bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of ozone treatment on phenylpropanoid metabolism in harvested cantaloupes
Authors: Ren Jie , Li Xiaoxue , Dong Chenghu , Zheng Pufan , Zhang Na , Ji Haipeng , Yu Jinze , Lu Xiaohui , Li Mo , Chen Cunkun , Liang Liya 
Published: July 2024

AbstractPhenylpropanoid metabolism plays an important role in cantaloupe ripening and senescence, but the mechanism of ozone regulation on phenylpropanoid metabolism remains unclear. This study investigated how ozone treatment modulates the levels of secondary metabolites associated with phenylpropanoid metabolism, the related enzyme activities, and gene expression in cantaloupe. Treating cantaloupes with 15 mg/m3 of ozone after precooling can help maintain postharvest hardness. This treatment also enhances the production and accumulation of secondary metabolites, such as total phenols, flavonoids, and lignin. These metabolites are essential components of the phenylpropanoid metabolic pathway, activating enzymes like phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase, cinnamate 4‐hydroxylase, 4CL, chalcone synthase, and chalcone isomerase. The results of the transcriptional expression patterns showed that differential gene expression related to phenylpropanoid metabolism in the peel of ozone‐treated cantaloupes was primarily observed during the middle and late storage stages. In contrast, the pulp exhibited significant differential gene expression mainly during the early storage stage. Furthermore, it was observed that the level of gene expression in the peel was generally higher than that in the pulp. The correlation between the relative amount of gene changes in cantaloupe, activity of selected enzymes, and concentration of secondary metabolites could be accompanied by positive regulation of the phenylpropanoid metabolic pathway. Therefore, ozone stress induction positively enhances the biosynthesis of flavonoids in cantaloupes, leading to an increased accumulation of secondary metabolites. Additionally, it also improves the postharvest storage quality of cantaloupes.
Virulence factors of Salmonella spp. isolated from free‐living grass snakes Natrix natrix
Authors: Pawlak Aleksandra , Małaszczuk Michał , Dróżdż Mateusz , Bury Stanisław , Kuczkowski Maciej , Morka Katarzyna , Cieniuch Gabriela , Korzeniowska‐Kowal Agnieszka , Wzorek Anna , Korzekwa Kamila , Wieliczko Alina , Cichoń Mariusz , Gamian Andrzej , Bugla‐Płoskońska Gabriela 
Published: July 2024

AbstractSalmonellosis associated with reptiles is a well‐researched topic, particularly in China and the United States, but it occurs less frequently in Europe. The growth of the human population and changes in the environment could potentially increase the interaction between humans and free‐living reptiles, which are an unidentified source of Salmonella species. In this study, we sought to explore this issue by comparing the microbiota of free‐living European grass snakes, scientifically known as Natrix natrix, with that of captive banded water snakes, or Nerodia fasciata. We were able to isolate 27 strains of Salmonella species from cloacal swabs of 59 N. natrix and 3 strains from 10 N. fasciata. Our findings revealed that free‐living snakes can carry strains of Salmonella species that are resistant to normal human serum (NHS). In contrast, all the Salmonella species strains isolated from N. fasciata were sensitive to the action of the NHS, further supporting our findings. We identified two serovars from N. natrix: Salmonella enterica subspecies diarizonae and S. enterica subspecies houtenae. Additionally, we identified three different virulotypes (VT) with invA, sipB, prgH, orgA, tolC, iroN, sitC, sifA, sopB, spiA, cdtB and msgA genes, and β‐galactosidase synthesised by 23 serovars. The identification of Salmonella species in terms of their VT is a relatively unknown aspect of their pathology. This can be specific to the serovar and pathovar and could be a result of adaptation to a new host or environment.
Rapid, easy, sensitive, low‐cost and on‐site detection of environmental DNA and RNA using CRISPR‐Cas13
Authors: Yang Jiwei , Matsushita Shoma , Xia Fei , Yoshizawa Susumu , Iwasaki Wataru 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Environmental DNA (eDNA) monitoring of species distribution has become a critical tool in ecology, conservation biology and fisheries for identifying the presence and distribution of diverse organisms, including important, threatened and invasive species. However, eDNA detection still has room for improvement in sensitivity, requiring time‐consuming real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) steps and costly machines.

In this study, we report a CRISPR‐Cas13‐based method for rapid, easy, sensitive, low‐cost and on‐site detection of eDNA. The assay for the detection of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and medaka (Oryzias latipes) nucleic acid employs a two‐step process, starting with recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) and followed by cleavage using Cas13 nuclease, to effectively identify mitochondrial DNA or RNA.

Our results showed that the Cas13‐based method has a higher sensitivity than the qPCR‐based method in detecting tiny amounts of eDNA. When combined with reverse transcription of environmental RNA (eRNA), our method increased detection sensitivity by approximately one order of magnitude. Cas13‐based detection could achieve on‐site detection of eDNA using a quick nucleic acid extraction solution and lateral flow strips.

Cas13‐based detection of eDNA and eRNA requires minimal training efforts and can be performed in 1 h, without the need for centrifugation and qPCR machines. The portability of the Cas13‐based method, along with its accuracy and relative ease in designing primers and CRISPR RNA (crRNA), underscores its potential to broaden the application of eDNA and eRNA in various fields, including biodiversity conservation.
The impact of a mega‐fire on tree hollow loss and nest box occupancy by secondary cavity‐nesting cockatoos
Authors: Berris Karleah Kyrene , Barth Michael , Welz Torran 
Published: July 2024

AbstractTree hollows are important structural habitat features for secondary cavity‐nesting birds, however, there has been limited research on how fire severity and frequency affect hollow abundance. Following a mega‐fire on Kangaroo Island during the 2019–2020 Australian bushfire season, we conducted an opportunistic post‐fire assessment of the fate of 144 monitored hollows in Eucalyptus cladocalyx and Eucalyptus leucoxylon trees used by endangered glossy black‐cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus lathami halmaturinus) and yellow‐tailed black‐cockatoos (Zanda funerea). We investigated the relationship between burn severity, inter‐fire interval, tree species and landscape position on the likelihood of tree hollow loss. We also compared the occupancy of nest boxes by both cockatoo species in fire‐affected catchments pre‐fire (2015–2017; 59 nest boxes) and post‐fire (2020–2022; 52 nest boxes). Surveys revealed that 64.4% of monitored tree hollows within the burnt area were destroyed, as were the trees that contained them. Most monitored tree hollows (76.9%) were in areas that had not experienced fire in >50 years prior to the 2019–2020 fires. Tree hollow loss in 2020 was 29 times greater than the mean annual loss of 1.6% recorded in the 22 years prior. Burn severity, inter‐fire interval, landscape matrix and tree species were poor predictors of hollow loss. However, increasing distance from forest edge slightly increased the probability of hollow loss. Post‐fire, the proportion of nest boxes used for nesting by glossy black‐cockatoos per annum increased to 0.70 ± 0.09, compared to 0.50 ± 0.03 pre‐fire. However, the proportion of nest boxes used for nesting by yellow‐tailed black‐cockatoos per annum remained similar (post‐fire 0.32 ± 0.12; pre‐fire 0.28 ± 0.05). The mega‐fires on Kangaroo Island in 2019–2020 resulted in tree hollow loss on a much larger scale than recorded in the 22 years prior, and subsequently, nest boxes have become an important resource for the endangered glossy black‐cockatoo.
Trastuzumab deruxtecan versus trastuzumab emtansine in Asian patients with HER2‐positive metastatic breast cancer
Authors: Iwata Hiroji , Xu Binghe , Kim Sung‐Bae , Chung Wei‐Pang , Park Yeon Hee , Kim Min Hwan , Tseng Ling‐Ming , Chung Chi‐Feng , Huang Chiun‐Sheng , Kim Jee Hyun , Chiu Joanne Wing Yan , Yamashita Toshinari , Li Wei , Egorov Anton , Nishijima Soichiro , Nakatani Shunsuke , Nishiyama Yuji , Sugihara Masahiro , Cortés Javier , Im Seock‐Ah 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe global phase 3 DESTINY‐Breast03 study (ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT03529110) showed statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) with trastuzumab deruxtecan (T‐DXd) over trastuzumab emtansine (T‐DM1) in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)‐positive metastatic breast cancer (mBC) previously treated with trastuzumab and a taxane. Here, we report a subgroup analysis of Asian patients enrolled in DESTINY‐Breast03. In total, 309 patients (149 in the T‐DXd arm and 160 in the T‐DM1 arm) from Asian countries and regions were randomized. At data cutoff (July 25, 2022), the median duration of follow‐up in the Asian subpopulation was 29.0 months with T‐DXd and 26.0 months with T‐DM1. The PFS (determined by blinded independent central review) hazard ratio was 0.30 (95% confidence interval 0.22–0.41) favoring T‐DXd over T‐DM1 (median PFS 25.1 vs. 5.4 months). Median OS was not reached in the T‐DXd arm and was 37.7 months in the T‐DM1 arm. The median treatment duration was 15.4 months with T‐DXd and 5.5 months with T‐DM1. The incidence of grade ≥3 drug‐related treatment‐emergent adverse events was similar between both treatment arms (49.0% vs. 46.5%) and was consistent with the overall DESTINY‐Breast03 population. Adjudicated drug‐related interstitial lung disease or pneumonitis occurred in 12.9% of patients treated with T‐DXd and 2.5% treated with T‐DM1, with a higher incidence in Japanese patients; none of these were grade ≥4 events. These efficacy and safety data reinforce the favorable benefit–risk profile of T‐DXd in HER2‐positive mBC, including in the Asian subgroup.
Keratin 17 and Collagen type 1 genes: Esophageal cancer molecular marker discovery and evaluation
Authors: Pan Huiwen , Hong Jie , Shao Aizhong , Zhao Zhiguo , Ding Guowen , Fang Zhijie , Chen Keping , Zhu Jingfeng 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACTOne hundred eighty pairs of tissues of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) were tested by the transcriptome sequencing in order to explore etiology factors. The chi‐square test and correlation analysis demonstrated that the relative expression levels of keratin 17 (KRT17) and collagen type I α1 chain (COL1A1) were significantly higher in EC with diabetes. Expression of KRT17 was correlated with blood glucose (r = 0.204, p = 0.001) and tumor size (r = −0.177, p = 0.038) in patients. COL1A1 correlated with age (r = −0.170, p = 0.029) and blood glucose levels (r = 0.190, p = 0.015). Experimental results of qRT‐PCR: KRT17 and COL1A1 genes were highly expressed in ESCC (p < 0.05). When the two genes were used as a combination test, the positive detection rate of EC was 90.6%, and the ROC curve had greater power. The KRT17 and COL1A1 genes had the potential to be biomarkers for the diagnosis of ESCC.
SARS‐CoV‐2‐Infektionen bei Patienten mit Psoriasis in Deutschland: Daten aus den deutschen Registern PsoBest und CoronaBest
Authors: López María José Valencia , Meineke Anna , Stephan Brigitte , Rustenbach Stephan Jeff , Kis Anne , Thaçi Diamant , Mrowietz Ulrich , Reich Kristian , Staubach‐Renz Petra , von Kiedrowski Ralph , Bogena Henriette , Augustin Matthias 
Published: July 2024

ZusammenfassungEinleitungEs gibt nur wenige Daten über die Merkmale von SARS‐CoV‐2‐Infektionen bei deutschen Patienten mit Psoriasis oder Psoriasisarthritis (PsA). Diese Studie analysiert die COVID‐19‐Prävalenz und den Schweregrad der Symptome bei diesen Patienten.Patienten und MethodikDie Teilnehmer der deutschen Register PsoBest und CoronaBest wurden im Februar 2022 befragt und deskriptiv ausgewertet.Ergebnisse4818 Patienten mit einem Durchschnittsalter von 56,4 Jahren wurden in die Analyse einbezogen. Positive SARS‐CoV‐2‐Tests wurden von 737 (15,3%) Patienten gemeldet. Die am häufigsten berichteten akuten Symptome waren Müdigkeit (67,3%), Husten (58,8%) und Kopfschmerzen (58,3%). Länger anhaltende Symptome nach der akuten Phase von COVID‐19 wurden von 231 der 737 Patienten angegeben. Bei den meisten Patienten (92,9%) wurde die systemische Behandlung für ihre Psoriasis oder PsA während der Pandemie nicht geändert. Positiv auf SARS‐CoV‐2 getestete Patienten waren im Durchschnitt jünger und hatten häufiger Änderungen in der Therapie der Psoriasis als negativ getestete Patienten (8,5% vs. 5,4%).SchlussfolgerungenIn dieser Kohorte von Patienten mit Psoriasis oder PsA, die sich einer systemischen Behandlung unterzogen, waren SARS‐CoV‐2‐Infektionen häufig, wenn auch weniger häufig als in der deutschen Allgemeinbevölkerung. Bei den Patienten wurden keine Risikosignale für schwerere COVID‐19‐Erkrankungen oder erhöhte Infektionsraten beobachtet. Außerdem blieben die systemischen Therapien weitgehend unverändert, so dass keine Risiken auf diese Therapien zurückgeführt werden können.
Qatar's multifaceted humanitarian role in Afghanistan since August 2021
Authors: Milton Sansom , Elkahlout Ghassan 
Published: July 2024

AbstractMotivationQatar's humanitarian role in Afghanistan, a less‐explored example of a non‐traditional actor, is crucial in understanding international responses to geopolitical crises. Examining Qatar's involvement provides insights into the complex dynamics of humanitarian assistance, diplomatic efforts, and post‐crisis challenges.PurposeThe study examines Qatar's multifaceted role in Afghanistan since 2021, highlighting its impact as a non‐traditional actor in complex humanitarian operations and diplomacy.Approach and methodsThe research combines a desk review of online sources, academic literature, reports, non‐governmental organization documents, and media articles with first‐hand observations and informal stakeholder interviews. It also analyses international aid statistics from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs' Financial Tracking Service and the Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development's Development Assistance Committee.FindingsQatar emerged as a key humanitarian player in Afghanistan, adopting a whole‐of‐society approach. Its efforts encompassed emergency relief, evacuations, educational support, and humanitarian diplomacy, effectively bridging the Taliban with international actors after the takeover.Policy implicationsThis research highlights the impactful role of non‐traditional donors, as seen with Qatar in Afghanistan, emphasizing their potential in complex humanitarian scenarios. The study advocates recognizing and leveraging the unique capabilities of smaller states and non‐traditional actors in humanitarian responses, promoting capacity building to harness their institutional agility and societal resources effectively.
Evaluation of the prognostic value of papillary muscle‐free strain in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Koyuncu Atilla , Yildiz Cennet , Oflar Ersan , Mavi Busra , Ertugrul Abdulcelil Sait , Ocal Lutfi , Gürsoy Mustafa Ozan , Kahveci Gokhan 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe prognosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) varies from mild disease with a normal life expectancy to heart failure and sudden cardiac death (SCD). The identification of patients who are at high risk for SCD remains challenging.AimsIn this study, we evaluated the prognostic value of papillary muscle‐free strain in HCM patients.Methods and ResultsSeventy‐nine patients with a diagnosis of HCM were included in this study. Patients were divided into low/intermediate‐risk (n = 57) and high‐risk (n = 22) groups. Two‐dimensional (2‐D) echocardiography and strain imaging were performed for each patient. The mean age of the study population was 53.85 ± 15.88 years; 47 (59.5%) of them were male. During a mean follow‐up duration of 74.45 ± 17.03 months, 12 patients died. A comparison of the low‐intermediate and high‐SCD risk groups revealed that patients in the high‐SCD risk group had greater maximal wall thickness, interventricular septum thickness, posterior wall thickness, and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and lower (less negative) global longitudinal, anterolateral papillary muscle (ALPM) and posteromedial papillary muscle (PMPM) free strain. Additionally, a history of syncope and ICD implantation were found to be more common in patients with high SCD risk scores. The SCD risk score was positively correlated with the global longitudinal strain, ALPM‐free strain, and PMPM‐free strain (r = .528, r = .658, and r = .600, respectively; p < .001 for all). Our results showed that the LVMI, presence of syncope, global longitudinal strain, and ALPM‐free strain were predictors of death.ConclusionsDecreased papillary muscle‐free strain values might have prognostic value in patients with HCM.
Weather patterns determine success rates of two biocontrol agents on Cytisus scoparius in the USA
Authors: Bode Robert Frederick , Cervantez Olivia 
Published: July 2024

AbstractTo be effective, a biocontrol agent must survive and persist in the same habitat as the target species and reduce target population growth. When multiple biocontrol agents are used against a single invasive species, they may each perform better under a subset of the habitat in which the target lives. This complementarity allows for a more consistent level of control and a higher resilience to environmental variability. Two species that feed on the same plant tissues would compete, but niche partitioning in the native range may be replicated when both species are introduced to the invasive range. When biocontrol agents are released, they may self‐sort to perform best in their respective niches. We hypothesized that two biocontrol agents—Scotch broom seed beetle, Bruchidius villosus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and Scotch broom seed weevil, Exapion fuscirostre (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Brentidae)—that both feed on seeds of the invasive legume Scotch broom, Cytisus scoparius L. Link (Fabaceae), would be impacted differently by different weather conditions and plant traits, and would show different success rates at field sites with different conditions. We used a 5‐year study to reveal that the two biocontrol agents are not uniformly distributed in the field and that weather and plant factors influence their success. We confirmed that weather conditions of the previous year influenced biocontrol agent attack rate and found that weather patterns at a field site may predict the impact of each biocontrol agent.
Effects of co‐administration of lamotrigine on valproate transfer across the placenta and its brain entry in developing Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rats from Strasbourg (GAERS)
Authors: Qiu Fiona , Huang Yifan , Dziegielewska Katarzyna M. , Habgood Mark D. , Saunders Norman R. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractDuring development, embryos and foetuses may be exposed to maternally ingested antiseizure medications (ASM), valproate and lamotrigine, essential in some patients to control their epilepsy symptoms. Often, the two drugs are co‐administered to reduce required doses of valproate, a known potential teratogen. This study used Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rat from Strasbourg to evaluate transfer of valproate and lamotrigine across late gestation placenta and their entry into cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and brain of developing rats, in mono‐ and combination therapies. Animals at embryonic day (E) 19, postnatal day (P) 0, 4 and 21, and adults were administered valproate (30 mg/kg) or lamotrigine (6 mg/kg) with their respective [3H]‐tracers, either alone or in combination. In chronic experiments, females consumed valproate‐containing diet from 2 weeks prior to mating until offspring were used at E19 and P0. Drugs were injected 30 min before blood, CSF and brain samples were collected from terminally anaesthetised animals. Radioactivity in samples was measured. In acute monotherapy brain entry of valproate was higher in foetal than postnatal animals, correlating with its plasma protein binding. Brain entry of lamotrigine was not age‐dependent. Combination therapy enhanced entry of lamotrigine into the adult brain but had no effects on brain and CSF entry of valproate. Following chronic valproate exposure, placental transfer of valproate decreased in combination therapy; however, foetal brain entry increased. Results suggest that during pregnancy, the use of combination therapy of valproate and lamotrigine may mitigate overall foetal exposure to valproate but potential risks to foetal brain development are less clear.
Molecular mechanisms of spinal cord injury repair across vertebrates: A comparative review
Authors: Jiang Ying , Cai Yang , Yang Ning , Gao Si , Li Qingwei , Pang Yue , Su Peng 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIn humans and other adult mammals, axon regeneration is difficult in axotomized neurons. Therefore, spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating event that can lead to permanent loss of locomotor and sensory functions. Moreover, the molecular mechanisms of axon regeneration in vertebrates are not very well understood, and currently, no effective treatment is available for SCI. In striking contrast to adult mammals, many nonmammalian vertebrates such as reptiles, amphibians, bony fishes and lampreys can spontaneously resume locomotion even after complete SCI. In recent years, rapid progress in the development of next‐generation sequencing technologies has offered valuable information on SCI. In this review, we aimed to provide a comparison of axon regeneration process across classical model organisms, focusing on crucial genes and signalling pathways that play significant roles in the regeneration of individually identifiable descending neurons after SCI. Considering the special evolutionary location and powerful regenerative ability of lamprey and zebrafish, they will be the key model organisms for ongoing studies on spinal cord regeneration. Detailed study of SCI in these model organisms will help in the elucidation of molecular mechanisms of neuron regeneration across species.
Fabrication and characteristics study of self‐powered and UV–Vis–NIR photodetector based on p‐NiO:Eu nanofibers
Authors: Şakar Betül Ceviz , Yıldırım Fatma , Aydoğan Şakir 
Published: July 2024

AbstractHeterojunctions formed between undoped and Eu‐doped NiO nanofibers (NFs) and n‐Si were fabricated by electrospinning the NiO:Eu NFs onto Si. Since the photoresponse of the Eu‐doped NiO‐containing device was better than the undoped one, the study focused on the doped NiO‐containing device. This was explained by the increase in electron kinetics in terms of the active role of Eu in bonding with the 4f orbitals and the s, d, and f states of NiO. Electro‐optical measurements of the NiO:Eu NFs/n‐Si heterojunction were performed in the visible region depending on the light intensity and in the UV and NIR regions for 10 mW/cm2 powers. It was observed that the device exhibits a good level of rectification properties and responds very well to all lights. At all three light sources, the heterojunction photodetector exhibited self‐powered behavior. Furthermore, for 10 mW/cm2 light intensity, the NiO:Eu NFs/n‐Si photodetector achieved R values of 1.84 A/W at 365 nm, 0.98 A/W at 395 nm, and 1.54 A/W at 850 nm, while it is 0.12 A/W for visible light. Besides, the device showed an external quantum efficiency of 625% and this was attributed to the photocurrent gain. In self‐driven mode, D* values have been determined as 3.0 × 1012 Jones, 2.6 × 1012 Jones, and 2.9 × 1012 Jones for 365, 395, and 850 nm, respectively. The performance of NiO under UV light was attributed to the absorption of NiO under UV light, as well as the very good excitation of (Eu3+) ions by UV light.