bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Multigeneic Rhg1 Locus: A Model For The Effects on Root Development, Nematode Resistance and Recombination Suppression.
Authors: Lightfoot David , Srour Ali , Afzal Jawad , Saini Navinder
Published: July 2019

Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) resistance to populations (HgType) of Heterodera glycines I., the soybean cyst nematode (SCN), requires a functional allele at rhg1. An apoptosis-like response in the giant cells formed around the nematode results 24-48 h after feeding commences. This study aimed to identify the role of the three genes within the rhg1 locus, a receptor like kinase (RLK), a laccase and an ion anti-porter. Used were near isogeneic lines (NILs) that contrasted at their rhg1 alleles. Features of the rhg1 locus, the candidate genes and their nascent transcripts and proteins in roots were elucidated. First, evidence for a syntenic gene cluster was found and the effectiveness of SNP probes for distinguishing the homeolog sequence variant on linkage group (Lg) B1 from alleles at the rhg1 locus on Lg G was shown. Analysis of plant s heterozygous at rhg1 showed that the allele for resistance was dominant. The absence of recombination events among the NILs between the RLK and other 2 genes eliminated the possibility of a monogeneic rhg1 locus. Finally, an effect on root development was discovered. A model for multigeneic resistance based on developmental control of root growth including a mechanism for segregation distortion is presented.
Cattle Egrets and dry fish business in coastal areas
Authors: Seedikkoya Kotta , Azeez PA
Published: July 2019

Cattle Egret is one of the common wetland birds in India known for its efficiency to make use of human interfered habitats. The present study is an attempt to document maggots of houseflies and calliphorids in the coastal sun drying fish yards and the role of the species in containing the vector species. The number of flies and maggots were found related with the visit of cattle egrets, demonstrating the importance of the species in controlling the vectors.
B6 deficient feeding or homocysteic acid induces the earlier Alzheimer's pathological change in normal C57BL male mice
Authors: Hasegawa Tohru , Mikoda Nobuyuki , Kitazawa Masashi , LaFerla Frank
Published: July 2019

It is the first report that the earlier Alzheimer's pathological changes can be induced in normal C57BL mice, by B6 deficient feeding for 3 month, and this pathological changes were completely inhibited by anti-homocysteic acid antibody. According to Koch's postulate, if a pathogen of Alzheimer's disease is administrated to the normal animal, we would observe the Alzheimer's pathology in the normal animal. We actually have observed this pathology in normal C57BL male mice.
Proof of principle for shotgun DNA mapping by unzipping
Authors: Herskowitz Lawrence , Salvagno Anthony , Maloney R. Andy , Le Linh , Koch Steven
Published: July 2019

Ability to map polymerases and nucleosomes on chromatin is important for understanding the impact of chromatin remodeling on key cellular processes. Current methods (such as ChIP and ChIP-chip) have produced a wealth of information that demonstrates this importance, but key information is elusive in these ensemble methods. We’re pursuing a new single-molecule chromatin mapping method based on unzipping native chromatin molecules with optical tweezers. The first step we are taking towards this ability is shotgun DNA mapping (SDM). This is the ability to identify the genomic location of a random DNA fragment based on its naked DNA unzipping forces compared with simulated unzipping forces of a published genome. We show that ~32 separate experimental unzipping curves for pBR322 were correctly matched to their simulated unzipping curves hidden in a background of the ~2700 sequences neighboring XhoI sites in the S. cerevisiae (yeast) genome. We describe this method and characterize its robustness as well as discuss future applications.
Deficiency of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist causes spontaneous femoral artery aneurysms
Authors: Isoda Kikuo , Niida Tomiharu , Kondo Harumi , Ohsuzu Fumikaka
Published: July 2019

Interleukin (IL) -1, a proinflammatory cytokine, increases in aneurysm, and the IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) modulates IL-1 activity endogenously. We show here that IL-1Ra-deficiency in hematopoietic cells disrupts immune system homeostasis and causes spontaneous femoral artery aneurysms in mice lacking interventions such as drugs or surgery. Thus, IL-1Ra-deficient mice provide easy observations with age and diminish mortality that typically follows surgical procedures. Furthermore, since IL-1Ra-deficient mice contain the entire spectrum of lesions observed during inflammatory aneurysm, this mouse model likely will provide numerous opportunities to study the pathogenesis and therapy of inflammatory aneurysm.
Activation of an Estrogen/ Estrogen Receptor Signaling by BIG3 Through Its Inhibitory Effect on Nuclear Transport of PHB2/REA in Breast Cancer
Authors: Kim Jung-Won , Akiyama Miki , Park Jae-Hyun , Lin Meng-Lay , Shimo Arata , Ueki Tomomi , Daigo Yataro , Tsunoda Tatsuhiko , Nishidate Toshihiko , Nakamura Yusuke , Katagiri Toyomasa
Published: July 2019

Breast cancer is known to be a hormone-dependent disease, and estrogens through an interaction with estrogen receptor (ER) enhance the proliferative and metastatic activity of breast tumor cells. Here we show a critical role of transactivation of BIG3, brefeldin A-inhibited guanine nucleotide-exchange protein 3, in activation of the estrogen/ER signaling in breast cancer cells. Knocking-down of BIG3 expression with small-interfering RNA (siRNA) drastically suppressed the growth of breast cancer cells. Subsequent co-immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting assays revealed an interaction of BIG3 with prohibitin 2/repressor of estrogen receptor activity (PHB2/REA). When BIG3 was absent, stimulation of estradiol caused the translocation of PHB2/REA to the nucleus, enhanced the interaction of PHB2/REA and ER[alpha], and resulted in suppression of the ER[alpha]; transcriptional activity. On the other hand, when BIG3 was present, BIG3 trapped PHB2/REA in cytoplasm and inhibited its nuclear translocation, and caused enhancement of ER[alpha]; transcriptional activity. Our results imply that BIG3 overexpression is one of the important mechanisms causing the activation of the estrogen/ER[alpha]; signaling pathway in the hormone-related growth of breast cancer cells.
Effect of Stimulators upon Human Hepatic Adenylate Cyclase Activity: A Tool of Nitroimidazole Cytotoxicity Assessment
Authors: Sharma Rakesh , Kwon Soonjo
Published: July 2019

Nitroimidazole is an antibiotic and radiosensitizer chemical with great potentials in imaging. The hepato-cytoxicity evaluation of nitroimidazole and possible energy status changes in liver cells due to its anti-inflammatory characteristics are crucial in tumor imaging and chemotherapy. Adenylate cyclase is key enzyme to cause energy imbalance leading to cytotoxicity. To evaluate energy status in hepatocytes and Kupffer cells, adenylate cyclase activities in isolated liver cells were compared in presence of stimulators. To evaluate the effect of effectors on adenylate cyclase in cultured hepatocyte cells, adenylate cyclase enzyme was stimulated by different GITP, GTP, progesterone and nitroimidazole effectors. In cultured Kupffer cells, prostaglandin E~2~ and F~2[alpha]~ were used as effectors. The results showed that nitroimidazole decreased adenylate cyclase specific activity in dose-dependent manner after pre-incubation of hepatocytes with the nitroimidazole in medium. Nitroimidazole stimulated adenylate cyclase activities in hepatocytes were mediated by cAMP and determined by cAMP mesurement. The stimulatory effect of nitroimidazole on adenylate cyclase was independent of the GTP presence in the assay system perhaps due to a direct effect on the catalytic subunit of adenylate cyclase enzyme. In addition, basal cAMP generation in hepatocyte cells was efficiently suppressed by the nitroimidazole. In conclusion, nitroimidazole exhibits direct effect on the catalytic subunit of the adenylate cyclase system. The adenylate cyclase was hormone sensitive in liver cells.
Optimal control circuitry design for the digital p53 dynamics in cancer cell and apoptosis
Authors: Ardito Marretta Rosario
Published: July 2019

Experimental work and theoretical models deduce a "digital" response of the p53 transcription factor when genomic integrity is damaged. The mutual influence of p53 and its antagonist, the Mdm2 oncogene, is closed in feedback. This paper proposes an aerospace architecture for translating the p53/Mdm2/DNA damage network into a digital circuitry in which the optimal control theory is applied for obtaining the requested dynamic evolutions of some considered cell species for repairing a DNA damage. The purpose of this paper is not to improve the analysis of the actual mathematical models but to demonstrate the usefulness of such digital circuitry design capable to predict and detect the cell species dynamics for finding more information regarding the inner mechanism of the cell components.The cell fate is newly conceived by the modified pulsing mechanism of p53 and other apoptotic species when the digital optimal control is applied to an apoptosis wiring diagram.
Functional presynaptic [alpha]6-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors participate in nicotine reward in the VTA: where and how
Authors: Yang Kechun , Buhlman Lori , Gao Ming , Khan Ghous , Nichols Robert , DeChon Jamie , Jin Guozhang , Whiteaker Paul , Lukas Ronald , Wu Jie
Published: July 2019

In the ventral tegmental area (VTA), [alpha]6-nAChRs express abundantly, but their location, function, pharmacology, and roles in cholinergic modulation of dopaminergic (DA) neurons remain elusive. Using a VTA neuron-adherent bouton preparation, we report that functional [alpha]6-nAChRs are located on GABAergic presynaptic boutons, where they mediate cholinergic modulation of GABA release onto DA neurons. Smoking-relevant concentrations of nicotine desensitize [alpha]6-nAChRs, cause a disinhibition in DA neurons and consequently mediate nicotine reward.
Large-scale imaging of brain network activity from >10,000 neocortical cells
Authors: Namiki Shigehiro , Matsuki Norio , Ikegaya Yuji
Published: July 2019

Large-scale recording from populations of neurons is a promising strategy in the study of complex brain function. Here we introduce a simple optical technique that simultaneously probes the calcium activity of ~10,000 cells at the single cell resolution in vitro. We employed a combination of a low-magnification objective lens and an electron-multiplying charge-coupled device megapixel camera to achieve large-view-field and high-resolution imaging.
The Antarctic 'ozone hole' combined with no sea ice causes severe oxidative damage in echinoid embryos
Authors: Lister Kathryn , Lamare Miles , Burritt David
Published: July 2019

Over the past three decades, the 'ozone hole' has caused a transient increase in the levels of ultraviolet B radiation (UV-B, 280 to 320 nm) reaching Antarctic coastal marine ecosystems^1^. The direct effect of this enhanced UV-B on pelagic organisms remains unclear, for few studies have examined in situ the responses of Antarctic marine organisms in direct relation to the 'ozone hole'. Here we show that the presence of the 'ozone hole' over McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, during a two-week period in 2008 resulted in unequivocal increases in oxidative damage and developmental abnormality in embryos of the sea urchin Sterechinus neumayeri Meissner (Echinoidea: Echinidae) growing in open waters. We show that although embryos have a limited capacity to increase the activities of protective antioxidant enzymes, increased UV-B exposure caused a very large increase in oxidative damage to proteins and lipids. Importantly, we show that embryo damage, resulting from the presence of the 'ozone hole', is largely mitigated by sea ice, with embryos beneath the ice protected from UV-B and hence oxidative damage. As the ozone hole is now expected to persist for a further 80 years^2^, during which time significant reductions in sea ice coverage are expected around the Antarctic continent due to global warming^3^, our findings sound a warning that the coincidence of the two phenomena (high UV-B and open water conditions) will provide a window when significant damage to marine ecosystems may occur.
Delayed-Type hypersensitivity to latex: Computational prediction of MHC class II epitopes on latex allergens
Authors: Eapen Bell
Published: July 2019

Delayed type hypersensitivity to natural rubber latex is rare compared to IgE mediated immediate reactions. Binding of allergens to MHC Class II is a crucial step in the presentation of antigens to CD4+ T Cells responsible for delayed reactions. Computational prediction of MHC class II epitopes on thirteen known latex allergens using SMM-align method revealed strong binding with several alleles. This shows that latex allergens are capable of initiating delayed type hypersensitivity in susceptible individuals.
Apotemnophilia - the Neurological Basis of a 'Psychological' Disorder
Authors: McGeoch Paul , Brang David , Song Tao , Lee Roland , Huang Mingxiong , Ramachandran Vilayanur
Published: July 2019

The question of how the human brain combines disparate sensory inputs to construct a unified body image is of longstanding interest^1,2,3^ . We approached this subject by studying the unusual medical condition of apotemnophilia, in which otherwise mentally normal individuals express the strong and persistent desire for the amputation of a specific healthy limb^4,5,6^ . Here we show using functional brain imaging - magnetoencephalography (MEG) - that the condition is characterised by an absence of activity in the right superior parietal lobule (SPL) when the affected limb is touched. When this discovery is combined with our earlier finding of a simultaneous increase in skin conductance response (SCR) on touching the affected limb^7^ , which reflects increased sympathetic nervous system activity relating to the limb^8^ , we conclude that what has been regarded as a purely psychological condition, actually has a neurological basis and is caused by a failure to represent one or more limbs in the right SPL. This has the bizarre consequence that although sufferers can feel the affected limb being touched, it does not actually integrate into their body image - a mismatch that results in a desire for the affected limb to be amputated.
Glutathione (GSH) conjugates with dopamine (DA)-derived quinones to form reactive or non-reactive GSH-conjugates
Authors: Zhou Zhidong , Lim Tit Meng
Published: July 2019

In this study we demonstrate for the first time that GSH could rapidly conjugate with dopamine (DA)-derived DA-o-quinones without enzymatic catalysis to form short-lived intermediate GSH-conjugates (2-S-GSH-DA-o-quinone and 5-S-GSH-DA-o-quinone). These intermediate GSH-conjugates are unstable and would finally form reactive or non-reactive GSH-conjugates dependent on ambient reductive forces. Under insufficient reductive forces, the intermediate GSH-conjugates could cyclize spontaneously to form reactive 7-S-GSH-aminochrome (7-S-GSH-AM). The 7-S-GSH-AM is so reactive that it could further react with another GSH to form 4,7-bi-GSH-5,6-dihydroindole. Its reactivity could also abrogate tyrosinase activity in solutions. In addition, the 7-S-GSH-AM could further undergo internal rearrangement to form non-reactive 7-S-GSH-5,6-dihydroindole. From these novel findings, we propose two detrimental positive feedback loops involving accelerated DA oxidation, increased GSH consumption and impaired GSH detoxification efficiency, as the underlying chemical explanation for dopaminergic neuron degeneration in Parkinson's disease.
The anti-angiogenic herbal composition Ob-X inhibits adipose tissue growth in obese mice
Authors: Kim Min-Young , Hahm Jong Cheon , Park Byung-Young , Lee Hee Suk , Park Eun kyu , Yoon Michung , Lee Jinmi , Hong Yeonhee , Choi Seolwha , Lee Hyunghee
Published: July 2019

Objective:

The growth and development of adipose tissue are thought to be associated with angiogenesis and extracellular matrix remodeling. Since the composition of the herbal extract called Ob-X has been shown to have both anti-angiogenic and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-inhibiting activities, we hypothesized that growth of adipose tissue can be regulated by Ob-X.

Materials and Methods:

The effects of Ob-X on angiogenesis and extracellular matrix remodeling were measured using in vitro and ex vivo assays. The effects of Ob-X on adipose tissue growth were investigated with nutritionally obese mice.

Results:

Ob-X inhibited angiogenesis in a dose-dependent manner in the human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) tube formation assay in vitro and the rat aortic ring assay ex vivo. Ob-X also suppressed MMP activity in vitro. Administration of Ob-X to high fat diet-induced obese mice produced significant reductions in body weight gain and adipose tissue mass, compared to controls. The mass of both subcutaneous (SC) and visceral (VSC) fat was reduced in Ob-X-treated mice. The size of adipocytes in SC and VSC adipose tissues was also significantly reduced in Ob-X-treated mice. Ob-X treatment decreased the blood vessel density and MMP activity in VSC adipose tissues of nutritionally obese mice. Ob-X reduced mRNA levels of angiogenic factors (VEGF-A and FGF-2) and MMPs (MMP-2 and MMP-9), whereas it increased mRNA levels of angiogenesis inhibitors (TSP-1 and TIMP-2) in SC and VSC adipose tissues of nutritionally obese mice. Conclusion: Ob-X, which has anti-angiogenic and MMP-inhibitory activities, reduces adipose tissue mass in nutritionally induced obese mice, providing evidence that adipose tissue growth and development may be prevented by inhibiting angiogenesis. In addition, these data suggest that regulation of adipose tissue growth by inhibiting angiogenesis may alter the expression of genes involved in angiogenesis and the MMP system.
Brain, language, and handedness: a family affair
Authors: Mazoyer Bernard , Simon Gregory , Crivello Fabrice , Zago Laure , Petit Laurent , Mellet Emmanuel , Tzourio-Mazoyer Nathalie
Published: July 2019

The left planum temporale is a marker of left hemisphere language specialization. We investigated the effect of individual handedness and familial sinistrality on left planum temporale surface area and found the size is reduced in proportion with the number of left-handed immediate family members and is lowest when one's mother is left-handed. This reduction is independent of an individual's handedness or sex and has no counterpart in the right hemisphere.
Changes in Fitness, physical activity, fatness, and screen time: A longitudinal study in children and adolescents
Authors: Aires Luisa , Andersen Lars Bo , Mendonça Denisa , Martins Clarice , Silva Gustavo , Santos Maria Paula , Ribeiro Jose , Mota Jorge
Published: July 2019

*Objective:*

To analyze whether changes in Physical Activity Index (PAI), sedentary time (ST; TV and PC use), and Body Mass Index (BMI) made a significant contribution to longitudinal changes in Physical Fitness (PF) of children and adolescents. Additionally, we analyzed interaction between baseline fitness level and changes in fitness. *Methods:* This is a three years longitudinal study of 345 high school students aged 11-19 years. Students were invited to perform tests from Fitnessgram battery for strength (curl-ups, push-up), and Cardiorespiratory fitness (20m-shuttle run). PAI and ST were evaluated using a standard questionnaire. Standardized scores of physical fitness tests were summed (ZPF). Changes over time, were calculated Δ1 (TP1 minus TP0), Δ2 (TP2 minus TP1), and Δ~total~ (TP2 minus TP0).

*Results:*

Changes in PAI were positively and independently associated with changes in ZPF in Δ1, Δ2, and Δ~total~. No significant associations of ΔST and ΔZPF were found. ΔBMI was negative associated with ΔZPF in Δtotal. Participants with higher fitness levels at baseline were those who showed positive changes in PAI over Δ~total~, decreased screen time and had the lowest increase in BMI over three years compared with those who were low-fit at baseline.

Conclusions:

Changes in PAI were the best predictor for changes in Fitness in children and adolescents in each year and over the three years of evaluation. BMI changes were associated with longitudinal changes in PF.
Ghost hand: My hand is not mine
Authors: Nishiyama Yuta , Tatsumi Shinpei , Nomura Shusaku , Gunji Yukio
Published: July 2019

Synchronous visuo-tactile stimulation of the type in the rubber hand illusion (RHI)^1-3^ and in out of body experience (OBE)^4,5^ can induce the brain to incorporate external objects or images into a part or whole of body image. Whether in the context of RHI or OBE, since the participant passively receives visuo-tactile stimulations, body image appears only with the sense of ownership (SoO), not with the sense of agency (the registration that we are the initiators of our actions; SoA)^6,7^. Insofar as self-consciousness as a body image is a unity acting in its environments, body image has to be investigated in the relationship between SoO and SoA^8,9^. It requires an experimental condition in which SoO and SoA can be independently separated in an active condition. However, no experimental condition that is opposite to RHI and OBE in which a subject can feel SoA but not SoO has been proposed to date^10^. Here, we show that a person loses SoO for his own hand that he can freely move by his own will when he sees himself in a lateral view through a head mounted display. It was previously thought that SoO can be represented by synchronous inter-modal stimulations^10^, and that SoO appears to be complemented by SoA11. Our findings show that SoO can be lost under a synchronous visuo-proprioceptive condition while SoA can be maintained. SoO and SoA are two aspects of body representation, and similar dissociations have been proposed in various contexts, such as body image and body schema^12,13^, and 'Acting I' and 'Mine'^14^. Our result suggests that the two-centric-self consisting of SoA and SoO can enhance dynamically robust self-consciousness.
Adoption of simultaneous different strategies against different opponents enhances cooperation
Authors: Wardil Lucas , da Silva Jafferson
Published: July 2019

The emergence of cooperation has been widely studied in the context of game theory on structured populations. Usually the individuals adopt one strategy against all their neighbors. The structure can provide reproductive success for the cooperative strategy, at least for low values of defection tendency. Other mechanisms, such punishment, can also be responsible for cooperation emergence. But what happens if the players adopt simultaneously different strategies against each one of their opponents, not just a single one? Here we study this question in the prisoner dilemma scenario structured on a square lattice and on a ring. We show that if an update rule is defined in which the players replace the strategy that furnishes the smallest payoff, a punishment response mechanism against defectors without imputing cost to the punishers appears, cooperation dominates and, even if the tendency of defection is huge, cooperation still remains alive.
Preliminary results of a semi-empirical study on the structure and reactivity of the Paroxetine drug
Authors: Lubes Giuseppe
Published: July 2019

Paroxetine is a widely consumed drug with antidepressant and anxiolytic activity prescribed in the treatment of related disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic fits, social phobias and post-traumatic stress. Molecular modelling analyses show that both semi-empirical methods (PM3 and AM1) give us approximated the same values of heat of formation, Total energy, binding energy, nuclear energy, Dipole moment, HOMO and LUMO energies, etc. And the Paroxetine molecule has a large negative heat of formation indicating that it is a molecule thermodynamically stable.
Modularity maps reveal community structure in the resting human brain
Authors: Laurienti Paul , Hugenschmidt Christina , Hayasaka Satoru
Published: July 2019

The brain is a complex network of interconnecting neurons that combines regional specificity with distributed processing. Recent advances in the field of network theory have facilitated ground-breaking analyses demonstrating that brain connectivity exhibits small-world properties similar to other self-organized networks such as the internet, the genome, or even social organizations. Brain connectivity supports local and global processing through high clustering and short connectivity paths, respectively. While these comprehensive network indices highlight the global organization of the network, the regional specificity is related to the interconnectivity of local neighborhoods within the global system. The work presented here evaluated the community structure of resting human brain networks to identify the local neighborhoods and map those interconnected areas back to the brain. The study identified predictable clustering in unisensory cortices. However, the unexpected community structure in the default-mode network (DMN) revealed three separate modules and included the lateral frontal cortices in addition to traditional DMN regions. These results are the first to map modularity across the entire brain without restricting analyses to predefined anatomical structures. Such analyses provide an unbiased view of network communities and promise to provide new insights into organization of the brain. Evaluation of modular brain structure across states, during demanding tasks, or in disease populations will reveal dynamic connectivity changes in whole-brain networks.
Human ovarian reserve from conception to the menopause
Authors: Wallace William , Kelsey Thomas
Published: July 2019

Current understanding is that the human ovary contains a fixed number of several million non-growing follicles (NGF), established by five months of gestational age, that declines with increasing age to the menopause when approximately 1,000 NGF remain at an average age of 50-51 years. With approximately 450 ovulatory monthly cycles in the normal human reproductive lifespan, this progressive decline in NGF numbers is attributed to follicle death by apoptosis. Individual histological studies have quantified NGF numbers over limited age ranges. However, no model describing the rate of establishment and decline of the NGF population from conception to menopause has been previously reported. Here we describe the best fitting model of the age-related NGF population in the human ovary from conception to menopause. Our model matches the log-adjusted NGF population to a five-parameter asymmetric double Gaussian cumulative (ADC) curve (r2 = 0.81). Furthermore we found that the rate of NGF recruitment into growing follicles for all women increases from birth until approximately age 14 years (coinciding with puberty) then decreases towards the menopause. The explanation for this new finding remains unclear but is likely to involve both paracrine and endocrine factors. We describe and analyse the best fitting model for the establishment and decline of human NGF; our model extends our current understanding of human ovarian reserve.
Intelligence-based medicine
Authors: Squara Pierre , Journois Didier
Published: July 2019

Despite seven hundred thousand new medical references last year, the relationship between a given set of medical features and specific pathophysiology, treatment, and criteria of improvement is often weak. Moreover, the generalization of evidences obtained in specific settings may lead to under-treat or to over-treat a significant proportion of patients. We expose an application of the cybernetic loop, based on traditional medical steps: nosology, semeiology, pathophysiology, therapy and on the four transitions between these steps. This approach leads to formulate eight basic questions evaluating the steps in terms of reproducibility and the transitions in terms of predictivity. We detail two practical applications: 1) the evaluation of a medical decision (implantation of an internal cardioverter-defibrillator) and 2) the evaluation of a specific study (EPHESUS). Using this loop allows to determine clearly when evidence is lacking and/or to which extend an evidence really increases the medical knowledge or just creates a market.
Molecular evidence for the hadrosaur B. canadensis as an outgroup to a clade containing the dinosaur T. rex and birds
Authors: Huang Shi
Published: July 2019

Molecular analysis of collagen sequences from an 80 million year old hadrosaur B. canadensis and a 68 million year old dinosaur T. rex suggest strongly that B. canadensis is an outgroup to a clade containing T. rex and birds, fully consistent with the well-established phylogeny based on morphological analyses of fossils.
Discussion on preservation mechanism of Yersinia pestis by Citellus undulatus
Authors: Qian Cunning , Lin Jichun , Feng Yuming , Zhang Xiaoxue , Wang Cheng , Lei Gang
Published: July 2019

Studies prove that plague in Citellus undulatus exists in the nature with the pattern of successive prevalence every year. Citellophilus tesquorum altaicus is not only the main transmission vector, but also the reservoir of C. undulatus plague. And the latter can spread Yersinia pestis. The fact challenges to the traditional theory of natural focus and carries out a theory breakthrough.
Spontaneous glomerular deposition of immunoglobulins for ACE (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme) induces spontaneous nephropathy in diabetogenic rats
Authors: Nishida Seikoh , Sasaki Tamaki , Hirokawa Yasushi , Matsuki Michihiro , Nohno Tsutomu
Published: July 2019

We first discovered autoantibodies to ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus^1^. The antibodies were positive for 64.5% of the patients with diabetes and were positive in 83.3% in the early stage of clinical diabetic nephropathy. In addition, in genetically diabetogenic OLETF (Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty) rats^2^, one of the characteristics of which strain is spontaneous nephropathy resembling those of human type 2 diabetes, and in control LETO rats^2^, immunization with rabbit lung ACE developed glomerulopathy similar to that seen in diabetics^3^. Also, in normal New Zealand white rabbits, immunization with the rabbit lung ACE induced glomerular changes similar to those seen in diabetic nephropathy^3^. In this study, renal tissues identical to those examined in research of diabetic nephropathy by PAS staining and electron microscope in preceding study^3^, were examined by immunostaining methods, only to prove that the diabetic glomerular changes may occur by immunization with ACE, not by non-specific responses to ACE, in non-diabetogenic rats and rabbits.
A novel superior factor widely controlling the rice grain quality
Authors: She Kao-Chih , Kusano Hiroaki , Koizumi Kazuyoshi , Yamakawa Hiromoto , Hakata Makoto , Imamura Tomohiro , Fukuda Masato , Naito Natsuka , Tsurumaki Yumi , Matsumoto Ken'ichiro , Kudoh Mari , Itoh Eiko , Kikuchi Shoshi , Kishimoto Naoki , Yazaki Junshi , Ando Tsuyu , Yano Masahiro , Aoyama Takashi , Sasaki Tadamasa , Satoh Hikaru , Shimada Hiroaki
Published: July 2019

Synthesis of storage starch and protein accumulation is the main action of endosperm organogenesis in term of the economic importance of rice. This event is strongly disturbed by abiotic stresses such as high temperature; thus, the upcoming global warming will cause a crisis with a great impact on food production^1,2^. The enzymes for the protein storage and starch synthesis pathway should work in concert to carry out the organogenesis of rice endosperm^3-5^, but the regulatory mechanism is largely unknown. Here we show that a novel regulatory factor, named OsCEO1, acts as the conductor of endosperm organogenesis during the rice grain filling stage. The physiological properties of floury-endosperm-2 (flo2) mutants showed many similarities to symptoms of grains developed under high-temperature conditions, suggesting important roles of the responsible gene in sensitivity to high-temperature stress. Our map-based cloning identified the responsible gene for the flo2 mutant, OsCEO1, which has no homology to any genes of known function. The OsCEO1 belongs to a novel conserved gene family and encodes a protein composed of 1,720 amino acid residues containing a TPR (tetratricopeptide repeat) motif, which is considered to mediate a protein-protein interaction. The yeast two-hybrid analysis raised an unknown protein showing homology to a late embryogenesis abundant protein and a putative basic helix-loop-helix protein as candidates for the direct interactor for OsCEO1, whereas no enzyme genes for the synthesis of storage substances were detected. The flo2 mutant exhibited reduced expression of several genes for putative regulatory proteins as well as many enzymes involved in storage starch and proteins. These results suggest that OsCEO1 is a superior conductor of the novel regulatory cascade of endosperm organogenesis and may have important roles in the response to high-temperature stress.
Sensory Contact Model: Protocol, Control, Applications
Authors: Kudryavtseva N.N.
Published: July 2019

Among the models that become more and more popular in behavioral neuroscience are biosocial models, which allow studying the consequences of chronic social conflicts and social stress in animals. The sensory contact model appears to represent one of such models. Repeated experience of aggression or social defeats in daily agonistic interactions in male mice of different strains leads to the formation of opposing kinds of social behavior: one attributable to winners (aggressors) and another attributable to losers (defeated males, victims of aggression). A large variety of behavioral pathologies which develop in male mice in these conditions (anxious depression, catalepsy, social withdrawal, pronounced aggression, anxiety, hyperactivity, cognitive disturbances, anhedonia etc.), which are accompanied by somatic changes (reduced gonad function, psychogenic immune deficiency etc), suggest that this approach could be used for different aims of biomedical studies. Putative mechanisms of release and maintenance of aggressive and submissive behaviors in male mice under the sensory contact model, criteria of correct application, basic experimental setups and problem of the control, methodical capabilities and potentials of the sensory contact model applications are discussed in this paper.
The importance of decadal-scale climate variability to wind-driven modulation of hypoxia in Chesapeake Bay
Authors: Scully Malcolm
Published: July 2019

Millions of dollars are spent annually to reduce nutrient loading to Chesapeake Bay, with a fundamental goal of reducing the extent and severity of low dissolved oxygen (hypoxia) during the summertime months^1^. Yet despite recent reductions in nutrient loading, large volumes of the Bay continue to be impacted by hypoxia and anoxia during the summer months^2-3^. One obstacle to assessing efforts to improve water quality in the Bay and other estuarine systems is a complete understanding of the physical processes that modulate dissolved oxygen and the long-term variability of these processes. Here I analyze a 58-year data set of estimated hypoxic volume in the Bay^2^ and demonstrate the importance that wind direction plays in controlling the extent and severity of summertime hypoxia. This analysis indicates that wind direction explains a greater percentage of the observed inter-annual variation in hypoxic volume than estimates of nutrient loading. The implication is that physical processes play a dominant role in modulating hypoxia and that much of the increased hypoxia observed since the early 1980s can be attributed to changes in wind forcing that are the result of decadal-scale climate variability. These findings emphasize the importance of understanding the physical processes that modulate dissolved oxygen in coastal and estuarine systems and highlight the potential impact that climate change may have on water quality in Chesapeake Bay and other estuarine systems.
3D model of amphioxus steroid receptor complexed with estradiol
Authors: Baker Michael , Chang David
Published: July 2019

The origins of signaling by vertebrate steroids are not fully understood. An important advance was the report that an estrogen-binding steroid receptor [SR] is present in amphioxus, a basal chordate with a similar body plan as vertebrates. To investigate the evolution of estrogen binding to steroid receptors, we constructed a 3D model of amphioxus SR complexed with estradiol. This 3D model indicates that although the SR is activated by estradiol, some interactions between estradiol and human ER[alpha] are not conserved in the SR, which can explain the low affinity of estradiol for the SR. These differences between the SR and ER[alpha] in the steroid-binding domain are sufficient to suggest that another steroid is the physiological regulator of the SR. The 3D model predicts that mutation of Glu-346 to Gln will increase the affinity of testosterone for amphioxus SR and elucidate the evolution of steroid binding to nuclear receptors.
The study of the umbilical system in planktonic foraminifera in relation with depth of the Ziarat-kola section at the Maastrichtian, Central Alborz, IRAN
Authors: Shafiee Ardestani Meysam , Balmaki Behnaz , Asgharian Massod
Published: July 2019

The main aim of this research is study of the planktonic foraminifera morphogroups distinction genus to perform by changing the umbilicus area in Ziarat-kola section to find novel results. Therefore, original objection at this research considers the cause of organizing umbilicus structures (Lip, Portici, Tegilla) at this protests. it seems that phylogeny trend entirely the changes of planktonic foraminifera changing from lip at primary morphogroup to tegilla at development shape which continued this phylogeny trend opening become entirely umbilicus that this trend accompanied to increasing deep. Therefore, the study of planktonic foraminifera morphotype, and recognizing, the obtained results from planktonic foraminifera analysis percent and their comparison with umbilicus structures area diagrams at this section indicats the increasing morphotype three accompany with increase in sea level that here dominated portici and tegilla structure with compressed opening and with decrease of morphotype three which showed decrease sea level, opening structure (lip) dominated. These trends follows the from Pascal law at Ziarat-kola section of the research.
Evolutionary game theory and the evolution of neuron populations, ring rates, and decisionmaking
Authors: Cohen Yosef , Cohen Jeremiah
Published: July 2019

Ours, is the first application of dynamical evolutionary games to decision making in neuroscience. Firing neurons are the players. The strategy is their firing rate. Neurons with equal firing rates define a population. The neurons do not know the rules of the game, they do not know what the reward is, they are not required to be rational and they do not even know they are playing the game. Interactions are inhibitory. The theory confirms experimental data about decision making in vision: (i ) A parameter of the game model determines how many populations of neurons participate in the decision; (ii ) the solution of the game dictates how many loci in the brain participate in the decision; (iii ) the theory clarifies the difference between ultimate and proximate factors and predicts that quick decisions are associated with more errors and slow decision are associated with fewer errors.
Independent elaboration of steroid hormone signaling pathways in Metazoans
Authors: Markov Gabriel , Tavares Raquel , Dauphin-Villemant Chantal , Demeneix Barbara , Baker Michael , Laudet Vincent
Published: July 2019

Steroid hormones regulate many physiological processes in vertebrates, nematodes and arthropods through binding to nuclear receptors (NR), a metazoan-specific family of ligand-activated transcription factors. The main steps controlling the diversification of this family are now well understood. In contrast, the origin and evolution of steroid ligands remain mysterious although this is crucial for understanding the emergence of modern endocrine systems. Using a comparative genomic approach, we analyzed complete metazoan genomes to provide a comprehensive view of the evolution of major enzymatic players implicated in steroidogenesis at the whole Metazoan scale. Our analysis reveals that steroidogenesis has been independently elaborated in the three main Bilaterian lineages, and that steroidogenic cytochrome P450 enzymes descended from those that detoxify xenobiotics.
Natural Biomolecules from Marine Snail Telescopium telescopium and structure of its sperm: A Phylogenetic Study
Authors: Datta Uttam , Hembram Manik Lal , Roy Subhasis , Mukherjee Prasenjit
Published: July 2019

Abstract:Biochemical analysis of the cytosol fraction isolated from the ovotestis / spermatheca glands of marine mollusc Telescopium telescopium and it’s sperm microtubular structure revealed that relatively similar biomolecules like different enzymes, hormones, minerals and structures of the sperm are also exist in humans. Moreover, antiserum of the cytosol fraction was found to cross-react with the human sperm antigen indicated presence of a common sperm surface antigenicity between these two diversified species. These findings might support and / or hypothesize about the origin and diversification of the vertebrate molecules from its ancestral form (s) from the invertebrates, and basic physiological functions of these ancestral biomolecules including some of the cellular structures plausibly remain the same regardless their structural changes even after evolution.
Tap Water vs. Bottled Water in a Footprint Integrated Approach
Authors: Botto Stefano
Published: July 2019

A Footprint Integrated approach was used to assess and compare the impact on the environment and on the resources of tap water (TW) and pet-bottled natural mineral water (BW). A set of BW from six Italian companies was analyzed. This set covers about the 10% (by volume) of the total marketed bottled waters in Italy. TW is the public water available in Siena (Italy). The functional unit is a volume of water of 1.5 L.An ad hoc Footprint methodology was defined, integrating Ecological Footprint (EF), Water Footprint (WF) and Carbon Footprint (CF). A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was performed, in order to derive the material and energy inputs and outputs of each upstream and downstream process required by the two ways of drinking water.In the comparison based on Ecological Footprint and Carbon Footprint, tap water showed about 300 times lower values than bottled water. On the contrary, Water Footprint values were quite similar: TW displayed the same value of the average BW. The Footprint Integrated results were used to assess the Footprint savings allowed by tap water drinking. Water Footprint reduction chances were also discussed, including a comparison between PET, PLA (polylactic acid) and glass in bottling practice. Tap water seemed to be able to reduce his water consumption and withdrawal more than bottled water.
Use of inadequate data and methodological errors lead to a dramatic overestimation of the water footprint of Jatropha curcas
Authors: Maes Wouter , Achten Wouter , Muys Bart
Published: July 2019

In their recent article, Gerbens-Leenes et al. (1) calculated the water footprint (WF, the amount of water required to produce 1 GJ of energy) of several bioenergy crops. One of the most remarkable findings of this study was the very high water footprint of this species, which has serious management consequences. However, these results are in apparent contrast with recent findings on this species. We present evidence that several errors were made by the authors when calculating the water footprint of jatropha, which has lead to a dramatic overestimation. These errors include weaknesses concerning the data used for the calculation of the water footprint, as well as flaws in the calculation method, as we demonstrate in the letter. Based on peer-reviewed data, we furthermore provide a more correct, still rough, first estimate for the water footprint of this species, which would place it amongst the more water efficient bioenergy crops.
A novel Drosophila post-genomic CNS drug discovery model detects tetraethylammonium chloride with therapeutic potential
Authors: Singh Priyanka , Mohammad* Farhan , Sharma Abhay
Published: July 2019

A Drosophila behavioral and transcriptomic model of locomotor plasticity induced by chronic pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) has recently been developed. In this model, two of the five antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) tested, sodium valproate (NaVP) and levetiracetam (LEV), not ethosuximide (ETH), gabapentin (GBP) and vigabatrin (VGB), ameliorate development of chronic PTZ induced locomotor alteration. Transcriptomic effect of the AEDs and PTZ in fly head has been described. Here, we analyze microarray expression profile of heads of flies treated with the convulsants tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA) and pilocarpine hydrochloride (PILO). Strikingly, microarray clustering placed TEA, not PILO, with LEV and NaVP in one group that was distinct from the other one consisting of PTZ, GBP, VGB and ETH. Further, like LEV and NaVP, TEA regulated genes overrepresented ribosomal and energy metabolic pathways. Also, TEA, like LEV and NaVP, ameliorated development of locomotor deficit in the chronic PTZ model. Both transcriptomic and behavioral analyses thus demonstrated LEV- and NaVP- like neuroprotective effect of TEA. Our results are consistent with earlier paradoxical evidence suggesting that TEA may be neuroprotective. Amenability of Drosophila model thus provides an excellent opportunity to understand long term mechanisms of action of centrally acting drugs in molecular details.
Cross-Product Extensions of the Gene Ontology
Authors: Mungall Christopher , Bada Michael , Berardini Tanya , Deegan Jennifer , Ireland Amelia , Harris Midori , Hill David , Lomax Jane
Published: July 2019

The Gene Ontology is being normalized and extended to include computable logical definitions. These definitions are partitioned into mutually exclusive cross-product sets, many of which reference other OBO Foundry ontologies. The results can be used to reason over the ontology, and to make cross-ontology queries.
Modulation of the Nuclear Transcription Factor of Activated T Cells by Duck Hepatitis B Virus
Authors: Loscher Christine , Matschl Urte , Iwanski Alicja , Chang Schau-Feng , Bruns Michael
Published: July 2019

During infection with hepadnaviruses besides the infectious agent a high number of subviral particles without nucleocapsids are produced, which are able to change the infection dramatically. In addition, it was observed that the activation of the nuclear factor of activated T cells, regulated usually in cells of the immune system, was strongly influenced after infection. When primary duck liver cells were infected with purified virions of duck hepatitis B virus the activation of this factor was reduced in a similar way as it was achieved by inhibition of calcineurin, a cellular phosphatase necessary to control the factor, whereas the addition of subviral particles inhibited this reduction. It was found that the large surface protein of the virus was responsible for the reduced activity. Although this protein was embedded in similar amounts into the envelopes of both particles, only virions were able to inhibit the activity of the nuclear factor. An explanation of the different performances of the particles in primary duck liver cells apparently depends on the individual mode of insertion of the large surface proteins into the viral membrane. Furthermore, the nuclear factor of activated T cells could only be detected in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, which was shown being attracted by virions but not by subviral particles.