bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Systematic identification and expression profiles of the BAHD superfamily acyltransferases in barley (Hordeum vulgare)
Authors: Yuan Zhen , Yang Hongliang , Pan Leiwen , Zhao Wenhui , Liang Lunping , Gatera Anicet , Tucker Matthew R. , Xu Dawei 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBAHD superfamily acyltransferases play an important role in catalyzing and regulating secondary metabolism in plants. Despite this, there is relatively little information regarding the BAHD superfamily in barley. In this study, we identified 116 HvBAHD acyltransferases from the barley genome. Based on phylogenetic analysis and classification in model monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants, we divided the genes into eight groups, I-a, I-b, II, III-a, III-b, IV, V-a and V-b. The Clade IV genes, including Agmatine Coumarol Transferase (ACT) that is associated with resistance of plants to Gibberella fungi, were absent in Arabidopsis. Cis-regulatory element analysis of the HvBAHDs showed that the genes respond positively to GA3 treatment. In-silico expression and qPCR analysis showed the HvBAHD genes are expressed in a range of tissues and developmental stages, and highly enriched in the seedling stage, consistent with diverse roles. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) scanning analysis revealed that the natural variation in the coding regions of the HvBAHDs is low and the sequences have been conserved during barley domestication. Our results reveal the complexity of the HvBAHDs and will help facilitate their analysis in further studies.
Ca2+ imaging with two-photon microscopy to detect the disruption of brain function in mice administered neonicotinoid insecticides
Authors: Hirai Anri , Sugio Shouta , Nimako Collins , Nakayama Shouta M. M. , Kato Keisuke , Takahashi Keisuke , Arizono Koji , Hirano Tetsushi , Hoshi Nobuhiko , Fujioka Kazutoshi , Taira Kumiko , Ishizuka Mayumi , Wake Hiroaki , Ikenaka Yoshinori 
Published: March 2022

AbstractNeonicotinoid pesticides are a class of insecticides that reportedly have harmful effects on bees and dragonflies, causing a reduction in their numbers. Neonicotinoids act as neuroreceptor modulators, and some studies have reported their association with neurodevelopmental disorders. However, the precise effect of neonicotinoids on the central nervous system has not yet been identified. Herein, we conducted in vivo Ca2+ imaging using a two-photon microscope to detect the abnormal activity of neuronal circuits in the brain after neonicotinoid application. The oral administration of acetamiprid (ACE) (20 mg/kg body weight (BW) in mature mice with a quantity less than the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) and a tenth or half of the median lethal dose (LD50) of nicotine (0.33 or 1.65 mg/kg BW, respectively), as a typical nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist, increased anxiety-like behavior associated with altered activities of the neuronal population in the somatosensory cortex. Furthermore, we detected ACE and its metabolites in the brain, 1 h after ACE administration. The results suggested that in vivo Ca2+ imaging using a two-photon microscope enabled the highly sensitive detection of neurotoxicant-mediated brain disturbance of nerves.
Identification of the toxic 6mer seed consensus for human cancer cells
Authors: Patel Monal , Bartom Elizabeth T. , Paudel Bidur , Kocherginsky Masha , O’Shea Kaitlyn L. , Murmann Andrea E. , Peter Marcus E. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract6mer seed toxicity is a novel cell death mechanism that kills cancer cells by triggering death induced by survival gene elimination (DISE). It is based on si- or shRNAs with a specific G-rich nucleotide composition in position 2–7 of their guide strand. An arrayed screen of 4096 6mer seeds on two human and two mouse cell lines identified G-rich 6mers as the most toxic seeds. We have now tested two additional cell lines, one human and one mouse, identifying the GGGGGC consensus as the most toxic average 6mer seed for human cancer cells while slightly less significant for mouse cancer cells. RNA Seq and bioinformatics analyses suggested that an siRNA containing the GGGGGC seed (siGGGGGC) is toxic to cancer cells by targeting GCCCCC seed matches located predominantly in the 3′ UTR of a set of genes critical for cell survival. We have identified several genes targeted by this seed and demonstrate direct and specific targeting of GCCCCC seed matches, which is attenuated upon mutation of the GCCCCC seed matches in these 3′ UTRs. Our data show that siGGGGGC kills cancer cells through its miRNA-like activity and points at artificial miRNAs, si- or shRNAs containing this seed as a potential new cancer therapeutics.
An integrated photonic circuit for color qubit preparation by third-order nonlinear interactions
Authors: Aguayo-Alvarado A. L. , Domínguez-Serna F. , Cruz W. De La , Garay-Palmett K. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThis work presents a feasible design of an integrated photonic circuit performing as a device for single-qubit preparation and rotations through the third-order nonlinear process of difference frequency generation (DFG) and defined in the temporal mode basis. The first stage of our circuit includes the generation of heralded single photons by spontaneous four-wave mixing in a micro-ring cavity engineered for delivering a single-photon state in a unique temporal mode. The second stage comprises the implementation of DFG in a spiral waveguide with controlled dispersion properties for reaching color qubit preparation fidelity close to unity. We present the generalized rotation operator related to the DFG process, a methodology for the device design, and qubit preparation fidelity results as a function of user-accessible parameters.
In vitro culture at 39 °C during hepatic maturation of human ES cells facilitates hepatocyte-like cell functions
Authors: Imamura Satoshi , Yoshimoto Koki , Terada Shiho , Takamuro Kaho , Kamei Ken-ichiro 
Published: March 2022

AbstractHepatocyte-like cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC-HLCs) offer an alternative to primary hepatocytes commonly used for drug screenings and toxicological tests. However, these cells do not have hepatic functions comparable to those of hepatocytes in vivo due to insufficient hepatic differentiation. Here we showed that the hepatic functions of hPSC-HLCs were facilitated by applying physiological liver temperatures during hepatic differentiation. We identified the optimal temperature by treating HLCs derived from H9 human embryonic stem cells (hESC-HLCs) at 39 °C; the 42 °C treatment caused significantly greater cell death than the 39 °C treatment. We confirmed the improvement of hepatic functions, such as albumin secretion, cytochrome P450 3A activity, and collagen production, without severe cell damage. In combination with existing hepatic differentiation protocols, the method proposed here may further improve hepatic functions for hPSCs and lead to the realization of drug discovery efforts and drug toxicological tests.
Psychomotor abilities of candidates for Polish Special Forces
Authors: Paśko Wojciech , Guła Przemysław , Brożyna Maciej , Dziadek Bartosz , Zadarko Emilian , Śliż Maciej , Polak Klementyna , Przednowek Krzysztof 
Published: March 2022

AbstractCombat tasks involving special units often put a mental and physical strain on the soldiers. During the military operation, soldiers may struggle with multiple difficulties such as extreme physical effort, sleep deprivation, weather conditions, limited access to food and stress. These circumstances require a high level of cognitive ability (including psychomotor abilities) to overcome the physiological stress response and to be able to quickly and efficiently make decisions under stressful situations, especially in combat. The aim of the study was to assess the level of the psychomotor abilities of candidates for the Polish Special Forces. The study comprised 48 candidates for the Polish Special Forces (age: $$30.06 \pm 2.87$$

30.06
±
2.87

), 40 athletes (age: $$27.93 \pm 3.91$$

27.93
±
3.91

) and 40 non-athletes (age: 24). The study was performed using Test2Drive software. Four computer-based tests were used to assess the following psychomotor abilities: simple reaction time, choice reaction time, hand-eye coordination and two-dimensional visuomotor coordination/spatial orientation test (SPANT). The analysis demonstrated statistically significant differences in reaction time and motor time between the study groups. The shortest reaction time in each test was observed in athletes, while the shortest motor time was observed in soldiers. All the psychomotor tests, except for the number of correct answers in SPANT, demonstrated statistically significant differences between the studied groups. It was also found that military training had a positive effect on the motor time in every psychomotor test. As regards the reaction time, it was observed that the athletes were characterised with better reaction times than the special forces candidates. The study has confirmed that military training and sports training have a positive effect on the level of psychomotor abilities, especially motor time.
Smoothness of movement in idiopathic cervical dystonia
Authors: Caronni Antonio , Arcuri Pietro , Carpinella Ilaria , Marzegan Alberto , Lencioni Tiziana , Ramella Marina , Crippa Alessandro , Anastasi Denise , Rabuffetti Marco , Ferrarin Maurizio , Castagna Anna 
Published: March 2022

AbstractSmoothness (i.e. non-intermittency) of movement is a clinically important property of the voluntary movement with accuracy and proper speed. Resting head position and head voluntary movements are impaired in cervical dystonia. The current work aims to evaluate if the smoothness of voluntary head rotations is reduced in this disease. Twenty-six cervical dystonia patients and 26 controls completed rightward and leftward head rotations. Patients’ movements were differentiated into “towards-dystonia” (rotation accentuated the torticollis) and “away-dystonia”. Smoothness was quantified by the angular jerk and arc length of the spectrum of angular speed (i.e. SPARC, arbitrary units). Movement amplitude (mean, 95% CI) on the horizontal plane was larger in controls (63.8°, 58.3°–69.2°) than patients when moving towards-dystonia (52.8°, 46.3°–59.4°; P = 0.006). Controls’ movements (49.4°/s, 41.9–56.9°/s) were faster than movements towards-dystonia (31.6°/s, 25.2–37.9°/s; P < 0.001) and away-dystonia (29.2°/s, 22.9–35.5°/s; P < 0.001). After taking into account the different amplitude and speed, SPARC-derived (but not jerk-derived) indices showed reduced smoothness in patients rotating away-dystonia (1.48, 1.35–1.61) compared to controls (1.88, 1.72–2.03; P < 0.001). Poor smoothness is a motor disturbance independent of movement amplitude and speed in cervical dystonia. Therefore, it should be assessed when evaluating this disease, its progression, and treatments.
Comparison of CT volumetry versus nuclear renography for predicting remaining kidney function after uninephrectomy in living kidney donors
Authors: Eum Sang Hun , Lee Hanbi , Ko Eun Jeong , Cho Hyuk Jin , Yang Chul Woo , Chung Byung Ha 
Published: March 2022

AbstractComputed tomography (CT) and nuclear renography are used to determine kidney procurement in living kidney donors (LKDs). The present study investigated which modality better predicts kidney function after donation. This study included 835 LKDs and they were divided into two subgroups based on whether the left–right dominance of kidney volume was concordant with kidney function (concordant group) or not (discordant group). The predictive value for post-donation kidney function between the two imaging modalities was compared at 1 month, 6 months, and > 1 year in total cohort, concordant, and discordant groups. Split kidney function (SKF) measured by both modalities showed significant correlation with each other at baseline. SKFs of remaining kidney measured using both modalities before donation showed significant correlation with eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) after donation in the total cohort group and two subgroups, respectively. CT volumetry was superior to nuclear renography for predicting post-donation kidney function in the total cohort group and both subgroups. In the discordant subgroup, a higher tendency of kidney function recovery was observed when kidney procurement was determined based on CT volumetry. In conclusion, CT volumetry is preferred when determining procurement strategy especially when discordance is found between the two imaging modalities.
Effects of Imipenem-containing Niosome nanoparticles against high prevalence methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Epidermidis biofilm formed
Authors: Piri-Gharaghie Tohid , Jegargoshe-Shirin Neda , Saremi-Nouri Sara , Khademhosseini Seyed-hossein , Hoseinnezhad-lazarjani Eskandar , Mousavi Aezam , Kabiri Hamidreza , Rajaei Negin , Riahi Anali , Farhadi-Biregani Ali , Fatehi-Ghahfarokhi Sadegh 
Published: March 2022

AbstractWe aim to assess the antibacterial and anti-biofilm properties of Niosome-encapsulated Imipenem. After isolating Staphylococcus epidermidis isolates and determining their microbial sensitivity, their ability to form biofilms was examined using plate microtiter assay. Various formulations of Niosome-encapsulated Imipenem were prepared using the thin-film hydration method, Minimum Biofilm Inhibitory Concentration (MBIC) and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) were determined, and biofilm genes expression was examined. Drug formulations’ toxicity effect on HDF cells were determined using MTT assay. Out of the 162 separated S. epidermidis, 106 were resistant to methicillin. 87 MRSE isolates were vancomycin-resistant, all of which could form biofilms. The F1 formulation of niosomal Imipenem with a size of 192.3 ± 5.84 and an encapsulation index of 79.36 ± 1.14 was detected, which prevented biofilm growth with a BGI index of 69% and reduced icaD, FnbA, EbpS biofilms’ expression with P ≤ 0.001 in addition to reducing MBIC and MIC by 4–6 times. Interestingly, F1 formulation of niosomal Imipenem indicated cell viability over 90% at all tested concentrations. The results of the present study indicate that Niosome-encapsulated Imipenem reduces the resistance of MRSE to antibiotics in addition to increasing its anti-biofilm and antibiotic activity, and could prove useful as a new strategy for drug delivery.
Long-term longitudinal evaluation of the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in healthcare and university workers
Authors: Huynen Pascale , Grégoire Céline , Gofflot Stéphanie , Seidel Laurence , Maes Nathalie , Vranken Laura , Delcour Sandra , Moutschen Michel , Hayette Marie-Pierre , Kolh Philippe , Melin Pierrette , Beguin Yves 
Published: March 2022

AbstractAsymptomatic and pauci-symptomatic cases contribute to underestimating the prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections. Moreover, we have few studies available on the longitudinal follow-up of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies after natural infection. We tested staff members of a Belgian tertiary academic hospital for SARS-CoV-2 IgG, IgM, and IgA antibodies. We analyzed the evolution of IgM and IgG after 6 weeks, and the persistence of IgG after 3 and 10 months. At the first evaluation, 409/3776 (10.8%) participants had a positive SARS-CoV-2 serology. Among initially seropositive participants who completed phases 2 and 3, IgM were still detected after 6 weeks in 53.1% and IgG persisted at 12 weeks in 82.0% (97.5% of those with more than borderline titers). IgG levels were higher and increased over time in symptomatic but were lower and stable in asymptomatic participants. After 10 months, 88.5% of participants had sustained IgG levels (97.0% of those with more than borderline titers).
The pan-JAK inhibitor LAS194046 reduces neutrophil activation from severe asthma and COPD patients in vitro
Authors: Milara Javier , Ballester Beatriz , de Diego Alfredo , Calbet Marta , Ramis Isabel , Miralpeix Montserrat , Cortijo Julio 
Published: March 2022

AbstractNon-T2 severe asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are airway chronic inflammatory disorders with a poor response to corticosteroids. LAS194046, a novel pan-Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, shows inhibitory effects on T2 allergic lung inflammation in rats. In this work we analyze the effects of LAS194046, fluticasone propionate and their combination in neutrophils from non-T2 severe asthma and COPD patients in vitro. Neutrophils from 23 healthy subjects, 23 COPD and 21 non-T2 severe asthma patients were incubated with LAS194046 (0.01 nM–1 µM), fluticasone propionate (0.1 nM–1 µM) or their combination and stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS 1 µM). LAS194046 shows similar maximal % inhibition and potency inhibiting IL-8, MMP-9 and superoxide anion release in neutrophils from healthy, COPD and asthma. Fluticasone propionate suppresses mediator release only in neutrophils from healthy patients. The combination of LAS194046 with fluticasone propionate shows synergistic anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. The mechanisms involved in the synergistic effects of this combination include the increase of MKP1 expression, decrease of PI3Kδ, the induction of glucocorticoid response element and the decrease of ERK1/2, P38 and JAK2/STAT3 phosphorylation compared with monotherapies. In summary, LAS194046 shows anti-inflammatory effects in neutrophils from COPD and severe non-T2 asthma patients and induces synergistic anti-inflammatory effects when combined with fluticasone propionate.
Effect of an improved agricultural irrigation scheme with a hydraulic structure for crop cultivation in arid northern Afghanistan using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT)
Authors: Hussainzada Wahidullah , Lee Han Soo 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe current study focuses on water scarcity, water shortages, and inequal water allocation for downstream water users in the Balkhab River basin (BRB) in northern Afghanistan. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was utilized to determine the hydrological process in the watershed and assess the water resource capacity. The model was calibrated and validated to ensure proper model setup for the entire watershed. The analysis of the current water management and allocation scheme indicated inadequate water distributions for the downstream irrigation canals. The current water allocation approach was modified based on crop water requirements and the available agricultural lands. A new irrigation scheme was proposed and included in the SWAT model that does not decrease upstream water allocation. The annual streamflow in the Balkhab River can supply the extra allocated water downstream without influencing the upstream water. Notably, a dam was proposed in the middle stream to store water during the winter and early spring seasons, as well as floodwater. The model outcomes showed that the existing annual streamflow in the river can fully support the irrigation of currently available land and an extra 18,470.6 ha of agricultural lands in the BRB. The results of this study can contribute to scientific evidence-based policy and decision-making processes for sustainable agricultural water resource management and flood control in the study region.
Global increase in wildfire potential from compound fire weather and drought
Authors: Richardson Doug , Black Amanda S. , Irving Damien , Matear Richard J. , Monselesan Didier P. , Risbey James S. , Squire Dougal T. , Tozer Carly R. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractWildfire can cause significant adverse impacts to society and the environment. Weather and climate play an important role in modulating wildfire activity. We explore the joint occurrence of global fire weather and meteorological drought using a compound events framework. We show that, for much of the globe, burned area increases when periods of heightened fire weather compound with dry antecedent conditions. Regions associated with wildfire disasters, such as southern Australia and the western USA, are prone to experiencing years of compound drought and fire weather. Such compound events have increased in frequency for much of the globe, driven primarily by increases in fire weather rather than changes in precipitation. El Ni$$\tilde{{{{\rm{n}}}}}$$ño Southern Oscillation is associated with widespread, spatially compounding drought and fire weather. In the Northern Hemisphere, a La Ni$$\tilde{{{{\rm{n}}}}}$$ña signature is evident, whereas El Ni$$\tilde{{{{\rm{n}}}}}$$ño is associated with such events in the tropics and, to a lesser degree, the Southern Hemisphere. Other climate modes and regional patterns of atmospheric circulation are also important, depending on the region. We show that the lengths of the fire weather seasons in eastern Australia and western North America have increased substantially since 2000, raising the likelihood of overlapping fire weather events in these regions. These cross-hemispheric events may be linked to the occurrence of El Ni$$\tilde{{{{\rm{n}}}}}$$ño, although the sea-surface temperature magnitudes are small. Instead, it is likely that anthropogenic climate change is the primary driver of these changes.
Improving biodiversity protection through artificial intelligence
Authors: Silvestro Daniele , Goria Stefano , Sterner Thomas , Antonelli Alexandre 
Published: March 2022

AbstractOver a million species face extinction, highlighting the urgent need for conservation policies that maximize the protection of biodiversity to sustain its manifold contributions to people’s lives. Here we present a novel framework for spatial conservation prioritization based on reinforcement learning that consistently outperforms available state-of-the-art software using simulated and empirical data. Our methodology, conservation area prioritization through artificial intelligence (CAPTAIN), quantifies the trade-off between the costs and benefits of area and biodiversity protection, allowing the exploration of multiple biodiversity metrics. Under a limited budget, our model protects significantly more species from extinction than areas selected randomly or naively (such as based on species richness). CAPTAIN achieves substantially better solutions with empirical data than alternative software, meeting conservation targets more reliably and generating more interpretable prioritization maps. Regular biodiversity monitoring, even with a degree of inaccuracy characteristic of citizen science surveys, further improves biodiversity outcomes. Artificial intelligence holds great promise for improving the conservation and sustainable use of biological and ecosystem values in a rapidly changing and resource-limited world.