bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Farm use of calcium hydroxide as an effective barrier against pathogens
Authors: Matsuzaki Shinji , Azuma Kento , Lin Xuguang , Kuragano Masahiro , Uwai Koji , Yamanaka Shinya , Tokuraku Kiyotaka 
Published: April 2021

AbstractLivestock farming is affected by the occurrence of infectious diseases, but outbreaks can be prevented by proper sanitary control measures. Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2), commonly called slaked lime, powder is traditionally used as a disinfectant to prevent infectious diseases in livestock. Since Ca(OH)2 can inactivate a wide variety of pathogens, has a small environmental impact, does not require a disinfection tank (i.e., can be spread directly on the ground) and is produced inexpensively worldwide, it is used for the prevention of epidemics on farms worldwide. Water is essential for the strong alkalinity that underlies its disinfecting effect, but it is unknown how much water is required under field conditions. In addition, Ca(OH)2 reacts with carbon dioxide in the environment, reducing its pH, but it is unclear how long its degradation takes under actual field use. Thus, we measured the water adsorption ability of Ca(OH)2-based disinfectants and its relation to disinfectant activity, as assessed by colony counts and live/dead staining and observation. We found that 15–20% (w/w) water in Ca(OH)2 was necessary for disinfection to occur in practice. Moreover, we found that the pH of Ca(OH)2 decreased within about two weeks to one month under actual use in practical conditions and lost its ability to disinfect. We further showed that granules prepared from Ca(OH)2 and zeolite maintained high alkalinity more than twice as long as calcium powder. These findings will help to establish a suitable method of applying Ca(OH)2 to protect farms from infectious diseases.
Respiratory adaptation to climate in modern humans and Upper Palaeolithic individuals from Sungir and Mladeč
Authors: Stansfield Ekaterina , Mitteroecker Philipp , Vasilyev Sergey Y. , Vasilyev Sergey , Butaric Lauren N. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAs our human ancestors migrated into Eurasia, they faced a considerably harsher climate, but the extent to which human cranial morphology has adapted to this climate is still debated. In particular, it remains unclear when such facial adaptations arose in human populations. Here, we explore climate-associated features of face shape in a worldwide modern human sample using 3D geometric morphometrics and a novel application of reduced rank regression. Based on these data, we assess climate adaptations in two crucial Upper Palaeolithic human fossils, Sungir and Mladeč, associated with a boreal-to-temperate climate. We found several aspects of facial shape, especially the relative dimensions of the external nose, internal nose and maxillary sinuses, that are strongly associated with temperature and humidity, even after accounting for autocorrelation due to geographical proximity of populations. For these features, both fossils revealed adaptations to a dry environment, with Sungir being strongly associated with cold temperatures and Mladeč with warm-to-hot temperatures. These results suggest relatively quick adaptative rates of facial morphology in Upper Palaeolithic Europe.
Genome-wide discovery of G-quadruplexes in barley
Authors: Cagirici H. Busra , Budak Hikmet , Sen Taner Z. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractG-quadruplexes (G4s) are four-stranded nucleic acid structures with closely spaced guanine bases forming square planar G-quartets. Aberrant formation of G4 structures has been associated with genomic instability. However, most plant species are lacking comprehensive studies of G4 motifs. In this study, genome-wide identification of G4 motifs in barley was performed, followed by a comparison of genomic distribution and molecular functions to other monocot species, such as wheat, maize, and rice. Similar to the reports on human and some plants like wheat, G4 motifs peaked around the 5′ untranslated region (5′ UTR), the first coding domain sequence, and the first intron start sites on antisense strands. Our comparative analyses in human, Arabidopsis, maize, rice, and sorghum demonstrated that the peak points could be erroneously merged into a single peak when large window sizes are used. We also showed that the G4 distributions around genic regions are relatively similar in the species studied, except in the case of Arabidopsis. G4 containing genes in monocots showed conserved molecular functions for transcription initiation and hydrolase activity. Additionally, we provided examples of imperfect G4 motifs.
Predicting the crystal structure of $$\hbox {N}_5\hbox {AsF}_6$$ high energy density material using ab initio evolutionary algorithms
Authors: Benchafia El Mostafa , Wang Xianqin , Iqbal Zafar , Abedrabbo Sufian 
Published: April 2021

Abstract$$\hbox {N}_5\hbox {AsF}_6$$

N
5

AsF
6

is the first successfully synthesized salt that has a polymeric nitrogen moeity ($$\hbox {N}_5^+$$

N
5
+

). Although 12 other $$\hbox {N}_5^+$$

N
5
+

salts followed, with $$\hbox {N}_5\hbox {SbF}_6$$

N
5

SbF
6

and $$\hbox {N}_5\hbox {Sb}_2\hbox {F}_{11}$$

N
5

Sb
2

F
11

being the most stable, the crystal structure of $$\hbox {N}_5\hbox {AsF}_6$$

N
5

AsF
6

remains unknown. Currently, it is impossible to experimentally determine the structures of $$\hbox {N}_5\hbox {AsF}_6$$

N
5

AsF
6

due to its marginal stability and explosive nature. Here, following an ab initio evolutionary prediction and using only the stoichiometry of $$\hbox {N}_5\hbox {AsF}_6$$

N
5

AsF
6

as a starting point, we were able to reveal the crystal structure of this high energy density material (HEDM). The $$\hbox {C}_{2V}$$

C

2
V

symmetry of the $$\hbox {N}_5^+$$

N
5
+

cation, as suggested from earlier investigations, is confirmed to be the symmetry adopted by this polymeric nitrogen within the crystal. This result gave full confidence in the validity of this crystal prediction approach. While stability of the $$\hbox {N}_5^+$$

N
5
+

within the crystal is found to be driven by electronic considerations, the marginal stability of this HEDM is found to be related to a partial softening of its phonon modes.
Vagal control of the heart decreases during increasing imminence of interoceptive threat in patients with panic disorder and agoraphobia
Authors: Richter Jan , Pietzner Anne , Koenig Julian , Thayer Julian F. , Pané-Farré Christiane A. , Gerlach Alexander L. , Gloster Andrew T. , Wittchen Hans-Ulrich , Lang Thomas , Alpers Georg W. , Helbig-Lang Sylvia , Deckert Jürgen , Fydrich Thomas , Fehm Lydia , Ströhle Andreas , Kircher Tilo , Arolt Volker , Hamm Alfons O. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractTheoretically, panic disorder and agoraphobia pathology can be conceptualized as a cascade of dynamically changing defensive responses to threat cues from inside the body. Guided by this trans-diagnostic model we tested the interaction between defensive activation and vagal control as a marker of prefrontal inhibition of subcortical defensive activation. We investigated ultra-short-term changes of vagally controlled high frequency heart rate variability (HRV) during a standardized threat challenge (entrapment) in n = 232 patients with panic disorder and agoraphobia, and its interaction with various indices of defensive activation. We found a strong inverse relationship between HRV and heart rate during threat, which was stronger at the beginning of exposure. Patients with a strong increase in heart rate showed a deactivation of prefrontal vagal control while patients showing less heart rate acceleration showed an increase in vagal control. Moreover, vagal control collapsed in case of imminent threat, i.e., when body symptoms increase and seem to get out of control. In these cases of defensive action patients either fled from the situation or experienced a panic attack. Active avoidance, panic attacks, and increased sympathetic arousal are associated with an inability to maintain vagal control over the heart suggesting that teaching such regulation strategies during exposure treatment might be helpful to keep prefrontal control, particularly during the transition zone from post-encounter to circa strike defense.Trial Registration Number: ISRCTN80046034.
CD25890, a conserved protein that modulates sporulation initiation in Clostridioides difficile
Authors: Martins Diogo , DiCandia Michael A. , Mendes Aristides L. , Wetzel Daniela , McBride Shonna M. , Henriques Adriano O. , Serrano Mónica 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBacteria that reside in the gastrointestinal tract of healthy humans are essential for our health, sustenance and well-being. About 50–60% of those bacteria have the ability to produce resilient spores that are important for the life cycle in the gut and for host-to-host transmission. A genomic signature for sporulation in the human intestine was recently described, which spans both commensals and pathogens such as Clostridioides difficile and contains several genes of unknown function. We report on the characterization of a signature gene, CD25890, which, as we show is involved in the control of sporulation initiation in C. difficile under certain nutritional conditions. Spo0A is the main regulatory protein controlling entry into sporulation and we show that an in-frame deletion of CD25890 results in increased expression of spo0A per cell and increased sporulation. The effect of CD25890 on spo0A is likely indirect and mediated through repression of the sinRR´ operon. Deletion of the CD25890 gene, however, does not alter the expression of the genes coding for the cytotoxins or the genes involved in biofilm formation. Our results suggest that CD25890 acts to modulate sporulation in response to the nutrients present in the environment.
High-pulse-energy multiphoton imaging of neurons and oligodendrocytes in deep murine brain with a fiber laser
Authors: Redlich Michael J. , Prall Brad , Canto-Said Edesly , Busarov Yevgeniy , Shirinyan-Tuka Lilit , Meah Arafat , Lim Hyungsik 
Published: April 2021

AbstractHere we demonstrate high-pulse-energy multiphoton microscopy (MPM) for intravital imaging of neurons and oligodendrocytes in the murine brain. Pulses with an order of magnitude higher energy (~ 10 nJ) were employed from a ytterbium doped fiber laser source at a 1-MHz repetition rate, as compared to the standard 80-MHz Ti:Sapphire laser. Intravital imaging was performed on mice expressing common fluorescent proteins, including green (GFP) and yellow fluorescent proteins (YFP), and TagRFPt. One fifth of the average power could be used for superior depths of MPM imaging, as compared to the Ti:Sapphire laser: A depth of ~ 860 µm was obtained by imaging the Thy1-YFP brain in vivo with 6.5 mW, and cortical myelin as deep as 400 µm ex vivo by intrinsic third-harmonic generation using 50 mW. The substantially higher pulse energy enables novel regimes of photophysics to be exploited for microscopic imaging. The limitation from higher order phototoxicity is also discussed.
Hexaferrocenium tri[hexa(isothiocyanato)iron(III)] trihydroxonium complex as a new DNA intercalator for electrochemical DNA biosensor
Authors: Ariffin Eda Yuhana , Zakariah Emma Izzati , Ruslin Farah , Kassim Muhammad , Yamin Bohari M. , Heng Lee Yook , Hasbullah Siti Aishah 
Published: April 2021

AbstractFerrocene or ferrocenium has been widely studied in the field of organometallic complexes because of its stable thermodynamic, kinetic and redox properties. Novel hexaferrocenium tri[hexa(isothiocyanato)iron(III)]trihydroxonium (HexaFc) complex was the product from the reaction of ferrocene, maleic acid and ammonium thiocyanate and was confirmed by elemental analysis CHNS, FTIR and single crystal X-ray crystallography. In this study, HexaFc was used for the first time as an electroactive indicator for porcine DNA biosensor. The UV–Vis DNA titrations with this compound showed hypochromism and redshift at 250 nm with increasing DNA concentrations. The binding constant (Kb) for HexaFc complex towards CT-DNA (calf-thymus DNA) was 3.1 × 104 M−1, indicated intercalator behaviour of the complex. To test the usefulness of this complex for DNA biosensor application, a porcine DNA biosensor was constructed. The recognition probes were covalently immobilised onto silica nanospheres (SiNSs) via glutaraldehyde linker on a screen-printed electrode (SPE). After intercalation with the HexaFc complex, the response of the biosensor to the complementary porcine DNA was measured using differential pulse voltammetry. The DNA biosensor demonstrated a linear response range to the complementary porcine DNA from 1 × 10−6to 1 × 10−3 µM (R2 = 0.9642) with a limit detection of 4.83 × 10−8 µM and the response was stable up to 23 days of storage at 4 °C with 86% of its initial response. The results indicated that HexaFc complex is a feasible indicator for the DNA hybridisation without the use of a chemical label for the detection of porcine DNA.
Key biomarkers within the colorectal cancer related inflammatory microenvironment
Authors: Calu Valentin , Ionescu Adriana , Stanca Loredana , Geicu Ovidiu Ionut , Iordache Florin , Pisoschi Aurelia Magdalena , Serban Andreea Iren , Bilteanu Liviu 
Published: April 2021

AbstractTherapeutic approaches focused on the inflammatory microenvironment are currently gaining more support, as biomolecules involved in the inflammatory colorectal cancer (CRC) tumor microenvironment are being explored. We analyzed tumor and paired normal tissue samples from CRC patients (n = 22) whom underwent tumor resection surgery. We assessed 39 inflammation-involved biomolecules (multiplex magnetic bead-based immunoassay), CEA and CA19-9 (ELISA assay) and the tissue expression levels of occludin and also pErk, STAT1 and STAT3 transcriptional factors (western blot). Tumor staging has been established by histopathological evaluation of HE stained tumor tissue sections. We report 32 biomarkers displaying statistically significant differences in tumor vs. control. Additionally, positive statistical biomarker correlations were found between MMP2–IL8 and BAFF–IL8 (Pearson correlation coefficients > 0.751), while APRIL–MMP2, APRIL–BAFF and APRIL–IL8 were negatively correlated (correlation coefficients < − 0.650). While APRIL, BAFF, IL8 and MMP2 did not modulate with tumor stage, they were inversely related to the immune infiltrate level and CD163 tissue expression. We conclude that the significantly decreased APRIL and increased BAFF, IL8 and MMP2 expression were tumor-specific and deserve consideration in the development of new treatments. Also, the positive correlation between Chitinase 3-like 1 and IL8 (0.57) or MMP2 (0.50) suggest a role in tumor growth and metastasis pathways.
Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopy analysis of gamma irradiated human hair
Authors: Lam Siok Ee , Mat Nawi Siti Nurasiah , Abdul Sani Siti Fairus , Khandaker Mayeen Uddin , Bradley David Andrew 
Published: April 2021

AbstractPreliminary study has been made of black human hair, carbon concentration of some 53%, a model in examining the potential of hair of the human head in retrospective and emergency biodosimetry applications, also offering effective atomic number near to that of water. The hair samples were exposed to $$^{60}$$

60

Co gamma rays, delivering doses from 0 to 200 Gy. Structural alterations were observed, use being made of Raman and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Most prominent among the features observed in the first-order Raman spectra are the D and G peaks, appearing at 1370 $${{\pm }} 18\,{\hbox {cm}}^{-1}$$

±
18

cm

-
1

and 1589 $${{\pm }} 11\,{\hbox {cm}}^{-1}$$

±
11

cm

-
1

respectively, the intensity ratio $${{{I}}}_{{{D}}}{{/}}{{{I}}}_{{{G}}}$$

I
D

/

I
G

indicating dose-dependent defects generation and annealing of structural alterations. The wavelengths of the PL absorption and emission peaks are found to be centred at $$592.3 \pm 12.5$$

592.3
±
12.5

nm and $$1077.4 \pm 7.3$$

1077.4
±
7.3

nm, respectively. The hair samples mean band gap energy ($${{{E}}}_{{{g}}}$$

E
g

) post-irradiation was found to be $$2.10 \pm 0.04$$

2.10
±
0.04

eV, of the order of a semiconductor and approximately two times the $${{{E}}}_{{{g}}}$$

E
g

of other carbon-rich materials reported via the same methodology.
Adaptive optimal allocation of water resources response to future water availability and water demand in the Han River basin, China
Authors: Tian Jing , Guo Shenglian , Deng Lele , Yin Jiabo , Pan Zhengke , He Shaokun , Li Qianxun 
Published: April 2021

AbstractGlobal warming and anthropogenic changes can result in the heterogeneity of water availability in the spatiotemporal scale, which will further affect the allocation of water resources. A lot of researches have been devoted to examining the responses of water availability to global warming while neglected future anthropogenic changes. What’s more, only a few studies have investigated the response of optimal allocation of water resources to the projected climate and anthropogenic changes. In this study, a cascade model chain is developed to evaluate the impacts of projected climate change and human activities on optimal allocation of water resources. Firstly, a large set of global climate models (GCMs) associated with the Daily Bias Correction (DBC) method are employed to project future climate scenarios, while the Cellular Automaton–Markov (CA–Markov) model is used to project future Land Use/Cover Change (LUCC) scenarios. Then the runoff simulation is based on the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) hydrological model with necessary inputs under the future conditions. Finally, the optimal water resources allocation model is established based on the evaluation of water supply and water demand. The Han River basin in China was selected as a case study. The results show that: (1) the annual runoff indicates an increasing trend in the future in contrast with the base period, while the ascending rate of the basin under RCP 4.5 is 4.47%; (2) a nonlinear relationship has been identified between the optimal allocation of water resources and water availability, while a linear association exists between the former and water demand; (3) increased water supply are needed in the water donor area, the middle and lower reaches should be supplemented with 4.495 billion m3 water in 2030. This study provides an example of a management template for guiding the allocation of water resources, and improves understandings of the assessments of water availability and demand at a regional or national scale.
Structural basis for an exceptionally strong preference for asparagine residue at the S2 subsite of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia dipeptidyl peptidase 7
Authors: Nakamura Akihiro , Suzuki Yoshiyuki , Sakamoto Yasumitsu , Roppongi Saori , Kushibiki Chisato , Yonezawa Natsuri , Takahashi Masato , Shida Yosuke , Gouda Hiroaki , Nonaka Takamasa , Tanaka Nobutada , Ogasawara Wataru 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe emergence of drug-resistant bacteria has become a major problem worldwide. Bacterial dipeptidyl peptidases 7 and 11 (DPP7s and DPP11s), belonging to the family-S46 peptidases, are important enzymes for bacterial growth and are not present in mammals. Therefore, specific inhibitors for these peptidases are promising as potential antibiotics. While the molecular mechanisms underlining strict specificity at the S1 subsite of S46 peptidases have been well studied, those of relatively broad preference at the S2 subsite of these peptidases are unknown. In this study, we performed structural and biochemical analyses on DPP7 from Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (SmDPP7). SmDPP7 showed preference for the accommodation of hydrophobic amino acids at the S2 subsite in general, but as an exception, also for asparagine, a hydrophilic amino acid. Structural analyses of SmDPP7 revealed that this exceptional preference to asparagine is caused by a hydrogen bonding network at the bottom of the S2 subsite. The residues in the S2 subsite are well conserved among S46 peptidases as compared with those in the S1 subsite. We expect that our findings will contribute toward the development of a universal inhibitor of S46 peptidases.
Abundance and size of hyaluronan in naked mole-rat tissues and plasma
Authors: del Marmol Delphine , Holtze Susanne , Kichler Nadia , Sahm Arne , Bihin Benoit , Bourguignon Virginie , Dogné Sophie , Szafranski Karol , Hildebrandt Thomas Bernd , Flamion Bruno 
Published: April 2021

AbstractLarge amounts of ultra-high molecular weight hyaluronan (HA) have been described as the main cause of cancer resistance in naked mole-rats (Heterocephalus glaber, NMR). Our work examined HA metabolism in these rodents more closely. HA was localized and quantified using HA binding proteins. Its molecular weight was determined using size exclusion chromatography and gel electrophoresis, HA family gene expression using RNAseq analysis, and hyaluronidase activity using zymography. Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) and mice (Mus musculus) were used as controls for some experiments. We found that HA localization was similar in NMR, guinea pig, and mouse tissues but NMR had larger amounts and higher molecular weight (maximum, around 2.5 MDa) of HA in serum and almost all tissues tested. We could not find ultra-high molecular weight HA (≥ 4 MDa) in NMR samples, in contrast to previous descriptions. Hyaluronidase-1 had lower expression and activity in NMR than mouse lymph nodes. RNAseq results showed that, among HA family genes, Tnfaip6 and hyaluronidase-3 (Hyal3) were systematically overexpressed in NMR tissues. In conclusion, NMR samples, contrary to expectations, do not harbor ultra-high molecular weight HA, although its amount and average molecular weight are higher in NMR than in guinea pig tissues and serum. Although hyaluronidase expression and activity are lower in NMR than mouse lymph nodes, this not sufficient to explain the presence of high molecular weight HA. A different activity of the NMR HA synthases remains possible. These characteristics, together with extremely high Hyal3 and Tnfaip6 expression, may provide the NMR with a bespoke, and perhaps protective, HA metabolism.
Geographically varying relationships of COVID-19 mortality with different factors in India
Authors: Middya Asif Iqbal , Roy Sarbani 
Published: April 2021

AbstractCOVID-19 is a global crisis where India is going to be one of the most heavily affected countries. The variability in the distribution of COVID-19-related health outcomes might be related to many underlying variables, including demographic, socioeconomic, or environmental pollution related factors. The global and local models can be utilized to explore such relations. In this study, ordinary least square (global) and geographically weighted regression (local) methods are employed to explore the geographical relationships between COVID-19 deaths and different driving factors. It is also investigated whether geographical heterogeneity exists in the relationships. More specifically, in this paper, the geographical pattern of COVID-19 deaths and its relationships with different potential driving factors in India are investigated and analysed. Here, better knowledge and insights into geographical targeting of intervention against the COVID-19 pandemic can be generated by investigating the heterogeneity of spatial relationships. The results show that the local method (geographically weighted regression) generates better performance ($$R^{2}=0.97$$

R
2

=
0.97

) with smaller Akaike Information Criterion (AICc $$=-66.42$$

=
-
66.42

) as compared to the global method (ordinary least square). The GWR method also comes up with lower spatial autocorrelation (Moran’s $$I=-0.0395$$

I
=
-
0.0395

and $$p < 0.01$$

p
<
0.01

) in the residuals. It is found that more than 86% of local $$R^{2}$$

R
2

values are larger than 0.60 and almost 68% of $$R^{2}$$

R
2

values are within the range 0.80–0.97. Moreover, some interesting local variations in the relationships are also found.