompanied by analysis of the regulating roles of body size of herbivore, climatic conditions, and grazing exclusion duration. We found that grazing exclusion enhanced litter biomass and decomposition rate but did not change litter chemical quality. Generally, grazing exclusion enhanced plant production and soil C storage across grassland worldwide. Exclusion of medium and small herbivores had stronger effects on aboveground litter production and soil C storage than exclusion of large herbivores, and grazing exclusion's enhancement on litter production and soil C storage tended to increase as grazing exclusion proceeded. Notably, grazing exclusion‐induced increase in aboveground litter biomass was attributed to the increase in biomass of graminoids, while root biomass, not aboveground litter biomass, primarily regulated the increase in soil C storage. The stimulating effect of grazing exclusion on soil C storage was enhanced possibly due to enhanced root biomass response along a precipitation gradient. Generally, our study provided new insights that management practice under grazing exclusion should take plant community dynamics, grazing exclusion duration, preceding grazer type, and climate conditions into account simultaneously.
Factors modulating herbivory patterns in Cymodocea nodosa meadows
Authors: Jiménez‐Ramos Rocío , Egea Luis G. , Vergara Juan J. , Brun Fernando G. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIn coastal marine food webs, seagrass‐grazer interactions play a fundamental role in ecological processes by regulating the structure and functioning of plant communities. Therefore, assessing the strength of these seagrass‐grazer links and identifying the mechanisms that regulate these relationships are crucial to increasing our understanding of community and ecosystem structure and dynamics. Herbivory on the temperate seagrass Cymodocea nodosa was evaluated in four locations with contrasting abiotic and biotic factors (i.e., depth; meadow size; seagrass shoot density, productivity, and leaf traits; and herbivore presence) using cross‐transplantation experiments carried out once per season to account for seasonal variation. Patterns of feeding rates on C. nodosa meadows showed high temporal variability, with peaks occurring in spring and summer. Results indicate that between 46.59% and 74.08% of the annual leaf production is lost to herbivory at the locations sampled in this study. Herbivory rates increased with higher nitrogen content and shoot density for all types of consumers (mesograzers, fishes, and sea urchins). This work highlights the need to integrate the abiotic and biotic factors modulating herbivory patterns, particularly in a foundation species like C. nodosa, for which changes in plant traits and grazer abundance may trigger trophic cascades with far‐reaching consequences for associated species.
Ion spectroscopy in methane activation
Authors: Roithová Jana , Bakker Joost M. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThis review is devoted to ion spectroscopy studies of complexes relevant for the understanding of methane activation with metal ions and clusters. Methane activation starts with the formation of a complex with a metal ion. The degree of the interaction between an intact methane molecule and the ion can be monitored by the perturbations of C–H stretch vibrations in the methane molecule. Binding mediated by the electrostatic interaction results in a η3 type coordination of methane. In contrast, binding governed by orbital interactions results in a η2 type coordination of methane. We further review the spectroscopic characterization of activation products of metal–methane reactions, such as the metal–carbene and carbyne products resulting from the interaction of selected 5d metals with methane. The focus of recent research in the field has shifted towards the investigation of interactions between methane and metal clusters. We show examples highlighting that metal clusters can be more reactive in methane activation reactions.