bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Isolation and Identification of a TaTDR-Like Wheat Gene Encoding a bHLH Domain Protein, Which Negatively Regulates Chlorophyll Biosynthesis in Arabidopsis
Authors: Xia Yu , Li Zheng , Wang Junwei , Li Yanhong , Ren Yang , Du Jingjing , Song Qilu , Ma Shoucai , Song Yulong , Zhao Huiyan , Yang Zhiquan , Zhang Gaisheng , Niu Na
Published: January 2020

Chlorophyll biosynthesis plays a vital role in chloroplast development and photosynthesis in plants. In this study, we identified an orthologue of the rice gene TDR (Oryza sativa L., Tapetum Degeneration Retardation) in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) called TaTDR-Like (TaTDRL) by sequence comparison. TaTDRL encodes a putative 557 amino acid protein with a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) conserved domain at the C-terminal (295–344 aa). The TaTDRL protein localised to the nucleus and displayed transcriptional activation activity in a yeast hybrid system. TaTDRL was expressed in the leaf tissue and expression was induced by dark treatment. Here, we revealed the potential function of TaTDRL gene in wheat by utilizing transgenic Arabidopsis plants TaTDRL overexpressing (TaTDRL-OE) and TaTDRL-EAR (EAR-motif, a repression domain of only 12 amino acids). Compared with wild-type plants (WT), both TaTDRL-OE and TaTDRL-EAR were characterized by a deficiency of chlorophyll. Moreover, the expression level of the chlorophyll-related gene AtPORC (NADPH:protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase C) in TaTDRL-OE and TaTDRL-EAR was lower than that of WT. We found that TaTDRL physically interacts with wheat Phytochrome Interacting Factor 1 (PIF1) and Arabadopsis PIF1, suggesting that TaTDRL regulates light signaling during dark or light treatment. In summary, TaTDRL may respond to dark or light treatment and negatively regulate chlorophyll biosynthesis by interacting with AtPIF1 in transgenic Arabidopsis.
Inclusion of Soluble Fiber in the Gestation Diet Changes the Gut Microbiota, Affects Plasma Propionate and Odd-Chain Fatty Acids Levels, and Improves Insulin Sensitivity in Sows
Authors: Xu Chuanhui , Cheng Chuanshang , Zhang Xiu , Peng Jian
Published: January 2020

The transition from pregnancy to lactation is characterized by a progressive decrease in insulin sensitivity. Propionate increases with dietary fiber consumption and has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity. Recent studies suggest that plasma odd-chain fatty acids [OCFAs; pentadecanoic acid (C15:0) and heptadecanoic acid (C17:0)] that inversely correlated with insulin resistance are synthesized endogenously from gut-derived propionate. The present study investigated the effects of soluble fiber during gestation on gut microbiota, plasma non-esterified fatty acids and insulin sensitivity in sows. Sows were allocated to either control or 2.0% guar gum plus pregelatinized waxy maize starch (SF) dietary treatment during gestation. The SF addition changes the structure and composition of gut microbiota in sows. Genus Eubacterium increased by SF addition may promote intestinal propionate production. Moreover, the dietary SF increased circulating levels of plasma OCFAs, especially C17:0. The SF-fed sows had a higher insulin sensitivity and a lower systemic inflammation level during perinatal period. Furthermore, the plasma C15:0 and C17:0 was negatively correlated with the area under curve of plasma glucose after meal and plasma interleukin-6. In conclusion, dietary SF improves insulin sensitivity and alleviates systemic inflammation in perinatal sows, potentially related to its stimulating effect on propionate and OCFAs production.
Transcriptome Modifications in the Porcine Intramuscular Adipocytes during Differentiation and Exogenous Stimulation with TNF-α and Serotonin
Authors: Tada Asuka , Islam Md , Kober AKM , Fukuyama Kohtaro , Takagi Michihiro , Igata Manami , Albarracin Leonardo , Ikeda-Ohtsubo Wakako , Miyazawa Kenji , Yoda Kazutoyo , He Fang , Takahashi Hideki , Villena Julio , Aso Hisashi , Kitazawa Haruki
Published: January 2020

Adipocytes are dynamic cells that have critical functions to maintain body energy homeostasis. Adipocyte physiology is affected by the adipogenic differentiation, cell program, as well as by the exogenous stimulation of biochemical factors, such as serotonin and TNF-α. In this work, we investigated the global transcriptome modifications when porcine intramuscular preadipocyte (PIP) was differentiated into porcine mature adipocyte (pMA). Moreover, we studied transcriptome changes in pMA after stimulation with serotonin or TNF-α by using a microarray approach. Transcriptome analysis revealed that the expression of 270, 261, and 249 genes were modified after differentiation, or after serotonin and TNF-α stimulation, respectively. Expression changes in APP, HNF4A, ESR1, EGR1, SRC, HNF1A, FN1, ALB, STAT3, CBL, CEBPB, AR, FOS, CFTR, PAN2, PTPN6, VDR, PPARG, STAT5A and NCOA3 genes which are enriched in the ‘PPAR signaling’ and ‘insulin resistance’ pathways were found in adipocytes during the differentiation process. Dose-dependent serotonin stimulation resulted in a decreased fat accumulation in pMAs. Serotonin-induced differentially expressed genes in pMAs were found to be involved in the significant enrichment of ′GPCR ligand-binding′, ‘cell chemotaxis’, ‘blood coagulation and complement’, ‘metabolism of lipid and lipoproteins’, ‘regulation of lipid metabolism by PPARA’, and ‘lipid digestion, mobilization and transport’ pathways. TNF-α stimulation also resulted in transcriptome modifications linked with proinflammatory responses in the pMA of intramuscular origin. Our results provide a landscape of transcriptome modifications and their linked-biological pathways in response to adipogenesis, and exogenous stimulation of serotonin- and TNF-α to the pMA of intramuscular origin.
Overexpression of CA1 mRNA and the CA I Protein in Tumor Cells Does Not Change the Gene Expression of the ECM Proteins
Authors: Lakota Ján , Dubrovčáková Mária
Published: January 2020

In our study, we performed retroviral transduction to overexpress codon-optimized variant of gene encoding human carbonic anhydrase I (optiCA1) in two tumor cell lines PC3 and MDA-MB-231, derived from human prostatic and breast carcinoma respectively. We achieved significantly enhanced and stable overexpression of exogenous optiCA1 gene. The expression of endogenous, wild CA1 gene was found to be normally low (Ct 28.6 for PC3 cells) or below to the detection limit (Ct 35.5 for MDA-MB-231 cells). No morphological changes and no decreasing viability of tumor cells were observed upon stable overexpression of the optiCA1 gene. In our study we have shown that the overexpression of the optimized human CA1 in engineered PC3 and MDA-MB-231 cells did not induce similar changes as we observed in tumor cells cultivated in the presence of human sera containing extensively high titers of anti-CA I autoantibodies from patients with complete remission of malignant disease. In both optiCA1transduced cell lines, the expression of selected genes responsible for basal lamina assembly, cytoskeleton, extracellular matrix proteins and proto-oncogenes (COL1A1, COL4A4, LAMC2, CTHRC1, and WNT7B) was not changed.
Flower-Specific Overproduction of Cytokinins Altered Flower Development and Sex Expression in the Perennial Woody Plant Jatropha curcas L.
Authors: Ming Xin , Tao Yan-Bin , Fu Qiantang , Tang Mingyong , He Huiying , Chen Mao-Sheng , Pan Bang-Zhen , Xu Zeng-Fu
Published: January 2020

Jatropha curcas L. is monoecious with a low female-to-male ratio, which is one of the factors restricting its seed yield. Because the phytohormone cytokinins play an essential role in flower development, particularly pistil development, in this study, we elevated the cytokinin levels in J. curcas flowers through transgenic expression of a cytokinin biosynthetic gene (AtIPT4) from Arabidopsis under the control of a J. curcas orthologue of TOMATO MADS BOX GENE 6 (JcTM6) promoter that is predominantly active in flowers. As expected, the levels of six cytokinin species in the inflorescences were elevated, and flower development was modified without any alterations in vegetative growth. In the transgenic J. curcas plants, the flower number per inflorescence was significantly increased, and most flowers were pistil-predominantly bisexual, i.e., the flowers had a huge pistil surrounded with small stamens. Unfortunately, both the male and the bisexual flowers of transgenic J. curcas were infertile, which might have resulted from the continuously high expression of the transgene during flower development. However, the number and position of floral organs in the transgenic flowers were well defined, which suggested that the determinacy of the floral meristem was not affected. These results suggest that fine-tuning the endogenous cytokinins can increase the flower number and the female-to-male ratio in J. curcas.
Docosahexaenoic Acid Attenuates Mitochondrial Alterations and Oxidative Stress Leading to Cell Death Induced by Very Long-Chain Fatty Acids in a Mouse Oligodendrocyte Model
Authors: Nury Thomas , Doria Margaux , Lizard Gérard , Vejux Anne
Published: January 2020

In the case of neurodegenerative pathologies, the therapeutic arsenal available is often directed towards the consequences of the disease. The purpose of this study is, therefore, to evaluate the ability of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a molecule present in certain foods and considered to have health benefits, to inhibit the cytotoxic effects of very long-chain fatty acids (C24:0, C26:0), which can contribute to the development of some neurodegenerative diseases. The effect of DHA (50 µM) on very long-chain fatty acid-induced toxicity was studied by several complementary methods: phase contrast microscopy to evaluate cell viability and morphology, the MTT test to monitor the impact on mitochondrial function, propidium iodide staining to study plasma membrane integrity, and DHE staining to measure oxidative stress. A Western blot assay was used to assess autophagy through modification of LC3 protein. The various experiments were carried out on the cellular model of 158N murine oligodendrocytes. In 158N cells, our data establish that DHA is able to inhibit all tested cytotoxic effects induced by very long-chain fatty acids.
Molecular Alterations in the Stomach of Tff1-Deficient Mice: Early Steps in Antral Carcinogenesis
Authors: Znalesniak Eva B. , Salm Franz , Hoffmann Werner
Published: January 2020

TFF1 is a peptide of the gastric mucosa co-secreted with the mucin MUC5AC. It plays a key role in gastric mucosal protection and repair. Tff1-deficient (Tff1KO) mice obligatorily develop antropyloric adenoma and about 30% progress to carcinomas. Thus, these mice represent a model for gastric tumorigenesis. Here, we compared the expression of selected genes in Tff1KO mice and the corresponding wild-type animals (RT-PCR analyses). Furthermore, we systematically investigated the different molecular forms of Tff1 and its heterodimer partner gastrokine-2 (Gkn2) in the stomach (Western blot analyses). As a hallmark, a large portion of murine Tff1 occurs in a monomeric form. This is unexpected because of its odd number of seven cysteine residues. Probably the three conserved acid amino acid residues (EEE) flanking the 7th cysteine residue allow monomeric secretion. As a consequence, the free thiol of monomeric Tff1 could have a protective scavenger function, e.g., for reactive oxygen/nitrogen species. Furthermore, a minor subset of Tff1 forms a disulfide-linked heterodimer with IgG Fc binding protein (Fcgbp). Of special note, in Tff1KO animals a homodimeric form of Gkn2 was observed. In addition, Tff1KO animals showed strongly reduced Tff2 transcript and protein levels, which might explain their increased sensitivity to Helicobacter pylori infection.
Identification of a Novel Linear B-Cell Epitope on the Nucleocapsid Protein of Porcine Deltacoronavirus
Authors: Fu Jiayu , Chen Rui , Hu Jingfei , Qu Huan , Zhao Yujia , Cao Sanjie , Wen Xintian , Wen Yiping , Wu Rui , Zhao Qin , Ma Xiaoping , Huang Xiaobo
Published: January 2020

Porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV), first identified in 2012, is a swine enteropathogen now found in many countries. The nucleocapsid (N) protein, a core component of PDCoV, is essential for virus replication and is a significant candidate in the development of diagnostics for PDCoV. In this study, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were generated and tested for reactivity with three truncations of the full protein (N1, N2, N3) that contained partial overlaps; of the five monoclonals chosen tested, each reacted with only the N3 truncation. The antibody designated 4E88 had highest binding affinity with the N protein and was chosen for in-depth examination. The 4E88 epitope was located to amino acids 308-AKPKQQKKPKK-318 by testing the 4E88 monoclonal for reactivity with a series of N3 truncations, then the minimal epitope, 309-KPKQQKKPK-317 (designated EP-4E88), was pinpointed by testing the 4E88 monoclonal for reactivity with a series of synthetic peptides of this region. Homology analysis showed that the EP-4E88 sequence is highly conserved among PDCoV strains, and also shares high similarity with sparrow coronavirus (HKU17), Asian leopard cat coronavirus (ALCCoV), quail coronavirus (UAE-HKU30), and sparrow deltacoronavirus (SpDCoV). Of note, the PDCoV EP-4E88 sequence shared very low similarity (<22.2%) with other porcine coronaviruses (PEDV, TGEV, PRCV, SADS-CoV, PHEV), demonstrating that it is an epitope that can be used for distinguishing PDCoV and other porcine coronavirus. 3D structural analysis revealed that amino acids of EP-4E88 were in close proximity and may be exposed on the surface of the N protein.
MicroRNAs in Vascular Eye Diseases
Authors: Liu Chi-Hsiu , Huang Shuo , Britton William R. , Chen Jing
Published: January 2020

Since the discovery of the first microRNA (miRNA) decades ago, studies of miRNA biology have expanded in many biomedical research fields, including eye research. The critical roles of miRNAs in normal development and diseases have made miRNAs useful biomarkers or molecular targets for potential therapeutics. In the eye, ocular neovascularization (NV) is a leading cause of blindness in multiple vascular eye diseases. Current anti-angiogenic therapies, such as anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment, have their limitations, indicating the need for investigating new targets. Recent studies established the roles of various miRNAs in the regulation of pathological ocular NV, suggesting miRNAs as both biomarkers and therapeutic targets in vascular eye diseases. This review summarizes the biogenesis of miRNAs, and their functions in the normal development and diseases of the eye, with a focus on clinical and experimental retinopathies in both human and animal models. Discovery of novel targets involving miRNAs in vascular eye diseases will provide insights for developing new treatments to counter ocular NV.
Potent and Broad but not Unselective Cleavage of Cytokines and Chemokines by Human Neutrophil Elastase and Proteinase 3
Authors: Fu Zhirong , Akula Srinivas , Thorpe Michael , Hellman Lars
Published: January 2020

In two recent studies we have shown that three of the most abundant human hematopoietic serine proteases—mast cell chymase, mast cell tryptase and neutrophil cathepsin G—show a highly selective cleavage of cytokines and chemokines with a strong preference for a few alarmins, including IL-18, TSLP and IL-33. To determine if this is a general pattern for many of the hematopoietic serine proteases we have analyzed the human neutrophil elastase (hNE) and human proteinase 3 (hPR-3) for their cleavage of a panel of 69 different human cytokines and chemokines. Our results showed that these two latter enzymes, in sharp contrast to the two previous, had a very potent and relatively unrestrictive cleavage on this panel of targets. Almost all of these proteins were cleaved and many of them were fully degraded. In light of the proteases abundance and their colocalization, it is likely that together they have a very potent degrading activity on almost any protein in the area of neutrophil activation and granule release, including both foreign bacterial or viral proteins as well as various self-proteins in the area of inflammation/infection. However, a few very interesting exceptions to this pattern were found indicating a high resistance to degradation of some cytokines and chemokines, including TNF-α, IL-5, M-CSF, Rantes, IL-8 and MCP-1. All of these are either important for monocyte-macrophage, neutrophil or eosinophil proliferation, recruitment and activation, suggesting that cytokines/chemokines and proteases may have coevolved to not block the recruitment of monocytes–macrophages, neutrophils and possibly eosinophils during an inflammatory response involving neutrophil activation.
CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated TERT Disruption in Cancer Cells
Authors: Wen Luan , Zhao Changzhi , Song Jun , Ma Linyuan , Ruan Jinxue , Xia Xiaofeng , Chen Y. Eugene , Zhang Jifeng , Ma Peter X. , Xu Jie
Published: January 2020

Mammalian telomere lengths are primarily regulated by telomerase, a ribonucleoprotein consisting of a reverse transcriptase (TERT) and an RNA subunit (TERC). TERC is constitutively expressed in all cells, whereas TERT expression is temporally and spatially regulated, such that in most adult somatic cells, TERT is inactivated and telomerase activity is undetectable. Most tumor cells activate TERT as a mechanism for preventing progressive telomere attrition to achieve proliferative immortality. Therefore, inactivating TERT has been considered to be a promising means of cancer therapy. Here we applied the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system to target the TERT gene in cancer cells. We report that disruption of TERT severely compromises cancer cell survival in vitro and in vivo. Haploinsufficiency of TERT in tumor cells is sufficient to result in telomere attrition and growth retardation in vitro. In vivo, TERT haploinsufficient tumor cells failed to form xenograft after transplantation to nude mice. Our work demonstrates that gene editing-mediated TERT knockout is a potential therapeutic option for treating cancer.
HMGA Genes and Proteins in Development and Evolution
Authors: Vignali Robert , Marracci Silvia
Published: January 2020

HMGA (high mobility group A) (HMGA1 and HMGA2) are small non-histone proteins that can bind DNA and modify chromatin state, thus modulating the accessibility of regulatory factors to the DNA and contributing to the overall panorama of gene expression tuning. In general, they are abundantly expressed during embryogenesis, but are downregulated in the adult differentiated tissues. In the present review, we summarize some aspects of their role during development, also dealing with relevant studies that have shed light on their functioning in cell biology and with emerging possible involvement of HMGA1 and HMGA2 in evolutionary biology.
The Emergence of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) as a Platform to Model Arrhythmogenic Diseases
Authors: Pourrier Marc , Fedida David
Published: January 2020

There is a need for improved in vitro models of inherited cardiac diseases to better understand basic cellular and molecular mechanisms and advance drug development. Most of these diseases are associated with arrhythmias, as a result of mutations in ion channel or ion channel-modulatory proteins. Thus far, the electrophysiological phenotype of these mutations has been typically studied using transgenic animal models and heterologous expression systems. Although they have played a major role in advancing the understanding of the pathophysiology of arrhythmogenesis, more physiological and predictive preclinical models are necessary to optimize the treatment strategy for individual patients. Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) have generated much interest as an alternative tool to model arrhythmogenic diseases. They provide a unique opportunity to recapitulate the native-like environment required for mutated proteins to reproduce the human cellular disease phenotype. However, it is also important to recognize the limitations of this technology, specifically their fetal electrophysiological phenotype, which differentiates them from adult human myocytes. In this review, we provide an overview of the major inherited arrhythmogenic cardiac diseases modeled using hiPSC-CMs and for which the cellular disease phenotype has been somewhat characterized.
Curcumin Affects HSP60 Folding Activity and Levels in Neuroblastoma Cells
Authors: Caruso Bavisotto Celeste , Marino Gammazza Antonella , Lo Cascio Filippa , Mocciaro Emanuele , Vitale Alessandra Maria , Vergilio Giuseppe , Pace Andrea , Cappello Francesco , Campanella Claudia , Palumbo Piccionello Antonio
Published: January 2020

The fundamental challenge in fighting cancer is the development of protective agents able to interfere with the classical pathways of malignant transformation, such as extracellular matrix remodeling, epithelial–mesenchymal transition and, alteration of protein homeostasis. In the tumors of the brain, proteotoxic stress represents one of the main triggering agents for cell transformation. Curcumin is a natural compound with anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties with promising potential for the development of therapeutic drugs for the treatment of cancer as well as neurodegenerative diseases. Among the mediators of cancer development, HSP60 is a key factor for the maintenance of protein homeostasis and cell survival. High HSP60 levels were correlated, in particular, with cancer development and progression, and for this reason, we investigated the ability of curcumin to affect HSP60 expression, localization, and post-translational modifications using a neuroblastoma cell line. We have also looked at the ability of curcumin to interfere with the HSP60/HSP10 folding machinery. The cells were treated with 6, 12.5, and 25 µM of curcumin for 24 h, and the flow cytometry analysis showed that the compound induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner with a higher percentage of apoptotic cells at 25 µM. This dose of curcumin-induced a decrease in HSP60 protein levels and an upregulation of HSP60 mRNA expression. Moreover, 25 µM of curcumin reduced HSP60 ubiquitination and nitration, and the chaperonin levels were higher in the culture media compared with the untreated cells. Furthermore, curcumin at the same dose was able to favor HSP60 folding activity. The reduction of HSP60 levels, together with the increase in its folding activity and the secretion in the media led to the supposition that curcumin might interfere with cancer progression with a protective mechanism involving the chaperonin.
Molecular and Functional Characterization of Grapevine NIPs through Heterologous Expression in aqy-Null Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Sabir Farzana , Gomes Sara , Loureiro-Dias Maria C. , Soveral Graça , Prista Catarina
Published: January 2020

Plant Nodulin 26-like Intrinsic Proteins (NIPs) are multifunctional membrane channels of the Major Intrinsic Protein (MIP) family. Unlike other homologs, they have low intrinsic water permeability. NIPs possess diverse substrate selectivity, ranging from water to glycerol and to other small solutes, depending on the group-specific amino acid composition at aromatic/Arg (ar/R) constriction. We cloned three NIPs (NIP1;1, NIP5;1, and NIP6;1) from grapevine (cv. Touriga Nacional). Their expression in the membrane of aqy-null Saccharomyces cerevisiae enabled their functional characterization for water and glycerol transport through stopped-flow spectroscopy. VvTnNIP1;1 demonstrated high water as well as glycerol permeability, whereas VvTnNIP6;1 was impermeable to water but presented high glycerol permeability. Their transport activities were declined by cytosolic acidification, implying that internal-pH can regulate NIPs gating. Furthermore, an extension of C-terminal in VvTnNIP6;1M homolog, led to improved channel activity, suggesting that NIPs gating is putatively regulated by C-terminal. Yeast growth assays in the presence of diverse substrates suggest that the transmembrane flux of metalloids (As, B, and Se) and the heavy metal (Cd) are facilitated through grapevine NIPs. This is the first molecular and functional characterization of grapevine NIPs, providing crucial insights into understanding their role for uptake and translocation of small solutes, and extrusion of toxic compounds in grapevine.
Advances in Analysis of Biodistribution of Exosomes by Molecular Imaging
Authors: Yi Yong Weon , Lee Jun Ho , Kim Sang-Yeob , Pack Chan-Gi , Ha Dae Hyun , Park Sang Rae , Youn Jinkwon , Cho Byong Seung
Published: January 2020

Exosomes are nano-sized membranous vesicles produced by nearly all types of cells. Since exosome-like vesicles are produced in an evolutionarily conserved manner for information and function transfer from the originating cells to recipient cells, an increasing number of studies have focused on their application as therapeutic agents, drug delivery vehicles, and diagnostic targets. Analysis of the in vivo distribution of exosomes is a prerequisite for the development of exosome-based therapeutics and drug delivery vehicles with accurate prediction of therapeutic dose and potential side effects. Various attempts to evaluate the biodistribution of exosomes obtained from different sources have been reported. In this review, we examined the current trends and the advantages and disadvantages of the methods used to determine the biodistribution of exosomes by molecular imaging. We also reviewed 29 publications to compare the methods employed to isolate, analyze, and label exosomes as well as to determine the biodistribution of labeled exosomes.
Advances of Zinc Signaling Studies in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Li Dangdang , Stovall Daniel B. , Wang Wenmeng , Sui Guangchao
Published: January 2020

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common cancers and the second leading cause of cancer-related death among men worldwide. Despite progresses in early diagnosis and therapeutic strategies, prognosis for patients with advanced PCa remains poor. Noteworthily, a unique feature of healthy prostate is its highest level of zinc content among all soft tissues in the human body, which dramatically decreases during prostate tumorigenesis. To date, several reviews have suggested antitumor activities of zinc and its potential as a therapeutic strategy of PCa. However, an overview about the role of zinc and its signaling in PCa is needed. Here, we review literature related to the content, biological function, compounds and clinical application of zinc in PCa. We first summarize zinc content in prostate tissue and sera of PCa patients with their clinical relevance. We then elaborate biological functions of zinc signaling in PCa on three main aspects, including cell proliferation, death and tumor metastasis. Finally, we discuss clinical applications of zinc-containing compounds and proteins involved in PCa signaling pathways. Based on currently available studies, we conclude that zinc plays a tumor suppressive role and can serve as a biomarker in PCa diagnosis and therapies.
Magnetic Materials and Systems: Domain Structure Visualization and Other Characterization Techniques for the Application in the Materials Science and Biomedicine
Authors: Nisticò Roberto , Cesano Federico , Garello Francesca
Published: January 2020

Magnetic structures have attracted a great interest due to their multiple applications, from physics to biomedicine. Several techniques are currently employed to investigate magnetic characteristics and other physicochemical properties of magnetic structures. The major objective of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on the usage, advances, advantages, and disadvantages of a large number of techniques that are currently available to characterize magnetic systems. The present review, aiming at helping in the choice of the most suitable method as appropriate, is divided into three sections dedicated to characterization techniques. Firstly, the magnetism and magnetization (hysteresis) techniques are introduced. Secondly, the visualization methods of the domain structures by means of different probes are illustrated. Lastly, the characterization of magnetic nanosystems in view of possible biomedical applications is discussed, including the exploitation of magnetism in imaging for cell tracking/visualization of pathological alterations in living systems (mainly by magnetic resonance imaging, MRI).
Analysis of the Metaphase Chromosome Karyotypes in Imaginal Discs of Aedes communis, Ae. punctor, Ae. intrudens, and Ae. rossicus (Diptera: Culicidae) Mosquitoes
Authors: Alekseeva Svetlana S. , Andreeva Yulia V. , Wasserlauf Irina E. , Sibataev Anuarbek K. , Stegniy Vladimir N.
Published: January 2020

In this study, cytogenetic analysis of the metaphase chromosomes from imaginal discs of Aedes (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquitoes—Aedes communis, Ae. punctor, Ae. intrudens, and Ae. rossicus—was performed. The patterns of C-banding and DAPI staining of the heteroсhromatin and the length of the chromosomes demonstrate species specificity. In particular, the Ae. punctor chromosomes are the shortest compared with Ae. communis, Ae. intrudens, and Ae. rossicus, and they also carry additional C and DAPI bands in intercalary regions. The Ae. intrudens chromosomes are the longest, they have pericentromeric C bands, and they almost lack any DAPI bands near the centromere of chromosome 3 versus Ae. communis, which has the largest pericentromeric DAPI blocks in all three chromosome pairs. Ae. rossicus also possesses DAPI bands in the centromeric regions of all chromosomes, but their staining is weaker compared with those of Ae. communis. Therefore, the analysis of karyotypes is a tool for species-level identification of these mosquitoes.
Mountains as Islands: Species Delimitation and Evolutionary History of the Ant-Loving Beetle Genus Panabachia (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) from the Northern Andes
Authors: Muñoz-Tobar Sofía , Caterino Michael
Published: January 2020

The ant-loving beetle genus Panabachia Park 1942 is a poorly studied beetle lineage from the new world tropics. We recently collected Panabachia from several previously unrecorded locations in the páramo biome of the high Ecuadorian Andes, with males exhibiting great morphological variation in the distribution of the foveae and depressions in the pronotum, as well as aspects of the male genitalia. Here, we employ phylogenetic and species delimitation methods with mitochondrial (COI) and nuclear protein-coding (wingless) gene sequences to examine the concordance of morphological characters and geography with hypothesized species boundaries. Three methods of species delimitation (bPTP, GMYC and Stacey) were used to estimate the number of species, and divergence times between putative species using molecular clock calibration. Phylogenetic analysis revealed two parallel radiations, and species delimitation analyses suggest there are between 17 and 22 putative species. Based on clade support and concordance across species delimitation methods we hypothesize 17 distinct clusters, with allopatric speciation consistent with most geographic patterns. Additionally, a widespread species appears to be present in northern páramo sites, and some sister species sympatry may indicate other diversification processes have operated on certain lineages of Panabachia. Divergence time estimates suggest that Panabachia originated in the Miocene, but most species analyzed diverged during the Pliocene and Pleistocene (5.3–0.11 Mya), contemporaneous with the evolution of páramo plant species.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of J in 2019
Authors:   J Editorial Office
Published: January 2020

The editorial team greatly appreciates the reviewers who have dedicated their considerable time and expertise to the journal’s rigorous editorial process over the past 12 months, regardless of whether the papers are finally published or not [...]
Implementation of the Listen-Before-Talk Mode for SeaSonde High-Frequency Ocean Radars
Authors: Cosoli Simone
Published: January 2020

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Resolution 612, in combination with Report ITU-R M2.234 (11/2011) and Recommendation ITU-R M.1874-1 (02/2013), regulates the use of the radiolocation services between 3 and 50 MHz to support high frequency oceanographic radar (HFR) operations. The operational frame for HFR systems include: band sharing capabilities, such as synchronization of the signal modulation; pulse shaping and multiple levels of filtering, to reduce out-of-band interferences; low radiated power; directional transmission antenna, to reduce emission over land. Resolution 612 also aims at reducing the use of spectral bands, either through the application of existing band-sharing capabilities, the reduction of the spectral leakage to neighboring frequency bands, or the development and implementation of listen-before-talk (LBT) capabilities. While the LBT mode is operational and commonly used at several phased-array HFR installations, the implementation to commercial direction-finding systems does not appear to be available yet. In this paper, a proof-of-concept is provided for the implementation of the LBT mode for commercial SeaSonde HFRs deployed in Australia, with potential for applications in other networks and installations elsewhere. Potential critical aspects for systems operated under this configuration are also pointed out. Both the receiver and the transmitter antennas may lose efficiency if the frequency offset from the resonant frequency or calibration pattern are too large. Radial resolution clearly degrades when a dynamical adaptation of the bandwidth is performed, which results in non-homogeneous spatial resolution and reduction of the quality of the data. A recommendation would be to perform the LBT-adapt scans after a full measurement cycle (1-h or 3-h, depending on the system configuration) is concluded. Mutual cross-interference from clock offsets between two HFR systems may bias the frequency scans when the site computers controlling data acquisitions are not properly time-synchronized.
News-Driven Expectations and Volatility Clustering
Authors: Inoua Sabiou M.
Published: January 2020

Financial volatility obeys two fascinating empirical regularities that apply to various assets, on various markets, and on various time scales: it is fat-tailed (more precisely power-law distributed) and it tends to be clustered in time. Many interesting models have been proposed to account for these regularities, notably agent-based models, which mimic the two empirical laws through a complex mix of nonlinear mechanisms such as traders switching between trading strategies in highly nonlinear way. This paper explains the two regularities simply in terms of traders’ attitudes towards news, an explanation that follows from the very traditional dichotomy of financial market participants, investors versus speculators, whose behaviors are reduced to their simplest forms. Long-run investors’ valuations of an asset are assumed to follow a news-driven random walk, thus capturing the investors’ persistent, long memory of fundamental news. Short-term speculators’ anticipated returns, on the other hand, are assumed to follow a news-driven autoregressive process, capturing their shorter memory of fundamental news, and, by the same token, the feedback intrinsic to the short-sighted, trend-following (or herding) mindset of speculators. These simple, linear models of traders’ expectations explain the two financial regularities in a generic and robust way. Rational expectations, the dominant model of traders’ expectations, is not assumed here, owing to the famous no-speculation, no-trade results.
Photoshop & The (Virtual) Body of Models
Authors: Bello Knoll Susy
Published: January 2020

In this paper, Photoshop is analyzed with a special focus on the bodies of models and a detailed analysis on the legal issues posed by this specific area. For the sake of a thorough development of the topic of this paper, it is necessary to define relevant concepts such as photography and personal image. Regarding the first notion, problems related to intellectual property and, more specifically, copyright are discussed in this paper. Additionally, personal image is one of the most complex and comprehensive areas of law since the protection accorded to it is not equal in different jurisdictions of the world, so its study involves an analysis that goes beyond the scope of this paper. However, various safeguard mechanisms undertaken by some legislations chosen for this purpose will be presented, while also mentioning some specific cases both in the European continental system (Spain and Argentina) and in common law (United States of America and United Kingdom). Finally, the focus is placed on the use of Photoshop for the modification of body shape, particularly that professional models, as these are the ones that work primarily with their image. There will also be a description of some new regulations and mechanisms attempting to restrict image manipulation practices and those that warn the consumers against modified images to eventually conclude on the insufficiency of the same ones and the need for new proposed actions.
The Influence of the Internal Forces of the Buckling Modes on the Load-Carrying Capacity of Composite Medium-Length Beams under Bending
Authors: Zaczynska Monika , Kolakowski Zbigniew
Published: January 2020

The distribution of the internal forces corresponding to the individual buckling modes of lip-channel (LC) beams is investigated using the Semi Analytical Method (SAM) and the Finite Element Method (FEM). Channel section beams made of 8-layered GFRP (Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer) laminate with three different layer arrangements were considered. The effect of the internal forces on the non-linear first-order coefficients corresponding to the interactive buckling was also studied. Moreover, distributions of the internal forces corresponded to the loading, leading to structure failure for which the load-carrying capacity was determined. The results indicated a high influence of the Nx internal force component on the buckling loads and load-carrying capacity of the LC-beams.
Preparation and Mechanical Behavior of Ultra-High Strength Low-Carbon Steel
Authors: Lv Zhiqing , Qian Lihua , Liu Shuai , Zhan Le , Qin Siji
Published: January 2020

The low-carbon steel (~0.12 wt%) with complete martensite structure, obtained by quenching, was cold rolled to get the high-strength steel sheets. Then, the mechanical properties of the sheets were measured at different angles to the rolling direction, and the microstructural evolution of low-carbon martensite with cold rolling reduction was observed. The results show that the hardness and the strength gradually increase with increasing rolling reduction, while the elongation and impact toughness obviously decrease. The strength of the sheets with the same rolling reduction are different at the angles of 0°, 45°, and 90° to the rolling direction. The tensile strength (elongation) along the rolling direction is higher than that in the other two directions, but the differences between them are not obvious. When the aging was performed at a low temperature, the strength of the initial martensite and deformed martensite increased with increasing aging time during the early stages of aging, followed by a gradual decrease with further aging. However, the elongation increases with increasing aging time. The change of hardness is consistent with that of strength for the cold-rolled martensite, while the hardness of the initial martensite decreases gradually with increasing aging time.
Effect of High Temperatures on the Impact Strength of Concrete Based on Recycled Aggregate Made of Heat-Resistant Cullet
Authors: Powęzka Aleksandra , Szulej Jacek , Ogrodnik Paweł
Published: January 2020

The article presents results obtained during testing of concrete based on CEM I 42.5R Portland cement, fine and coarse aggregate, glass, volatile ash, and superplastifier. The concrete mixture was modified using filler consisting of bromosilicate heat resistant cullet. Recycled aggregate was added to the batch. Samples for the need of testing were produced as (100 × 100 × 100) mm cubes. Before commencing proper tests, samples have been heated within the temperature range of 20–800 °C. Tests carried out during the proper testing procedure included tests of compressive strength, elevated temperature, impact strength, as well as macroscopic tests of the contact area. The obtained test results have provided proof of there being a possibility of producing special concrete, modified by products obtained from heat resistant cullet. This type of is generally characterized by satisfactory performance parameters. The average compressive strength for concrete modified by a 10% of heat resistant cullet was determined as 43.6 MPa and 48.3 MPa respectively after 28 and 180 days of curing.
Parameters Influencing the Outcome of Additive Manufacturing of Tiny Medical Devices Based on PEEK
Authors: Wang Yiqiao , Müller Wolf-Dieter , Rumjahn Adam , Schwitalla Andreas
Published: January 2020

In this review, we discuss the parameters of fused deposition modeling (FDM) technology used in finished parts made from polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and also the possibility of printing small PEEK parts. The published articles reporting on 3D printed PEEK implants were obtained using PubMed and search engines such as Google Scholar including references cited therein. The results indicate that although many have been experiments conducted on PEEK 3D printing, the consensus on a suitable printing parameter combination has not been reached and optimized parameters for printing worth pursuing. The printing of reproducible tiny-sized PEEK parts with high accuracy has proved to be possible in our experiments. Understanding the relationships among material properties, design parameters, and the ultimate performance of finished objects will be the basis for further improvement of the quality of 3D printed medical devices based on PEEK and to expand the polymers applications.
Absolute Rheological Measurements of Model Suspensions: Influence and Correction of Wall Slip Prevention Measures
Authors: Pawelczyk Sebastian , Kniepkamp Marieluise , Jesinghausen Steffen , Schmid Hans-Joachim
Published: January 2020

Since suspensions (e.g., in food, cement, or cosmetics industries) tend to show wall slip, the application of structured measuring surfaces in rheometers is widespread. Usually, for parallel-plate geometries, the tip-to-tip distance is used for calculation of absolute rheological values, which implies that there is no flow behind this distance. However, several studies show that this is not true. Therefore, the measuring gap needs to be corrected by adding the effective gap extension δ to the prescribed gap height H in order to obtain absolute rheological properties. In this paper, we determine the effective gap extension δ for different structures and fluids (Newtonian, shear thinning, and model suspensions that can be adjusted to the behavior of real fluids) and compare the corrected values to reference data. We observe that for Newtonian fluids a gap- and material-independent correction function can be derived for every measuring system, which is also applicable to suspensions, but not to shear thinning fluids. Since this relation appears to be mainly dependent on the characteristics of flow behaviour, we show that the calibration of structured measuring systems is possible with Newtonian fluids and then can be transferred to suspensions up to a certain particle content.
Evolution of Microstructure and Texture in Laboratory- and Industrial-Scaled Production of Automotive Al-Sheets
Authors: Grasserbauer Jakob , Weißensteiner Irmgard , Falkinger Georg , Mitsche Stefan , Uggowitzer Peter J. , Pogatscher Stefan
Published: January 2020

With the rising importance of aluminum sheets for automotive applications, the influence of microstructure and texture on mechanical properties and on forming behavior has gained re-increased interest in recent years. This paper provides an introduction to the topic and demonstrates the evolution of microstructure and texture in the standard alloys EN AW-5182 and EN AW-6016 for different processing scales. Moreover, strategies for texture and microstructure characterization of automotive Al-sheets are discussed. As the development of alloys or processes usually starts in laboratory facilities, the transferability to the industrial scale of the results thereof is studied. A detailed analysis of the entire processing chain shows good conformity of careful laboratory production with the industrial production concerning microstructure as well as qualitative and quantitative texture evolution for EN AW-5182. While comparable grain sizes can be achieved in final annealed sheets of EN AW-6016, quantitative discrepancies in texture occur between the different production scales for some sample states. The results are discussed in light of the basics of plasticity and recrystallisation including the effect of solutes, primary phases, and secondary phases in the alloys.
Titanium Porous Coating Using 3D Direct Energy Deposition (DED) Printing for Cementless TKA Implants: Does It Induce Chronic Inflammation?
Authors: Ryu Dong Jin , Sonn Chung-Hee , Hong Da Hee , Kwon Kyeu Back , Park Sang Jun , Ban Hun Yeong , Kwak Tae Yang , Lim Dohyung , Wang Joon Ho
Published: January 2020

Because of the recent technological advances, the cementless total knee arthroplasty (TKA) implant showed satisfactory implant survival rate. Newly developed 3D printing direct energy deposition (DED) has superior resistance to abrasion as compared to traditional methods. However, there is still concern about the mechanical stability and the risk of osteolysis by the titanium (Ti) nanoparticles. Therefore, in this work, we investigated whether DED Ti-coated cobalt-chrome (CoCr) alloys induce chronic inflammation reactions through in vitro and in vivo models. We studied three types of implant surfaces (smooth, sand-blasted, and DED Ti-coated) to compare their inflammatory reaction. We conducted the in vitro effect of specimens using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and an inflammatory cytokine assay. Subsequently, in vivo analysis of the immune profiling, cytokine assay, and histomorphometric evaluation using C57BL/6 mice were performed. There were no significant differences in the CCK-8 assay, the cytokine assay, and the immune profiling assay. Moreover, there were no difference for semi-quantitative histomorphometry analysis at 4 and 8 weeks among the sham, smooth, and DED Ti-coated samples. These results suggest that DED Ti-coated printing technique do not induce chronic inflammation both in vitro and in vivo. It has biocompatibility for being used as a surface coating of TKA implant.