bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temperature-Shift Analysis of Bacteriophage φ29 Gene Expression in
Bacillus amyloliquefaciens
Authors: Schachtele Charles F. , Hagen Elaine W. , Anderson Dwight L.
Published: January 2020

Temperature shift-up experiments with conditional lethal mutants of
Bacillus
phage φ29 have allowed placement of early, middle, and late functions on the linear φ29 genetic map Most of the φ29 cistrons are late and are found at the ends of the map.
Inhibition of Replication of Ribonucleic Acid Bacteriophage f2 by Superinfection with Bacteriophage T4
Authors: Goldman Emanuel , Lodish Harvey F.
Published: January 2020

Superinfection by phage T4 of cells infected by the ribonucleic acid (RNA) phage f2 results in inhibition of further f2 production. Experiments using rifampin show that the exclusion of f2 requires T4 gene function soon after T4 infection. By using a sensitive new peptide-mapping procedure to identify f2 coat protein in infected cells, we show that synthesis of the f2 coat occurs at a reduced level until 4 min after T4 superinfection and then ceases abruptly. Within 4 min after T4 superinfection, there are also several changes in f2 RNA metabolism, all of which require T4 gene function: preexisting f2 replicative intermediate RNA and f2 single-stranded RNA are degraded to small but still acid-precipitable fragments, and most f2-specific RNA is released from polyribosomes. We favor the hypothesis that T4 induces the synthesis of a specific endoribonuclease which degrades f2 RNA and that the inhibition of f2 protein synthesis may be a consequence of this degradation, rather than a direct effect of T4 upon translation.
Specific Alterations of Coxsackievirus B3 Eluted from Hela Cells
Authors: Crowell Richard L. , Philipson Lennart
Published: January 2020

After the attachment of radioactive coxsackievirus B3 to HeLa cells at 0 C and subsequent incubation at 37 C, 50 to 80% of attached virus radioactivity was eluted from the cells within 1 hr. Eluted virus had a buoyant density of 1.21 in a potassium tartrate gradient, sedimented more slowly than native virus in sucrose gradients, was resistant to ribonuclease, was unstable in CsCl centrifugation, and did not reattach to uninfected cells. Electrophoretic studies of sodium dodecyl sulfate-disrupted B3 virus in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels revealed four radioactive virus polypeptides (VP 1 to 4), of which the three largest migrated slightly faster than their poliovirus T1 counterparts. In contrast, electrophoretic analysis of eluted virus, after banding in a tartrate gradient or pelleting by centrifugation, showed the absence of the fastest migrating polypeptide, VP 4. VP 4 was recovered in the supernatant fluid when the eluted virions were removed by high-speed centrifugation. The results indicate that VP 4 is located at the surface of the native virion, and its dissociation from the capsid may represent the first specific alteration of the virion after virus-receptor interaction at the cell surface.
Temperature-Sensitive Mutants of Simian Virus 40: Infection of Permissive Cells
Authors: Tegtmeyer Peter , Ozer Harvey L.
Published: January 2020

Ten temperature-sensitive mutants of simian virus 40 have been isolated and characterized in permissive cells. The mutants could be divided into three functional groups and two complementation groups. Seven mutants produced T antigen, infectious viral deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and structural viral antigen but predominantly the empty shell type of viral particles. Two mutants produced T antigen and infectious viral DNA, but, although viral structural protein(s) could be detected immunologically, no V antigen or viral particles were found. These two functional groups of mutants did not complement each other. A single mutant was defective in the synthesis of viral DNA, viral structural antigens, and viral particles. T antigen could be detected in infected cells by fluorescent antibody but was reduced by complement fixation assay. This mutant stimulated cell DNA synthesis at the restrictive temperature and complemented the other two functional groups of mutants.
Helical Nucleocapsid Structure of the Oncogenic Ribonucleic Acid Viruses (Oncornaviruses)
Authors: Sarkar Nurul H. , Nowinski Robert C. , Moore Dan H.
Published: January 2020

Negative staining of virions and isolated nucleoids from avian myeloblastosis virus, murine leukemia virus, murine mammary tumor virus, and feline leukemia virus reveals common internal structures. The majority of virions that are penetrated by phosphotungstate show spherical nucleoids with no apparent symmetry. In a small percentage of virions, two distinctive structures are found: (i)
single strands
(3 to 5 nm in diameter) which are presumed to be the nucleoprotein and are found randomly oriented throughout the viral interior and (ii)
helical structures
(7 to 9 nm in diameter) which contain these nucleoprotein strands and are observed at the periphery of the nucleoid. The finding of helical nucleocapsid segments at the periphery of the nucleoid, as well as the hollow spherical structure observed in thin section of budding virions, has led to the hypothesis that the nucleocapsid of the freshly budded oncornavirus is supercoiled as a hollow sphere. This symmetry, however, is considered transient, as the internal structure of the extracellular virus undergoes a conformational rearrangement; thus, due to structural instability, the nucleocapsid uncoils and the nucleoprotein strands fill the interior of the virion. The extracellular virion is therefore considered degenerate in respect to symmetry, explaining the difficulty in detecting a helical nucleocapsid.
Paracrystal Formation in Cell Cultures Infected with Adenovirus Type 2
Authors: Henry Claude J. , Atchison Robert W.
Published: January 2020

Large rod-shaped structures corresponding to paracrystals were seen in the nucleus, cytoplasm, or both of adenovirus type 2 (Ad2)-infected cells by immunofluorescence staining with antibody prepared against purified Ad2. In exception to this, Ad2-induced crystals did not stain with either hexon or fiber antibody. The crystalline structures were first observed in Ad2-infected Vero cells at 28 hr with a maximum number at 70 hr postinoculation. The kinetics of paracrystalline formation closely paralleled the experimental synthesis of infectious progeny virus. Acridine-orange staining revealed the lack of nucleic acids associated with the crystal. Also, the paracrystals stained intensely with phenanthrenequinone, suggesting that they are composed of basic proteins. Interferon induced by Newcastle disease virus from African green monkey kidney cell cultures was used to pretreat Vero cells prior to Ad2 infection. This resulted in inhibiting the formation of viral-induced paracrystals in 97% of the cells and reduced virus yields by 95%. The African green monkey kidney cell culture interferon did not reduce Ad2 yields in HeLa cell cultures or display any virus inhibitory activity in rabbit kidney cell cultures. Staining procedures, fluorescent-antibody tests with whole virus, hexon or fiber antibody, and interferon studies suggested that the paracrystals were viral-directed and composed of basic proteins (possibly core proteins).
Growth of Bacteriophage φ105 and Its Deoxyribonucleic Acid in Radiation-Sensitive Mutants of
Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Rutberg Blanka , Rutberg Lars
Published: January 2020

Growth of phage φ105 and its deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was studied in radiation-sensitive mutants of
Bacillus subtilis
. The
recA
gene is required for optimal prophage induction with mitomycin C and for infectivity of prophage DNA.
rec B
gene is required for marker rescue from mature DNA. The importance of bacterial genes for phage DNA activity seems to depend on phage DNA structure.
Structural Proteins and Subunits of Rubella Virus
Authors: Vaheri Aniti , Hovi Tapani
Published: January 2020

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of purified rubella virus revealed two distinct structural proteins VP1 and VP3, which had molecular weights of 62,500 and 35,000, respectively. In addition, a broad variable peak, designated VP2, with a molecular weight of about 47,500, was seen. Sucrose gradient analysis of virus disrupted by neutral detergents separated a labile 150
S
ribonucleoprotein, containing 40
S
ribonucleic acid and VP3, from the envelope fraction containing VP1 and VP2. VP1 and particularly VP2 were labeled with glucosamine and are thus glycoproteins. Labeling the polypeptides with different amino acids indicated that VP3, the “core” protein, is relatively rich in arginine but not in lysine. The size of the two main polypeptides, VP1 and VP3, corresponds to those of group A arboviruses.
Isolation and Characterization of a Bacteriophage Tail-Like Bacteriocin from a Strain of
Rhizobium
Authors: Lotz Wolfgang , Mayer Frank
Published: January 2020

Bacterial strain 16-3 spontaneously produces a bacteriocin which inhibits the growth of closely related strain 16-2. Both strains were newly isolated from root nodules of lupines and probably belong to the species
Rhizobium lupini.
Production of infectious progeny of newly isolated virulent phage 16-2-4 in strain 16-2 is inhibited completely if complexes are bacteriocin-treated during the first half of the latent period. Treatment begun during the second half leads to premature lysis of complexes and inactivates only those progeny phages which were not yet fully matured at the moment of the particle-induced lysis. Examination by electron microscope of the bacteriocin enrichment revealed the presence of particles 123 nm in length which resemble the tails of T-even bacteriophages. Since the particles sediment together with the bactericidal activity in the sucrose gradient and adsorb specifically to bacteriocin-sensitive cells, it is concluded that they are identical with the bactericidal agent. The particles are not found attached to phage heads and cannot self-propagate; they are regarded as incomplete and are named INCO particles. INCO particles consist of a core enveloped by a contractile sheath. One end of the sheath is connected to a baseplate to which six fibers, each 32 nm in length, are attached. These connect the baseplate of an adsorbing particle to the cell surface. Since INCo cores are probably empty, it is concluded that specific adsorption of the particles to the bacterial surface is sufficient to inactive sensitive cells irreversibly.
Mechanism of Adsorption and Eclipse of Bacteriophage φX174 I. In Vitro Conformational Change Under Conditions of Eclipse
Authors: Incardona Nino L. , Blonski Ronald , Feeney William
Published: January 2020

Bacteriophage φX174 undergoes a conformational change during viral eclipse when virus-host cell complexes are incubated briefly at 37 C in a complex starvation buffer at
p
H 8. In this report, basically the same transition is demonstrated in vitro. Incubation of φX alone for 2 to 3 hr at 35 C in 0.1
m
CaCl
2
(
p
H 7.2) results in an irreversible decrease in
S
20,w
because of an increase in the frictional coefficient that occurs during the change in conformation. The slower sedimenting conformation is noninfectious. These properties are remarkably similar to those of the eclipsed particles characterized by Newbold and Sinsheimer. Therefore, the key structural requirements for the molecular mechanism must reside within the architecture of the virus itself. This extremely simplified system uncovered the calcium ion requirement and pronounced dependence on
p
H between 6 and 7, both inherent properties of adsorption. This and the more than 10-fold greater rate of the in vivo conformational transition allude to the cooperative nature of attachment and eclipse for φX.
Ribonucleotide Reductase Activity of Synchronized KB Cells Infected with Herpes Simplex Virus
Authors: Cohen Gary H.
Published: January 2020

The replication of herpes simplex virus (HSV) is unimpeded in KB cells which have been blocked in their capacity to synthesize deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) by high levels of thymidine (TdR). Studies showed that the presence of excess TdR did not prevent host or viral DNA replication in HSV-infected cells. In fact, more cellular DNA was synthesized in infected TdR-blocked cells than in uninfected TdR-blocked cells. This implies that the event which relieved the TdR block was not specific for viral DNA synthesis but allowed some cellular DNA synthesis to occur. These results suggested that HSV has a means to insure a pool of deoxycytidylate derivatives for DNA replication in the presence of excess TdR. We postulated that a viral-induced ribonucleotide reductase was present in the cell after infection which was not inhibited by thymidine triphosphate (TTP). Accordingly, comparable studies of the ribonucleotide reductase found in infected and uninfected KB cells were made. We established conditions that would permit the study of viral-induced enzymes in logarithmically growing KB cells. A twofold stimulation in reductase activity was observed by 3 hr after HSV-infection. Reductase activity in extracts taken from infected cells was less sensitive to inhibition by exogenous (TTP) than the enzyme activity present in uninfected cells. In fact, the enzyme extracted from infected cells functioned at 60% capacity even in the presence of 2 m
m
TTP. These results support the idea that a viral-induced ribonucleotide reductase is present after HSV infection of KB cells and that this enzyme is relatively insensitive to inhibition by exogenous TTP.
Inactivation of Bacteriophage T4 by Ethyl Methanesulfonate: Influence of Host and Viral Genotypes
Authors: Ray Usharanjan , Bartenstein Lynne , Drake John W.
Published: January 2020

Inactivation of bacteriophage T4 by ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) is a complex process which depends critically upon the conditions of treatment and upon both the viral and the host genotypes. EMS-inactivated particles are capable of multiplicity and cross-reactivation, indicating the need for caution in using EMS in certain types of mutation studies. The pyrimidine dimer excision systems of the phage and the host do not affect the EMS sensitivity of T4, but the T4
x
+
y
+
system does. Mutational defects in the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) ligase and the DNA polymerase systems both of the virus and of its host also affect viral EMS sensitivity.
Development of Coliphage T5: Ultrastructural and Biochemical Studies
Authors: Zweig Martin , Rosenkranz Herbert S. , Morgan Councilman
Published: January 2020

Electron microscopic studies of
Escherichia coli
infected with bacteriophage T5
+
have revealed that host nuclear material disappeared before 9 min after infection. This disappearance seemed to correspond to the breakdown of host deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) into acid-soluble fragments. Little or no host DNA thymidine was reincorporated into phage DNA, except in the presence of 5-fluorodeoxyuridine (FUdR). Progeny virus particles were observed in the cytoplasm 20 min postinfection. Most of these particles were in the form of hexagonal-shaped heads or capsids, which were filled with electron-dense material (presumably T5 DNA). A small percentage (3 to 4%) of the phage heads appeared empty. On rare occasions, crystalline arrays of empty heads were observed. Nalidixic acid, hydroxyurea, and FUdR substantially inhibited replication of T5 DNA. However, these agents did not prevent virus-induced degradation of
E. coli
DNA. Most of the phage-specified structures seen in T5
+
-infected cells treated with FUdR or with nalidixic were in the form of empty capsids. Infected cells treated with hydroxyurea did not contain empty capsids. When
E. coli
F was infected with the DO mutant T5 amH18a (restrictive conditions), there was a small amount of DNA synthesis. Such cells contained only empty capsids, but their numbers were few in comparison to those in cells infected under permissive conditions or infected with T5
+
. The cells also failed to lyse. These results confirm other reports which suggest that DNA replication is not required for the synthesis of late proteins. The data also indicate that DNA replication influences the quantity of viral structures being produced.
Saint Louis Encephalitis Viral Ribonucleic Acid Replication Complex
Authors: Qureshi Ateef A. , Trent Dennis W.
Published: January 2020

Pulse-labeled Saint Louis encephalitis viral ribonucleic acid (RNA) is found in the cytoplasm of infected cells associated with a membranous structure which sediments with an average value of 250
S
. The integrity of the complex is destroyed by detergents and ribonuclease; however, it is stable in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) which differentiates this structure from cellular polyribosomes. With cultures in which cellular RNA was highly labeled prior to infection, ribosomal RNA could not be demonstrated in the complex isolated from EDTA-sucrose gradients. Single-stranded 43
S
and the 26
S
and 20
S
forms of viral RNA were found in the complex. Viral RNA polymerase activity in sucrose-gradient fractions sedimented in the same region as the fractions which contained the pulse-labeled viral RNA. The polymerase incorporated
3
H-guanosine triphosphate into acid-precipitable material in the absence of added template. It was also found that the replication complex contains viral-specific proteins.
New Deoxyribonucleic Acid Polymerase Induced by
Bacillus subtilis
Bacteriophage PBS2
Authors: Price Alan R. , Cook Sandra J.
Published: January 2020

The deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of
Bacillus subtilis
phage PBS2 has been confirmed to contain uracil instead of thymine. PBS2 phage infection of wild-type cells or DNA polymerase-deficient cells results in an increase in the specific activity of DNA polymerase. This induction of DNA polymerase activity is prevented by actinomycin D and chloramphenicol. In contrast to the major
B. subtilis
DNA polymerase, which prefers deoxythymidine triphosphate (dTTP) to deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP), the DNA polymerase in crude extracts of PBS2-infected cells is equally active whether dTTP or dUTP is employed. This phage-induced polymerase may be responsible for the synthesis of uracil-containing DNA during PBS2 phage infection.
Granulosis Virus Deoxyribonucleic Acid: a Closed, Double-Stranded Molecule
Authors: Summers M. D. , Anderson D. L.
Published: January 2020

Studies on deoxyribonucleic acid purified from the granulosis virus of
Trichoplusia ni
have revealed the presence of a closed, double-stranded superhelix which sediments at 95
S
relative to relaxed circles (74
S
) and linear (60
S
) forms. Molecular weight estimates show that this insect virus deoxyribonucleic acid has a size of 100 × 10
6
daltons.
Structure and Function of the Polypeptides in Simian Virus 40 II. Transcription of Subviral Deoxynucleoprotein Complexes In Vitro
Authors: Huang Eng-Shang , Nonoyama Meihan , Pagano Joseph S.
Published: January 2020

A deoxynucleoprotein complex (DNP-1) isolated from simian virus 40 (SV40) after disruption of the virus in an alkaline buffer contains the viral deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and four minor structural polypeptides. Dissociation of DNP-I by equilibrium centrifugation in CsCl yields a complex (DNP-II) that contains a small amount of polypeptide tightly bound to the viral DNA. Studies of the template activity of these deoxynucleoprotein complexes in vitro with
Escherichia coli
transcriptase show that the rate of transcription of DNP-I and DNP-II is 30 and 80%, respectively, compared with that of deproteinized SV40 DNA component I. In dimethyl sulfoxide gradients, the complementary ribonucleic acid (cRNA) synthesized from DNP-I is one-third to one-half the size of the cRNA species from DNA-I and DNP-II. Competition hybridization experiments show that with the
E. coli
transcriptase only a portion (about one-half) of the SV40 genome is transcribed with DNP-I as template, whereas most or all of the genome is transcribed with DNP-II as template. The template activity of the deoxynucleoprotein complexes with a highly active form II ribonucleic acid polymerase prepared from SV40-infected permissive cells follows similar transcription kinetics. The results indicate that structural nucleoproteins of SV40 bind nonrandomly to the viral DNA and effect the transcription of some subset of its sequences in vitro.
Genetic Analysis of Simian Virus 40 III. Characterization of a Temperature-Sensitive Mutant Blocked at an Early Stage of Productive Infection in Monkey Cells
Authors: Robb James A. , Martin Robert G.
Published: January 2020

A temperature-sensitive mutant of simian virus 40 (SV40),
ts
*
101
, has been characterized during productive infection in monkey kidney cells. The mutant virion can adsorb to and penetrate the cell normally at the restrictive temperature, but cannot induce the synthesis of cellular deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) nor initiate the synthesis of SV40-specific tumor, virion, or U antigens or viral DNA. First-cycle infection with purified
ts
*
101
DNA is normal at the restrictive temperature, but the resulting progeny virions are still temperature-sensitive. The mutant neither complements nor inhibits other temperature-sensitive SV40 mutants or wild-type virions. The affected protein in the
ts
*
101
mutant may be a regulatory structural protein, possibly a core protein, that is interacting with the viral DNA.
Polygenetic mélanges: a glimpse on tectonic, sedimentary and diapiric recycling in convergent margins
Authors: Festa Andrea , Ogata Kei , Pini Gian Andrea
Published: January 2020

A significant part of mélanges recognized in exhumed convergent margins around the world has been recently documented to have chiefly originated from masse transport and subsurface remobilization and disruption (i.e. mélanges, from sedimentary and mud–serpentinite diapiric processes and from
in situ
fluidification–disruption). Tectonic and/or sedimentary processes occurring during subsequent multiple deformational events of convergent margin evolution commonly overprint and significantly rework the primary (sedimentary or diapiric) mélange fabric, forming polygenetic mélanges. This ultimately complicates their distinction from true tectonic mélanges, masking part of the recorded tectono-sedimentary evolution of the associated convergent margin. The contributions gathered in this thematic collection explore with different approaches (from field structural and stratigraphic observations to geophysical analyses) different types of polygenetic mélange, at various scales, around the world. These studies conclude that the understanding of this type of mélange may provide crucial insights for a more detailed interpretation of the evolution of ancient and modern convergent margins, and of processes and mechanisms triggering potential natural hazards (earthquakes and tsunamis). Case studies include the Apennines in the Central Mediterranean region, the Carpathians in Central Europe and the Nankai Prism in Japan.

Thematic collection:
This article is part of the ‘Polygenetic mélanges: a glimpse on tectonic sedimentary and diapiric recycling in convergent margins’ collection available at
https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/polygenetic-melanges
Skin Health from the Inside Out
Authors: Woodby Brittany , Penta Kayla , Pecorelli Alessandra , Lila Mary Ann , Valacchi Giuseppe
Published: January 2020

The skin is the main interface between the body and the environment, providing a biological barrier against an array of chemical and physical pollutants (e.g., ultraviolet light, ozone, etc.). Exposure of the skin to these outdoor stressors generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can overwhelm the skin's endogenous defense systems (e.g., catalase, vitamins C and E, etc.), resulting in premature skin aging due to the induction of DNA damage, mitochondrial damage, lipid peroxidation, activation of inflammatory signaling pathways, and formation of protein adducts. In this review, we discuss how topical application of antioxidants, including vitamins C and E, carotenoids, resveratrol, and pycnogenol, can be combined with dietary supplementation of these antioxidant compounds in addition to probiotics and essential minerals to protect against outdoor stressor-induced skin damage, including the damage associated with aging.
Mitochondrial angiotensin II receptors regulate oxygen consumption in kidney mitochondria from healthy and type 1 diabetic rats
Authors: Friederich-Persson Malou , Persson Patrik
Published: January 2020

Exaggerated activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is a key feature in diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. Recently, an intracellular RAAS was demonstrated with angiotensin II (ANG II) type 1 (AT1) and type 2 (AT2) receptors expressed in nuclei and mitochondria. Diabetes is associated with both mitochondrial dysfunction and increased intracellular ANG II concentration in the kidney cortex. The present study investigated the role of ANG II signaling in kidney cortex mitochondria isolated from control and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Mitochondrial oxygen consumption was evaluated after addition of ANG II alone or after preincubation with candesartan (AT1 receptor antagonist), PD-123319 (AT2 receptor antagonist), or the two in combination. ANG II binds to only mitochondrial AT2 receptors in control rats and both AT1 receptors and AT2 receptors in diabetic rats. ANG II decreased oxygen consumption in mitochondria from both control and diabetic rats. ANG II response was reversed to increased oxygen consumption by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester. AT1 receptor inhibition did not affect the response to ANG II, whereas AT2 receptor inhibition abolished the response in mitochondria from control rats and reversed the response to increased oxygen consumption through superoxide-induced mitochondrial uncoupling in mitochondria from diabetic rats. ANG II decrease mitochondrial respiration via AT2 receptor-mediated nitric oxide release in both control and diabetic rats. AT1 receptors do not regulate mitochondria function in control rats, whereas ANG II via AT1 receptors increase mitochondria leak respiration in diabetic animals.
Impact of sex, androgens, and prostate size on C57BL/6J mouse urinary physiology: urethral histology
Authors: Ruetten Hannah , Wegner Kyle A. , Kennedy Conner L. , Turco Anne , Zhang Helen L. , Wang Peiqing , Sandhu Jaskiran , Sandhu Simran , Morkrid Jacquelyn , Wang Zunyi , Macoska Jill , Peterson Richard E. , Bjorling Dale E. , Ricke William A. , Marker Paul C. , Vezina Chad M.
Published: January 2020

The National Institutes of Health leveled new focus on sex as a biological variable with the goal of understanding sex-specific differences in health and physiology. We previously published a functional assessment of the impact of sex, androgens, and prostate size on C57BL/6J mouse urinary physiology (Ruetten H, Wegner KA, Zhang HL, Wang P, Sandhu J, Sandhu S, Mueller B, Wang Z, Macoska J, Peterson RE, Bjorling DE, Ricke WA, Marker PC, Vezina CM. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 317: F996–F1009, 2019). Here, we measured and compared five characteristics of urethral histology (urethral lumen diameter and area, epithelial cell count, epithelial and rhabdosphincter thickness, epithelial cell area, and total urethral area) in male and female 9-wk-old C57BL/6J mice using hematoxylin and eosin staining. We also compared male mice with castrated male mice, male and female mice treated with the steroid 5α-reductase inhibitor finasteride or testosterone, or male mice harboring alleles ( Pbsn4cre/+; R26RDta/+) that reduce prostate lobe mass. The three methods used to reduce prostate mass (castration, finasteride, and Pbsn4cre/+; R26RDta/+) changed urethral histology, but none feminized male urethral histology (increased urethral epithelial area). Exogenous testosterone caused increased epithelial cell count in intact females but did not masculinize female urethral histology (decrease epithelial area). Our results lay a critical foundation for future studies as we begin to parse out the influence of hormones and cellular morphology on male and female urinary function.
A Traffic Flow Evolution Process toward Mixed Equilibrium with Multicriteria of Route Choice Behaviour
Authors: Jiang Xiangjun , Huang Zhongxiang , Zhao Zhenyu
Published: January 2020

Based on the price-quantity adjustment behaviour principle of disequilibrium theory, the route choices of travellers are also affected by a quantity signal known as traffic flow, while the route cost is considered as a price signal in economics. Considering the quantity signal’s effect among travellers, a new route comfort choice behaviour criterion and its corresponding equilibrium condition are established. The network travellers are classified into three groups according to their route choice behaviour: travellers in the first group choose the shortest route following the route rapidity behaviour criterion with complete information forming the UE (user equilibrium) pattern, travellers in the second group choose the most comfortable route following the route comfort behaviour criterion with complete information forming the QUE (quantity adjustment user equilibrium) pattern, and travellers in the third group choose a route according to their perceived travel time with incomplete information forming the SUE (stochastic user equilibrium) pattern. The traffic flows of all three groups converge to a new UE-QUE-SUE mixed equilibrium flow pattern after interaction. To depict the traveller-diversified choice behaviour and the traffic flow interaction process, a mixed equilibrium traffic flow evolution model is formulated. After defining the route comfort indicator and the corresponding user equilibrium state, the equilibrium conditions of the three group flows are given under a mixed equilibrium pattern. In addition, an equivalent mathematical programming of the mixed equilibrium traffic flow evolution model is proposed to demonstrate that the developed model converges to the mixed equilibrium state. Finally, numerical examples are examined to evaluate the effect of route comfort proportions on the traffic network flow evolution and analyse the performance of the proposed model.
The Solitary Wave Solution for Quantum Plasma Nonlinear Dynamic Model
Authors: Feng Yihu , Hou Lei
Published: January 2020

In this paper, we discussed the quantum plasma system. A nonlinear dynamic disturbed model is studied. We used the undetermined coefficients method, dimensionless transformation and traveling wave transformation for the hyperbolic functions, and perturbation theory and method; then, the solitary wave solution for the quantum plasma nonlinear dynamic model is solved. Finally, the characteristics of the corresponding physical quantity are described.
Ensete ventricosum: A Multipurpose Crop against Hunger in Ethiopia
Authors: Yemata Getahun
Published: January 2020

Ensete ventricosum is a traditional multipurpose crop mainly used as a staple/co-staple food for over 20 million people in Ethiopia. Despite this, scientific information about the crop is scarce. Three types of food, viz., Kocho (fermented product from scraped pseudostem and grated corm), Bulla (dehydrated juice), and Amicho (boiled corm) can be prepared from enset. These products are particularly rich in carbohydrates, minerals, fibres, and phenolics, but poor in proteins. Such meals are usually served with meat and cheese to supplement proteins. As a food crop, it has useful attributes such as foods can be stored for long time, grows in wide range of environments, produces high yield per unit area, and tolerates drought. It has an irreplaceable role as a feed for animals. Enset starch is found to have higher or comparable quality to potato and maize starch and widely used as a tablet binder and disintegrant and also in pharmaceutical gelling, drug loading, and release processes. Moreover, enset shows high genetic diversity within a population which in turn renders resilience and food security against the ever-changing environmental factors and land use dynamics. Therefore, more research attention and funding should be given to magnify and make wider use of the crop.
Comparing of Data Collection for Network Level Pavement Management of Urban Roads and Highways
Authors: Wang Hui , Xu Zhoucong , Yue Lei
Published: January 2020

Pavement condition data are collected by agencies to support pavement management system (PMS) for decision-making purpose as well as to construct performance model. The cost of pavement data collection increases with the increase of survey frequencies. However, a lower monitoring frequency could lead to unreliable maintenance decisions. It is necessary to understand the influence of monitoring frequencies on maintenance decision by considering the reliability of performance prediction models. Because of different maintenance conditions of urban roads and highways, their performance show different trends. In this paper, the influence of pavement monitoring frequency on the pavement performance models was investigated. The results indicate that low collection frequencies may result in delay in maintenance action by overestimating pavement performance. The collection frequency for Pavement Condition Index (PCI) can be reduced without compromising the accuracy of performance model, more work should be done to ensure the PCI data quality, thus to guarantee the rationality of maintenance decisions. Effect of frequency reduction on pavement performance (IRI) models of urban roads seems greater than on pavement performance (IRI) models of highways, which may lead to heavier monitoring work for urban roads management. This paper provided an example which demonstrated how a comparative analysis can be performed to determine whether the current data collection plan can provide sufficient data for time series analysis.
Tankyrase Inhibitors Target Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells via AXIN-Dependent Downregulation of c-KIT Tyrosine Kinase
Authors: Jang Myung-Kyu , Mashima Tetsuo , Seimiya Hiroyuki
Published: January 2020

Cancer stem cells (CSC) constitute heterogeneous cell subpopulations of a tumor. Although targeting CSCs is important for cancer eradication, no clinically approved drugs that target CSCs have been established. Tankyrase poly(ADP-ribosyl)ates and destabilizes AXIN, a negative regulator of β-catenin, and promotes β-catenin signaling. Here, we report that tankyrase inhibitors downregulate c-KIT tyrosine kinase and inhibit the growth of CD44-positive colorectal CSCs. c-KIT expression in CD44-positive subpopulations of colorectal cancer COLO-320DM cells is associated with their tumor-initiating potential in vivo. Tankyrase inhibitors downregulate c-KIT expression in established cell lines, such as COLO-320DM and DLD-1, and colorectal cancer patient–derived cells. These effects of tankyrase inhibitors are caused by reducing the recruitment of SP1 transcription factor to the c-KIT gene promoter and depend on AXIN2 stabilization but not β-catenin downregulation. Whereas c-KIT knockdown inhibits the growth of CD44-positive COLO-320DM cells, c-KIT overexpression in DLD-1 cells confers resistance to tankyrase inhibitors. Combination of a low-dose tankyrase inhibitor and irinotecan significantly inhibited the growth of COLO-320DM tumors in a mouse xenograft model. These observations suggest that tankyrase inhibitors target c-KIT–positive colorectal CSCs and provide a novel therapeutic strategy for cancer.
Formas de perder-se na floresta: Chapeuzinho Vermelho e as experiências narrativas e cognitivas nos aplicativos
Authors: Estefani Thales
Published: January 2020

A partir de uma pesquisa no catálogo da Google Play, determinam-se cinco aplicativos exemplares que recontam a história de Chapeuzinho Vermelho para serem analisados de acordo com suas características semióticas, estratégias de interação e estruturas narrativas. O objetivo da análise é demonstrar, a partir das teorias sobre a cognição incorporada e distribuída, como a materialidade formal de tais aplicativos pode resultar em experiências narrativas únicas por formarem sistemas cognitivos diferentes e ampliarem sobremaneira a forma de contar a história da Chapeuzinho Vermelho.
Relative Change of Protidemia Level Predicts Intradialytic Hypotension
Authors: Assayag Maureen , Levy David , Seris Pascal , Maheas Catherine , Langlois Anne‐Lyse , Moubakir Kamal , Laplanche Sophie , Ridel Christophe , Touzot Maxime
Published: January 2020

Background

Hemodialysis patients are at risk of intradialytic hypotension (
IDH
), which is associated with mortality and cardiovascular and neurological events. The use of biomarkers of volemia such as relative change in protidemia and BNP (B‐natriuretic peptide) levels to predict
IDH
remains unknown.

Methods and Results

We conducted a prospective observational study, which enrolled 170 chronic hemodialysis patients in a single center from September 2015 to March 2016.
BNP
and the relative change of protidemia level (Δprotidemia=postdialysis protidemia−predialysis protidemia) were measured monthly over 6 months. A logistic mixed regression model was used to define the best biomarkers that predict the 30‐day risk of
IDH
. Receiver operating characteristic analysis area under the curve was used to define the cutoff values of Δprotidemia that predict
IDH
A logistic mixed model reveals that Δprotidemia predicts the 30‐day risk of
IDH
but not
BNP
or age; odds ratio=1.12, 95%
CI
1.08‐1.17), odds ratio=0.81, 95%
CI
(0.64; 1.07) and odds ratio =0.015 95%
CI
(0.99; 1.03), respectively. Adding the ultrafiltration rate did not improve the model. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that Δprotidemia of 10 g/L allowed for discrimination of the patients with
IDH
(area under the curve= 0.67; 95%
CI
0.62‐0.72,
P
<0.05). There was an increase in area under the curve to 0.71 (95%
CI
0.63‐0.76) in a subgroup of hemodialysis with
BNP
<300 ng/L, for a cutoff value of 11 g/L, especially for the nondiabetic patients.

Conclusions

Relative change in protidemia level (Δprotidemia) outperforms
BNP
and ultrafiltration rate as a predictor for 30‐day risk of
IDH
. These results should be confirmed by a prospective study.
Proof of concept of participant informed, psycho-educational, community-based intervention for people with severe mental illness in rural Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Trang , Tran Tuan , Green Sally , Hsueh Arthur , Tran Thach , Tran Ha , Fisher Jane
Published: January 2020

Background:

There is a lack of an intervention model that empowers people with severe mental illness (SMI) and their families and addresses the mental health gap in low- and middle-income countries. There is a significant gap in care for people with SMI in rural Vietnam due to the low quality of care in the formal mental health system and the lack of access to an evidence-informed informal approach to care.

Objectives:

To assess acceptability, feasibility, preliminary evidence of impact and potential cost savings of a mental health support group intervention for people with SMI in the community.

Methods:

The proof of concept used a pre–post design with qualitative assessment, impact evaluation and cost analysis.

Results:

A mental health support group intervention facilitated by Women’s Union staff using a positive deviance approach was conducted among 68 people with SMI. Qualitative evaluation showed that the approach was highly acceptable and feasible. There was a significant improvement in personal functioning and a reduction in stigma and discrimination experienced by intervention participants. The intervention was found to reduce significantly the financial burden on the families having members with SMI.

Conclusion:

The proof of concept of the mental health support group intervention delivered by informal community care providers for people with SMI provides promising evidence to address the mental health gap with high acceptability, feasibility and low-cost for low- and middle-income countries.
Environmental factors modulate biofilm formation by Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Liu Ying , Zhang Jiang , Ji Yinduo
Published: January 2020

Biofilm formation on indwelling medical devices represents an exclusive evasion mechanism for many pathogenic bacteria to establish chronic infections. Staphylococcus aureus is one of the major bacterial pathogens that are able to induce both animal and human infections. The continued emergence of multiple drug-resistant S. aureus, especially methicillin-resistant S. aureus, is problematic due to limited treatment options. Biofilm formation by S. aureus complicates the treatment of methicillin-resistant S. aureus infections. Therefore, elucidating the mechanisms of biofilm formation in this pathogen is important for the development of alternative therapeutic strategies. Various environmental and genetic factors contribute to biofilm formation. In this review, we address the environmental factors and discuss how they affect biofilm formation by S. aureus.
Episodic Memory in Later Life: Benefits of Prayer and Meditation
Authors: Lekhak Nirmala , Bhatta Tirth R. , Zauszniewski Jaclene A.
Published: January 2020

Purpose: To examine the effects of prayer and meditation on the episodic memory of older adults. Design: Secondary analysis of Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Method: Drawing from a subsample of HRS ( n = 1,135), this study utilized generalized estimating equation regression models to examine the effects of meditation and prayer on changes in episodic memory of older adults over time. Findings: Findings show a statistically significant positive effect of the use of prayer (0.50, p < .05) on episodic memory score at baseline. We also observed a slight gain in episodic memory over time for older adults who used prayer (0.04, p = .05). Meditation was not found to have a statistically significant effect on changes in memory in later life. Conclusion: This study illustrates the benefits of prayer in preserving memory and provides much needed empirical basis for community-level interventions to enhance memory in later life.
Differential Diagnosis of Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Symptoms in College Students
Authors: Lovett Benjamin J. , Wood Whitney L. M. , Lewandowski Lawrence J.
Published: January 2020

Objective: Sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) refers to a set of symptoms that prior research has found to be related to several different psychological disorders, especially the predominantly inattentive presentation of ADHD. This study collected evidence relevant to the question of whether SCT is a distinct disorder. Method: College students ( N = 910) completed measures of SCT, ADHD, depression, anxiety, sleep quality, and substance misuse. Results: Students reporting clinically high SCT (reporting at least five symptoms often or very often) had significantly higher levels and rates of other types of psychopathology. Moreover, when students reporting clinically significant levels of ADHD, depression, and anxiety symptoms, poor sleep quality, or hazardous levels of alcohol or cannabis use were removed, very few students reporting high SCT remained (only 4.8% of the original high-SCT group). Conclusion: SCT may be best thought of as a symptom set common to many types of psychopathology, and it may be caused by sleep problems or substance misuse as well.
The making of economic news: Dutch economic journalists contextualizing their work
Authors: Damstra Alyt , De Swert Knut
Published: January 2020

Research on economic and financial journalism has left important questions unanswered. Most notably, what exactly are the mechanisms leading up to the well-documented negativity bias in economic news reporting, and to what extent are structural constraints, previously identified in research on financial news production, also relevant in the context of mainstream economic news that reaches out to a broad and lay audience? This study seeks to address these questions by conducting in-depth interviews with 12 economic journalists working for Dutch news outlets (print, online, and television). The findings suggest that negativity is driven more by news values than by journalistic role conceptions, as many interviewees refer to the abrupt temporal dynamics typical of negative events. Furthermore, journalists indicate that gatekeeping processes are increasingly influenced by audience preferences, as indicators such as aging readerships and number of clicks are carefully monitored.
Technological footprint similarity and firm performance
Authors: Martynov Aleksey
Published: January 2020

The existing literature has documented significant levels of technological similarity among firms in the same industry. However, there is no theory of how technological similarity affects firm performance. This study builds and tests a theory of performance consequences of technological similarity of a firm to its industry (“technological footprint similarity”). It argues that invention performance and market performance may be affected in different ways and that specific firm characteristics moderate these relationships. This study also argues that technological footprint similarity is different from the established concepts of technological diversification and strategic similarity. The contribution of the article centers on developing the concept of technological footprint similarity and developing and testing theory of its performance consequences in the presence of firm-specific moderators.
Synergic effect of GPIBA and von Willebrand factor in pathogenesis of deep vein thrombosis
Authors: Li Da , Zhang Xiaosong , Zhang Honggang , Li Xiaoqiang
Published: January 2020

Objectives

In cardiovascular disease, deep vein thrombosis is one of the vital symptoms causing pulmonary thromboembolism. However, the pathogenesis of deep vein thrombosis is still not clear. One of the critical factors leading to deep vein thrombosis is the platelet aggregation that is mediated by a set of key genes including platelet membrane protein coded by platelet glycoprotein Ib alpha chain (GPIBA).

Methods

Deep vein thrombosis model was established according to the previous protocol, and venous blood and thrombi were collected for further analysis.

Results

The dynamic changes of GPIBA and coagulation factor, von Willebrand factor, were observed in deep vein thrombosis models. Meanwhile, critical proteins participating in adhesion and binding of platelets such as epithelial membrane protein 2 (EMP2), vascular cell adhesion protein 1 (VCAM1), immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif 1 (ITAM1), integrin subunit alpha M (ITGAM), or fibronectin were also differentially expressed in deep vein thrombosis models.

Conclusions

Application of heparin could reverse these dynamic changes in deep vein thrombosis models. Thus, we explained the potential synergic role of GPIBA and von Willebrand factor in regulating the occurrence of deep vein thrombosis and provide therapeutic target against cardiovascular disease.
Links Between Israeli College Students’ Self-Regulated Learning and Their Recollections of Their Parents’ Parenting Styles
Authors: Seroussi Dominique-Esther , Yaffe Yosi
Published: January 2020

Parenting style affects self-regulation in school pupils, yet its long-term influence on academic behavior is rarely studied. A pilot study was conducted on 83 teacher college students, who filled in a questionnaire measuring recollections of parenting styles (Parental Authority Questionnaire [PAQ]) and self-regulation in learning (Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire [MSLQ]). Unlike in results known about adolescents, authoritative parenting was not significantly associated with students’ present self-regulation skills, except for human resources. Authoritarian parenting was the only parenting style correlated with motivation, self-efficacy, and cognitive strategies and strongly correlated with critical thinking. These results suggest new ways of evaluating the relationship of authoritarian parenting with academic skills.