bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Salinity Tolerance in Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl.: Seed Emergence in Field and Germination Trials
Authors: Raddi Sabrina , Mariotti Barbara , Martini Sofia , Pierguidi Alberto
Published: October 2019

The effect of salinity on seed germination/emergence in narrow-leaved ash (Fraxinus angustifolia) was studied both under field and laboratory conditions, in order to detect critical values to NaCl exposure. Research Highlights: Novel statistical methods in germination ecology has been applied (i) to determine the effects of chilling length and salinity (up to 150 mM NaCl) on Fraxinus angustifolia subsp. oxycarpa seed emergence, and (ii) to estimate threshold limits treating germination response to salinity as a biomarker. Background and Objectives: Salinity cut values at germination stage had relevant interest for conservation and restoration aims of Mediterranean floodplain forests in coastal areas subjected to salt spray exposure and/or saline water introgression. Results: Salinity linearly decreased germination/emergence both in the field and laboratory tests. Absence of germination was observed at 60 mM NaCl in the field (70–84 mM NaCl depending on interpolation model) and at 150 mM NaCl for 4-week (but not for 24-week) chilling. At 50 mM NaCl, germination percentage was 50% (or 80%) of control for 4-week (or 24-week) chilling. Critical values for salinity were estimated between freshwater and 50 (75) mM NaCl for 4-week (24-week) chilling by Bayesian analysis. After 7-week freshwater recovery, critical cut-off values included all tested salinity levels up to 150 mM NaCl, indicating a marked resumption of seedling emergence. Conclusions: Fraxinus angustifolia is able to germinate at low salinity and to tolerate temporarily moderate salinity conditions for about two months. Prolonged chilling widened salinity tolerance.
The Dynamics of Living and Dead Fine Roots of Forest Biomes across the Northern Hemisphere
Authors: Wang Cunguo , Brunner Ivano , Zong Shengwei , Li Mai-He
Published: October 2019

Research Highlights: A detailed picture of the seasonality in fine root biomass (FRB), necromass (FRN), and the biomass/necromass ratio (FRBN) throughout the whole year is crucial to uncover profound effects of long-term environmental changes on fine root dynamics. Materials and Methods: We used meta-analysis to characterize the variability of FRB, FRN and FRBN, and determined their relations with climatic (monthly versus annual), edaphic and geomorphic factors for tropical, temperate and boreal forest biomes across the Northern Hemisphere. Results: Boreal forests exhibited the highest FRB and FRN, while tropical forests yielded the lowest FRN, and thus the greatest FRBN. FRB and FRN significantly decreased with sampling depth, but increased with soil organic carbon content and elevation, while an opposite pattern was found for FRBN. Temperature and precipitation at different time scales (monthly versus annual) and latitude had varying influences on fine roots. High FRB and FRN were observed during dry season for tropical forests, but in the late growing season for temperate forests. The three forest biomes exhibited the high root activity (measured as FRBN) in June or July. Conclusions: It is crucial to realize the universal and specific responses of fine roots to multiple environmental factors when attempting to incorporate these parameters into fine root monthly dynamic models in forest ecosystems. The biome-specific fluctuation of fine roots contributes to identify the influence factors on fine root seasonal patterns throughout the whole year. Our analysis is expected to improve the understanding of the key role of fine roots at monthly level in modeling and predicting carbon budget of various forest biomes under future climate change.
Integration of LTE 230 and LTE 1800 in Power Wireless Private Networks
Authors: Ding Zhengyang , Miao Weiwei , Zhang Mingxuan , Li Wei , Liu Rui , Zou Jun , Xu Chen
Published: October 2019

Power wireless private networks (PWPNs) have been highly developed in China in recent years. They provide a basis for the energy Internet of Things, which enables the exchange of energy information between devices. Although the power wireless private network is an imitation of the public cellular network, a number of special challenges remain in power private networks. Due to the lack of general standards for PWPNs at the beginning of deployment, there are now two independent PWPN systems in China: long-term evolution (LTE) 230 and LTE 1800. Each has its own core and access networks with independent hardware. In this paper, we propose a high-level design of multinetwork integration to allow LTE 230 and LTE 1800 to coexist. For core network integration, we propose a protocol controller to select the active protocol according to the user’s mode selection, since both LTE 230 and LTE 1800 evolved from the standard LTE system. For access network integration, we propose a multinetwork integration controller to help the device access the optimal cell. The simulation results show that the integrated system can retain the advantages of these two independent systems in terms of both capacity and coverage.
Collaborative Blockchain-Based Detection of Distributed Denial of Service Attacks Based on Internet of Things Botnets
Authors: Spathoulas Georgios , Giachoudis Nikolaos , Damiris Georgios-Paraskevas , Theodoridis Georgios
Published: October 2019

Internet of Things is one of the most significant latest developments in computer science. It is common for modern computing infrastructures to partially consist of numerous low power devices that are characterized by high diversity in both hardware and software. Existing security models, approaches and solutions are not able to sufficiently protect such systems. In this paper we propose the use of lightweight agents installed at multiple internet of things (IoT) installations (e.g., smart-homes), in order to collaboratively detect distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks conducted by the use of IoT devices botnets. Specifically, agents exchange outbound traffic information in order to identify possible victims of DDoS attacks. This information exchange is governed by a blockchain smart contract, that ensures the integrity of both the procedure and the information. A simulation of the operation of the proposed methodology has been conducted in order to evaluate both its detection efficiency and its resilience against malicious agents that aim to falsify results.
A Genetic Assessment of Parentage in the Blackspot Sergeant Damselfish, Abudefduf sordidus (Pisces: Pomacentridae)
Authors: Kerr Lobel Lisa , Drown Devin M. , Barber Paul H. , Lobel Phillip S.
Published: October 2019

Microsatellite markers were used to investigate the reproductive behavior of the damselfish Abudefduf sordidus at Johnston Atoll, Central Pacific Ocean. Genetic results indicated that ten males maintained guardianship over their nest territories for up to nine nest cycles during a 3.5 month period. Genotypes of 1025 offspring sampled from 68 nests (composed of 129 clutches) were consistent with 95% of the offspring being sired by the guardian male. Offspring lacking paternal alleles at two or more loci were found in 19 clutches, indicating that reproductive parasitism and subsequent alloparental care occurred. Reconstructed maternal genotypes allowed the identification of a minimum of 74 different females that spawned with these ten territorial males. Males were polygynous, mating with multiple females within and between cycles. Genetic data from nests, which consisted of up to four clutches during a reproductive cycle, indicated that each clutch usually had only one maternal contributor and that different clutches each had different dams. Females displayed sequential polyandry spawning with one male within a cycle but switched males in subsequent spawning cycles. These results highlight new findings regarding male parasitic spawning, polygyny, and sequential polyandry in a marine fish with exclusive male paternal care.
Quantile Regression and Clustering Models of Prediction Intervals for Weather Forecasts: A Comparative Study
Authors: Zarnani Ashkan , Karimi Soheila , Musilek Petr
Published: October 2019

Information about forecast uncertainty is vital for optimal decision making in many domains that use weather forecasts. However, it is not available in the immediate output of deterministic numerical weather prediction systems. In this paper, we investigate several learning methods to train and evaluate prediction interval models of weather forecasts. The uncertainty models of weather predictions are trained from a database of historical forecasts/observations. They are developed to investigate prediction intervals of weather forecasts using various quantile regression methods as well as cluster-based probabilistic forecasts using fuzzy methods. To compare and verify probabilistic forecasts, a novel score is developed that accounts for sampling variation effects on forecast verification statistics. The impact of various feature sets and model parameters in forecast uncertainty modeling is also investigated. The results show superior performance of the non-linear quantile regression models in comparison with clustering methods.
The Role of Co-Deleted Genes in Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Microdeletions: An Evolutive Approach
Authors: Brussa Reis Larissa , Turchetto-Zolet Andreia Carina , Fonini Maievi , Ashton-Prolla Patricia , Rosset Clévia
Published: October 2019

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a cancer predisposition syndrome that results from dominant loss-of-function mutations mainly in the NF1 gene. Large rearrangements are present in 5–10% of affected patients, generally encompass NF1 neighboring genes, and are correlated with a more severe NF1 phenotype. Evident genotype–phenotype correlations and the importance of the co-deleted genes are difficult to establish. In our study we employed an evolutionary approach to provide further insights into the understanding of the fundamental function of genes that are co-deleted in subjects with NF1 microdeletions. Our goal was to access the ortholog and paralog relationship of these genes in primates and verify if purifying or positive selection are acting on these genes. Fourteen genes were analyzed in twelve mammalian species. Of these, four and ten genes showed positive selection and purifying selection, respectively. The protein, RNF135, showed three sites under positive selection at the RING finger domain, which may have been selected to increase efficiency in ubiquitination routes in primates. The phylogenetic analysis suggests distinct evolutionary constraint between the analyzed genes. With these analyses, we hope to help clarify the correlation of the co-deletion of these genes and the more severe phenotype of NF1.
Seed Germination and Seedling Growth on Knitted Fabrics as New Substrates for Hydroponic Systems
Authors: Storck Jan Lukas , Böttjer Robin , Vahle Dominik , Brockhagen Bennet , Grothe Timo , Dietz Karl-Josef , Rattenholl Anke , Gudermann Frank , Ehrmann Andrea
Published: October 2019

Vertical farming is one of the suggested avenues for producing food for the growing world population. Concentrating the cultivation of crops such as herbs in large indoor farms makes food production susceptible to technical, biological or other problems that might destroy large amounts of food at once. Thus, there is a trend towards locally, self-sufficient food production in vertical systems on a small scale. Our study examined whether conventional knitted fabrics, such as patches of worn jackets, can be used for hydroponics instead of the specialized nonwoven materials used in large-scale indoor systems. To this end, seed germination and seedling growth of 14 different crop plant species on knitted fabrics with three different stitch sizes were compared. Our results showed that hydroponic culture on knitted fabrics are indeed possible and allow for growing a broad spectrum of plant species, suggesting recycling of old textile fabrics for this purpose. Among the 14 plant species studied, differences in germination success, average fresh and dry masses, as well as water contents were found, but these parameters were not affected by knitted fabric stitch size.
Risk Factors for Depression in Empty Nesters: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Coastal City of Zhejiang Province and China
Authors: Yao Yecheng , Ding Gangqiang , Wang Liaoliao , Jin Ye , Lin Jianwei , Zhai Yujia , Zhang Tao , He Fan , Fan Weigang
Published: October 2019

The elderly are susceptible to depression, especially empty nesters. This study investigated the risk factors associated with depression in empty nesters. The participants were selected via multi-stage random cluster sampling. Depression symptoms were assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale. The questionnaire surveyed demographic characteristics, underlying diseases, behaviors and lifestyles, negative life experiences, social support, self-care ability, etc. Chronic health conditions, such as being overweight/obese, smoking cessation, cancer, and chronic pain, as well as negative life experiences, such as the death of a loved one and financial loss, increased the risk of depression in empty nesters. In addition, the incapability of performing self-care also increased the risk of depression in empty nesters. The prevalence of depression in empty nesters was high. Being overweight/obese, cancer, chronic pain, smoking cessation, the death of a loved one, financial loss, and the incapability to deliver self-care were risk factors for depression in empty nesters. It is recommended that comprehensive measures be taken to enhance health interventions for this population, including encouraging a proper diet and physical activity for weight control, providing psychological counseling after negative life experiences, and teaching correct methods of smoking cessation.
MapReduce-Based D_ELT Framework to Address the Challenges of Geospatial Big Data
Authors: Jo Junghee , Lee Kang-Woo
Published: October 2019

The conventional extracting–transforming–loading (ETL) system is typically operated on a single machine not capable of handling huge volumes of geospatial big data. To deal with the considerable amount of big data in the ETL process, we propose D_ELT (delayed extracting–loading –transforming) by utilizing MapReduce-based parallelization. Among various kinds of big data, we concentrate on geospatial big data generated via sensors using Internet of Things (IoT) technology. In the IoT environment, update latency for sensor big data is typically short and old data are not worth further analysis, so the speed of data preparation is even more significant. We conducted several experiments measuring the overall performance of D_ELT and compared it with both traditional ETL and extracting–loading– transforming (ELT) systems, using different sizes of data and complexity levels for analysis. The experimental results show that D_ELT outperforms the other two approaches, ETL and ELT. In addition, the larger the amount of data or the higher the complexity of the analysis, the greater the parallelization effect of transform in D_ELT, leading to better performance over the traditional ETL and ELT approaches.
A GIS-Based Tool for Automatic Bankfull Detection from Airborne High Resolution Dem
Authors: De Rosa Pierluigi , Fredduzzi Andrea , Cencetti Corrado
Published: October 2019

The ability to remotely sense bankfull elevations was of particular interest in this study because bankfull mapping depends on topographic indicators. The method proposed here and integrated in a GIS environment combines the hydraulic depth and the flow height for each cross section. The local maxima values indicate a sudden increase in flow width where water spills across the floodplain. Such an approach has been implemented as a GIS tool in the QGIS software, and provides a resulting polygonal map of the bankfull limits. The algorithm was applied on several fluvial reaches in Umbria (central Italy). The source code is available as open source. Preliminary results are presented in Section 4, comparing remotely sensed bankfull limits to those obtained from fields surveys and, more recently, by operator–expert interpretation of aerial orthophotos.
Tea and Its Components Prevent Cancer: A Review of the Redox-Related Mechanism
Authors: Mao Xiangbing , Xiao Xiangjun , Chen Daiwen , Yu Bing , He Jun
Published: October 2019

Cancer is a worldwide epidemic and represents a major threat to human health and survival. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a dual role in cancer cells, which includes both promoting and inhibiting carcinogenesis. Tea remains one of the most prevalent beverages consumed due in part to its anti- or pro-oxidative properties. The active compounds in tea, particularly tea polyphenols, can directly or indirectly scavenge ROS to reduce oncogenesis and cancerometastasis. Interestingly, the excessive levels of ROS induced by consuming tea could induce programmed cell death (PCD) or non-PCD of cancer cells. On the basis of illustrating the relationship between ROS and cancer, the current review discusses the composition and efficacy of tea including the redox-relative (including anti-oxidative and pro-oxidative activity) mechanisms and their role along with other components in preventing and treating cancer. This information will highlight the basis for the clinical utilization of tea extracts in the prevention or treatment of cancer in the future.
Presence of 15p Marker D15Z1 on the Short Arm of Acrocentric Chromosomes is Associated with Aneuploid Offspring in Mexican Couples
Authors: Ramos Sandra , Rodríguez Rebeca , Castro Oscar , Grether Patricia , Molina Bertha , Frias Sara
Published: October 2019

Variation in the location of the 15p region D15Z1 is recognized as a polymorphism in several human populations. We used high-stringency Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) to detect D15Z1 in a Mexican cohort. Here, we report the presence of extra D15Z1 sequences on the p-arm of acrocentric chromosomes other than 15 in two groups of Mexican couples, one with healthy offspring (n = 75) and the other with aneuploid offspring (n = 87), mainly trisomy 21. The additional D15Z1 polymorphism was significantly increased in individuals with aneuploid offspring (26.4%), in comparison to individuals with healthy offspring (14%). The most frequent acceptor chromosome of D15Z1 was chromosome 13p, followed by 14p, and finally, 21p. Our results show an overall frequency of 21.6% of this polymorphism in the Mexican population and suggest that its presence might be associated with the mis-segregation of other acrocentric chromosomes and aneuploid offspring. The high frequency of the polymorphism of the D15Z1 sequence on acrocentric chromosomes other than 15 suggests a sequence homogenization of the acrocentric p arms, related to the important function of the centromere and the nucleolar organization region, which flank satellite III DNA.
Evidence for Nanoparticle-Induced Lysosomal Dysfunction in Lung Adenocarcinoma (A549) Cells
Authors: Sipos Arnold , Kim Kwang-Jin , Sioutas Constantinos , Crandall Edward D.
Published: October 2019

Background: Polystyrene nanoparticles (PNP) are taken up by primary rat alveolar epithelial cell monolayers (RAECM) in a time-, dose-, and size-dependent manner without involving endocytosis. Internalized PNP in RAECM activate autophagy, are delivered to lysosomes, and undergo [Ca2+]-dependent exocytosis. In this study, we explored nanoparticle (NP) interactions with A549 cells. Methods: After exposure to PNP or ambient pollution particles (PM0.2), live single A549 cells were studied using confocal laser scanning microscopy. PNP uptake and egress were investigated and activation of autophagy was confirmed by immunolabeling with LC3-II and LC3-GFP transduction/colocalization with PNP. Mitochondrial membrane potential, mitophagy, and lysosomal membrane permeability (LMP) were assessed in the presence/absence of apical nanoparticle (NP) exposure. Results: PNP uptake into A549 cells decreased in the presence of cytochalasin D, an inhibitor of macropinocytosis. PNP egress was not affected by increased cytosolic [Ca2+]. Autophagy activation was indicated by increased LC3 expression and LC3-GFP colocalization with PNP. Increased LMP was observed following PNP or PM0.2 exposure. Mitochondrial membrane potential was unchanged and mitophagy was not detected after NP exposure. Conclusions: Interactions between NP and A549 cells involve complex cellular processes leading to lysosomal dysfunction, which may provide opportunities for improved nanoparticle-based therapeutic approaches to lung cancer management.
Intrinsic Disorder of the BAF Complex: Roles in Chromatin Remodeling and Disease Development
Authors: El Hadidy Nashwa , Uversky Vladimir N.
Published: October 2019

The two-meter-long DNA is compressed into chromatin in the nucleus of every cell, which serves as a significant barrier to transcription. Therefore, for processes such as replication and transcription to occur, the highly compacted chromatin must be relaxed, and the processes required for chromatin reorganization for the aim of replication or transcription are controlled by ATP-dependent nucleosome remodelers. One of the most highly studied remodelers of this kind is the BRG1- or BRM-associated factor complex (BAF complex, also known as SWItch/sucrose non-fermentable (SWI/SNF) complex), which is crucial for the regulation of gene expression and differentiation in eukaryotes. Chromatin remodeling complex BAF is characterized by a highly polymorphic structure, containing from four to 17 subunits encoded by 29 genes. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the role of BAF complex in chromatin remodeling and also to use literature mining and a set of computational and bioinformatics tools to analyze structural properties, intrinsic disorder predisposition, and functionalities of its subunits, along with the description of the relations of different BAF complex subunits to the pathogenesis of various human diseases.
Interleukin-6 Induces Myogenic Differentiation via JAK2-STAT3 Signaling in Mouse C2C12 Myoblast Cell Line and Primary Human Myoblasts
Authors: Steyn Paul J. , Dzobo Kevin , Smith Robert I. , Myburgh Kathryn H.
Published: October 2019

Postnatal muscle growth and exercise- or injury-induced regeneration are facilitated by myoblasts. Myoblasts respond to a variety of proteins such as cytokines that activate various signaling cascades. Cytokines belonging to the interleukin 6 superfamily (IL-6) influence myoblasts’ proliferation but their effect on differentiation is still being researched. The Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway is one of the key signaling pathways identified to be activated by IL-6. The aim of this study was to investigate myoblast fate as well as activation of JAK-STAT pathway at different physiologically relevant IL-6 concentrations (10 pg/mL; 100 pg/mL; 10 ng/mL) in the C2C12 mouse myoblast cell line and primary human myoblasts, isolated from eight young healthy male volunteers. Myoblasts’ cell cycle progression, proliferation and differentiation in vitro were assessed. Low IL-6 concentrations facilitated cell cycle transition from the quiescence/Gap1 (G0/G1) to the synthesis (S-) phases. Low and medium IL-6 concentrations decreased the expression of myoblast determination protein 1 (MyoD) and myogenin and increased proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression. In contrast, high IL-6 concentration shifted a larger proportion of cells to the pro-differentiation G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle, substantiated by significant increases of both MyoD and myogenin expression and decreased PCNA expression. Low IL-6 concentration was responsible for prolonged JAK1 activation and increased suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) protein expression. JAK-STAT inhibition abrogated IL-6-mediated C2C12 cell proliferation. In contrast, high IL-6 initially increased JAK1 activation but resulted in prolonged JAK2 activation and elevated SOCS3 protein expression. High IL-6 concentration decreased interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R) expression 24 h after treatment whilst low IL-6 concentration increased IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) expression at the same time point. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that IL-6 has concentration- and time-dependent effects on both C2C12 mouse myoblasts and primary human myoblasts. Low IL-6 concentration induces proliferation whilst high IL-6 concentration induces differentiation. These effects are mediated by specific components of the JAK/STAT/SOCS pathway.
In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluations of Mesoporous Iron Particles for Iron Bioavailability
Authors: Lin Jung-Feng , Wu Chau-Chung , Liao Yu-Jiun , Jakfar Subhaini , Tang Zi-Biao , Chen Jhewn-Kuang , Lin Feng-Huei
Published: October 2019

Chronic renal failure involving hemodialysis results in blood loss during filtration. Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia can result. A compensatory increase in iron dosage has many side effects including discomfort. Elemental iron is a highly-pure iron source, which reduces the frequency of dosages; the solubility decreases with increased particle size or pore size. In this study, synthesized mesoporous iron particles (MIPs) were used to relieve iron deficiency anemia. Their bioavailability was measured in vitro by a Caco-2 cell model and in vivo in iron-deficient rats. In vitro bioavailability of MIPs was examined by measuring ferritin content in the Caco-2 cell model. Iron uptake of MIPs was significantly higher than commercial iron particles, which were less porous. In vivo bioavailability of MIPs was examined by measuring body weight gain and red blood cell-related parameters, compared with the bioavailability of standard drug ferrous sulfate in iron-deficient anemic rats. Finally, average hemoglobin content and hemoglobin regeneration efficiency were significantly higher in anemic rats supplemented with commercial iron particles, compared to anemic controls. In the 28-day oral toxicity test, MIPs were not significantly toxic to rat physiology or tissue histopathology. Thus, MIPs may allow effective recovery of hemoglobin in iron deficiency anemia.
SASP-Dependent Interactions between Senescent Cells and Platelets Modulate Migration and Invasion of Cancer Cells
Authors: Valenzuela Claudio A. , Quintanilla Ricardo , Olate-Briones Alexandra , Venturini Whitney , Mancilla Daniel , Cayo Angel , Moore-Carrasco Rodrigo , Brown Nelson E.
Published: October 2019

Alterations in platelet aggregation are common in aging individuals and in the context of age-related pathologies such as cancer. So far, however, the effects of senescent cells on platelets have not been explored. In addition to serving as a barrier to tumor progression, cellular senescence can contribute to remodeling tissue microenvironments through the capacity of senescent cells to synthesize and secrete a plethora of bioactive factors, a feature referred to as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). As senescent cells accumulate in aging tissues, sites of tissue injury, or in response to drugs, SASP factors may contribute to increase platelet activity and, through this mechanism, generate a microenvironment that facilitates cancer progression. Using in vitro models of drug-induced senescence, in which cellular senescence was induced following exposure of mammary epithelial cells (MCF-10A and MCF-7) and gastric cancer cells (AGS) to the CDK4/6 inhibitor Palbociclib, we show that senescent mammary and gastric cells display unique expression profiles of selected SASP factors, most of them being downregulated at the RNA level in senescent AGS cells. In addition, we observed cell-type specific differences in the levels of secreted factors, including IL-1β, in media conditioned by senescent cells. Interestingly, only media conditioned by senescent MCF-10A and MCF-7 cells were able to enhance platelet aggregation, although all three types of senescent cells were able to attract platelets in vitro. Nevertheless, the effects of factors secreted by senescent cells and platelets on the migration and invasion of non-senescent cells are complex. Overall, platelets have prominent effects on migration, while factors secreted by senescent cells tend to promote invasion. These differential responses likely reflect differences in the specific arrays of secreted senescence-associated factors, specific factors released by platelets upon activation, and the susceptibility of target cells to respond to these agents.
Immunobiology of Atherosclerosis: A Complex Net of Interactions
Authors: Herrero-Fernandez Beatriz , Gomez-Bris Raquel , Somovilla-Crespo Beatriz , Gonzalez-Granado Jose Maria
Published: October 2019

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality worldwide, and atherosclerosis the principal factor underlying cardiovascular events. Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by endothelial dysfunction, intimal lipid deposition, smooth muscle cell proliferation, cell apoptosis and necrosis, and local and systemic inflammation, involving key contributions to from innate and adaptive immunity. The balance between proatherogenic inflammatory and atheroprotective anti-inflammatory responses is modulated by a complex network of interactions among vascular components and immune cells, including monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, and T, B, and foam cells; these interactions modulate the further progression and stability of the atherosclerotic lesion. In this review, we take a global perspective on existing knowledge about the pathogenesis of immune responses in the atherosclerotic microenvironment and the interplay between the major innate and adaptive immune factors in atherosclerosis. Studies such as this are the basis for the development of new therapies against atherosclerosis.
Inducible Slc7a7 Knockout Mouse Model Recapitulates Lysinuric Protein Intolerance Disease
Authors: Bodoy Susanna , Sotillo Fernando , Espino-Guarch Meritxell , Sperandeo Maria Pia , Ormazabal Aida , Zorzano Antonio , Sebastio Gianfranco , Artuch Rafael , Palacín Manuel
Published: October 2019

Lysinuric protein intolerance (LPI) is a rare autosomal disease caused by defective cationic amino acid (CAA) transport due to mutations in SLC7A7, which encodes for the y+LAT1 transporter. LPI patients suffer from a wide variety of symptoms, which range from failure to thrive, hyperammonemia, and nephropathy to pulmonar alveolar proteinosis (PAP), a potentially life-threatening complication. Hyperammonemia is currently prevented by citrulline supplementation. However, the full impact of this treatment is not completely understood. In contrast, there is no defined therapy for the multiple reported complications of LPI, including PAP, for which bronchoalveolar lavages do not prevent progression of the disease. The lack of a viable LPI model prompted us to generate a tamoxifen-inducible Slc7a7 knockout mouse (Slc7a7−/−). The Slc7a7−/− model resembles the human LPI phenotype, including malabsorption and impaired reabsorption of CAA, hypoargininemia and hyperammonemia. Interestingly, the Slc7a7−/− mice also develops PAP and neurological impairment. We observed that citrulline treatment improves the metabolic derangement and survival. On the basis of our findings, the Slc7a7−/− model emerges as a promising tool to further study the complexity of LPI, including its immune-like complications, and to design evidence-based therapies to halt its progression.
The Significance of the Intrinsically Disordered Regions for the Functions of the bHLH Transcription Factors
Authors: Tarczewska Aneta , Greb-Markiewicz Beata
Published: October 2019

The bHLH proteins are a family of eukaryotic transcription factors regulating expression of a wide range of genes involved in cell differentiation and development. They contain the Helix-Loop-Helix (HLH) domain, preceded by a stretch of basic residues, which are responsible for dimerization and binding to E-box sequences. In addition to the well-preserved DNA-binding bHLH domain, these proteins may contain various additional domains determining the specificity of performed transcriptional regulation. According to this, the family has been divided into distinct classes. Our aim was to emphasize the significance of existing disordered regions within the bHLH transcription factors for their functionality. Flexible, intrinsically disordered regions containing various motives and specific sequences allow for multiple interactions with transcription co-regulators. Also, based on in silico analysis and previous studies, we hypothesize that the bHLH proteins have a general ability to undergo spontaneous phase separation, forming or participating into liquid condensates which constitute functional centers involved in transcription regulation. We shortly introduce recent findings on the crucial role of the thermodynamically liquid-liquid driven phase separation in transcription regulation by disordered regions of regulatory proteins. We believe that further experimental studies should be performed in this field for better understanding of the mechanism of gene expression regulation (among others regarding oncogenes) by important and linked to many diseases the bHLH transcription factors.
Comprehensive Analysis of the Chitinase Gene Family in Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.): From Gene Identification and Evolution to Expression in Response to Fusarium oxysporum
Authors: Bartholomew Ezra S. , Black Kezia , Feng Zhongxuan , Liu Wan , Shan Nan , Zhang Xiao , Wu Licai , Bailey Latoya , Zhu Ning , Qi Changhong , Ren Huazhong , Liu Xingwang
Published: October 2019

Chitinases, a subgroup of pathogenesis-related proteins, are responsible for catalyzing the hydrolysis of chitin. Accumulating reports indicate that chitinases play a key role in plant defense against chitin-containing pathogens and are therefore good targets for defense response studies. Here, we undertook an integrated bioinformatic and expression analysis of the cucumber chitinases gene family to identify its role in defense against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum. A total of 28 putative chitinase genes were identified in the cucumber genome and classified into five classes based on their conserved catalytic and binding domains. The expansion of the chitinase gene family was due mainly to tandem duplication events. The expression pattern of chitinase genes was organ-specific and 14 genes were differentially expressed in response to F. oxysporum challenge of fusarium wilt-susceptible and resistant lines. Furthermore, a class I chitinase, CsChi23, was constitutively expressed at high levels in the resistant line and may play a crucial role in building a basal defense and activating a rapid immune response against F. oxysporum. Whole-genome re-sequencing of both lines provided clues for the diverse expression patterns observed. Collectively, these results provide useful genetic resource and offer insights into the role of chitinases in cucumber-F. oxysporum interaction.
Expression of A New Endogenous Retrovirus-Associated Transcript in Hodgkin Lymphoma Cells
Authors: Schneider Jana , Volkmer Ines , Engel Kristina , Emmer Alexander , Staege Martin S.
Published: October 2019

During characterization of a cDNA library from the Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) cell line L-1236, we discovered a new transcript derived from chromosome 1 at the long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 1768 (LINC01768)/colony stimulating factor 1 (CSF1) region. The first exon of this transcript from Hodgkin lymphoma cells (THOLE) starts in the predicted exon 4 of LINC01768 and is part of an endogenous retrovirus (ERV) from the HUERS-P1/LTR8 family. High expression of THOLE was only detectable in HL cell line L-1236. The expression of THOLE in L-1236 cell is another example for ERV/LTR-associated gene expression in HL cells. At the genome level, the HUERS-P1/LTR8 region including THOLE is only present in Hominoidea. The influence of ERV/LTRs on gene expression might explain the characteristic phenotype of human HL.
Heat Shock Proteins: Dynamic Biomolecules to Counter Plant Biotic and Abiotic Stresses
Authors: ul Haq Saeed , Khan Abid , Ali Muhammad , Khattak Abdul Mateen , Gai Wen-Xian , Zhang Huai-Xia , Wei Ai-Min , Gong Zhen-Hui
Published: October 2019

Due to the present scenario of climate change, plants have to evolve strategies to survive and perform under a plethora of biotic and abiotic stresses, which restrict plant productivity. Maintenance of plant protein functional conformation and preventing non-native proteins from aggregation, which leads to metabolic disruption, are of prime importance. Plant heat shock proteins (HSPs), as chaperones, play a pivotal role in conferring biotic and abiotic stress tolerance. Moreover, HSP also enhances membrane stability and detoxifies the reactive oxygen species (ROS) by positively regulating the antioxidant enzymes system. Additionally, it uses ROS as a signal to molecules to induce HSP production. HSP also enhances plant immunity by the accumulation and stability of pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins under various biotic stresses. Thus, to unravel the entire plant defense system, the role of HSPs are discussed with a special focus on plant response to biotic and abiotic stresses, which will be helpful in the development of stress tolerance in plant crops.
Recent Advances in Basic Research for Brain Arteriovenous Malformation
Authors: Barbosa Do Prado Leandro , Han Chul , Oh S. Paul , Su Hua
Published: October 2019

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are abnormal connections of vessels that shunt blood directly from arteries into veins. Rupture of brain AVMs (bAVMs) can cause life-threatening intracranial bleeding. Even though the majority of bAVM cases are sporadic without a family history, some cases are familial. Most of the familial cases of bAVMs are associated with a genetic disorder called hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). The mechanism of bAVM formation is not fully understood. The most important advances in bAVM basic science research is the identification of somatic mutations of genes in RAS-MAPK pathways. However, the mechanisms by which mutations of these genes lead to AVM formation are largely unknown. In this review, we summarized the latest advance in bAVM studies and discussed some pathways that play important roles in bAVM pathogenesis. We also discussed the therapeutic implications of these pathways.
Analysis of Data Persistence in Collaborative Content Creation Systems: The Wikipedia Case
Authors: Bracciale Lorenzo , Loreti Pierpaolo , Detti Andrea , Blefari Melazzi Nicola
Published: October 2019

A very common problem in designing caching/prefetching systems, distribution networks, search engines, and web-crawlers is determining how long a given content lasts before being updated, i.e., its update frequency. Indeed, while some content is not frequently updated (e.g., videos), in other cases revisions periodically invalidate contents. In this work, we present an analysis of Wikipedia, currently the 5th most visited website in the world, evaluating the statistics of updates of its pages and their relationship with page view statistics. We discovered that the number of updates of a page follows a lognormal distribution. We provide fitting parameters as well as a goodness of fit analysis, showing the statistical significance of the model to describe the empirical data. We perform an analysis of the views–updates relationship, showing that in a time period of a month, there is a lack of evident correlation between the most updated pages and the most viewed pages. However, observing specific pages, we show that there is a strong correlation between the peaks of views and updates, and we find that in more than 50% of cases, the time difference between the two peaks is less than a week. This reflects the underlying process whereby an event causes both an update and a visit peak that occurs with different time delays. This behavior can pave the way for predictive traffic analysis applications based on content update statistics. Finally, we show how the model can be used to evaluate the performance of an in-network caching scenario.
Reproduction of Distinct Varroa destructor Genotypes on Honey Bee Worker Brood
Authors: Li Wenfeng , Wang Cheng , Huang Zachary Y. , Chen Yanping , Han Richou
Published: October 2019

Honey bees play important roles in pollination for many crops and wild plants, but have been facing great threats posed by various pathogens and parasites. Among them, Varroa destructor, an obligate ectoparasite of honey bees, is considered the most damaging. Within the last century, V. destructor shifted from the original host, the Asian honey bee Apis cerana to the new host, the European honey bee A. mellifera. However, the reproduction of Varroa mites, especially of different haplotypes in the two hosts, is still largely unknown. In this study, we first investigated the existing Varroa haplotypes in local colonies in southern China, and then compared the reproduction of different haplotypes on the worker brood of both the original and new hosts by artificial inoculation. We confirmed that there are two haplotypes of V. destructor in southern China, one is the Korea haplotype and the other is the China haplotype, and the two types parasitized different honey bee species. Although Varroa females from A. mellifera (Korea haplotype) are able to reproduce on the worker brood of both honey bee species, they showed better reproductive performance in the new host A. mellifera with significantly higher fecundity (number of offspring per mother mite) and reproductive rate (number of adult daughters per mother mite), suggesting that this parasite gains higher fitness after host shift. The data further showed that a short stay of Varroa females inside the A. cerana worker cells decreased their fecundity and especially the reproductive rate in a time-dependent manner, suggesting that the A. cerana worker cells may inhibit Varroa reproduction. In contrast, Varroa mites derived from A. cerana colonies (China haplotype) were entirely sterile in A. mellifera worker cells during two sequential inoculations, while the control mites from A. mellifera colonies (Korea haplotype) reproduced normally. In addition, all the infertile mites were found to defecate on the abdomen of bee pupae. We have revealed that two haplotypes of V. destructor exhibit differential reproduction on the worker brood of the original and new host honey bees, providing novel insights into the diversity and complexity of the reproduction of V. destructor.
Price Discovery of a Speculative Asset: Evidence from a Bitcoin Exchange
Authors: Ghysels Eric , Nguyen Giang
Published: October 2019

We examine price discovery and liquidity provision in the secondary market for bitcoin—an asset with a high level of speculative trading. Based on BTC-e’s full limit order book over the 2013–2014 period, we find that order informativeness increases with order aggressiveness within the first 10 tiers, but that this pattern reverses in outer tiers. In a high volatility environment, aggressive orders seem to be more attractive to informed agents, but market liquidity migrates outward in response to the information asymmetry. We also find support to the Markovian learning assumption often made in theoretical models of limit order markets.
New Approach to Interpreting Seizure Tests on the Translatory Oscillation Tribometer (SRV)
Authors: Patzer Gregor , Shah Raj , Schneider Ameneh , Iaccarino Philip
Published: October 2019

When looking in detail at analyses of the tribological load-carrying capacity of lubricants, it becomes apparent that an exclusive evaluation of the development of the coefficient of friction cannot provide any sufficient criteria for determining the occurrence of adhesive failure. This is due on the one hand to the increasing complexity of lubricant formulae, and on the other hand to the increasing power capacity of modern drive and control concepts in the construction of tribometers. For this reason, it is urgently needed to examine the adhesive processes and their detection in more detail with the help of appropriate tribological values and criteria. The evolution of the friction can be coupled with the stroke, contact resistance, and other parameters. Besides, from new criteria for adhesive failure, which were compiled by the workgroup for the relevant ISO, DIN, and ASTM standards, this contribution discusses the inclusion of additional parameters. The SRV® test system—where SRV stands for the German acronym for oscillation, friction, and wear—is one that was developed to analyze adhesive failure from many measurements alongside the coefficient of friction. Testing with the SRV® system is done via step tests with standardized procedures and parameters, which are in accordance with ASTM test methods. The system continuously monitors electrical resistance, zero stroke position signals, temperature, and other measurements, and can derive further parameters that also help to identify adhesive failure and other adhesive events. These dimensionally reduced parameters can provide new insight on the mechanism of the adhesive behavior. This paper aims to discuss how the interpretation of these step tests beyond the development of coefficient of friction can lead to new knowledge and insight in tribological research, and explores the applicability of Stribeck’s theory to the oscillatory and reciprocating motion utilized in the SRV® tribometer.
Analysis of Deformation Behaviour and Residual Stress in Rotary Swaged Cu/Al Clad Composite Wires
Authors: Kunčická Lenka , Macháčková Adéla , Krátká Ludmila , Kocich Radim
Published: October 2019

Both copper and aluminum are widely applicable throughout a variety of industrial and commercial branches, however, joining them in a composite provides the possibility of combining all their advantageous properties in one material. This study investigates uniquely sequenced copper–aluminum clad composite wires, fabricated via rotary swaging technology. The composites were processed at 20 °C and 250 °C to a diameter of 5 mm. Structural observations and the determination of residual stress within both elements of the swaged wires were performed via electron microscopy; the experimental results were correlated with numerical predictions. As shown in the results, both the applied swaging force and temperature affected the plastic flow, which had a direct influence on residual stress and texture development; the Alsheath elements exhibited ideal rolling textures, whereas the Cuwires elements featured ideal shear texture orientation. The grains within both the Alsheath elements of the 5 mm composite wire were refined down to sub-micron size. Structural restoration also had a positive influence on residual stress.
In Vitro Corrosion and Cell Response of Hydroxyapatite Coated Mg Matrix in Situ Composites for Biodegradable Material Applications
Authors: Cao Nguyen Q. , Le Hai M. , Pham Khanh M. , Nguyen Nam V. , Hiromoto Sachiko , Kobayashi Equo
Published: October 2019

In this study, hydroxyapatite (HAp) coated Mg matrix composites were fabricated for biodegradable implant applications. Spark plasma sintering was employed to fabricate the Mg-10 wt% ZnO composite substrates. HAp was coated on the surface of the sintered composites and pure Mg by a chemical solution treatment. SEM and optical micrographs of coated samples showed that HAp grew homogeneously and formed a layer on the entire surface of both pure sintered Mg and Mg composites. The immersion and polarization test results demonstrated that the HAp coating significantly improved the corrosion resistance of the sintered composites. While the HAp coating layer is not effective in the improvement of the pure Mg substrate, cell culture test results revealed that the HAp coating improved cell adhesion and proliferation on the composites effectively through 72 h, while no cell could survive on the uncoated composites after 72 h. In addition, the corrosion tests and cell culture test results indicated that the composite with longer sintering time has better corrosion resistance and cell viability than those of the composite with shorter sintering time. The findings suggested that the HAp-coated Mg-10 wt% ZnO-2.5 h + 10 min composite is a high-potential candidate for biodegradable implant applications.