bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
‘The wild west of medicine’: A qualitative investigation of the factors influencing Australian health‐care practitioners' delivery of medicinal cannabis
Authors: Dobson Olivia , Barber Michaela , Graham Myfanwy , Carter Adrian , Savic Michael 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIntroductionStrong patient interest in the use of medicinal cannabis to treat various clinical indications has sparked global legislative changes. Practitioners are vital in implementing regulatory changes and facilitating patient access to medicinal cannabis, however, little is currently known about the factors influencing practitioners' uptake. Recent rapid increases in practitioner applications to prescribe medicinal cannabis in Australia provides a unique backdrop to examine the current factors influencing prescribing behaviours. This qualitative study examined Australian practitioners' perspectives on prescribing medicinal cannabis to provide a comprehensive exploration of the potential factors influencing uptake in clinical practice.MethodsSeventeen semi‐structured interviews were conducted with Australian health‐care practitioners. Transcripts were analysed using the Framework approach to thematic analysis and cross‐mapped to appropriate domains of the Theoretical Domains Framework.ResultsWe identified four themes related to the barriers and facilitators to prescribing medicinal cannabis: (i) clinical capabilities needed to prescribe; (ii) prescribing an unapproved therapeutic good; (iii) negative attitudes towards prescribers in the medical community; and (iv) divergent beliefs about clinical utility.Discussion and ConclusionsPractitioners face multiple pervasive barriers to prescribing medicinal cannabis. Beliefs about clinical utility appear to be highly influential in shaping prescribing behaviours. Moreover, our findings suggest that a medicinal cannabis ‘specialisation’ has emerged within the Australian medical community. Findings demonstrate that a range of complex and multifaceted factors influence practitioners' medicinal cannabis prescribing behaviours. We highlight several considerations for policy and practice to support safe and appropriate patient access to medicinal cannabis in this emerging area of clinical practice.
Multifactorial structuring in a local guild of coprophilic scarab beetles from theMexicantransition zone: Analyses of ecological hypotheses
Authors: Moctezuma Victor , Halffter Gonzalo , Escobar Federico 
Published: April 2024

AbstractDifferent hypotheses have been proposed to explain the environmental gradients‐biotic structuring relationship. Nevertheless, several inconsistencies have arisen when only one hypothesis is chosen to explain the biological diversity patterns. Our aim is to test a multiple hypotheses approach to explain the structure of a coprophilic scarab local guild.Coprophilic Scarabaeoidea beetles were sampled for 33 sites along the study region (Los Chimalapas, Oaxaca, Mexico). Several environmental variables were used to test four hypotheses for geographic gradients: Productivity, ambient energy, habitat heterogeneity and temporal heterogeneity. Generalised linear mixed models were used to test the relationship of the hypotheses on the abundance, species richness and Shannon‐Wiener diversity of the local guild. Moreover, canonical correspondence analysis was performed to analyse the effects on species composition.Abundance was negatively affected by the simultaneous effect between two habitat heterogeneity factors, while both species richness (positive effect) and Shannon‐Wiener diversity (negative effect) were mainly related to productivity, and species composition was mainly explained by habitat heterogeneity.We conclude that multiple hypotheses, both based on species‐energy and heterogeneity, need to be considered to explain biotic setting of communities, ensembles, assemblages, local guilds and other complex biotic systems.
Profiling genome‐wide methylation in two maples: Fine‐scale approaches to detection with nanopore technology
Authors: McEvoy Susan L. , Grady Patrick G. S. , Pauloski Nicole , O'Neill Rachel J. , Wegrzyn Jill L. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractDNA methylation is critical to the regulation of transposable elements and gene expression and can play an important role in the adaptation of stress response mechanisms in plants. Traditional methods of methylation quantification rely on bisulfite conversion that can compromise accuracy. Recent advances in long‐read sequencing technologies allow for methylation detection in real time. The associated algorithms that interpret these modifications have evolved from strictly statistical approaches to Hidden Markov Models and, recently, deep learning approaches. Much of the existing software focuses on methylation in the CG context, but methylation in other contexts is important to quantify, as it is extensively leveraged in plants. Here, we present methylation profiles for two maple species across the full range of 5mC sequence contexts using Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) long‐reads. Hybrid and reference‐guided assemblies were generated for two new Acer accessions: Acer negundo (box elder; 65x ONT and 111X Illumina) and Acer saccharum (sugar maple; 93x ONT and 148X Illumina). The ONT reads generated for these assemblies were re‐basecalled, and methylation detection was conducted in a custom pipeline with the published Acer references (PacBio assemblies) and hybrid assemblies reported herein to generate four epigenomes. Examination of the transposable element landscape revealed the dominance of LTR Copia elements and patterns of methylation associated with different classes of TEs. Methylation distributions were examined at high resolution across gene and repeat density and described within the broader angiosperm context, and more narrowly in the context of gene family dynamics and candidate nutrient stress genes.
‘How to adapt forests?’—Exploring the role of leaf trait diversity for long‐term forest biomass under new climate normals
Authors: Billing Maik , Sakschewski Boris , von Bloh Werner , Vogel Johannes , Thonicke Kirsten 
Published: April 2024

AbstractForests, critical components of global ecosystems, face unprecedented challenges due to climate change. This study investigates the influence of functional diversity—as a component of biodiversity—to enhance long‐term biomass of European forests in the context of changing climatic conditions. Using the next‐generation flexible trait‐based vegetation model, LPJmL‐FIT, we explored the impact of functional diversity on long‐term forest biomass under three different climate change scenarios (video abstract: https://www.pik‐potsdam.de/~billing/video/2023/video_abstract_billing_et_al_LPJmLFIT.mp4). Four model set‐ups were tested with varying degrees of functional diversity and best‐suited functional traits. Our results show that functional diversity positively influences long‐term forest biomass, particularly when climate warming is low (RCP2.6). Under these conditions, high‐diversity simulations led to an approximately 18.2% increase in biomass compared to low‐diversity experiments. However, as climate change intensity increased, the benefits of functional diversity diminished (RCP8.5). A Bayesian multilevel analysis revealed that both full leaf trait diversity and diversity of plant functional types contributed significantly to biomass enhancement under low warming scenarios in our model simulations. Under strong climate change, the presence of a mixture of different functional groups (e.g. summergreen and evergreen broad‐leaved trees) was found more beneficial than the diversity of leaf traits within a functional group (e.g. broad‐leaved summergreen trees). Ultimately, this research challenges the notion that planting only the most productive and climate‐suited trees guarantees the highest future biomass and carbon sequestration. We underscore the importance of high functional diversity and the potential benefits of fostering a mixture of tree functional types to enhance long‐term forest biomass in the face of climate change.
A zinc‐finger protein Moc3 functions as a transcription activator to promote RNAi‐dependent constitutive heterochromatin establishment in fission yeast
Authors: Mori Miyuki , Sato Michiaki , Takahata Shinya , Kajitani Takuya , Murakami Yota 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIn fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, constitutive heterochromatin defined by methylation of histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9me) and its binding protein Swi6/HP1 localizes at the telomere, centromere, and mating‐type loci. These loci contain DNA sequences called dg and dh, and the RNA interference (RNAi)‐dependent system establishes and maintains heterochromatin at dg/dh. Bi‐directional transcription at dg/dh induced by RNA polymerase II is critical in RNAi‐dependent heterochromatin formation because the transcribed RNAs provide substrates for siRNA synthesis and a platform for assembling RNAi factors. However, a regulator of dg/dh transcription during the establishment of heterochromatin is not known. Here, we found that a zinc‐finger protein Moc3 localizes dh and activates dh‐forward transcription in its zinc‐finger‐dependent manner when heterochromatin structure or heterochromatin‐dependent silencing is compromised. However, Moc3 does not localize at normal heterochromatin and does not activate the dh‐forward transcription. Notably, the loss of Moc3 caused a retarded heterochromatin establishment, showing that Moc3‐dependent dh‐forward transcription is critical for RNAi‐dependent heterochromatin establishment. Therefore, Moc3 is a transcriptional activator that induces RNAi to establish heterochromatin.
Tumour budding as a prognostic biomarker in biopsies and resections of neoadjuvant‐treated rectal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Aherne Susan , Donnelly Mark , Ryan Éanna J , Davey Matthew G , Creavin Ben , McGrath Erinn , McCarthy Aoife , Geraghty Robert , Gibbons David , Nagtegaal Iris , Lugli Alessandro , Kirsch Richard , Martin Sean T , Winter Desmond C , Sheahan Kieran ,   collaborators at the Centre for Colorectal Disease and International Tumour Budding Consortium funded by the Dutch Cancer Society
Published: April 2024

BackgroundTumour budding (TB) is a marker of tumour aggressiveness which, when measured in rectal cancer resection specimens, predicts worse outcomes and response to neoadjuvant therapy. We investigated the utility of TB assessment in the setting of neoadjuvant treatment.Methods and resultsA single‐centre, retrospective cohort study was conducted. TB was assessed using the hot‐spot International Tumour Budding Consortium (ITBCC) method and classified by the revised ITBCC criteria. Haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and AE1/AE3 cytokeratin (CK) stains for ITB (intratumoural budding) in biopsies with PTB (peritumoural budding) and ITB (intratumoural budding) in resection specimens were compared. Logistic regression assessed budding as predictors of lymph node metastasis (LNM). Cox regression and Kaplan–Meier analyses investigated their utility as a predictor of disease‐free (DFS) and overall (OS) survival. A total of 146 patients were included; 91 were male (62.3%). Thirty‐seven cases (25.3%) had ITB on H&E and 79 (54.1%) had ITB on CK assessment of biopsy tissue. In univariable analysis, H&E ITB [odds (OR) = 2.709, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.261–5.822, P = 0.011] and CK ITB (OR = 2.165, 95% CI = 1.076–4.357, P = 0.030) predicted LNM. Biopsy‐assessed H&E ITB (OR = 2.749, 95% CI = 1.258–6.528, P = 0.022) was an independent predictor of LNM. In Kaplan–Meier analysis, ITB identified on biopsy was associated with worse OS (H&E, P = 0.003, CK: P = 0.009) and DFS (H&E, P = 0.012; CK, P = 0.045). In resection specimens, CK PTB was associated with worse OS (P = 0.047), and both CK PTB and ITB with worse DFS (PTB, P = 0.014; ITB: P = 0.019). In multivariable analysis H&E ITB predicted OS (HR = 2.930, 95% CI = 1.261–6.809) and DFS (HR = 2.072, 95% CI = 1.031–4.164). CK PTB grading on resection also independently predicted OS (HR = 3.417, 95% CI = 1.45–8.053, P = 0.005).ConclusionAssessment of TB using H&E and CK may be feasible in rectal cancer biopsy and post‐neoadjuvant therapy‐treated resection specimens and is associated with LNM and worse survival outcomes. Future management strategies for rectal cancer might be tailored to incorporate these findings.
Ablation mechanism of C/C–SiC composites in supersonic oxygen‐enriched ablation environment for the internal flow field
Authors: Gao Yong , Wang Jin‐Jin , Zha Bai‐Lin , Sun Zhen‐Sheng , Wang Ling‐Ling , Li Rui‐Feng 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThis study investigates the ablation resistance of C/C–SiC composites using the ground simulation internal flow‐field supersonic oxygen‐rich ablation test technology. The microstructure evolution and ablation mechanism of the composites in a supersonic oxygen‐rich environment were explored by examining the macroscopic and microscopic ablation morphologies of the composites before and after the test. The results demonstrate that C/C–SiC composites exhibit excellent ablation resistance, with mass and linear ablation rates of .46 × 10−2 g/s and .42 × 10−2 mm/s, respectively, after 120 s of ablation in a low gas temperature and high oxygen‐rich ablation thermal environment. As the gas temperature increases, the mass and linear ablation rates of C/C–SiC composites gradually increase, even though the oxygen enrichment within the gas components decreases. When the gas temperature reaches 2178–2491 K, the mass and linear ablation rates increase to 1.31 × 10−2 g/s and .84 × 10−2 mm/s, respectively. Furthermore, at high temperatures above 2650 K, the mass and linear ablation rates of the composites exhibit a geometric multiple increase, reaching 4.73 × 10−2 g/s and 1.89 × 10−2 mm/s, respectively. These findings indicate that the ablation resistance of C/C–SiC composites in the supersonic oxygen‐rich ablation environment is more sensitive to gas temperature than oxygen enrichment. The main factors contributing to the increased ablation rate of C/C–SiC composites in the supersonic oxygen‐rich ablation process include the formation of a glass SiO2 oxide film, transition to molten SiO2, erosion of molten SiO2, and high‐temperature sublimation of the SiC matrix.
Metabolomics reveals how ethylene‐auxin interaction delays tomato ripening maintaining fruit nutritional and sensorial quality
Authors: Tobaruela Eric de Castro , Meza Silvia Leticia Rivero , Massaretto Isabel Louro , Pascoal Grazieli Benedetti , Freschi Luciano , Purgatto Eduardo 
Published: April 2024

SummaryThe antagonistic roles of ethylene and auxin are well established, although the exact role of auxin in ripening regulation remains unclear. A metabolomic approach can be a strategy to understand the role of this phytohormone in improving tomato quality. This study used metabolomic approaches to investigate how the interaction between ethylene and auxin affects tomato fruit nutritional and sensorial quality, with a particular emphasis on aroma metabolites. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Micro‐Tom) fruits were randomly grouped according to treatment with ethylene (ETHY), auxin (IAA), or both (ETHY + IAA) phytohormones. Fruits without treatment were grouped in CTRL. Ethylene and auxin treatments affected carbohydrates (fructose, sucrose, and glucose), organic acids (citric and malic acids), and amino acids (valine, asparagine, and GABA), with the main volatile organic compounds precursors positively impacting ETHY + IAA aroma compounds. In conclusion, the comparison of metabolome profiles suggests that auxin regulation may overlap the ethylene regulatory system. Furthermore, tomato fruits treated with both phytohormones maintained metabolic profiles similar to those of untreated fruits in delayed ripening conditions, besides the improved tomato aroma.
The role of environmental air and microwave drying on colour values, bioactive properties and phenolic compounds of jalapeno pepper
Authors: Mohamed Ahmed Isam A. , Al Juhaimi Fahad , Uslu Nurhan , Özcan Mehmet Musa , Karrar Emad 
Published: April 2024

SummaryIn this study, the effect of dehydration of some physico‐chemical characteristics, total phenol, flavonoids, antioxidant capacity and phenolic compounds of green and red jalapeno pepper fruits was investigated. The total carotenoid contents of red and green jalapeno pepper samples were reported to be between 14.15 (fresh) and 129.00 μg/g (540 and 720 W) to 2.8 (fresh) and 27.25 μg/g (720 W), respectively. Total phenolic results of red and green jalapeno pepper samples were recorded between 205.83 (fresh) and 343.93 mg GAE/100 g (540 W) to 81.69 (fresh) and 309.88 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g (air drying), respectively. The highest decrease in L* results (brightness) of both red (32.33) and green (36.45) peppers was determined with air drying. Gallic acid, catechin and kaempferol were the predominant phenolic compounds of jalapeno peppers. Gallic acid amounts of red and green jalapeno pepper samples changed between 3.23 (fresh) and 16.20 mg/100 g (air) to 2.41 (fresh) and 9.30 mg/100 g (air), respectively. Also, catechin amounts of both red and green dehydrated jalapeno pepper fruits were determined between 3.24 (fresh) and 106.33 mg/100 g (900 W) to 2.89 (fresh) and 90.05 mg/100 g (air), respectively. Both conventional and microwave drying has caused the reduction of redness for red pepper and greenness for green pepper. The phenolic components of red jalapeno peppers were partially higher than the green ones.
Colloid‐encapsulated sugarcane polyphenols and their impact on in vitro starch digestibility: enhancing bioaccessibility and α‐amylase inhibitory effect
Authors: Li Hongye , Yue Yi , Jiang Yiming , Wu Yi , Zhang Mengqing , Zeng Xinan , Zhao Wei 
Published: April 2024

SummaryThis study focuses on encapsulation of sugarcane polyphenols (SPs) to assess its impact on their bioaccessibility and efficacy in inhibiting starch digestion, thereby contributing to glycaemic control strategies. The hypothesis posits that encapsulation enhances both the bioaccessibility and functional effectiveness of SPs. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and carrageenan (CAR) were employed as encapsulating agents. The methodology included an evaluation of α‐amylase inhibitory activity and the bioaccessibility of SPs across various encapsulation formulations in vitro digestion, highlighting a specific formulation that combines 0.5% CMC and 0.5% CAR to encapsulate 0.4% SPs. Findings reveal that this formulation significantly increases SPs' bioaccessibility and exhibits the highest α‐amylase inhibitory activity, suggesting its potential to support a low glycaemic index (GI) diet (GI = 54.7). It was observed that the GI is significantly inversely correlated with the bioaccessibility of total polyphenols and proanthocyanidins in SPs, while the bioaccessibility of total flavonoids in SPs showed no significant effect on pGI. Interestingly, SPs encapsulated with CMC were less effective in inhibiting starch digestibility than unencapsulated SPs, attributed to the tight binding of CMC with polyphenols, which limits their interaction with starch and α‐amylase. The study highlights the crucial influence of encapsulation materials on polyphenol functionality and emphasises the need for strategic encapsulation in modulating glycaemic responses. These findings advance the understanding of how processing technologies can optimise the health benefits of dietary bioactives, guiding future research towards functional applications and dietary interventions for glycaemic control.
Melatonin treatment enhances bioactive compound retention, antioxidant activity and shelf‐life of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) during cold storage
Authors: Ahamad Sajeel , Asrey Ram , Singh Awani Kumar , Sethi Shruti , Joshi Alka , Vinod B. R. , Meena Nirmal Kumar , Menaka M. , Choupdar Ganesh Kumar 
Published: April 2024

SummaryMelatonin (MT), a natural signalling compound derived from tryptophan, has gained significant attention for delaying postharvest ripening and senescence in various fruits and vegetables. In the present study, the effect of MT treatment was evaluated on the postharvest shelf‐life of bell pepper. Fruits were dipped in various MT concentrations (70, 120, 170, 220 μmol L−1) for 20 min and stored at 10 ± 1 °C for 20 days. The bell pepper treated with 120 μmol L−1 MT significantly suppressed respiration, weight loss and delayed chlorophyll degradation. Additionally, MT (120 μmol L−1) treatment reduced loss of firmness, titratable acidity and retained total phenol, flavonoid and ascorbic acid content. It hindered malondialdehyde accumulation by enhanced DPPH radical scavenging and antioxidant enzyme activity like superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase, over the control. Conclusively, 120 μmol L−1 MT prolongs the postharvest shelf‐life of bell pepper by 20 days with superior sensory quality, surpassing the control by 10 days. Therefore, MT treatment is a commercially useful technology for maintaining quality and prolonging the postharvest shelf‐life of bell pepper.
Pasting, thermal and structural changes of part‐baked bread prepared under freezing conditions
Authors: Silvas‐García María Irene , Ledesma‐Osuna Ana Irene , Buitimea‐Cantúa Nydia Estrellita , Montaño‐Leyva Beatriz , Menchaca‐Armenta Mariela , Gerardo‐Rodríguez Jesús Enrique 
Published: April 2024

SummaryIn frozen part‐baked bread technology, starch is influenced by various processing factors. This study aimed to investigate the effect of part‐baking time, freezing rate and frozen storage time on pasting, thermal and structural properties of part‐baked bread. Wheat dough was part‐baked for 0, 3 or 6 min and frozen at −20 °C using two freezing rates: slow (0.15 °C min−1) or fast (1.45 °C min−1). Next, samples were stored in frozen conditions for 56 days and analysed every 14 days for starch damage, pasting properties, thermal and X‐ray analysis. The level of damaged starch increased with 3 min (69.3%), and 6 min (88.8%) of part‐baking time for both freezing rates compared to no part‐baked. In pasting analyses, peak viscosity decreased 27.3% and 38.4% for 3 and 6 min of part‐baking time, respectively, at 0 days of frozen storage; however, this tendency was observed for all frozen storage time. The gelatinisation enthalpy (ΔHg) decreased as part‐baking time increased, showing the maximum reduction at 6 min of part‐baked (94.9%). In X‐ray diffraction analyses at 3 and 6 min of part‐baking, the intensity of the signal increased 4.4% and 10.9%, respectively, probably due to the starch gelatinisation. These results can serve as a valuable guide for developing strategies to enhance the quality of part‐baked bread and improve production performance.