bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
TGF‐β and HSP70 profiles during transformation of yak hair follicles from the anagen to catagen stage
Authors: Song Liang‐Li , Cui Yan , Yu Si‐Jiu , Liu Peng‐Gang , He Jun‐Feng 
Published: February 2019

AbstractTransforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) are important for the hair follicle (HF) cycle, but it is unclear whether they participate in HF regression in yak skin. In this study, we investigated the role of TGF‐β, TGF‐βRII, and HSP70 in the transition from anagen to catagen of HFs. The results showed that TGF‐β2 transcription was significantly higher than that of TGF‐β1 and TGF‐β3 in the same periods. Meanwhile, the expressions of TGF‐β2, TGF‐βRII, and caspase‐3 were higher in the catagen phase than that in mid‐anagen, and some TGF‐βRII‐positive HF cells were terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate‐biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL)‐positive. Moreover, the HSP70 protein levels in mid‐anagen were higher than those in late‐anagen and catagen. These results suggested that TGF‐β2 plays a major role in catagen induction in yak HFs, which might be achieved via TGF‐βRII‐mediated apoptosis in HF epithelial cells. In contrast, HSP70 might protect epithelial cells from apoptosis and ultimately inhibit HF regression. In conclusion, TGF‐β2 has positive effects, whereas HSP70 has negative effects, on catagen induction.
Semicontinuous anaerobic digestion of protease pretreated Chlorella biomass for volatile fatty acids production
Authors: Magdalena Jose Antonio , Llamas Mercedes , Tomás‐Pejó Elia , González‐Fernández Cristina 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDAnaerobic digestion (AD) could be designed as a source of volatile fatty acids (VFAs). However, acidogenesis optimization for novel substrates such as Chlorella vulgaris biomass needs to be investigated considering parameters such as temperature (T), organic loading rate (OLR), hydraulic retention time (HRT) and the adaptation of the sludge to temperature and substrate.RESULTSThe best organic matter conversion into VFAs (CODVFA/CODin; COD, chemical oxygen demand) was achieved with HRT = 8 d, adapted anaerobic sludge (AAS) and OLR = 1.5 gCOD L−1 d−1 (CODVFA/CODin = 39.8 ± 1.0% and productivity VFA = 0.5 ± 0.1 g L−1 d−1). Acetic and butyric acids represented 50% of the total VFAs. The microbiota related to acidogenesis and acetogenesis (Firmicutes 55% of the operational taxonomic units in R5) and the low archaeal population resulted in VFA accumulation at 25 °C.CONCLUSIONSThe use of low HRT and temperatures promoted VFAs production especially when AAS was employed. Microbial communities were strikingly different to the ones often found in AD targeted at biogas production. The relevance of the Firmicutes phylum (≤55% in R3 and R5) and euryarchaeota absence at 25 °C contributed to VFA accumulation. The use of AAS reported an increase in Actinobacteria species. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Assessment of a Ficus benjamina wood chip‐based aerated biofilter used for the removal of metformin and ciprofloxacin during domestic wastewater treatment
Authors: García‐Sánchez Liliana , Gutiérrez‐Macías Tania , Estrada‐Arriaga Edson Baltazar 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDSeveral studies have demonstrated that the pharmaceuticals detected in the influents and effluents of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) can cause endocrine disruption and bacterial resistance on different species, in an aquatic environment. Metformin (antidiabetic drug) and ciprofloxacin (antibiotic quinolones) are compounds found at higher concentrations than many other pharmaceuticals, and thus have a disproportionately large environmental impact. This study is focused on the assessment of an aerated biofilter packed with Ficus benjamina wood chips for the simultaneous removal of metformin, ciprofloxacin, organic matter expressed as chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3‐N) during domestic wastewater treatment, under different superficial hydraulic loading.RESULTSThe maximum removals of metformin, ciprofloxacin, COD and NH3‐N from the wastewater treated in an aerated biofilter were 94, 81, 91 and 38%, respectively, by applying a superficial hydraulic loading of 0.18 m3 m–2 d–1 [hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 7 h]. The adsorption capacity of F. benjamina wood chips on the metformin and ciprofloxacin was 0.1 and 2.03 µg gsupport material–1, respectively.CONCLUSIONThe maximum removal rates for metformin, ciprofloxacin, COD and NH3‐N were obtained when the aerated biofilter was operated at HRT = 7 h. The F. benjamina wood chips showed sorption properties of pharmaceuticals. According to a scanning electron microscopy image, the F. benjamina wood chips showed available pores in their entire surface, thus indicating that this organic support medium has a high potential for carrying out the sorption processes. Likewise, the surface of the wood chips showed the development of a homogeneous biofilm. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Hepatic glutamine synthetase augmentation enhances ammonia detoxification
Authors: Soria Leandro R. , Nitzahn Matthew , De Angelis Angela , Khoja Suhail , Attanasio Sergio , Annunziata Patrizia , Palmer Donna J. , Ng Philip , Lipshutz Gerald S. , Brunetti‐Pierri Nicola 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe urea cycle and glutamine synthetase (GS) are the two main pathways for waste nitrogen removal and their deficiency results in hyperammonemia. Here, we investigated the efficacy of liver‐specific GS overexpression for therapy of hyperammonemia. To achieve hepatic GS overexpression, we generated a helper‐dependent adenoviral (HDAd) vector expressing the murine GS under the control of a liver‐specific expression cassette (HDAd‐GS). Compared to mice injected with a control vector expressing an unrelated reporter gene (HDAd‐alpha‐fetoprotein), wild‐type mice with increased hepatic GS showed reduced blood ammonia levels and a concomitant increase of blood glutamine after intraperitoneal injections of ammonium chloride, whereas blood urea was unaffected. Moreover, injection of HDAd‐GS reduced blood ammonia levels at baseline and protected against acute hyperammonemia following ammonia challenge in a mouse model with conditional hepatic deficiency of carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 (Cps1), the initial and rate‐limiting step of ureagenesis. In summary, we found that upregulation of hepatic GS reduced hyperammonemia in wild‐type and Cps1‐deficient mice, thus confirming a key role of GS in ammonia detoxification. These results suggest that hepatic GS augmentation therapy has potential for treatment of both primary and secondary forms of hyperammonemia.
Microglia in Alzheimer’s disease: A target for immunotherapy
Authors: Wang Shoutang , Colonna Marco 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
Microglia are resident Mϕs of the CNS that play pleiotropic functions in brain development and homeostasis. Impaired microglial functions are thought to be involved in the onset and progression of various neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, understanding microglia in these settings may indicate new approaches for therapeutic intervention. Here, we review recent evidence implicating microglia in Alzheimer’s disease and discuss potential therapeutic strategies targeting microglia and their receptors in this disease.
Characteristics of women with different perinatal depression trajectories
Authors: Wikman Anna , Axfors Cathrine , Iliadis Stavros I , Cox John , Fransson Emma , Skalkidou Alkistis 
Published: February 2019

AbstractMaternal perinatal depression (PND), a common mental disorder with a prevalence of over 10%, is associated with long‐term health risks for both mothers and offspring. This study aimed at describing characteristics related to background and lifestyle, pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum of different PND trajectories defined according to the onset of depressive symptoms. Participants were drawn from a large population‐based cohort study in Uppsala, Sweden (n = 2,466). Five trajectory groups of depressive symptom onset were created using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale ≥13 (pregnancy) or ≥12 points (postpartum): (a) healthy (60.6%), (b) pregnancy depression (8.5%), (c) early postpartum onset (10.9%), (d) late postpartum onset (5.4%), and (e) chronic depression (14.6%). In multinomial logistic regressions, the associations between trajectories and the included characteristics were tested using the healthy trajectory as reference. Background characteristics (younger age, lower education, unemployment) were primarily associated with pregnancy depression and chronic depression. Characteristics associated with all PND trajectories were smoking prior to pregnancy, migraine, premenstrual mood symptoms, intimate partner violence, interpersonal trauma, negative delivery expectations, pregnancy nausea, and symphysiolysis. Nulliparity, instrumental delivery, or a negative delivery experience was associated with early postpartum onset. Postpartum factors (e.g., infantile colic, lack of sleep, low partner support, and bonding difficulties) were associated with early and late postpartum onset together with chronic depression. The findings suggest that different PND trajectories have divergent characteristics, which could be used to create individualized treatment options. To find the most predictive characteristics for different PND trajectories, studies with even larger and more diverse samples are warranted.
Quantitative evaluation of sulfation position prevalence in chondroitin sulphate by Raman spectroscopy
Authors: López‐Álvarez Miriam , López‐Senra Estefanía , Valcárcel Jesús , Vázquez José Antonio , Serra Julia , González Pío 
Published: February 2019

AbstractChondroitin sulphate (CS) as a major component of the extracellular matrix of numerous connective tissues is responsible for biomechanical properties such as resistance and elasticity. It occurs in different isomeric forms with different sites and degrees of sulfation. The characterization of crude CS and quantitative isomeric identification by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) requires specific enzymes, expensive reagents, and a complicated analytical process. Poor reproducibility and imprecise quantification were found with other methodologies. Raman spectroscopy allows rapid and reproducible identification of CS isomers offering specificity and avoids the need for sample pretreatment or external markers. In the present work, a quantitative identification of major contribution of isomeric chondroitin 4 and 6‐sulphate in crude CS by Raman spectroscopy has been performed. Two quantitative indices have been proposed based on areas of specific bands of interest related to main skeletal modes, an aromatic ring with axial orientation in the case of the major contribution of 4‐sulphate and C‐O‐(S) vibration, which is heavily detected in the case of the major contribution of 6‐sulphate. Both mammalian and fish sources of CS were used to validate the ability of mentioned indices to discriminate between prevalence of 4‐sulphate, 6‐sulphate, or none of them. Correspondence of given results with HPLC was demonstrated.
Lupin seeds storage protein composition and their interactions with native flavonoids
Authors: Czubinski Jaroslaw , Feder Sara 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDLupin‐based food, due to the high content of functional proteins and phenolic compounds, are widely used in human nutrition. Unfortunately, proteins and phenolic compounds can easily interact with each other which results in formation of complexes that affect properties of both components. Therefore, in this study, composition of the seeds storage proteins isolated from Lupinus albus and L. angustifolius and their interactions with native flavonoids were investigated.RESULTSBased on the chromatographic separations, six proteins fractions of lupin seeds storage proteins were identified. The results indicate that two dominant fractions, α‐conglutin and β‐conglutin, constitute up to 80% of all proteins present in the seeds. Three flavonoids interacting with the proteins were identified as apigenin C‐glycosides. The lowest flavonoids content was noted in the main storage proteins while in both lupin seeds species over 90% of flavonoids interacted with the proteins present in late‐embryogenesis abundant (LEA) protein fraction.CONCLUSIONSProtein–phenolic compound complexes can affect the digestibility of proteins and bioavailability of phenolic compounds, and thus the functional and nutritional properties of products derived from lupin seeds can be changed. Therefore, a better understanding of factors affecting the nutritional value of lupin seeds proteins and flavonoids is necessary to optimize the biological use of this plant for human nutrition. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Multi‐scale habitat selection of elk in response to beetle‐killed forest
Authors: Lamont Bryan G. , Monteith Kevin L. , Merkle Jerod A. , Mong Tony W. , Albeke Shannon E. , Hayes Matthew M. , Kauffman Matthew J. 
Published: February 2019

ABSTRACTForests of the Rocky Mountains (USA and Canada) have experienced a large‐scale bark‐beetle (Dendoctronus ponderosae) epidemic that has led to widespread mortality of pine trees, followed by structural and compositional changes to the forest. The millions of dead trees resulting from this event likely have an effect on ecosystem processes, but currently those effects are mostly unclear. Changes to forest canopy and understory structure are likely to affect behavior and space use of large ungulates as forage abundance, thermal cover, and locomotive costs are presumably altered. We developed and tested hypotheses for how resource selection in summer of female elk (Cervus canadensis;n = 47; 2012–2016), the primary large mammal in our study area, was influenced by changes in canopy, understory vegetation, and downed logs in bark‐beetle affected forest in south‐central Wyoming, USA. We employed global positioning system (GPS) technology, an imagery‐derived land cover classification specifically depicting beetle‐affected forest, and on‐the‐ground forest measurements to develop resource and step selection functions. At the study area scale, elk avoided beetle‐killed forest during nearly all parts of the day and selected for intact conifer forest during the day. At the micro‐habitat scale, as canopy cover decreased in beetle‐killed areas, there was a concomitant increase in grass biomass and downed logs. Nevertheless, while in the forest, elk did not alter resource selection relative to changes in understory vegetation or downed logs. The boost in forage abundance within beetle‐killed areas was insufficient to overcome the presumed increases in energy expenditures associated with locomotion and thermoregulation in beetle‐killed forests. The bark‐beetle epidemic has altered how elk use the landscape and has resulted in a potential loss of forest habitat that elk use during the day. Our results indicate that habitat treatments (i.e., fire or harvest) that remove standing dead trees and downed logs in beetle‐killed forest would further facilitate understory growth while reducing the locomotion costs associated with foraging in beetle‐killed forest. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
Combination of Dietary Ahiflower Oil and Equol Enhances Long‐Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Levels in Rainbow Trout Tissues
Authors: Fickler Anna , Staats Stefanie , Michl Stéphanie Céline , Hasler Mario , Rimbach Gerald , Schulz Carsten 
Published: February 2019

AbstractEquol and Ahiflower oil have been shown to increase either eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n‐3) or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n‐3) levels in tissues of rainbow trout when applied individually. Thus, we investigated whether the combination of an Ahiflower oil‐based diet and equol might increase both, EPA and DHA levels, in rainbow trout. Rainbow trout (87.1 ± 0.3 g) were fed with five diets for 8 weeks. A diet based on a blend of fish and vegetable oils (FV) served as a reference diet. The four experimental diets contained a blend of Ahiflower oil and vegetable oils (AV). The AV‐diets were supplemented with equol by 0.0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3% DM of the diet (AV‐C, AV‐EQ1, AV‐EQ2, and AV‐EQ3). The dietary treatments did not affect growth performance of fish and chemical nutrient composition of the whole body samples. Fish fed with the equol diets showed dose‐dependently increased liver weights and 18:0 liver levels. The content of EPA showed no consistent pattern between tissues but all AV‐groups were characterized by higher liver EPA values than FV. DHA values of AV‐EQ2 and AV‐EQ3 were similar to FV in fillet, tended to be the highest in the whole body and were significantly higher in liver compared to FV. In contrast, mRNA steady state levels of fatty acyl desaturase 2a (delta‐6) [fads2a(d6)] were not affected by the dietary treatments. In conclusion, the combination of dietary Ahiflower oil and equol (0.2% and 0.3%) seems to affect the fatty acid metabolism of rainbow trout positively to increase DHA tissue levels.
Size assessment in polychaete worms—application of morphometric correlations for common North Atlantic taxa
Authors: Górska Barbara , Gromisz Sławomira , Włodarska‐Kowalczuk Maria 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBody size is a basic animal feature that defines its functioning in multispecies assemblages. Polychaetes are numerically dominant components of marine macrobenthos, playing a key role in benthic productivity. They are also the most problematic group regarding body‐size assessments due to common fragmentation of fragile bodies during sample processing that inhibits direct assessments of their size and biomass. Here, we present quantified relationships that allow an estimation of the total‐body length based on morphometric features (widths of thoracic chaetigers) that remain intact after standard macrobenthic sample treatment. The best‐fitted regression equations (p < 0.001, r from 0.41 to 0.99) were selected for 28 polychaete families, six orders, two infraclasses, and one subclass based on the measurements on 3580 complete individuals collected in the North Atlantic (Norwegian and Spitsbergen fjords and continental margin). In Capitellidae, Cirratulidae, Oweniidae, and Trichobranchidae, the shapes of the relationships differed among dominant species/genera, and so, specific formula was proposed. The method has been applied to assess the size spectra of macrozoobenthos based on 18 van Veen grab samples collected at six stations in two Spitsbergen fjords. The percentage contribution of complete individuals in polychaete biomass and abundance in size classes varied between 0% and 43%, with the lowest percentages noted in two dominant families—Cirratulidae and Lumbrineridae. The presented method is likely to be widely applied in studies requiring polychaete individual size assessments (e.g., benthic biomass size spectra, population dynamics, and secondary production).
Selective Coating of SnS on the Bio‐Inspired Moth‐Eye Patterned PEDOT:PSS Polymer Films
Authors: Cao Thuy Thi , Uyen Thi Phan Ngoc , Male Umashankar , Huh Do Sung 
Published: February 2019

AbstractA new strategy for the selective coating of tin sulfide (SnS) on the surface of moth‐eye patterned (MEP) conducting polymer film is studied by considering the optical properties of the antireflective moth‐eye pattern and flexibility of polymer films. The semiconductor SnS is selectively coated on the surface of MEP microdomes of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) poly(styrene‐sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) film. The SnS coated MEP film is obtained by using pore selectively SnS thin layer functionalized polystyrene honeycomb‐patterned porous (HCP) film as a template. Aqueous PEDOT:PSS solution is poured on the SnS functionalized HCP films and detached for the fabrication of SnS coated MEP films. The films show a satisfactory photo‐responsive property under solar stimulated light illumination due to the antireflective MEP structure of PEDOT film and homogenous SnS coating on the surface of the conducting polymer.
Thermoresponsive DNA by Intercalation of dsDNA with Oligoethylene‐Glycol‐Functionalized Small‐Molecule Intercalators
Authors: Bera Debaditya , Verdonck Lars , Glassner Mathias , Madder Annemieke , Hoogenboom Richard 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThermoresponsive polymeric materials are important building blocks for smart materials. In this work, the transformation of dsDNA into a thermoresponsive polymer is reported by intercalation of short, oligoethylene‐glycol‐modified proflavine intercalators. The thermoresponsiveness of the dsDNA‐intercalator complex originates from the heating‐induced dehydration of the ethylene glycol side chains, which leads to aggregation of the intercalated dsDNA. This work demonstrates the possibility of designing small‐molecule intercalators to prepare thermoresponsive dsDNA complexes with tunable lower critical solution temperature behavior.
Assessment of Flexible Shape Complementarity: New Opportunities to Explain and Induce Selectivity in Ligands of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B
Authors: Naß Alexandra , Schaller David , Wolber Gerhard 
Published: February 2019

AbstractFor drug design projects it is essential to rationally induce and explain selectivity. In this context shape complementarity as well as protein and ligand flexibility represent important factors. Currently available tools for the analysis of protein‐ligand interactions focus mainly on electrostatic complementarity and/or static structures. Here we address the shortcomings of available methods by presenting two new tools: The first one can be used to assess steric complementarity in flexible protein‐ligand complexes in order to explain selectivity of known ligands. It further allows to determine ligand atoms with especially good or bad shape‐fit which can be of use in lead optimization projects. The second tool was designed to detect differences in protein flexibility in similar proteins along with their exploitation for virtual screening. Both tools yield interesting results when applied to data of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B): The case of PTP1B has proven especially difficult in terms of selectivity, due to a closely related phosphatase connected to severe undesired effects. With our tool for steric complementarity assessment we were able to explain previously undisclosed causes of moderate selectivity of selected PTP1B ligands. The second tool allowed us to find differences of flexibility in the two highly similar proteins and give directions for exploitation in virtual screening.