bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Recent European drying and its link to prevailing large-scale atmospheric patterns
Authors: Bakke Sigrid J. , Ionita Monica , Tallaksen Lena M. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe extreme 2018 and 2022 droughts pose as recent examples of a series of drought events that have hit Europe over the last decades with wide ranging social, environmental and economic impacts. Although the link between atmospheric circulation and meteorological drought is clear and often highlighted during major drought events, there is a lack of in-depth studies linking historical changes in meteorological drought indices and prevailing large-scale atmospheric patterns in Europe. To meet this shortfall, we investigated the relation between changes in large-scale atmospheric patterns and meteorological drought, as indicated by the geopotential height at 500mb (Z500) and the Standardised Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), respectively. Calculations were done separately for four climate regions (North, West, Central-East and Mediterranean) over the growing season (March–September). Coherent patterns of significant changes towards higher pressure (increasing Z500) and drier conditions (decreasing SPEI) over 1979–2021 are found over West in spring and Central-East in summer. Z500 and SPEI are strongly linked, reflected by both significant (1979–2021) correlations and high co-occurrences (69-96%) between meteorological drought and high-pressure anomaly occurrences since 1900. North shows the most heterogeneous trend patterns and weakest links, but constitutes a hotspot of significantly increasing Z500 in September. Finally, we performed an ensemble-based, European wide analysis of future Z500, based on CMIP6 low-end (SSP126) and high-end (SSP585) 21st century emission scenarios. According to the projected changes, anomalously high-pressure systems will be the new normal regardless of scenario, and well exceeding the 2018 and 2022 levels in the case of the high-end emission scenario. However, due to the limitations of the model ensemble to represent the spatial heterogeneity in historical Z500 variability and trends (1979–2014), projected changes in large-scale circulation, and associated meteorological droughts, are highly uncertain. This paper provides new insight into significant trends in atmospheric circulation over Europe, their strong links to the observed drying trends, and the inability of a CMIP6 ensemble to reproduce the spatial heterogeneity of the circulation changes.
Durability of heat-treated Paulownia tomentosa and Pinus koraiensis woods in palm oil and air against brown- and white-rot fungi
Authors: Suri Intan Fajar , Purusatama Byantara Darsan , Kim Jong Ho , Hidayat Wahyu , Hwang Won Joung , Iswanto Apri Heri , Park Se Yeong , Lee Seung Hwan , Kim Nam Hun 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of oil- and air-heat treatments on the durability of Paulownia tomentosa and Pinus koraiensis woods against Fomitopsis palustris and Trametes versicolor. The wood samples were treated in palm oil and air at 180, 200, and 220 °C for 2 h. The weight loss, morphology, crystalline properties, and chemical compounds of untreated and heat-treated wood after fungal attack were investigated. The significant difference in weight loss between oil- and air-heat-treated samples was shown at 220 °C. Heat-treated wood exposed to white-rot fungus showed a lower weight loss than that exposed to brown-rot fungus. The cell components in the untreated- and heat-treated Paulownia tomentosa and Pinus koraiensis at 180 °C were severely damaged due to fungal exposure compared to those at 220 °C. A fungal effect on the relative crystallinity was observed in heat-treated wood at 180 °C, whereas the effect was not observed at 220 °C. Following brown-rot fungus exposure, untreated- and heat-treated wood at 180 °C showed a notable change in the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) peaks of polysaccharides, whereas no noticeable change in lignin peaks was observed. Heat-treated wood at 220 °C showed no noticeable change in the FTIR spectra owing to brown-rot fungus exposure. Exposure to white-rot fungus did not noticeably change the FTIR spectra of untreated and heat-treated wood.
Development of an iron overload HepG2 cell model using ferrous ammonium citrate
Authors: Abbasi Usama , Abbina Srinivas , Gill Arshdeep , Kizhakkedathu Jayachandran N. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractCell-based iron overload models provide tremendous utility for the investigations into the pathogenesis of different diseases as well as assessing efficacy of various therapeutic strategies. In the literature, establishing such models vary widely with regards to cell lines, iron source, iron treatment conditions and duration. Due to this diversity, researchers reported significant differences in the measured outcomes, either in cellular function or response to a stimulus. Herein, we report the process required to establish an iron overload HepG2 cell model to achieve a consistent and reproducible results such that the literature can strive towards a consensus. Iron loading in cells was achieved with 50 μM of iron every 24 h for 2 days, followed by an additional 24 h of maintenance in fresh media. We demonstrated that iron overloaded cells had significantly increased ROS generation, labile and total iron whilst having various cellular functions resemble cells without iron overload. The present report addresses key pitfalls with regards to the lack of consensus currently present in the literature.
Gankyrin inhibits ferroptosis through the p53/SLC7A11/GPX4 axis in triple-negative breast cancer cells
Authors: Lei Ming , Zhang Yun-Long , Huang Feng-Ying , Chen Heng-Yu , Chen Ming-Hui , Wu Ri-Hong , Dai Shu-Zhen , He Gui-Sheng , Tan Guang-Hong , Zheng Wu-Ping 
Published: December 2023

AbstractGankyrin is found in high levels in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and has been established to form a complex with the E3 ubiquitin ligase MDM2 and p53, resulting in the degradation of p53 in hepatocarcinoma cells. Therefore, this study sought to determine whether gankyrin could inhibit ferroptosis through this mechanism in TNBC cells. The expression of gankyrin was investigated in relation to the prognosis of TNBC using bioinformatics. Co-immunoprecipitation and GST pull-down assays were then conducted to determine the presence of a gankyrin and MDM2 complex. RT-qPCR and immunoblotting were used to examine molecules related to ferroptosis, such as gankyrin, p53, MDM2, SLC7A11, and GPX4. Additionally, cell death was evaluated using flow cytometry detection of 7-AAD and a lactate dehydrogenase release assay, as well as lipid peroxide C11-BODIPY. Results showed that the expression of gankyrin is significantly higher in TNBC tissues and cell lines, and is associated with a poor prognosis for patients. Subsequent studies revealed that inhibiting gankyrin activity triggered ferroptosis in TNBC cells. Additionally, silencing gankyrin caused an increase in the expression of the p53 protein, without altering its mRNA expression. Co-immunoprecipitation and GST pull-down experiments indicated that gankyrin and MDM2 form a complex. In mouse embryonic fibroblasts lacking both MDM2 and p53, this gankyrin/MDM2 complex was observed to ubiquitinate p53, thus raising the expression of molecules inhibited by ferroptosis, such as SLC7A11 and GPX4. Furthermore, silencing gankyrin in TNBC cells disrupted the formation of the gankyrin/MDM2 complex, hindered the degradation of p53, increased SLC7A11 expression, impeded cysteine uptake, and decreased GPX4 production. Our findings suggest that TNBC cells are able to prevent cell ferroptosis through the gankyrin/p53/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway, indicating that gankyrin may be a useful biomarker for predicting TNBC prognosis or a potential therapeutic target.
Combined effects of nitrate and medium-chain fatty acids on methane production, rumen fermentation, and rumen bacterial populations in vitro
Authors: Vadroňová Mariana , Šťovíček Adam , Jochová Kateřina , Výborná Alena , Tyrolová Yvona , Tichá Denisa , Homolka Petr , Joch Miroslav 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThis study investigated the combined effects of nitrate (NT) and medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA), including C8, C10, C12, and C14, on methane (CH4) production, rumen fermentation characteristics, and rumen bacteria using a 24 h batch incubation technique. Four types of treatments were used: control (no nitrate, no MCFA), NT (nitrate at 3.65 mM), NT + MCFA (nitrate at 3.65 mM + one of the four MCFA at 500 mg/L), and NT + MCFA/MCFA (nitrate at 3.65 mM + a binary combination of MCFA at 250 and 250 mg/L). All treatments decreased (P < 0.001) methanogenesis (mL/g dry matter incubated) compared with the control, but their efficiency was dependent on the MCFA type. The most efficient CH4 inhibitor was the NT + C10 treatment (− 40%). The combinations containing C10 and C12 had the greatest effect on bacterial alpha and beta diversity and relative microbial abundance (P < 0.001). Next-generation sequencing showed that the family Succinivibrionaceae was favored in treatments with the greatest CH4 inhibition at the expense of Prevotella and Ruminococcaceae. Furthermore, the relative abundance of Archaea decreased (P < 0.05) in the NT + C10 and NT + C10/C12 treatments. These results confirm that the combination of NT with MCFA (C10 and C12 in particular) may effectively reduce CH4 production.
Chicoric acid ameliorates LPS-induced inflammatory injury in bovine lamellar keratinocytes by modulating the TLR4/MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway
Authors: Lan Xiang , Qi Dongdong , Ren Hao , Liu Tao , Shao Hong , Zhang Jiantao 
Published: December 2023

AbstractDamage to lamellar keratinocytes, an essential cellular component of the epidermal layer of hoof tissue, can have a detrimental effect on hoof health and the overall production value of dairy cows. We isolated and cultured cow lamellar keratinocytes using the Dispase II and collagenase methods. We purified them by differential digestion and differential velocity adherent methods at each passaging and identified them by keratin 14 immunofluorescence. We established an in vitro model of inflammation in laminar keratinocytes using LPS and investigated whether chicoric acid protects against inflammatory responses by inhibiting the activation of the TLR4/MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway. The results showed that cow lamellar keratinocytes were successfully isolated and cultured by Dispase II combined with the collagenase method. In the in vitro inflammation model established by LPS, the Chicoric acid decreased the concentration of inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6), down-regulated the mRNA expression of TLR4 and MyD88 (P < 0.01), down-regulated the expression of TLR4, MyD88, p-ERK, p-p38, IKKβ, p-p65, p-p50 (P < 0.05), and increased the IκBα protein expression (P < 0.05). In conclusion, Chicoric acid successfully protected cow lamellar keratinocytes from LPS-induced inflammatory responses by modulating the TLR4/MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway and downregulating inflammatory mediators.
The ubiquitin thioesterase YOD1 ameliorates mutant Huntingtin induced pathology in Drosophila
Authors: Farkas Anita , Zsindely Nóra , Nagy Gábor , Kovács Levente , Deák Péter , Bodai László 
Published: December 2023

AbstractHuntington’s disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a dominant gain-of-function mutation in the huntingtin gene, resulting in an elongated polyglutamine repeat in the mutant Huntingtin (mHtt) that mediates aberrant protein interactions. Previous studies implicated the ubiquitin–proteasome system in HD, suggesting that restoring cellular proteostasis might be a key element in suppressing pathology. We applied genetic interaction tests in a Drosophila model to ask whether modulating the levels of deubiquitinase enzymes affect HD pathology. By testing 32 deubiquitinase genes we found that overexpression of Yod1 ameliorated all analyzed phenotypes, including neurodegeneration, motor activity, viability, and longevity. Yod1 did not have a similar effect in amyloid beta overexpressing flies, suggesting that the observed effects might be specific to mHtt. Yod1 overexpression did not alter the number of mHtt aggregates but moderately increased the ratio of larger aggregates. Transcriptome analysis showed that Yod1 suppressed the transcriptional effects of mHtt and restored the expression of genes involved in neuronal plasticity, vesicular transport, antimicrobial defense, and protein synthesis, modifications, and clearance. Furthermore, Yod1 overexpression in HD flies leads to the upregulation of genes involved in transcriptional regulation and synaptic transmission, which might be part of a response mechanism to mHtt-induced stress.
Genome-wide characterization and evolutionary analysis of the AP2/ERF gene family in lettuce (Lactuca sativa)
Authors: Park Sunchung , Shi Ainong , Meinhardt Lyndel W. , Mou Beiquan 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe APETALA2/ETHYLENE RESPONSIVE FACTOR (AP2/ERF) gene family plays vital roles in plants, serving as a key regulator in responses to abiotic stresses. Despite its significance, a comprehensive understanding of this family in lettuce remains incomplete. In this study, we performed a genome-wide search for the AP2/ERF family in lettuce and identified a total of 224 members. The duplication patterns provided evidence that both tandem and segmental duplications contributed to the expansion of this family. Ka/Ks ratio analysis demonstrated that, following duplication events, the genes have been subjected to purifying selection pressure, leading to selective constraints on their protein sequence. This selective pressure provides a dosage benefit against stresses in plants. Additionally, a transcriptome analysis indicated that some duplicated genes gained novel functions, emphasizing the contribution of both dosage effect and functional divergence to the family functionalities. Furthermore, an orthologous relationship study showed that 60% of genes descended from a common ancestor of Rosid and Asterid lineages, 28% from the Asterid ancestor, and 12% evolved in the lettuce lineage, suggesting lineage-specific roles in adaptive evolution. These results provide valuable insights into the evolutionary mechanisms of the AP2/ERF gene family in lettuce, with implications for enhancing abiotic stress tolerance, ultimately contributing to the genetic improvement of lettuce crop production.
Theoretical basis validation and oxidative stress markers for cancer prevention clinical trials of aspirin
Authors: Hamoya Takahiro , Tomono Susumu , Miyamoto Shingo , Fujii Gen , Wakabayashi Keiji , Mutoh Michihiro 
Published: December 2023

AbstractAspirin, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, has been proven effective in a clinical trial of carcinogenesis blockade. However, various modes of action have been reported for these effects. Thus, in this study, we aimed to present reasonable mode of actions as a proof of concept for human trials, especially trials for patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Aspirin treatment at 1000 ppm inhibited intestinal tumorigenesis in FAP model Min mice. As a mode of action, aspirin regulated β-catenin signaling, inflammation, and oxidative stress both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, we examined novel markers predictive of aspirin treatment based on liquid biopsy. Here, we demonstrated that aspirin reduced the levels of reactive carbonyl species in the serum of Min mice. These data are expected to be of use for proof of concept of aspirin human trials and implied for the prediction of aspirin efficacy.
White and other fur colourations and hybridization in golden jackals (Canis aureus) in the Carpathian basin
Authors: Ninausz Nóra , Fehér Péter , Csányi Erika , Heltai Miklós , Szabó László , Barta Endre , Kemenszky Péter , Sándor Gyula , Jánoska Ferenc , Horváth Mihály , Kusza Szilvia , Frank Krisztián , Varga László , Stéger Viktor 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe golden jackal (Canis aureus) is a reoccurring species in the centre of the Carpathian basin, in Hungary. In total, 31 golden jackal tissue samples were collected, from 8 white-coated, 2 black-coated and one mottled animal across Hungary. Sequences and fragment length polymorphisms were studied for white colour (MC1R), and for black coat colouration (CBD103). In each white animal, the most widespread mutation causing white fur colour in dogs in homozygous form was detected. Three animals were found to carry the mutation in heterozygous form. The two black golden jackals were heterozygous for the 3 bp deletion in CBD103 that mutation for black coat colouration in dogs, and one of them also carried the mutation causing white fur. None of the white animals showed signs of hybridization, but both the black and the mottled coloured individuals were found to be hybrids based on genetic testing. Kinship was found three times, twice between white animals, and once between a white animal and an agouti animal carrying the mutation of white coat. Our results confirm the findings that golden jackal–dog hybrids may occur without human intervention, and the detected mutation causing white fur colour in golden jackals could possibly be due to an early hybridization event.
Development of a novel sandwich-structured composite from biopolymers and cellulose microfibers for building envelope applications
Authors: Dadras Chomachayi Masoud , Blanchet Pierre , Hussain Atif , Pepin Simon 
Published: December 2023

AbstractA novel sandwich-structured composite was developed from the surface layers of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) and the interlayer of polylactic acid (PLA)/cellulose microfibers (CMF) composite. Moreover, CMF was chemically modified via a sol–gel process to improve the compatibility between the natural reinforcement and the polymer matrix. According to the obtained results, the modified CMF exhibited a highly hydrophobic characteristic (contact angel value of approximately 118°), and they were homogeneously dispersed in the PLA matrix. The results of the thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the sandwich composites reinforced with the modified CMF showed improvement in thermal stability. Regarding the mechanical properties, the incorporation of the natural reinforcement into sandwich composites increased the values of tensile modulus and strength of materials. The water vapor permeability of sandwich composites increased with the addition of untreated fibers; however, the composites reinforced with the modified CMF showed superior barrier performance than that of untreated CMF. In addition, a durability test was performed to determine the effect of accelerated aging on the properties of sandwich composites. The results demonstrated that the mechanical and barrier properties of composites incorporated with untreated CMF decreased after the accelerated aging, whereas the composites reinforced with the modified CMF experienced the least change.
The relationship between socio-demographic factors and depression: a cross sectional study among civilian participants in hostilities in Ukraine
Authors: Fel Stanisław , Jurek Krzysztof , Lenart-Kłoś Katarzyna 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThere is still a gap in scientific knowledge in relation to civilian participants in hostilities. This is despite the fact that there is an extensive body of literature on major depressive disorder (MDD) in individuals who have experienced armed conflict. The purpose of this article is to identify socio-demographic factors which are related to levels of depression among civilian participants in the war in Ukraine, based on a cross-sectional study that was conducted in 2019 from a convenience sample of 314 Ukrainian adults (235 males). Depression was assessed via the Beck Depression Inventory. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to identify possible predictors of depression. Significant predictors were: loss of a loved one, place of residence, age, health insurance, financial situation, and marital status (F (6, 224) = 10.515, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.21; Adjusted R2 = 0.19). They also show that symptoms of depression resulting from the loss of a loved one due to war can be reduced through participation in an educational system. Having children is associated with a risk of more severe depression. Specialists are encouraged to engage in face-to-face interviews and to maintain a supportive and safe environment for participants in hostilities, e.g., in the area of education.
Simplified entanglement swapping protocol for the quantum Internet
Authors: Mastriani Mario 
Published: December 2023

AbstractIn this study, a simplified version of the entanglement-swapping protocol, commonly used in the deployment of quantum networks, is presented. Quantum repeaters are essential in extending the range of quantum networks, especially when they are implemented through the laying of optical fiber. The simplified version of the entanglement-swapping protocol does not require the use of unitary transforms to finish characterizing the shared Bell state at both ends to be connected, as happens in the traditional version of the protocol, facilitating and reducing costs in quantum repeater implementations. Both a theoretical demonstration and an experimental one on an optical table, based on two revealing experiments, show the excellent performance of the presented protocol.
Terahertz large-area unidirectional surface magnetoplasmon and its applications
Authors: Shen Qian , Yan Jinhua , You Yun , Li Senpeng , Shen Linfang 
Published: December 2023

AbstractUnidirectional surface waves in nonreciprocal plasmonic platforms with nonlocal effects have been a topic of significant interest and some controversy. In this study, we present a scheme to achieve unidirectional surface magnetoplasmons (USMPs) with large modal areas at terahertz frequencies. Such large-area USMPs (LUSMPs) exist in a metal-UENZ (uniaxial-$$\varepsilon $$
ε
-near-zero)-Si-InSb structure under external magnetic field, where the effect of nonlocality is included. The field of the LUSMP extends almost uniformly in the UENZ layer with a thickness of wavelength scale, thus its modal size can be represented by the UENZ-layer thickness. Due to the modal energy primarily distributed in the thick UENZ layer, the nonlocality-induced leakage of the LUSMP is significantly reduced by an order of magnitude, compared to previous USMP existing at interface between InSb and opaque isotropic medium. Due to their large modal sizes, such LUSMPs can be efficiently excited by terahertz radiations directly from free space. In addition, LUSMPs offer high degree of freedom for manipulating terahertz waves, such as energy squeezing and trapping. Based on LUSMPs, a terahertz free-space isolator is also developed. Our findings have important implications to the development of innovative plasmonic devices in terahertz regime.
Social dilemma in foraging behavior and evolution of cooperation by learning
Authors: Lee Nahyeon , Chae Sunhee , Baek Seung Ki , Jeong Hyeong-Chai 
Published: December 2023

AbstractWe consider foraging behaviors in a two-dimensional continuum space and show that a cooperative chasing strategy can emerge in a social dilemma. Predators can use two different chasing strategies: A direct chasing strategy (DCS) and a group chasing strategy (GCS). The DCS is a selfish strategy with which a chaser moves straight toward the nearest prey, and the GCS is a cooperative strategy in the sense that the chaser chooses the chasing direction for the group at a cost of its own speed. A prey flees away from the nearest hazard, either a chaser or the boundary, within its recognition range. We check the capturing activities of each strategy and find a social dilemma between the two strategies because the GCS is more efficient for the group whereas the DCS is better individually. Using a series of numerical simulations, we further show that the cooperative strategy can proliferate when a learning process of nearby successful strategies is introduced.