bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spatial non‐stationary effects of explanatory variables on soil bulk density in the critical zone of the Chinese Loess Plateau
Authors: Liu Shaozhen , Wang Yunqiang , Zhou Zixuan , Zhang Pingping , Zhao Yali , Xu Lan , Qi Lijun , Sun Hui , Zhou Jingxiong , An Zhisheng 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBulk density (BD) is one of the most important soil physical properties in the hydrological processes of Earth's Critical Zone (CZ). The heterogeneity and related controlling factors of surface BD have received extensive research attention. However, it is unclear whether the effects of controlling factors on BD are homogeneous or vary spatially. This study quantified topsoil BD with a high‐density sampling strategy (10 m × 10 m; n = 1134) across the ShuangChaGou watershed in the critical zone of the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP‐CZ). Stepwise multiple linear regression (SMLR), regression kriging (RK), random forest (RF) and geographically weighted regression (GWR) were established as modelling approaches to (i) compare the performance of these four models in explaining BD variation, (ii) assess the main factors driving BD, and (iii) evaluate the spatial non‐stationary relationship between BD and its explanatory variables. GWR explained the BD variation to the same extent as the RK model (35%), outperforming both the SMLR (15%) and RF models (19%). The variation in topsoil BD depended mainly on: soil organic carbon (SOC) content, normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI), plan curvature, and slope length. The spatial distribution of the local R2, regression coefficient magnitude, significance and sign calculated by GWR revealed that the effects of variables accounting for variation in BD varied spatially. The explanatory power of these variables in terms of BD variation was strongest in northern and northeastern areas of the watershed and weakest in southern areas of the watershed. Both significant negative and positive correlations between BD and silt content, NDVI, and plan curvature were found. This study enriched traditional research linked to the complicated relationships between BD and controlling factors by incorporating spatial non‐stationarity, which is useful for improving the accuracy of hydrological modelling in the CLP‐CZ and in similar CZs worldwide.Highlights
Non‐stationary relationships between BD (N = 1134) and its explanatory variables were captured at the watershed scale.
GWR model performed on par with the RK and better than the SMLR or RF model.
Silt content, NDVI, and plan curvature showed both significant negative and positive effects on BD.
Spatial non‐stationarity of BD should be considered for improving the performance of hydrological modeling.
The influence of genetic architecture on responses to selection under drought in rice
Authors: Ćalić Irina , Groen Simon C. , Choi Jae Young , Joly‐Lopez Zoé , Hamann Elena , Natividad Mignon A. , Dorph Katherine , Cabral Carlo Leo U. , Torres Rolando O. , Vergara Georgina V. , Henry Amelia , Purugganan Michael D. , Franks Steven J. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractAccurately predicting responses to selection is a major goal in biology and important for successful crop breeding in changing environments. However, evolutionary responses to selection can be constrained by such factors as genetic and cross‐environment correlations, linkage, and pleiotropy, and our understanding of the extent and impact of such constraints is still developing. Here, we conducted a field experiment to investigate potential constraints to selection for drought resistance in rice (Oryza sativa) using phenotypic selection analysis and quantitative genetics. We found that traits related to drought response were heritable, and some were under selection, including selection for earlier flowering, which could allow drought escape. However, patterns of selection generally were not opposite under wet and dry conditions, and we did not find individual or closely linked genes that influenced multiple traits, indicating a lack of evidence that antagonistic pleiotropy, linkage, or cross‐environment correlations would constrain selection for drought resistance. In most cases, genetic correlations had little influence on responses to selection, with direct and indirect selection largely congruent. The exception to this was seed mass under drought, which was predicted to evolve in the opposite direction of direct selection due to correlations. Because of this indirect effect on selection on seed mass, selection for drought resistance was not accompanied by a decrease in seed mass, and yield increased with fecundity. Furthermore, breeding lines with high fitness and yield under drought also had high fitness and yield under wet conditions, indicating that there was no evidence for a yield penalty on drought resistance. We found multiple genes in which expression influenced both water use efficiency (WUE) and days to first flowering, supporting a genetic basis for the trade‐off between drought escape and avoidance strategies. Together, these results can provide helpful guidance for understanding and managing evolutionary constraints and breeding stress‐resistant crops.
Male frequency in Caenorhabditis elegans increases in response to chronic irradiation
Authors: Quevarec Loïc , Réale Denis , Dufourcq‐Sekatcheff Elizabeth , Car Clément , Armant Olivier , Dubourg Nicolas , Adam‐Guillermin Christelle , Bonzom Jean‐Marc 
Published: May 2022

AbstractOutcrossing can be advantageous in a changing environment because it promotes the purge of deleterious mutations and increases the genetic diversity within a population, which may improve population persistence and evolutionary potential. Some species may, therefore, switch their reproductive mode from inbreeding to outcrossing when under environmental stress. This switch may have consequences on the demographic dynamics and evolutionary trajectory of populations. For example, it may directly influence the sex ratio of a population. However, much remains to be discovered about the mechanisms and evolutionary implications of sex ratio changes in a population in response to environmental stress. Populations of the androdioecious nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, are composed of selfing hermaphrodites and rare males. Here, we investigate the changes in the sex ratio of C. elegans populations exposed to radioactive pollution for 60 days or around 20 generations. We experimentally exposed populations to three levels of ionizing radiation (i.e., 0, 1.4, and 50 mGy.h−1). We then performed reciprocal transplant experiments to evaluate genetic divergence between populations submitted to different treatments. Finally, we used a mathematical model to examine the evolutionary mechanisms that could be responsible for the change in sex ratio. Our results showed an increase in male frequency in irradiated populations, and this effect increased with the dose rate. The model showed that an increase in male fertilization success or a decrease in hermaphrodite self‐fertilization could explain this increase in the frequency of males. Moreover, males persisted in populations after transplant back into the control conditions. These results suggested selection favoring outcrossing under irradiation conditions. This study shows that ionizing radiation can sustainably alter the reproductive strategy of a population, likely impacting its long‐term evolutionary history. This study highlights the need to evaluate the impact of pollutants on the reproductive strategies of populations when assessing the ecological risks.
Melatonin as a complementary and prophylactic agent against COVID‐19 in high‐risk populations: A narrative review of recent findings from clinical and preclinical studies
Authors: Hosseini Abdolkarim , Badri Taleb , Esmaeili Gouvarchin Ghaleh Hadi , Hassanpour Kazem , Alishiri Gholamhossein , Akbariqomi Mostafa , Farnoosh Gholamreza 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has been going on around the world for more than a year and has cost a lot, as well as affected the quality of life of many. The psychological stress like delirium and sleep disturbances caused by the COVID‐19 has affected many people in direct or indirect way by the disease. Insomnia and sleep deprivation have a negative effect on the immune system as well as disorders of the hormonal system, including the production and secretion of melatonin, known as the sleep hormone. Melatonin is a known anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant agent in addition to its role in regulating circadian rhythms. In this review, we investigated the relationship between the effect of psychological stress caused by COVID‐19 on patients, their families, health care workers, and occupations as well as how melatonin might act as a prophylactic agent with sedative effects and sleep enhancement potential. Search terms “melatonin” and “COVID‐19” were manually searched on PubMed or other electronic database and relevant articles were included. Based on the review of scholarly articles, it can be inferred that melatonin, as an endogenous hormone controlling and regulating sleep and wakefulness in various researches, has a good potential due to its antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory with minimal side effects. These beneficial effects highlight the impact of melatonin as an adjuvant and a potential alternative for the better management of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in high‐risk populations.
The broiler chicken and the Anthropocene: Using critical nexus thinking to unpack the geographies of Gallus gallus domesticus
Authors: Coles Ben 
Published: May 2022

AbstractA key scientific publication demonstrates that the bio‐physical composition of the broiler chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) represents a signal of the Anthropocene. This finding contributes to a wider body of evidence that locates the beginning of the Anthropocene in the mid‐20th century, and is part of a broader intellectual project that seeks to establish and demarcate the Anthropocene as a new geological era. This paper takes a different tack. Treating Gallus gallus as an objective corollary for the Anthropocene, it positions the broiler chicken and the Anthropocene as an ontologically emergent nexus comprised of social–spatial relations, materialities, and practices. The paper then adopts critical nexus thinking to trace out the key relations and materialities, and their points of convergence, and underpinning extractivist ontologies that assemble into the chicken's body. Relations of particular concern include the processes that embody surplus value into the corporality of the chicken; the rationalisation and transformation of territories and landscapes into productive units of space, and the tightly coupled, interconnected flows of relations, materials, and coordinating technologies that comprise the ‘supply chain’. It argues that by using critical nexus thinking to identify and articulate these relations that assemble into Gallus gallus, it renders the Anthropocene legible. Such legibility in turn fosters geographical awareness and responsibility that might lead to the changes necessary to address the large‐scale spatial inequalities from which the era stems and redress the consequences that the era might otherwise engender.
Comprehensive study of nine novel cases of TFEB‐amplified renal cell carcinoma: an aggressive tumour with frequent PDL1 expression
Authors: Kammerer‐Jacquet Solène‐Florence , Gandon Camille , Dugay Frederic , Laguerre Brigitte , Peyronnet Benoit , Mathieu Romain , Verhoest Grégory , Bensalah Karim , Leroy Xavier , Aubert Sebastien , Vermaut Catherine , Escande Fabienne , Verkarre Virginie , Compérat Eva , Ambrosetti Damien , Pedeutour Florence , Belaud‐Rotureau Marc‐Antoine , Rioux‐Leclercq Nathalie ,   the members of CARARE French network (Rare Renal Carcinoma in Adults) of the INCa (National Institut of Cancer, France)
Published: May 2022

AimsFirst described in 2014, renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with TFEB amplification (6p21) is a rare molecular subgroup whose diagnosis is challenging. The prognosis and therapeutic implications remain unclear.MethodsWe report here the clinical, histological, immunohistochemical, and genetic features of nine novel cases. The pathological and immunohistochemical features were centrally reviewed by expert uropathologists. Fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) confirmed the diagnosis and comparative genomic hybridisation (CGH) was performed to determine quantitative genomic alterations. We also performed an exhaustive review of the literature and compiled our data.ResultsTFEB‐amplified RCC were locally advanced, with initial lymph node involvement in one case and liver metastasis in another case. They were high‐grade eosinophilic tumours with papillary/pseudopapillary architecture, frequent positivity for melanocytic markers, and frequent PDL1 expression. FISH demonstrated high‐level TFEB amplification in six cases. One case showed concomitant TFEB translocation. CGH analysis identified complex alterations with frequent losses of 1p, 2q, 3p, 6p, and frequent 6p and 8q gains. VEGFA coamplification was identified in all cases with a lower level than TFEB. The prognosis was poor, with five patients having lymph node or distant metastases.ConclusionTFEB‐amplified RCC is a rare molecular subgroup with variable morphology whose diagnosis is confirmed by FISH analysis. The complex alterations identified by CGH are consistent with an aggressive clinical behaviour. The coamplification of VEGFA and the expression of PDL1 could suggest a potential benefit from antiangiogenics and targeted immunotherapy in combination for these aggressive tumours.
Australian recommendations on tapering of biologic and targeted synthetic disease‐modifying anti‐rheumatic drugs in inflammatory arthritis
Authors: Whittle Samuel L. , Glennon Vanessa , Johnston Renea V. , Avery Jodie C. , Bell J. Simon , Brennan Sue E. , Fong Christopher , Hissaria Pravin , Horgan Ben , O'Neill Sean , Pisaniello Huai Leng , Trevena Lyndal , Whittaker Glen A. , Wluka Anita , Buchbinder Rachelle 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBiological and targeted synthetic disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs (b/tsDMARD) have been an important advance in the management of inflammatory arthritis, but are expensive medications, carry a risk of infection and other adverse effects, and are often perceived as a burden by patients. We used GRADE methodology to develop recommendations for dose reduction and discontinuation of b/tsDMARD in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) who have achieved a low disease activity state or remission. The recommendations form part of the Australian Living Guideline for the Pharmacological Management of Inflammatory Arthritis, an NHMRC‐endorsed ‘living’ guideline, in which recommendations are updated in near real‐time as new evidence emerges. Conditional recommendations were made in favour of dose reduction in RA and AxSpA but not in PsA. Abrupt discontinuation of b/tsDMARD is not recommended in any of the three diseases.
Association between vitamin D deficiency and diabetic foot ulcer wound in diabetic subjects: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Lin Juan , Mo Xinxin , Yang Yejun , Tang Chao , Chen Jia 
Published: May 2022

AbstractA meta‐analysis was performed to evaluate the association between vitamin D deficiency and diabetic foot ulcer wounds in diabetic subjects. A systematic literature search up to March 2022 incorporated 7586 subjects with diabetes mellitus at the beginning of the study; 1565 were using diabetic subjects with foot ulcer wounds, and 6021 were non‐ulcerated diabetic subjects. Statistical tools like the dichotomous and contentious method were used within a random or fixed‐influence model to establish the odds ratio (OR) and mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to evaluate the influence of vitamin D deficiency in managing diabetic foot ulcer wound. Diabetic subjects with foot ulcer wounds had significantly lower vitamin D levels (MD, −6.48; 95% CI, −10.84 to −2.11, P < .004), higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (<50 nmoL/L) (OR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.32‐2.52, P < .001), and higher prevalence of severe vitamin D deficiency (OR, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.65‐3.89, P < .001) compared with non‐ulcerated diabetic subjects. Diabetic subjects with foot ulcer wounds had significantly lower vitamin D levels, higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, and higher prevalence of severe vitamin D deficiency compared with non‐ulcerated diabetic subjects. Further studies are required to validate these findings.
Abnormal grain growth in DC flash sintered 3‐mol% yttria‐stabilized zirconia ceramics
Authors: Prajzler Vladimír , Maca Karel , Šťastný Přemysl , Todd Richard I. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe origin of nonuniform microstructure and abnormal grain growth (AGG) was investigated in flash sintered 3 mol% yttria‐stabilized zirconia (3YSZ) ceramics. The microstructural homogeneity decreased with increasing direct current (DC) density and with dwell time in a flash state, eventually resulting in AGG in the specimen core, the first observation of AGG in 3YSZ. Abnormal grains up to 100 μm in size emerged when the DC density was ≥160 mA/mm2, and the specimen's density exceeded 99% of theoretical, starting from the cathode and propagating toward the anode. The results are discussed by comparison with established mechanisms and previous experimental evidence concerning AGG in oxides, focusing on the possible effects of the electrochemical reduction at the cathode end of the specimen.
Antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of novel antimicrobial peptide DP7 against the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis
Authors: Jiang Si-Jing , Xiao Xun , Zheng Jiajun , Lai Shuang , Yang Li , Li Jing , Liu Chang , Yang Yiling , Mu Yangdong 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Aims
Accumulating evidence suggests that Porphyromonas gingivalis is closely associated with the development of various chronic inflammatory diseases, particularly periodontitis. This study investigated the antibacterial activity and action mechanism of a novel antimicrobial peptide (AMP), DP7, against P. gingivalis.

Methods and Results
The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) for DP7 were determined via a broth microdilution method, revealing an MIC of 8 μg ml−1 and MBC of 32 μg ml−1. Growth inhibition and killing assays confirmed the bactericidal effect of DP7, and treatment with DP7 at MBC eliminated P. gingivalis within 8 h. DP7 had a low cytotoxic effect against human cells. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that DP7 destroyed the bacterial membrane, and confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed its inhibitory effect on P. gingivalis biofilms. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction revealed DP7-mediated inhibition of several virulence factor genes, partially explaining its antibacterial mechanism.

Conclusions
DP7, a novel AMP with low mammalian cytotoxicity, inhibits both planktonic and biofilm forms of P. gingivalis by destroying the bacterial membrane and reducing virulence factor gene expression.

Significance and Impact of the Study
DP7 has potential clinical application in the prevention and treatment of P. gingivalis-associated diseases.
Association between gestational visit‐to‐visit blood pressure variability and adverse neonatal outcomes
Authors: Gu Yingjie , Shi Haofan , Zeng Weijian , Zheng Yulong , Yang Mengnan , Sun Mengru , Shi Hong , Gu Wei 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe authors aimed to explore the association between visit‐to‐visit blood pressure variability (BPV) in pregnant women and adverse neonatal outcomes. The study included 52 891 pregnant women. BPV was calculated as standard deviation (SD) and coefficient of variation (CV) of systolic blood pressure (SBP) or diastolic blood pressure (DBP). All participants were divided into four groups by the quartiles of BPV. When comparing the highest quartiles to the lowest quartiles of DBP SD in all participants, the fully adjusted ORs were 1.19 (95% CI 1.11–1.27, p for trend < .001) for fetal distress, 1.32 (95% CI 1.14–1.54, p for trend < .001) for small for gestational age, 1.32 (95% CI 1.06–1.63, p for trend = .003) for 1‐min Apgar score ≤ 7. When comparing the highest quartiles to the lowest quartiles of DBP CV, ORs were 1.22 (95% CI 1.14–1.30, p for trend < .001) for fetal distress, 1.38 (95% CI 1.17–1.61, p for trend < .001) for small for gestational age, 1.43 (95% CI 1.14–1.79, p for trend < .001) for 1‐min Apgar score ≤ 7. ORs for preterm birth and 5‐min Apgar score ≤ 7 were not statistically significant. However, in participants with gestational hypertension or preeclampsia, ORs for preterm birth were 2.80 (95% CI 1.99–3.94, p for trend < .001) in DBP SD and 3.25 (95% CI 2.24–4.72, p for trend < .001) in DBP CV when extreme quartiles were compared. In conclusion, higher visit‐to‐visit BPV was associated with adverse neonatal outcomes.
MIF/SCL3A2 depletion inhibits the proliferation and metastasis of colorectal cancer cells via the AKT/GSK‐3β pathway and cell iron death
Authors: Huang Guan , Ma Lili , Shen Lan , Lei Yan , Guo Lili , Deng Yongjian , Ding Yanqing 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThis study investigated the mechanisms of migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and solute carrier family 3 member 2 (SLC3A2) in colorectal cancer progression. The levels of MIF and SLC3A2 expression in cells were measured by RT‐qPCR. SW480 and SW620 cells were transfected with sh‐MIF and sh‐SLC3A2, respectively. MIF, SLC3A2, GPX4, E‐cadherin and N‐cadherin expression were detected by immunofluorescence (IF). CCK8 and Transwell assays were performed to detect cell proliferation and migration. Co‐immunoprecipitation (CoIP) was used to measure the binding activity of MIF and SLC3A2. Finally, a nude mouse tumorigenicity assay was used to confirm the functions of MIF and SLC3A2 in colorectal cancer. Results showed that the levels of MIF and SLC3A2 expression were up‐regulated in colorectal cancer cells. Inhibition of MIF or SLC3A2 expression prevented cell proliferation, migration, epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) and invasion. In addition, knockdown of MIF and SLC3A2 promoted iron death in SW480 and SW620 cells. CoIP results showed that MIF and SLC3A2 directly interact with each other. Knockdown of both MIF and SLC3A2 inhibited tumour growth and metastasis via the AKT/GSK‐3β pathway in vivo. The Akt/GSK‐3β pathway was found to participate in regulating MIF and SLC3A2 both in vivo and in vitro. MIF and SLC3A2 might be potential biomarkers for monitoring the treatment of colorectal cancer.
How much is privacy worth around the world and across platforms?
Authors: Prince Jeffrey T. , Wallsten Scott 
Published: May 2022

AbstractUsing carefully designed discrete choice surveys, we measure individuals' valuation of online privacy across countries (United States, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, and Germany) and data types (personal information on finances, biometrics, location, networks, communications, and web browsing). We find that Germans value privacy more than do people in the United States and Latin American countries. Across countries, people most value privacy for financial (bank balance) and biometric (fingerprint) information. People had to be paid the least for permission to receive ads—respondents in Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico would even pay for them—followed by location privacy. We discuss privacy policy implications.